United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

5th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue
2019-05-02 - 2019-05-03 | Baku, Azerbaijan
“Building dialogue into action against discrimination, inequality and violent conflict”
2-3 May, 2019, Baku, Azerbaijan
The Government of Azerbaijan in partnership with UNAOC, UNESCO, UNWTO, the Council of Europe and ISESCO will host the 5th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue under the motto of “Building dialogue into action against discrimination, inequality and violent conflict” on 2-3 May, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The 5th World Forum will examine the critical role of Intercultural Dialogue as an actionable strategy for building human solidarity and helping localities counter the violence and discrimination in diverse communities. Click here for more information.

WFID Breakout Session: "Global Citizenship Education: Nurturing a Culture of Peace"
2019-05-02 14:30 - 16:00 (Asia/Dubai) | Baku, Azerbaijan
“Global Citizenship Education: Nurturing a Culture of Peace”
A Breakout Session at the 5th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue
Our world today is increasingly multi-cultural and multi-polar, where the values of pluralism and diversity should be viewed as enriching rather than polarizing. Beyond classical conceptions of citizenship, we should seek to establish a culture of peace from an early age, where people of different identities, faiths and cultures can identify as global citizens. In this context, Global Citizenship Education (GCED) seems to be the best vehicle to instill these values. GCED involves the use of practical tools for building human solidarity and helping localities counter the violence and discrimination in diverse communities. One of those tools is intercultural and interfaith dialogue. GCED is an important instrument in our collective efforts to achieve peaceful coexistence.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) works actively to enable youth leaders to acquire intercultural competencies, develop critical-thinking skills and promote the values of diversity and respect of the other with the aim of fostering cross-cultural dialogue, nurturing a culture of peace as well as overcoming stereotypes and intolerance. At the same time, UNAOC strengthens (youth-led) civil society organizations, while highlighting their GCED initiatives, in order to support their integration at the policy level. To contribute to GCED, UNAOC has already implemented and continues to spearhead the following projects: Young Peacebuilders, Fellowship Programme, PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival, PEACEapp, Youth Solidarity Fund and Intercultural Innovation Award, as well as Media Information Literacy (MIL). For more information, visit www.unaoc.org.
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WFID Plenary Session: "#Youth4Peace: Building a Counter-Narrative to Violent Extremism”
2019-05-03 09:30 - 11:30 (Asia/Dubai) | Baku, Azerbaijan
#Youth4Peace: Building a Counter-Narrative to Violent Extremism
A conversation with the UNAOC High Representative
Plenary 2 of the 5th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue

Background:
Today, youth engagement has become a crucial factor in the global efforts to prevent violent extremism and to build sustainable peace. In the fight against radicalization, youngsters are not considered as just victims or vulnerable individuals anymore. They are also regarded as agents of change and champions of peace. Crucial resolutions such as UNSCR 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security, UNSG Plan of Action on PVE (2016), and UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy’s most recent review (2018) are emphasizing youth resilience and empowerment as key elements to prevent violence and conflicts fuelled by hatred and intolerance. Moreover, working with young people from different backgrounds has proved pivotal to detect early signs of radicalization and to offer meaningful alternatives.
Over the years and through its various programming activities, UNAOC has encouraged youth leadership with the aim to help future generations become active citizens, resilient to extremism and able to counter radicalization through critical thinking. As a result, the Alliance has developed an extensive network of Alumni involved all over the world in key expertise areas, such as youth policy, global education, interreligious dialogue, social inclusion – only to name a few. Besides their remarkable backgrounds and achievements, these young people all have in common to be deeply committed to UNAOC mission of promoting dialogue and respect between cultures and religions.

Concept:
The High Representative for the UNAOC will engage UNAOC Alumni in an interactive format to discuss good practices on countering violent extremism through the promotion of intercultural and interfaith dialogue. Through short presentations followed by an exchange with the High Representative, Alumni will share innovative approaches on ways to involve youth in preventing violent extremism and to include their voice at policy level.
Together, they will examine the role of young people in tackling key issues such as preventing and addressing hate-speech and online radicalization; supporting diversity and the inclusion of minorities; assessing and improving the impact at grassroots level of UN youth policy; education younger generations to tolerance and respect for the other; using interreligious dialogue as a tool for reconciliation.
Basing their interventions on their own experience on the ground and engagement with UNAOC, Alumni will also make recommendations to address the shortcomings and challenges young people face when trying to take part in the global efforts to prevent violent extremism.

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African Regional High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism and the Prevention of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism
2019-07-10 - 2019-07-11 | Nairobi, Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
The United Nations is taking a leading role in assisting Member States in their efforts to prevent and counter terrorism, including violent extremism conducive to it. In order to enhance our understanding of the terrorism threats faced by African countries, to share good practices and lessons learned, and to identify how cooperation among Member States and with the United Nations can be made more effective, the Republic of Kenya and the United Nations will convene on 10-11 July 2019 at the United Nations Office at Nairobi the African Regional High-Level Conference on Counter-Terrorism and the Prevention of Violent Extremism Conducive to Terrorism. This regional conference will inform the next United Nations High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States to be held June 2020. The conference will take place in an interactive format. Click here to learn more.

Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom
2019-07-16 - 2019-07-18 | Washington, DC, USA
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is participating in the second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington on July 16-18, hosted by the U.S. Department of State.
The Ministerial will reaffirm international commitments to promote religious freedom for all and focus on concrete outcomes that produce durable, positive change. A broad range of stakeholders, including senior government representatives, international organization representatives, religious leaders, and civil society activists will convene to discuss challenges, identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution and discrimination, and ensure greater respect for freedom of religion or belief.
This year’s Ministerial seeks to further conversations from last year’s event and recent regional conferences. Up to 1000 civil society and religious community representatives, representing every corner of the world, are expected to attend.
For more information, click here.

Religions for Peace 10th World Assembly
2019-08-20 - 2019-08-23 | Lindau, Germany, Lindau, Germany
The UNAOC High Representative, H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, is participating in the Religions for Peace 10th World Assembly from 20–23 August 2019 in Lindau, Germany.
With a theme of “Caring for our Common Future—Advancing Shared Well-Being”, the Assembly will host senior religious leaders, youth and women of faith, government representatives, intergovernmental organizations and civil society groups to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships for the common good.

25th Lisbon Forum
2019-11-25 - 2019-11-26 | Ismaili Centre, Lisbon, Ismaili Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
“Bridging the Paradigm: the relation between Development and Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Democracy”
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12th Summit of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD)
2020-01-20 - 2020-01-24 | Quito, Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
UNAOC will be participating in the 12th Summit Meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Quito, Ecuador, 20-24 January.
GFMD Summit meetings offer the largest multi-stakeholder space for Member States to discuss ways to improve migration policies and develop ideas and concrete partnerships.
As an observer of the GFMD, UNAOC developed and drafted a background paper for Roundtable 2.2. of the Summit Meeting on the theme, “Communicating effectively with migrants,” co-chaired by the Gambia, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. This Roundtable is part of GFMD’s Substantive Priority 2: “Migration narratives and communication: What role, responsibility, and resources do governments have?”
UNAOC will present the background paper at the Summit Meeting.

Download the background paper: English | French | Spanish
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First International Expert Group Meeting on the Security of Major Sporting
2020-02-03 - 2020-02-04 | United Nations Headquarters, New York, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), in association with the United Nations Interregional Criminal Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Centre for Sport and Security (ICSS) and in consultation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), has designed the “Global Programme on Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism”.
The first International Expert Group Meeting and the launch of the Global Programme will take place on 3 and 4 February 2020 in a closed-door manner at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The First IEG meeting will see the participation of a wide range of experts and stakeholders, to discuss the state of the art of major events security around the world, setting up the priorities for the development of specific global policies, as well as collecting practices and identifying recommendations for the development of global guidelines to better assist Member States in managing the security of major sporting events.
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G20 Interfaith Forum Middle East Regional Meeting
2020-06-27 | Online
The G20 Interfaith Forum offers an annual platform where a network of religiously linked institutions and initiatives engage on global agendas (primarily and including the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs). The annual G20 Summits are a critical time and place where priority global issues are considered. The G20 process has evolved since it was established in 2008, with various platforms (ministerial meetings, engagement groups) that allow different sectors and communities to present ideas and recommendations to global leaders. Our goal is to contribute meaningful insight and recommendations that respond to and help shape the G20 and thus global policy agendas.

The Arab regional consultation represents an integral part of the preparations for the G20 Interfaith Forum. It has particular significance because of the high level of interaction between religious actors, Arab policy makers, and other experts in the Arab setting.

Learn More About the G20 Interfaith Forum

2020 G20 Interfaith Forum
2020-10-13 - 2020-10-16 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All
The formal 2020 G20 Interfaith Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will take place from 13-16 October 2020. On the way to Riyadh, there will be regional forums in Argentina, Belgium, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, and Washington, D.C. These gatherings will produce statements and recommendations for the formal 2020 G20 Interfaith Forum. In addition, there are will be two pre-conferences in Riyadh to bring together the KAICIID Youth Programme and KAICIID Fellows right before the 2020 G20 Interfaith Forum in Riyadh that will contribute substantive input for the Forum.
View the Livestream Here

Collaborating Partners
The G20 Interfaith Forum Association wishes to express particular appreciation for its co-organizing partners this year for the 2020 G20 Interfaith Forum being hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), and the Saudi Arabian National Committee for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue (NCIRD).

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Hemispheric Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief
2020-10-23 10:30 - 13:30 (America/Halifax) | Online
UNAOC will participate the First Hemispheric Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia.
The forum aims to promote cooperation in the hemisphere, provide information on promoting religious freedom, and create a space to recognize and promote interfaith dialogue.
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), will deliver opening remarks during the Ministerial Plenary on 23 October.

United Nations Roundtable of Media and Information Literacy Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2020
2020-10-28 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax)
Resisting Disinfodemic: Media and Information Literacy for Everybody and by Everybody
Ms. Nihal Saad, Chief of Cabinet and Spokesperson for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), will participate at the UN Roundtable of Media and Information Literacy Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2020, with the theme “Resisting Disinfodemic: Media and Information Literacy for Everybody and by Everybody”.

As disinformation has become a cross-cutting problem for the different goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda, so too different UN agencies may find shared interests in the role of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) as part of the responses. This document outlines some ways in which MIL is relevant to the mandates of different members of the UN family, and possible points of co-operation. This novel first round of discussions may lay the ground for continued dialogues and practical steps forward.
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2020 Balkans Forum Against Anti-Semitism
2020-10-28 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), will participate in the 2020 Balkans Forum Against Anti-Semitism, hosted by the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, in partnership with the Combat anti-Semitism Movement (CAM) and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
The Forum will take place on October 28th, 2020 at 16:00 CET / 11:00 AM EST.
The aim of the conference is to create a united front among the Balkans to work together in order to eradicate the scourge of anti-Semitism from our discourse and to create better, more tolerant societies for future generations.
Register for the 2020 Balkans Forum Against Anti-Semitism Watch Live on YouTube

Les Rencontres Orient Occident du Château Mercier, Switzerland
2020-10-29 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
9th Edition of the Rencontres Orient Occident at Château Mercier
Since 2012, Château Mercier has hosted the Rencontres Orient Occident in its peaceful setting in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
The event brings together the fields of philosophy, history, politics and geopolitics, law, economics, ecology and spirituality.
Click here to learn more.

Espai Debat - Ciclo Europa, Spain
2020-10-29 14:30 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)
L’H Espai de Debat is a platform integrated by diverse entities of a social character whose objective is to promote debate and citizen involvement in the city of l’Hospitalet del Llobregat.
Europe: Present and Future
Response to Covid19, global leadership and the biggest global challenges.
Click here for more information.

Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief 2020
2020-11-16 - 2020-11-17 | Online
Hosted by the Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Mr. Zbigniew Rau, the Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief aims to discuss the most current and pressing issues related to the freedom of religion or belief in the world. As the 2020 edition of the Ministerial will take place during the COVID-19 health crisis, one of the focus of the conference is how to advance freedom of religion and belief despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
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Freedom of Speech and caricatures vs. Respect of Religions : Clash or Alliance of Civilizations?
2020-11-19 14:30 - 15:30 (Europe/Paris)
A Zoom conversation with Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, organized by the Aspen Institute of France
Following the recent events in Conflans Sainte Honorine with the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty and in Notre Dame Cathedral in Nice, and the Vienna shooting a few days later, France and Europe are hit again by fanatic attacks and murders committed in the name of Islam. The reaction by President Macron saying that France would not surrender its core value and freedom of expression, and the preparation of a law on “Islamic separatism” has generated fury in the Muslim world and the boycott of French products.
Should there be some limit in the freedom of speech and expression? Are we heading towards a new wave of terror and escalation of tensions?
25 years after the publication of the Clash of Civilizations and all attempts made to prevent it by promoting dialogue and alliance of Civilizations, can we say that Huntington’s predictions have prevailed? What could be the responses and the measures to be taken to guarantee mutual respect among religions and faiths and peaceful societies?
The Aspen Institute will host Miguel Moratinos, the Head of the UN body against extremism and radicalization, to discuss these sensitive issues and to seek his views in the global context.

The Aspen Institute France is an educational and policy studies organization based in Paris. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues.

Rome Mediterranean Dialogues
2020-11-25 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax)
UNAOC will participate in the Rome Mediterranean Dialogues, the annual high-level initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI (Italian Institute for International Political Studies) in Rome with the aim to rethink traditional approaches to the area complementing analyses of current challenges with new ideas and suggestions and to draft a new “positive agenda”, addressing shared challenges at both the regional and the international level.
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Securing Sport Virtual Edition 2020
2020-12-01 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax)
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, will participate in a session entitled “Protecting Sport in Regions in Turmoil” within the margins of the ICSS Securing Sport 2020 Virtual Edition. The session will explore ways to restore sport competitions in post-conflict countries and regions affected by turmoil, and how sport can contribute to prosperity and stability in areas affected by crises. The discussion will focus on methods of re-building relevant capacities required for staging and managing sporting events, at all levels, from grassroots to professional sports, and the possibility of organizing sporting events with an international dimension.

SECURING SPORT 2020 Virtual Edition: ‘Building Resilience in an Ever-Changing World’
The ICSS will convene its flagship conference Securing Sport from 01 – 04 December 2020, in a virtual event format under the theme ‘Building Resilience in an Ever-Changing World’. Securing Sport is an international and multisectoral conference, which was conceived to serve as a platform for discussions about the changes, challenges and threats to sport and the opportunities sport can generate in the socio-economic context. The latest editions were hosted by the Lancaster House in London and the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.
By bringing together all ICSS partners and allies, Securing Sport gives inspiration to the ICSS regarding the general work objectives and future endeavors in safeguarding sport as a common good for humankind.
As an open-ended platform, Securing Sport unites international and national decision-makers, eminent experts and gives a voice to stakeholders across sectors with the aim of inspiring collective action and identifying solutions to enhance the safety, security and integrity of sport, while protecting its societal values.
In a series of digital events – Policy Dialogues, Expert Debates and Youth Interventions hosted by the ICSS initiative Save the Dream – set against a virtual stage backdrop, the panels will analyse some of the most pressing current challenges facing the world of sport and address global challenges, international approaches and ways to further strengthen multisectoral cooperation.
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26th Lisbon Forum: "Lessons learnt: what challenges still to overcome?"
2020-12-02 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Lisbon) | Virtual
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), will deliver keynote remarks in a session entitled “Lessons learnt: what challenges still to overcome?” in the margins of the 26th Lisbon Forum on 2 December 2020.

About the Lisbon Forum:
The world we live in is a complex system. One in which a heterogeneous network of actors has the power to influence decisions at global level, in certain cases without necessarily being held accountable for them. A system that continues to be characterised by increasing inequalities, which are still deeply embedded in our society. But it is also a system where us, the people, and our representatives, can come together and cooperate for the common good. This is the lesson that the COVID-19 pandemic has been teaching us since day one, forcing us to deal with a fundamental question: How can we enhance international solidarity’s impact in order to ensure a more sustainable and unified future?
Learn More about the 2020 Lisbon Forum

2021 G20 Interfaith Forum Italy
2021-09-12 - 2021-09-14 | Bologna, Italy, Bologna, Italy
The 2021 G20 Interfaith Forum will be held in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, September 12 – Tuesday, September 14.
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XIX Session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions
2021-10-06 00:00 - 05:00 (America/Halifax) | Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
UNAOC is participating in the XIX Session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, a unique interfaith forum, held every three years. Representatives of foreign religious leaders and heads of international centers are expected to attend.
About the Secretariat: The Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is the operational body of the Congress, which ensures activities in the intervals between its sessions. Founded according to the decision of the participants of the First Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held on September 23-24, 2003 in Astana. The Secretariat includes plenipotentiary representatives of leaders of world and traditional religions from Islam, Christianity (Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism), Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Shintoism.
Click here to learn more: http://religions-congress.org/

Seville Dialogue on Creating Cities of Resilience
2021-10-06 11:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Helsinki) | FIBES Palace of Congresses and Expositions, Seville, Spain
Venue: FIBES Palace of Congresses and Expositions, Seville, Spain
Date: 6 October 2021 (First Urban Forum of Spain and Third Global Forum of Local Governments 5 – 7 October)
Co-Chairs:
His Excellency Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
The Honorable Juan Espadas, Mayor of Seville
Background:
Historically, cities have been places of exchange between the world’s culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse populations that live and share together a common urban space. Yet, growing ethnic and religious tensions have recently made the challenge of creating peaceful cities of belonging ever more difficult. In this context, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the City of Los Angeles organized in March of 2020 the “LA Dialogue on Creating Cities of Belonging”, providing space for mayors, regional government leaders and civil society to work together towards creating more inclusive and peaceful cities.
Shortly after this gathering, the Covid-19 pandemic, far from being only a health crisis, once again put cities at the forefront of the response to a global emergency which has affected millions of people, completely devastated social fabrics and pushed entire populations to the brink of poverty. The “Seville Dialogue on Creating Cities of Resilience” aims to bring mayors and regional leaders to share their experience and good practices in responding to the pandemic and best means to recover better to build cohesive, inclusive and greener societies that hold citizens at their core.
The Seville Dialogue on Creating Cities of Resilience
Cities are often at the forefront of humanity’s biggest challenges. They are hubs where diverse populations coexist, gather and interact on a daily basis in an endless variety of public spaces, from the workplace or schools to public transportation and parks. As such, cities are charged with the complex task of providing equitably for the ever-increasing multicultural and multi-generational population that lives in them. However, these places of exchange and accommodation of cultural diversity are progressively seeing preoccupying trends that further expand the gap between the rich and the poor, that hamper access to basic human rights, and that sow divisions on the basis of culture, ethnicity and faith. The urgency of making cities “more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable,” as determined by SDG 11 and SDG 16 of the 2030 UN Agenda, is not a new concept. The Covid-19 pandemic has not only exposed the extent of global vulnerabilities and inequalities in cities particularly, but it has also underlined the deep need to foster more resilient population hubs, while simultaneously providing a unique window of opportunity for doing so.
Despite its initial character as a global health crisis, more than a year and a half of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront a political, social, economic, and urban crisis. These crises have been particularly severe in urban spaces which, given their sheer size and role as connective, global hubs for people and goods, saw 95% of the world’s virus cases in the first months of the pandemic. As in most emergencies, it is the vulnerable communities of society and their marginalized populations who suffer the most. Endemic patterns of inequalities within cities, often characterized by unequal and in many cases inaccessible basic health, sanitation and social protection systems, as well as poverty and overcrowded living conditions, became key destabilizing factors which increased the epidemic’s overall impact.
Nonetheless, it is also cities that have spearheaded enlightened responses to provide fast and essential answers to the current crisis. From swiftly redesigned urban spaces and easily accessible financial and food support stations for homeless populations, to population-wide increased emergency care, or dedicated health protection websites for migrants, cities soon become main actors in addressing the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, local governments and cities find themselves at a critical crossroads: the “new normal” seems to be irreversible. However, this is also a unique opportunity for them to become the main architects of a new social contract, one that can be the spinal cord of fairer, stronger and better societies. Urban hubs are now faced with the challenge of providing sustainable solutions to the chasms underlined by the pandemic and to tackle inequality at its roots. With the support of the United Nations, the world’s cities must work towards a more sustainable future by, among other actions: ensuring the participation of marginalized groups and capitalizing on their knowledge in decision making processes; improving access to health, education and technology in particularly disadvantaged areas; and creating safer, greener spaces for people to share and live together in the urban world. Indisputably, it is only by working together and sharing knowledge that we, as a global population, can achieve this urgent goal.
Hence, it is in this spirit that the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the City of Seville have organized the “Seville Dialogue on Creating Cities of Resilience”, intended as a space for mayors, local government leaders and civil society to share best practices and lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as to brainstorm together how to rebuild cohesive, inclusive and more sustainable societies where the world’s many cultures, but one humanity, can live together in peace and exercise mutual respect.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is the United Nations entity that has placed dialogue among different cultures and faiths at the core of its activities. Its mandate is “to improve understanding and cooperation among nations and peoples across cultures and to reduce polarization at local and global levels.” With the mantra “One Humanity, many cultures”, UNAOC is an ardent defender of inclusiveness. It recognizes that there is a plurality of civilizations. Each and every one of them has contributed to enriching our common and single humanity. UNAOC’s work is based on the notion that shaping the future we want for humankind, does not only rest in our collective efforts to save our planet, but also on nurturing cultural diversity, pluralism and a sense of belonging.
UNAOC and the City of Seville have a long standing approach in fostering inclusive and sustainable cities. Hence, the integration of the “Seville Dialogue on Creating Cities of Resilience” into the First Urban Forum of Spain and the Third Global Forum of
Local Governments, which will focus on “Cities and Territories in the Social and Economic Recuperation”, was a natural partnering decision.
City of Seville’s First Urban Forum of Spain and Third Global Forum of Local Governments
The forum invites national and local leaders, university experts and civil society to explore, reflect and debate on the topics of “Cities and Health”, “Equity and Social Cohesion”, “Ecological Transition and City Models” and “Digital Transformation and Innovation”, while determining best practices and means to create more sustainable cities.
Seville
Given its history and present social fabric, Seville is a unique place for hosting the second edition of the Dialogues. Having seen the passage of many of the world’s civilizations and being a place where diverse religions and cultures have historically coexisted, Seville keeps within its walls the secrets to promoting diversity, dialogue and inclusion between its citizens, as well as the will to build back better and stronger during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism
2021-10-12 - 2021-10-13 | Malmö, Sweden
UNAOC will be participating in the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism: Remember ReAct, which will take place at Malmömässan in Malmö, Sweden.

Background
In February last year, the original invitation to the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism, Remember ReAct, from Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven was distributed. The Malmö Forum was set to take place in October 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided during the spring of 2021 that the Forum had to be postponed to October 2021.
Heads of State or Government from around 50 countries, researchers, experts, representatives of civil society and social media companies have been invited to the Malmö Forum. The aim of the Malmö Forum is to jointly take concrete steps forward in the work on Holocaust remembrance and the fight against antisemitism. The programme will focus on four main themes:

Holocaust remembrance
Holocaust education
Antisemitism on social media
Combating antisemitism and other forms of racism in all spheres of life

Two of the starting points for the Forum are the Stockholm Declaration adopted in 2000 and the 2020 International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Ministerial Declaration. These declarations serve as foundations for action at both national and international level. For this reason, the Swedish Government is not planning a negotiated outcome document from the Forum. The Government is instead asking participating countries, organisations and companies to commit to concrete action that furthers the work related to the themes of the Forum. To this end, all delegations are invited to present pledges consisting of new, concrete initiatives to be implemented by their respective participating countries, organisations and companies. The pledges will be included in an outcome document and followed up during the Swedish Presidency of the IHRA from March 2022 to February 2023.
Webpage: https://www.government.se/government-policy/remember–react/
Instagram: rememberreact

World Youth Forum | #WorldYouthForum
2022-01-10 - 2022-01-13 | Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, will speak at the World Youth Forum in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on 10-13 January 2022. He will speak in the opening segment entitled “COVID19: A warning to Humanity and New Hope”. He will also speak in a session on “International Peace and Security in the Post-Pandemic World”.
The World Youth Forum is a platform built by promising youth. It sends a message of peace, prosperity, harmony, and progress to the entire world. It engages youth from around the globe in an enriching set-up, allowing them to exchange views and recommend initiatives to decision-makers and influential figures. The forum is a chance for you to engage with top policymakers, network with promising youth from the region and the world that are determined to make our world a better place for everyone. Click here to learn more.
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48th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers
2022-03-22 - 2022-03-23 | Islamabad, Pakistan
The High Representative for UNAOC will participate in the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) to be convened by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) under the theme “Building Partnerships for Unity, Justice, and Development” in Islamabad, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on March 22-23, 2022. H.E. Hissein Brahim Taha, the OIC’s Secretary-General, will address the meeting to review the important activities, projects, and programs of the General Secretariat, in addition to the OIC’s post-CFM plans.
The Session will address many topics and the activities of the OIC General Secretariat on implementing the resolutions adopted on various issues in the Islamic world, including the issue of Palestine and Al-Quds Ash-Sharif and the dangerous developments since the last CFM in Niamey 2020. The Session will also discuss several political files, most notably the developments in Afghanistan and its humanitarian consequences for the Afghan people and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which will also be discussed in the sideline meeting of the OIC’s Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.
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Doha Forum : Diplomacy , Diversity, Dialogue
2022-03-26 - 2022-03-27 | Doha, Qatar, Doha, Qatar
The High Representative for UNAOC will participate in the 20th edition of the Doha Forum. This year’s theme is ‘Transforming for a New Era’. Click here to learn more.

UNOCT High-Level Roundtable on the Protection of Major Sporting Events and the use of Sports' Values for the Prevention of Violent Extremism
2022-03-27 | Doha, Qatar, Doha, Qatar

UNOCT Annual Forum of Beneficiaries of Technical Assistance
2022-03-28 - 2022-03-29 | Doha, Qatar, Doha, Qatar
