United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

UNAOC high-level Group of Friends meeting, followed by 2 interactive panel discussions
2020-09-29 09:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
Annual High-Level Meeting of the UNAOC Group of Friends
“Shaping a Better World: Building Cohesive and Inclusive Societies in a Challenging COVID-19 Environment”
On 14 July 2020, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) turned fifteen. The Alliance of Civilizations was created as the special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, who launched it in 2005 at a time when the United Nations recognized an urgent need to fill a policy gap in the governance of cultural and religious diversity, which was threatened by growing divisions between communities and polarization of attitudes triggering the rise of violent extremism, terrorist attacks and the exacerbation of frequent manifestations of intolerance, xenophobia and racism.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic unraveled, there was a strong push-back on cultural diversity, religious pluralism and human rights. Rightly described as a global human crisis, the pandemic threw under a magnifying lens critical issues that lingered on and metastasized over the years. It laid bare entrenched inequalities and fractures. Societies are divided across cultural, ethnic and religious lines. We see it in the resurgence of Neo-Nazis organizations and anti-Semitism. Manifestations of hate speech, racism, xenophobia, and all forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities continue, leading to a vicious circle of extreme violence and terrorist attacks. Youth and women were further marginalized depriving communities of significant potential sources of resilience.
Coincidentally as we mark the 15th anniversary of UNAOC, the international community also celebrates this year the United Nations at 75. It is worth recalling that the existing multilateral governance structures emerged from a devastating global war and the world-wide depression and a pandemic that preceded it. Only events of such global consequence could generate the solidarity, resolve and vision necessary to create those structures.
Events as such remind us of our common fragility and our interconnected fate. If a neighbor, family member, friend, or country is not safe, none of us is safe. History taught us that our well-being and safety are linked to what happens to our neighbor. There is no alternative to standing together in unity and solidarity in cohesive and equitable societies. Fulfilling Goal 16 “Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies” of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is more imperative now than ever before. It is the raison d’être of UNAOC.
The current dark moment in the history of humanity also presents a rare opportunity to emerge from this pandemic closer delivering as one. After all, sustaining peaceful, inclusive and just societies requires an integrated and coherent approach through strong collaboration across the different sectors in any society.
In this context, the overarching theme of the opening plenary session of the annual high-Level meeting of the UNAOC Group of Friends “Shaping a Better World: Building Cohesive and Inclusive Societies in a Challenging COVID-19 Environment” will serve as an occasion to mark the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and take stock of what has been accomplished. It will be also an opportunity to present to the Group of Friends, which has grown to 124 member states of the United Nations, along with 27 international inter-governmental organizations and 1 non-member state, the progress made by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations since September 2019 across the different pillars. The High Representative will also present the new initiatives launched in the areas of prevention and mediation, as well as the new actions taken to address challenges posed by the global pandemic of the coronavirus in 2020.
The opening plenary of the meeting will provide the Group of Friends with the space to express their views regarding these underlying questions: What future do we want for our societies, and how do we get there? What can the UNAOC Group of Friends do to support UNAOC in its endeavors?
The opening segment will start at 09:00AM (EDT) and conclude by 11:30AM (EDT). It will be followed by 2 interactive webinars, each for 90 minutes, focusing on: 1) “An Intergenerational Conversation: The Future They Want”, and 2) “Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination: The Tearing of Our Societies”. The concept note and format of the webinars will be shared in due course.

Tentative Programme

09:00AM-09:40AM Opening segment
H.E. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, chairs the meeting, welcomes participants and delivers remarks and presentation
Remarks by H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (video message)
Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkır, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (video message)
Remarks by Spain and Turkey
Video on commemorating the 15th Anniversary of UNAOC

09:40AM-11:25AM Plenary segment
Statements by Member States, Observers and International Organizations (per the list of speakers; interventions are limited to 3 minutes)

11:25AM-11:30AM Closing segment
Concluding remarks by H.E. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

11:30AM-11:45AM Intermission 1

11:45AM-01:15PM Webinar 1: “An Intergenerational Conversation: The Future They Want”
Panel discussion among experts, civil society and senior United Nations officials, moderated by UNAOC (Read more about Webinar 1)

01:15PM-03:00PM Intermission 2

03:00PM-04:30PM Webinar 2 “Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination: The Tearing of Our Societies”
Panel discussion among experts, civil society and senior United Nations officials, moderated by UNAOC (Read more about Webinar 2)

Concept Notes and Programmes (please wait for the documents to load)
PlenaryWebinar 1Webinar 2
Plenary Session: High-level Group of Friends Meeting
Download (PDF, 380KB)

Webinar 1: “An Intergenerational Conversation: The Future They Want”
Download (PDF, 361KB)

Webinar 2 “Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination: The Tearing of Our Societies”
Download (PDF, 361KB)

An Intergenerational Conversation: The Future They Want
2020-09-29 11:45 - 13:15 (America/Halifax) | Online
An Interactive webinar on the margins of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly
The current youth generation is acknowledged as the largest in history with 1.85 billion young women and men 10 to 24 years of age in the world, 90% of whom live in developing countries and one in four affected by violence or armed conflict. Africa and the Arab region have a wealth of young people who account for two thirds of the Arab region’s population and 65% of the African continent.
It would be stating the obvious to say that young women and men are critical agents for social change, economic growth and development. They actively contribute to the resilience of their communities and represent an important pool of talent, ideas, energy and passion. Young people are a key asset which can leverage unparalleled multiplier effects with their ability to mobilize their peers and implement innovative solutions to address challenges.
At the same time, young people continue to suffer disproportionately from conflict and poverty and have been traditionally facing systemic challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated those challenges for most young women and men. Millions lost their jobs and hundreds of thousands remain without education due to partial closures of educational institutions. Failure to address those challenges leads to alienating young people and eroding their trust in the political establishments. Such environment provides an open space for extremist groups to exploit youth’s anger and despair to fan the flames of hatred and radicalization. Extremists and radical groups are taking advantage of the proliferation of digital platforms to double down on social media spreading hatred and offering youth a twisted sense of purpose based on lies.
Yet, during the pandemic, young people had also been in the front lines volunteering and providing support to their communities. They found ways to engage, demand change and fight for peace, inclusion and justice. It is, therefore, essential to recognize young people at the center of our recovery efforts and as we chart the re-building of peaceful, resilient and inclusive societies.
On 27 April 2020, the UN Security Council marked the 5th Anniversary of the adoption of the groundbreaking resolution 2250 (2015) by holding an open debate to take stock of the progress made in the previous five years and identify actions that the Security Council could take to ensure the meaningful participation of the youth in peace and security efforts. During the open debate, the UN Secretary-General presented the key findings of the first report focused on the youth, peace and security agenda mandated by UNSCR 2419 (2018). In his statement, the Secretary-General noted that notwithstanding the progress achieved, the Youth, Peace and Security agenda still faces formidable challenges. Participation opportunities remain inadequate, particularly in the decision-making processes. He called to action on youth, peace and security agenda and to address these challenges guided by the findings of the Independent Progress Study on Youth Peace and Security.
In July 2020, the Security Council adopted resolution 2535(2020), which in its first operational paragraph “calls on all relevant actors, to consider ways to increase the inclusive representation of youth for the prevention and resolution of conflict, as well as in peacebuilding, including when negotiating and implementing peace agreements, and to ensure the full, effective and meaningful participation of youth, recognizing that their marginalization is detrimental to building sustainable peace”.
In February 2019, the UN Security Council welcomed Africa’s initiative of the “Silencing the Guns” and called for international support and cooperation to achieve peace in Africa. In order to achieve (STG) agenda and article 17 of the African Youth Charter, the AU Youth Envoy launched a continental platform for conversation among young people to exchange views on the challenges and solutions towards to achieve a peaceful and prosperous Africa.
Framing the Conversation:
Youth is one of the five pillars of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) together with education, migration, media and the role of women as mediators and peacemakers in conflicts with cultural and religious settings. Through education, capacity building, training and many other opportunities for innovation and creativity, UNAOC empowers young women and men and youth-led civil society globally and recognize them as powerful agents for social change. Over the years, UNAOC has developed programming that recognizes young people as essential partners in fostering mutual understanding between peoples of different cultures and religions, highlighting the will of the majority to reject violent extremism and embrace diversity. Youth-led organizations that foster peaceful and inclusive societies have been supported since 2008 through the Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF). Seed funding and technical support are given to projects, led by and focused on young people, that demonstrate innovative and effective approaches to intercultural or interfaith dialogue. Financial support for recent editions has been provided by the Government of Finland. An independent evaluation report was produced in 2018, of ten youth-led organizations supported by YSF in 2016 and 2017, which includes best practices and lessons for similar youth-focused donor programmes.
In line with the theme chosen to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and in the spirit of keeping the UN75 dialogues going, this interactive conversation between UNAOC young alumni and senior officials will present an opportunity to further engage young people and amplify their voices around the importance of youth engagement in the peace and security agenda.
Objective:
Through an interactive, intergenerational discussion, the panel will identify key challenges that youth are currently facing as a result of the pandemic and will make recommendations to strengthen their engagement and amplify their voices as the world gears-up for recovering from the pandemic and re-building a better world.
Format:
The virtual event will take place on 29 September, 11:45AM – 1:15PM (EDT) in the form of an interactive conversation between UNAOC youth alumni.

Participants:

Leading the conversation:
Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos
High Representative, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

Panelists:
Mr. Vladimir Voronkov
Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)
Ms. Diene Keita
Deputy Executive Director for Programme, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Assistant-Secretary-General
Amb. Sima Sami Bahous
Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United Nations
Ms. Corinne Momal-Vanian
Executive Director, Kofi Annan Foundation

Special Guest
Ms. Aya Chebbi
Youth Envoy, African Union

UNAOC youth alumni panelists
Ms. Sif Heide-Ottosen
Fellowship Programme 2019 EUNA, Denmark
Mr. Tomas Horvath
Fellowship Programme 2017 EUNA, Slovak Republic
Ms. Ahlem Nasraoui
Intercultural Innovation Award 2017, Tunisia
Ms. Magdalen Amony
Intercultural Innovation Award 2019, Uganda
Ms. Theresa Saade
Intercultural Innovation Award 2014, Lebanon
Mr. Syed Ali Abbas
Intercultural Innovation Award 2017, Pakistan
Ms. Louise Kanza
PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival 2017, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa
Ms. Sivatharsini Raveendran
Youth Solidarity Fund 2019-2020, Sri Lanka
Mr. Mohammed Ghanem
Young Peacebuilders 3rd edition, Egypt
Ms. Farah El Alami
Young Peacebuilders 3rd edition, Jordan
Ms. Afaf Lamkoutar
Young Peacebuilders 3rd edition, Morocco

Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination: The Tearing of Our Societies
2020-09-29 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Halifax) | Online
An Interactive webinar on the margins of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly

The COVID-19 pandemic has torn across the world, affected all segments of the population indiscriminately regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender, and continues to have far-reaching health and economic consequences. But for many, the impact extends beyond medical and financial concerns. The pandemic has exposed social and political fractures within communities, with discriminatory responses to fear, disproportionately affecting communities on the basis of their real or perceived national origin, skin color, or religion. Several political parties have latched into the COVID-19 crisis to advance anti-immigrant, white supremacist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic conspiracy theories that demonize minorities on the sheer basis of their religion, belief, or ethnicity.
Outbreaks create fear, and fear is a crucial ingredient for racism, xenophobia, and discrimination to thrive. This phenomenon manifests differently in different contexts and populations. Yet, there is a pattern in discriminatory acts: the target is generally the “other,” i.e., the migrant, someone belonging to a religious or ethnic minority, etc. These behavior patterns, not uncommon before the pandemic, often lead to the fragmentation of society. Racism and discrimination have detrimental effects not only on the safety and human dignity of those who are targeted but also on development, peace, and social cohesion. The United Nations Secretary-General has warned of the repercussions of these discriminatory manifestations urging for an inclusive, equitable, and universal response in addressing the pandemic.
The position of the United Nations on racism and all its manifestations is crystal clear: this scourge violates the Charter of the United Nations and debases the core values upon which it was founded. The prohibition of racial discrimination is enshrined in all core international human rights instruments. It places obligations on States and tasks them with eradicating discrimination in public and private spheres. Therefore, it is imperative to promote tolerance, inclusion, and respect for diversity and stand up against racism, xenophobia, hate speech, and all forms of discrimination. The United Nations Secretary-General has made this a priority through launching initiatives such as the UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites, the UN Guidance Note on Addressing and Countering COVID-19 related Hate Speech3 , which builds on the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech4.
Framing the discussion:
COVID-19 is attacking societies at their core. The pandemic has devastated many lives and upended livelihoods. But we should not let it destroy our core humanistic values. Allowing the pandemic to tear apart the fabric of our societies would be one of the most severe upheavals of COVID-19. Inclusion of and dialogue with communities and marginalized groups helps in rebuilding trust and enhancing social cohesion. In this context, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is organizing a webinar to explore ways to scale-up a whole-of-society approach to prevent and counter the scourge of all forms of discrimination, xenophobia, and racism.
Format:
The panel will be convened in the format of an interactive discussion with speakers representing relevant UN entities, human rights experts, and other stakeholders, including the media. Speakers will give brief introductions (three minutes), and the moderator will conduct a tour-de-table.

Participants:
Leading the Conversation:
H.E. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos
Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC
Panelists:
Ms. Pramila Patten
@USGSRSGPatten
Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC), Acting Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide (UN-OSAPG) @UN_GP_RtoP
Dr. Ahmed Shaheed
@ahmedshaheed
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Mr. Jason Isaacson
Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer, American Jewish Committee @AJCGlobal
Ms. Nayeli Chavez-Geller
@nayelichavezg
New York Correspondent, Primer Impacto, Univisión
Ms. Alex Walden
Global Head of Human Rights, Google
Mr. George Salama (tbc)
Head of Public Policy, Government, and Philanthropy – MENA Region, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, Twitter

2020 UNAOC Fellowship Programme
2020-10-05 - 2020-11-04 | Online
“Building Peace in the Age of New Media”
A Virtual Edition of the UNAOC Fellowship Programme

In its online configuration, the 2020 UNAOC Fellowship Programme will take the form of a virtual engagement programme consolidated over 18 days and preceded by an introduction phase of two weeks. The theme is “Building peace in the age of new media” and 20 Fellows from Europe, North America and the MENA region have been selected for their experience in the fields of media and peacebuilding.
From 5 to 16 October, 2020 UNAOC Fellows will be introduced to three online modules on intercultural and interreligious dialogue, media and peacebuilding, in line with the 2020 theme “Building peace in the age of new media”. Developed by UNAOC and trainers, each module will introduce Fellows to global trends, key concepts and good practices in the above-mentioned fields, with a focus on the different contexts across Europe, North America, the Middle East and North Africa.
From 19 to 28 October, each cohort will then engage separately in online conversations with relevant actors from six countries. For each country, Fellows will engage in a series of 60-minute online discussions with (a) government and official representatives, (b) religious and community leaders, (c) journalists and media professionals, (d) civil society organizations and representatives of grassroots initiatives. The topics of these exchanges will revolve around intercultural and interreligious dialogue, as well as the 2020 theme “Building peace in the age of new media”. Cohorts will debrief regularly, both separately and jointly. When feasible, participants will also engage in virtual activities that will introduce them to the cultural diversity of the destination countries.
From 29 October to 4 November, Fellows will engage in webinars and online workshops focusing on (a) interreligious and intercultural dialogue and (b) on “Building peace in the age of new media” and through various pedagogical methods. Each section will offer a webinar developed in collaboration with KAICIID and four online workshops – two workshops will engage cohorts separately and two will engage them together. During these workshops, Fellows will strengthen their competencies in the fields of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, media, and peacebuilding, and collaborate to develop material and recommendations on ways to use media and information technology to support the global community and international organizations in their work towards sustainable peace and conflict prevention.

Agenda

5-16 October: Introduction

19-28 October: Virtual exposure

29 October – 3 November: Capacity building activities

29-30 October: Intercultural and interreligious dialogue

2-3 November: Building peace in the age of new media

11 November: Conclusion

Bios: 2020 EUNA Fellows
Bios: 2020 MENA Fellows

PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival: 2020 Awards Ceremony
2020-12-04 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration will hold the annual Awards Ceremony of their joint initiative, the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival. The virtual event will feature short films produced by young filmmakers from across the globe on the pressing issues of migration, diversity, social inclusion, the prevention of xenophobia, the future of our world, and interreligious dialogue.
Every year, PLURAL+ gives young people around the world the opportunity to express their vision and their creativity through multimedia production. To learn more, visit pluralplus.unaoc.org.

Global Pledge for Action Webinar: Gender equality in the context of COVID-19
2020-12-07 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
as part of the series of six sessions on implementing the Global Pledge for Action by Religious Actors and Faith-Based Organizations to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic in Collaboration with the United Nations
Co-facilitated by the UN Alliance of Civilizations, UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

The UN Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC), the Office on Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) held a virtual consultation with religious leaders and actors on 28 May 2020. The consultation was organized in response to the 22 April call by the UN Secretary-General to religious actors to contribute to wider efforts against the pandemic and its consequences. The meeting brought together religious leaders and actors as well as faith-based organizations to discuss possible areas of action and collaboration with the United Nations in the common fight against COVID-19 and its socio-economic impacts. This consultation resulted in the Global Pledge for Action, which includes a declaration by religious leaders and actors with assurances and commitments in response to COVID-19, and a mapping of ongoing activities and possible areas of collaboration with the United Nations.
The first webinar, entitled “Gender equality in the context of COVID-19”, will be held via Cisco Webex on Monday, 7 December 2020 at 10:00-11:30 EDT/16:00-17:30 CET.
For the opening panel discussion, we are delighted to have confirmations from Ahmed Shaheed (UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief), Nahla Haidar (member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women), Samuel Jayakumar (South Asia Forum for Freedom of Religion or Belief) and Ghida Anani (founder and director of ABAAD – Resource Centre for Gender Equality). Ibrahim Salama (Chief of OHCHR Human Rights Treaties Branch) will facilitate the inter-active discussion and peer-to-peer learning.
In the second part of this webinar on 7 December, all participants are kindly invited to present good practices and lessons learnt, and identify specific action needed to promote gender equality in the context of COVID-19. Please feel free to raise any questions, challenges and opportunities as well as to explore options for follow-up and further collaboration.
Participants need to have experience working in the field of combating COVID-19 and its impacts on society. If interested, please send an email with the designated person’s name, contact details and institutional affiliation to mwiener@ohchr.org with copy to anajimenez@unops.org and cruciani@un.org and you will receive the link to join the webinars following the registration.
Learn more about the Global Pledge for Action

UNAOC Fellowship Alumni Event: “Building peace and fostering social cohesion in the age of new media”
2020-12-10 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Republic of Germany

When: Thursday 10 December from 11:00AM to 1:00AM EST.
Where: https://www.unaoc.org/fellowship-alumni-event

Background
Across the world, we have witnessed an upsurge in hate speech, bigotry and racist rhetoric on social media and other forms of communication. In the words of the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), Miguel Ángel Moratinos: “Stigmatization and vilification targeting certain communities based on their religion or belief is an affront to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” In line with its motto “Many Cultures, One Humanity”, UNAOC has worked on addressing these challenges by adopting a whole-of-society approach to foster intercultural and interfaith dialogue, building bridges of understanding and countering stereotyping and polarization.
Promoting the use of new media to foster social cohesion and sustainable peace has become crucial to tackle these threats and to deepen progress across the United Nations agenda, UNAOC is working closely to that effect with a wide range of stakeholders such as media professionals, policy makers, the private sector, civil society, youth organizations, women advocates, educators, religious and community leaders and more. In this context, UNAOC has invited twenty young professionals and civil society leaders from Europe, North America, the Middle East and North Africa, to share their recommendations and good practices for the meaningful use of new media and information technology in the global efforts for sustainable peace and social cohesion. All participants are UNAOC Fellows, professionally involved in the fields of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, media and peacebuilding.

The UNAOC Fellowship Programme and its Alumni Network
The Fellowship program is one of UNAOC’s flagship programs funded and supported by the Federal Republic of Germany. It’s an intercultural exchange programme between young professionals and civil society leaders from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Europe and North America (EUNA). The Fellowship aims at deconstructing stereotypes and at fostering dialogue and understanding between youth of different faiths and cultures. During their trip, UNAOC Fellows meet with a wide range of stakeholders. Together, they explore opportunities for intercultural collaboration and exchange good practices on how to address current global challenges.
In 2020, the Fellowship Programme took the form of a virtual capacity-building exchange programme focused on “Building peace in the age of new media”. All 2020 UNAOC Fellows were selected for their professional achievements in the fields of media and peace-building. After completing their Fellowship, participants join the UNAOC Fellowship Alumni Network, a global pool of 250+ young experts and civil society leaders from 53 countries. UNAOC Fellowship Alumni are professionally involved in a wide spectrum of activities.

Objectives of the Event
The High Representative for the UNAOC will lead an interactive discussion with twenty UNAOC Fellowship Alumni from Europe, North America, the Middle East, and North Africa, on the role new media can play in building peace and fostering social cohesion.
In their exchange with the High Representative, discussants will share good practices and ideas about how to harness the power of new media and information technology to support the global community and international organizations in their work towards building sustainable peace and fostering social cohesion.
Together they will touch upon underlying issues such as exploring the definition of peace; fighting misinformation through media literacy; promoting inclusive intercultural and interreligious dialogue; drawing the line between hate speech and freedom of speech; engaging in All-of-Society partnerships
Basing their interventions on their own experience on the ground and engagement with UNAOC, Fellowship Alumni will share recommendations on how to leverage new media as a tool for good in the prevention and mediation of conflicts and in achieving peace.
Participants to the latest edition of the Fellowship Programme will share the lessons learned during their virtual visits to Austria, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Spain, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States on the role of new media in peacebuilding.

Virtual Exhibition
The event platform will also feature an online exhibition hall with virtual booths where the audience will be able to learn more about UNAOC, its #forSafeWorship campaign, 2020 UNAOC Fellows’ media projects, and other UNAOC programmes and activities.

Speakers
H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos
High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
H.E. Mr. Günter Sautter
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations
Mr. Al Mustapha Sguenfle
Journalist for the Moroccan News Agency
Ms. Alba Sabaté-Gauxachs
Professor of Journalism and Global Communication Management at the Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations, Ramon Llull University
Mr. Ali Ghaith
Media and Communications Specialist for CARE
Ms. Amal El Jabali
Inclusive and Outreach Education Assistant at UNICEF
Ms. Anne Parsons
Visual Communications Manager at Kiron Open Higher Education
Mr. David Fischer
Media Coordinator for Human Rights Watch
Ms. Elizabeth Arif-Fear
Founder of “Voice of Salam”
Mr. Jacopo Ottaviani
Chief Data Officer at Code for Africa
Mr. Josh Cass
Founding member of the Forum for Religion and International Affairs
Ms. Kawtar Amrani
Product Policy Manager – Trust and Safety for TikTok
Ms. Kholoud Al Ajarma
Anthropologist and Refugee Rights’ Advocate
Ms. Najwa Ben Wheba
Social Media Journalist for Al Jazeera Arabic
Ms. Orla Murphy
Speechwriter to the President of the 75th session of the General Assembly
Mr. Peter Mosaad
Co-Founder of Robabikia
Ms. Radwa Sakr
Administrative Assistant and Consultant to the Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation
Ms. Samiha Tadjine
Academic Advisor for the Advanced Science and Creativity Association
Mr. Tim Mortimer
Programme Manager at The Faith & Belief Forum
Ms. Veronika Verner
Communication Specialist for the Council of Europe
Mr. Walid Alnabahin
Founder of the Media Show initiative
Mr. Yehuda Silverman
Faculty Diversity Postdoctoral Fellow at Ursuline College

First Online Youth Consultation on Preventing Violent Extremism Through Sport
2021-01-20 09:00 - 2021-01-21 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
Preventing violent extremism through sport – An interactive youth consultation
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 (09.00 AM – 12.00 PM EST) and Thursday, January 21, 2021 (10.00 AM – 12.00 PM EST)

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2419 (2018) on Youth, Peace and Security recognizes the “growing contribution of sport and culture to the realization of development and peace in the promotion of tolerance and respect as well as the empowerment of youth and women, individuals and communities. More recently, UNSCR 2535 (2020) called upon the United Nations (UN) entities to improve capacity-building by integrating the Youth, Peace and Security agenda into their technical assistance plans. Sports have historically played a significant role in the dissemination of positive values throughout the world and across civilization and cultures, thus making sports a powerful vector for the development of efforts aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization.
In this context and within the framework of the “Global Programme on Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism”, the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and its partners, the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), through its Save the Dream initiative, are working to launch a series of initiatives within the prevention of violent extremism component of the UN Global Sports Programme:

Global Awareness Campaign to Say No to Terrorism while promoting the use of Sport and its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism. The Campaign will have a global dimension and aim to have its highest moment of visibility on the occasion of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games (taking place in 2021) and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Guide for Policymakers to promote the role of sports and its values in preventing violent extremism and to ensure the inclusion of sports values-based initiatives in the PVE National Action Plans.
Training Handbook and App to assist the organizers of sport events to conduct initiatives aiming at preventing violent extremism by leveraging on sport values such as tolerance, respect, integrity, solidarity, and equality and advocate for youth and children’s participation in sports as a recreational activity helping current and new generations build transferable skills such as confidence, self-control and teamwork.

The current youth generation is acknowledged as the largest in history, with the global agenda increasingly focused on young people as key drivers for meaningly and impactful social movements. Their diversity in course of actions and rationale has greatly contributed to identifying and addressing the triggers of violent extremism. Moreover, young people are the most able to mobilize their peers and to become principal stakeholders of societies that are increasingly free from stereotypes, discrimination and extremism. Their engagement in the prevention of violent extremism spans from sports, art and street theatre initiatives, to online campaigns and capacity development support within global reach. Hence the several elements of the Global Programme will be designed in collaboration with young people as key
stakeholders.
In this online consultation we would like to consult with and collect young leaders’ inputs on the above-mentioned deliverables (campaign, guide, training handbook and app). At the same time, we would like to create a connection between the youth and decision makers, both within as beyond the global programme, by creating a safe space for youth to dialogue with Member States on how to improve the integration of youth in decision making processes.
Following the event, a summary document will be circulated to stimulate continued conversation and sharing information on what is needed to include in compendium and meaningfully include young people in preventing violent extremism at the local, national, regional and global levels.

Tentative Agenda

Wednesday, January 20
(09.00 AM – 12.00 PM EST)
Part I: Warm-up – Welcome and Introduction (20 min)
– Pep talk + Q&A with an inspiring athlete
Part II – First half – Youth Inputs on the project’s deliverables (1hr and 15min)
– Policy Guide
– Training Handbook
– App
– Communication Campaign
Part III – Networking Break (10 min)
Part IV – Second half – Youth Inputs on the project’s deliverables (1hr and 15min)
– Policy Guide
– Training Handbook
– App
– Communication Campaign

Thursday, January 21
(10.00 AM – 12.00 PM EST)
Part V: Game Strategy I – Role of Governments (45 min)
– Introductory remarks about the role of NFP within the project (by UNOCT and/or
NFP’s) – 10 min
– Ice-breaker case studies regarding policy experiences on Sport and PVE – 35 min
Part VI – Game Strategy II – Dialogue with Member States – NFPs (1hr and 15 min)
– Discuss how to establish cooperation mechanisms within the scope of the project and beyond

Live Q&A: Youth Solidarity Fund Call for Applications
2021-01-25 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
In December 2020, UNAOC launched the Call for Applications for the ninth edition of the Youth Solidarity Fund, inviting youth-led organizations to submit project proposals that seek to promote peace and social inclusion through improved understanding, respect, and collaboration across borders, cultures, faiths, and beliefs.
The application process may seem daunting, but we are here to help! UNAOC is organizing a Facebook live to address some of the most common questions and help you through the process. You may submit your questions in advance on social media by using the hashtags #YouthSolidarityFund and/or #UNAOCyouth.
Join the YSF Live Q&A Here

The International Day of Human Fraternity: A Pathway to the Future
2021-02-04 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Halifax) | Online
In Commemoration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week

Co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations and The Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and sponsorship of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity

In recognition of the moral imperatives of all religions, convictions and beliefs to call for peace, tolerance and mutual understanding, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the first week of February every year the World Interfaith Harmony Week through the unanimous adoption of resolution A/RES/65/5 World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2010. Since the adoption of the resolution, many UN Member States, UN entities, faith actors and relevant entities re-iterate their commitment to spreading the messages of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week, based on love of God and love of one’s neighbor or on love of the good and love of one’s neighbor, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put to the test our shared human values. It laid bare deep-rooted inequalities in our societies. Communities were divided across religious, ethnic and cultural lines. Growing religious hatred, stigma and manifestations of various forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities including minorities risk undermining global efforts to recover and rebuild better. This phenomenon is an affront to the values and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as well as the UN General Assembly resolution 36/55 of 25 November 1981 “Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief”.
As such, state and relevant non-state actors including, in particular, religious leaders from across the faith spectrum play a vital role in promoting dialogue among all religious groups leading to an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all mankind. Promoting acceptance and respect of religious and cultural diversity through interreligious and intercultural dialogue will create an environment conducive to building peaceful, just and inclusive societies. Member States who have the primary responsibility to counter discrimination and hate speech, and all relevant actors, including political and religious should promote inclusion and unity and to prevent, speak out and take strong action against racism, xenophobia, hate speech, violence, discrimination, including on the basis of age, and stigmatization (UNGA Resolution A/74/L.92 )
In that context, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/75/200 on 21 December 2020 proclaiming February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity to be observed every year as of 2021. The resolution co-sponsored by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates takes note of efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue including the meeting between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayeb on 4 February 2019 in Abu Dhabi that resulted in the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and living Together”. It also invites all Member States to further promote a culture of peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.
In that sense, those humanistic principles are aligned with the goals and objectives of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) which was created in 2005 to advance intercultural and interreligious dialogue as a viable tool to prevent and defuse identity-based tensions UNAOC works to advance mutual respect for cultures, traditions, and religious beliefs. Over the years, it has provided a global platform for dialogue between faith actors across the faith spectrum emanating from a recognition that genuine dialogue bridges divide and overcomes prejudices, stigmatization, misperceptions, and polarization. Fulfilling a world of “One Humanity, Many Cultures” is the raison d’etre of UNAOC (A/64/14, A/69/312)
The celebration of the first International Day of Human Fraternity within the setting of World Interfaith Harmony Week provides an opportunity to highlight the principles and value included in the Document of Human Fraternity and explore good practices towards its implementation as a pathway to the future as we rebuild a better world.

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AGENDA (tentative)

11:00 – 11:30 High-Level Opening
H.E. Mr. António Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General (video message)
H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos
The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edrees
Permanent Representative of Egypt
H.E. Mrs. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh
Permanent Representative of UAE
H.E. Judge Mohammad Abdul-Salam
Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity

11:30 – 12:20 Interactive Panel
Interventions by Member States
Interventions by Religious Leaders/Faith Actors/FBOs

12:20 – 12:30 Conclusion
Moderator of the event: Ms. Nihal Saad
Chief-of-Cabinet & Spokesperson for UNAOC

Global Pledge for Action Webinar on the of Safeguard Religious Sites
2021-02-25 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
The Webinar on the Safeguard of Religious Sites is part of the series of six sessions on implementing the Global Pledge for Action by Religious Actors and Faith-Based Organizations to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic in Collaboration with the United Nations.

Background: The UN Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC), the Office on Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG), and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) held a virtual consultation with religious leaders and actors on 28 May 2020. The consultation was organized in response to the 22 April call by the UN Secretary-General to religious actors to contribute to wider efforts against the pandemic and its consequences. The meeting brought together religious leaders and actors as well as faith-based organizations to discuss possible areas of action and collaboration with the United Nations in the common fight against COVID-19 and its socio-economic impacts. This consultation resulted in the Global Pledge for Action, which includes a declaration by religious leaders and actors with assurances and commitments in response to COVID-19, and a mapping of ongoing activities and possible areas of collaboration with the United Nations.

News Generation Against Hate: An Intergenerational Conversation
2021-03-12 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Click here to learn more

Exploring Holistic Approaches to Combating Antisemitism
2021-03-15 08:30 - 12:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Informal Meeting on Exploring Holistic Approaches to Combating Antisemitism
Watch Live Here

Programme
07:30-08:30 Logging-in participants
08:30-08:40 Opening
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
08:40-09:40 Session I:
Setting the Scene: How far we’ve been in the fight against antisemitism? What are the challenges?
09:40-11:00 Session II:
Good/Promising practices of state actors in combating antisemitism: Turning words into Action through adopting national strategies
11:00-12:00 Session III:
Creating synergies and exploring means of enhancing a system-wide response to antisemitism
12:00 Closing Session: The takeaways

Concept Note
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Programme
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(Re)building Post-pandemic Societies: Youth Using Sport to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism
2021-04-06 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
A Side Event in the margins of the ECOSOC Youth Forum
The ECOSOC Youth Forum 2021 will be held in April to provide a global platform for dialogue between Member States and young leaders worldwide. In this context, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), together with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), are hosting a side event entitled (Re)building post-pandemic societies: youth using sport to prevent and counter violent extremism. Held on 6 April, this interactive discussion will serve to commemorate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace and highlight the role of youth leadership and sport in preventing violent extremism and ensuring sustainable peace and development.
Watch the Side Event Live

Securing of Vulnerable Targets from Terrorist Attacks: Challenges of Major Sporting Event security governance - launch of the UN Guide
2021-06-29 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), along with its partners the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), has the pleasure to share the registration link to the round-table discussion on “Securing of Vulnerable Targets from Terrorist Attacks: Challenges of Major Sporting Event security governance – launch of the UN Guide ” that will take place virtually on 29th June 2021 (13:30 NY time, 17:30 Paris Time 22:30 Bangkok time) on the margins of the 2nd United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week.
This event will debut the UN Global Guide on the Security of Major Sporting Events: Promoting Sustainable Security & Legacies, developed within UN Global Programme on Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism, featuring contributions from Member States, international and regional organizations, sports federations as well as academic and research institutions.
Please find the registration link for the event here. Participants must register to receive the event access link. A preliminary agenda has been attached for your convenience.
Register Here

Prevention and the Misuse of New Communication Platforms: A Side Event in the Margins of the 2021 Counter-Terrorism Week
2021-06-30 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Halifax)
Prevention and the Misuse of New Communication Platforms
Co-organized by UNAOC, UNCCT, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Register for the Side Event Here

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Global Pledge for Action by Religious Actors and Faith-Based Organizations to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic in Collaboration with the United Nations: A Side Event in the Margins of the High-level Political Forum
2021-07-07 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Co-organized by the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the co-sponsorship of the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Croatia, and Religions for Peace

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The global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has turned into a socio-economic crisis as well as a human rights crisis rolled into one. It has exacerbated the vulnerability of the least protected in society. While the virus does not discriminate, its impacts do. Crises, including outbreaks of diseases, create anxiety and fear that are key ingredients for racism, xenophobia and religious intolerance to thrive. Hate speech is the most blatant manifestation of these phenomena. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, all regions have seen increased trends of hate speech based on ethnic and religious identity, as well as migration status. Xenophobia has surged online and in the streets. Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories have spread, and COVID-19-related anti-Muslim attacks have occurred. Migrants and refugees have been vilified as a source of the virus – and then denied access to medical treatment. In some countries, political leaders have used labels like “foreigner’s disease” to describe COVID-19, fueling stigmatization of minority groups, racism, xenophobia and related intolerance. Social media platforms have been misused to propagate hate and often incite violence.
In this context, on 8 May 2020, the UN Secretary-General launched a Global Appeal to Address and Counter COVID-19 related hate speech. The appeal included a call on civil society to strengthen outreach to vulnerable people, and religious actors to serve as models of mutual respect. Building on this appeal, the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG), the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) convened on 28 May 2020 a group of religious leaders and actors and faith-based organizations to explore innovative ways to partner in the response to COVID-19 and discuss relevant thematic areas as well as possible actions and initiatives. This consultation resulted in the Global Pledge for Action by Religious Actors and Faith-Based Organizations to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic in collaboration with the United Nations . The Pledge includes a declaration by religious leaders and actors with assurances and commitments in response to COVID-19, and a mapping of ongoing activities and possible areas of collaboration with the United Nations.
Addressing and countering COVID-19 related hate speech, interfaith dialogue and capacity-building figure prominently in the mapping both as cross-cutting issues and as specific areas where religious leaders and faith-based organizations are focusing their actions and responses to COVID-19. In particular, the signatories to the Global Pledge committed themselves to “stand up and speak against hate speech and hate crimes, xenophobia, racism and all other forms of discrimination; and to work with the United Nations and all other relevant stakeholders to implement the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech and the UN Guidance on Addressing and Countering COVID-19 related Hate Speech.”
With the objective of translating the Global Pledge into specific actions for further collaboration and enhanced partnership between the United Nations and faith actors, OSAPG, UNAOC and OHCHR organized a peer-to-peer learning programme. Six monthly webinars took place between December 2020 and May 2021, which focused on the role and experiences of faith actors in promoting gender equality, addressing hate speech, safeguarding religious sites, protecting religious or belief minorities, preventing atrocity crimes and facilitating and fostering interfaith dialogue & mutual respect . The webinars aimed to ensure gender balance in terms of participation and to highlight the contribution of women in the fight against hate speech. The webinars targeted participants with experience working in the field to address challenges related to COVID-19 and its socio-economic impacts and shared good practices and lessons learnt in this regard. Each webinar resulted in snapshots of learning points and recommendations that were compiled together. This compilation, that is publicly available, provides the basis for further UN engagement with faith actors and civil society on combatting hate speech and its ramifications in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
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UNAOC Virtual Watch Party for the Safeguard of Religious Sites
2021-07-13 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
UNAOC Virtual Watch Party for the Safeguard of Religious Sites
Thursday, 13 July, 2021 | 11:00 AM EDT | Online

Join us for a virtual “watch party” featuring short films submitted by the global community as part of UNAOC’s campaign #forSafeWorship to safeguard religious sites and worshippers worldwide! To learn more about the global call to action #forSafeWorship and submit your own video, visit https://forsafeworship.org/.
Join the Watch Party Live Here

Featured Videos

Religious Sites in Egypt by Sandra Gobran (Egypt)
Synopsis: In this short video, Sandra tells us about temples and tombs in Egypt and the importance of ensuring that all religious sites are safe.
https://forsafeworship.org/religious-sites-in-egypt/
A Dialogue between “la Bomba” and Catholic Rituals in Puerto Rico by Father Rocendo Herrera (Puerto Rico)
Synopsis: In this short video, we meet Father Rocendo Herrera, who introduces us to St. Patrick Church of the Holy Spirit, in Loiza, on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico. St. Patrick Church of the Holy Spirit is the third oldest parish on the island and the only one currently in use. Located in an Afro-Caribbean municipality in Puerto Rico, this place of worship embodies a dialogue between Catholicism and the playing of Puerto Rican drums known as “La Bomba”.
https://forsafeworship.org/a-dialogue-between-la-bomba-and-catholic-rituals-in-puerto-rico/
A Dialogue between “la Bomba” and Catholic Rituals in Puerto Rico by Afaf Lamkoutar (Morocco)
Synopsis: In this short video, UNAOC Young Peacebuilder Afaf speaks about the many cultures, religions, and sacred sites in her hometown of Rabat, Morocco.
https://forsafeworship.org/a-mosaic-of-religions-in-rabat-morocco/
A Chapel with Special Powers by Ismael Lopez (Spain)
Synopsis: In this video, Ismael takes us on a tour of the Church of St. Valenti in the Valley of Salarça, in Catalonia, Spain. Built in the 12th century, the chapel’s location, according to legend, exudes a certain energy that helps people solve all types of problems and conflicts.
https://forsafeworship.org/a-chapel-with-special-powers/
Exploring Religious Sites in the Philippines by Theodore Boborol (Philippines)
Synopsis: In this short video, Theodore takes us on a tour of his university campus, shows us his favorite church on campus grounds, and leads us to a few side detours down memory lane.
https://forsafeworship.org/exploring-religious-sites-in-the-philippines-director-theodore-boborol/

The Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial by Daniel del Valle (Spain)
Synopsis: In this short film, Daniel takes us on a tour of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, where he once lived and studied as a member of the Royal Choir of Spain.
https://forsafeworship.org/the-monastery-of-san-lorenzo-de-el-escorial/
The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle in South Texas, USA by Lydia Pesina (USA)
Synopsis: In this short film, Lydia tells us about the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, in South Texas, a very special place in her life since childhood. The Basilica caters to a diverse population, including a large immigrant community, and even has its own Mariachi band!
https://forsafeworship.org/basilica-lady-of-sanjuan-delvalle/
Religious Diversity in Indonesia by Steve Leonard Harison (Indonesia)
Synopsis: In this short video, Steve talks to us about religious diversity in Indonesia and the importance of protecting religious sites worldwide.
https://forsafeworship.org/religious-diversity-in-indonesia/
The Coronado Cross in Kansas by Gentry (USA)
Synopsis: In this short video, Gentry takes us to Kansas, right outside of Dodge City, to see the Coronado Cross. The site commemorates a mass held for the first time in this part of the country by Father Juan de Padilla in 1541, predating the landing of the Pilgrims by almost 100 years.
https://forsafeworship.org/the-coronado-cross-in-kansas/
A Religious Site with Interfaith Influences in Bangladesh by Tushar Kanti Baidya (Bangladesh)
Synopsis: In this short video, UNAOC alumnus Tushar tells us about a temple he likes to visit in Bangladesh, and the significance of this site in his life.
https://forsafeworship.org/a-religious-site-with-interfaith-influences-in-bangladesh/

iTAGe: Talking Across Generations on the State of PVE in South Asia
2021-07-20 08:00 - 10:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Register Now to Join Us Live Read More: Media Advisory

Organized in collaboration with UNESCO New Delhi within the framework of UNESCO MGIEP and UNAOC’s #YouthWagingPeace programme, iTAGe: Talking Across Generations on the State of PVE in South Asia is an intergenerational event that will provide youth with a platform to discuss peace and social cohesion with Senior Officials and policymakers from South Asia.
The input collected will be incorporated into a Youth-led Report on the State of PVE in South Asia as youth-centered actionable recommendations for policymakers. The report will combine the latest research on preventative efforts with uncensored youth case studies to produce fresh and robust perspectives for policymakers and a youth-centred overview of violent extremism in South Asia.

'Youth confronting online hate speech and exploring the notion of citizenship in a digital age'
2021-10-01 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
As part of the Global Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Addressing Hate Speech through Education organized by the UN Office on the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG) and UNESCO, UNAOC is organizing a parallel session focusing on “Youth confronting online hate speech and exploring the notion of citizenship in a digital age”. The session will feature UNAOC programme participants who will explore the evolving notion of digital citizenship, the skills it implies and requires, and discuss good practices from their work and activities in their communities.
Register here: https://venue.events-nextechar.com/landing?show=UNESCO

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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Intercultural Innovation Award Ceremony | #iiaward2021
2021-11-18 18:00 (Asia/Dubai) | German Pavilion, EXPO 2020, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The 2021 Intercultural Innovation Award Ceremony, a celebration of innovative grassroots projects that encourage intercultural dialogue around the world, will take place on 18 November, 6:00 pm Dubai time (GMT+4), as part of the themed week on tolerance and inclusivity at this year’s Expo 2020 in Dubai.
Following a competitive selection process with over 1,100 applications received from 120 countries, ten finalists will be jointly announced by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group.
The event will be livestreamed from the German Pavilion in the Expo.
Watch #iiaward2021 Live

Join us live: interculturalinnovation.org/iiaward2021

Follow the social media conversation: #iiaward2021

A Tribute to the Memory of H.E. President Jorge Sampaio
2021-12-06 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Halifax) | UNHQ Conference Room 4, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the Mission of Portugal to the United Nations are co-organizing a tribute event to honor the memory of H.E. President Sampaio (1939-2021), who served as the first High Representative for UNAOC from 2007 to 2012.

Faith and Diplomacy: Strategic Reflections on Religiously Inspired Global Efforts Towards Building Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies
2021-12-10 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Halifax) | Church Center for the UN, 777 United Nations Plaza, 10th Floor, New York, NY, 10017, United States
Co-organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and Religious for Peace
The role of religious leaders and faith-based organizations (FBOs) as key players in their respective countries and in the regional and international levels, as well as harnessing the unifying potential of faith, are key issues at the intersection between faith and diplomacy.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) – the leading United Nations platform for intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation – and Religions for Peace – the only international multi-religious organization with affiliated and legally registered multi-religious leadership platforms in every continent-, have been working on the nexus between faith and diplomacy over the years with the ultimate goal of building and strengthening dialogue, social cohesion and mutual understanding in societies around the world.
In 2019, Religions for Peace hosted its 10th World Assembly. Established in 1970, the systematic efforts of fifty years of the existence of this “UN of Religious Institutions”, have been dedicated towards advocating and supporting multi-religious efforts designed at enabling a positive peace. The latter defined as the whole of society and of governments’ efforts beyond ensuring the absence of war, towards securing lasting human dignity for each and all.
The 10th World Assembly was also the beginning of a ‘trinity’ of efforts with Ring for Peace, a Foundation founded in 2018, with the aim to foster the peaceful coexistence between people and religions to strengthen international understanding and cooperation, and to promote the dialogue between civil society and governments, within Germany and Europe. The partnership between Religions for Peace and Ring for Peace was enabled, in all three cases, thanks to the generous support by the German Federal Foreign Office, thus underlining the strategic vision of Europe’s largest and most powerful economic and political nation, in the importance of multi-religious engagement, globally. The UNAOC High Representative provided an opening keynote at this Assembly in which he announced that the UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites – elaborated by UNAOC at the request of the UN Secretary-General in the aftermath of the attacks on mosques in Christchurch (New Zealand)- was nearly completed. He was also actively engaged in all discussions and meeting with faith leaders and diplomats throughout.
In 2020, at the height of global lockdowns due to Covid-19, Religions for Peace and Ring for Peace ensured a global Assembly, as a follow up, focusing on a critical constituency which had hitherto not received its due of global attention and recognition: women of faith. Accordingly, in this Assembly, which was fully virtual, managed to convene religious leaders (male and female), together with diplomats, politicians, and academics, to highlight and assess the unique roles and contributions of faith, to women’s leadership and all diplomacy efforts focused on diverse aspects of peace making, peace building and sustainability of human rights and development efforts. Approximately 1,600 people tuned in and joined the virtual discussions and presentations from around the world, daily, for 3 days. The UNAOC Chief of Staff presented a Keynote at this event and was consulted in the framing of the Conference. In 2020 UNAOC became one of the three co-Chairs of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force for Religion and Sustainable Development (UN-IATF), together with the UN Population Fund and the UN Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
Building on the outcomes – and indeed recommendations – of the above two assemblies, Religions for Peace and Ring for Peace were positively compelled to host the third in the trinity of global multi-stakeholder consultations, focusing on an intergenerational dialogue around the most pertinent of our challenges in the 21st century: humanitarianism, environmentalism, and the broader dynamics of peace and security. Accordingly, the International Conference of Religious Leaders on Faith and Diplomacy: A Generational Dialogue, was convened, as a hybrid modality, also in Lindau, Germany. A total of 150 participants were convened in person, with a total of 1700 participants (including virtually), wherein twenty-two percent were younger than 35, and women made up 45 percent of all.

2022 Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International Affairs
2022-01-25 08:00 - 12:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Mobilizing Moral Influence and Governance to End the Systemic Injustices of Racism, the legacy of Colonialism and Slavery

The 8th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International Affairs, entitled Mobilizing Moral Influence and Governance to End the Systemic Injustices of Racism, the legacy of Colonialism and Slavery will be held virtually 8:00 – 12:30 EDT on Tuesday 25 January 2022.
This Symposium will focus on the urgent need to transform our world, exposing and redressing the systemic injustices of racism, the legacy of colonialism and slavery. As a common table bringing together different stakeholders invested in the issue, it will explore how the lingering historical injustices shape the social inequalities that have been exposed by crises of global proportions including Covid-19.
The Symposium also aims to contribute to healing and reconciling our world. It will identify solutions and concrete recommendations for how the United Nations, in partnership with religious bodies, faith-based groups and other stakeholders, can address racism and advance the building of just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
Racism and concomitant concerns of racial discrimination and xenophobia, colonialism, and slavery, have become highly topical. It is necessary to change the systems that allowed, ignored, or even encouraged abuses to occur.
Customary religious norms, beliefs and practices upholding universal principles of justice, compassion and respect for one another underpin the normative frameworks that the international community has agreed upon over time to address these pressing issues.

Agenda:

Opening Session
Panel 1. Deepen understanding of how pernicious and all-encompassing racism, and the legacy of colonialism and slavery remain today.
Panel 2. Showcase innovative experiences for positive change and encourage concrete actions for positive change throughout the international community.
Panel 3. Promote policy recommendations and practical steps to strengthen partnerships among diverse stakeholders, including faith-based organizations, the UN System, and non-governmental entities in different regions.

Organized by:
ACT Alliance, General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, Islamic Relief, Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue at Jewish Theological Seminary of America, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Soka Gakkai International, United Religions Initiative, World Council of Churches
In partnership with:
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the UN Inter-agency Task Force on Religion and Development

The International Day of Human Fraternity
2022-02-04 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/75/200 on 21 December 2020 proclaiming February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity to be observed every year as of 2021. The resolution co-facilitated by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates takes note of efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue including the meeting between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayeb on 4 February 2019 in Abu Dhabi, UAE that resulted in the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace & living Together”. It also invites all Member States to further promote a culture of peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.
The International Day of Human Fraternity was celebrated for the first time on 4 February 2021 in a virtual event that was highly attended by member states, religious leaders, faith actors and civil society representatives. In his message on the occasion, the Secretary-General of the United Nations said “As we commemorate the International Day of Human Fraternity, let us commit to do more to promote cultural and religious tolerance, understanding and dialogue”
Celebrating human fraternity and the values it embodies such as mutual respect, diversity of cultures and religions, advancing intercultural and interreligious dialogue reminds us of the common values that we share as one humanity. This spirit is particularly needed at a time when many communities are divided across religious, ethnic and cultural lines. Growing religious hatred, stigma and manifestations of various forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities including minorities are an affront to human rights and UN values. Such vile acts risk undermining global efforts to recover and rebuild better in a post-pandemic era.
As such, state and relevant non-state actors including religious leaders from across the faith spectrum play a vital role in promoting dialogue among all religious groups leading to an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all mankind. Promoting acceptance and respect of religious and cultural diversity through interreligious and intercultural dialogue will create an environment conducive to building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
In this context, those humanistic principles are aligned with the goals and objectives of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) which was created in 2005 to advance intercultural and interreligious dialogue as a viable tool to prevent and defuse identity-based tensions UNAOC works to advance mutual respect for cultures, traditions, and religious beliefs. Over the years, it has provided a global platform for dialogue between faith actors across the faith spectrum emanating from a recognition that genuine dialogue bridges divide and overcomes prejudices, stigmatization, misperceptions, and polarization. Fulfilling a world of “One Humanity, Many Cultures” is the raison d’etre of UNAOC (A/64/14, A/69/312).
UNGA Res A/75/200
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N20/377/94/PDF/N2037794.pdf?OpenElement
Document of Human Fraternity
http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/travels/2019/outside/documents/papa-francesco_20190204_documento-fratellanza-umana.pdf
UNGA Res A/64/14
https://undocs.org/en/A/RES/64/14
UNGA Res A/69/312
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N15/209/20/PDF/N1520920.pdf?OpenElement

Leveraging interfaith dialogue for the prevention of hate speech and violent extremism: Reflections from the implementation of EDIN
2022-02-17 - 2022-02-18 | The Westin New York, 212 E 42nd Sreet, New York, NY, 10017, United States

Live showcase event: Digital Games for Peace Challenge | #GamesForPeace
2022-02-24 08:30 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual

ECOSOC Youth Forum Side Event: 'Increasing Investment in Flexible Funding for Youth-led Organizations'
2022-04-18 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Co-organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation and Justice Call
Register Here For Your Zoom Link

SPEAKERS
Anders Ankarlid, CEO and Founder, A Good Company
Diana Heredia, Program Officer, Multi Partner Trust Fund for Sustaining Peace in Colombia
Khaled Emam, Executive Director, Justice Call (Moderator)
Natalia Lozano, Director of the CAMY Fund, Seattle International Foundation
Sarra Messaoudi, Regional Coordinator, MENA Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security
Thande Tshabalala, Third Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations
Veronica Veloso, Senior Program officer for Grantmaking Operations, Frida Feminist Fund
Ziaullah Baloch, Head of Programs, Health and Rural Development (HARD) Balochistan

BACKGROUND
During the Covid-19 Pandemic many funders adopted flexible funding models to support youth-led organizations, allowing them to adapt to new circumstances resulting from the pandemic. The funds allowed young people to adjust their programming, decide priorities of focus, and gave greater freedom to them to use their funding on salaries, administrative costs, well-being services, and physical spaces. Feminist funders resourcing young women, girls and gender diverse youth were at the forefront of this work. At the same time, these funds are underfunded with a substantial mismatch in interest in the funds and their capacity to resource applicants. Funding for women’s rights and feminist organizations represents less than 1% of ODA (let alone funding for youth-led feminist organisations), while most youth-led organizations operate on less than $5,000 per year.
As we transition into the third year of the pandemic we need to explore models to better invest in flexible funding to ensure the sustainable and predictable resourcing for young people. Pooled funds, including those operating with public-private partnerships, represent an important tool to both increase the total investment and the predictability of financing. They also spread risk amongst donors associated with flexible funding models.
In this session we will first hear about the impact of flexible funding models on the work of young people in sustainable peace and development. We will then transition into a discussion identifying models to better invest in flexible funding, identifying recommendations for bilateral, multilateral and private sector funders.

News Generation Against Hate: Empowering La Courneuve youth to create alternative narratives and champion diversity in the media
2022-05-04 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Conference Room 8
Watch Live Here
BACKGROUND
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is committed to engaging with municipalities, which are often on the frontlines of challenges linked to intercultural and interreligious tensions that may erupt within diverse communities. Implemented in collaboration with the municipality of La Courneuve (Paris area, France), the project “News Generation Against Hate” equipped young people with the tools to combat misinformation, hate speech, and stereotypes by promoting intercultural and interreligious understanding in the media. Since 2021, the project has engaged forty youth from La Courneuve between the ages of 16 and 24 to help them deconstruct stereotypes rooted in a lack of exposure to diverse cultures and religions. Through workshops and capacity-building activities, participants acquired storytelling techniques and competencies to promote mutual understanding and respect for the other. Moreover, through the production of media content such as videos and radio podcasts, participants learned to recognize and address misinformation and discrimination in the media. Led by a group of experienced facilitators, they produced alternative narratives and multimedia content covering local and national issues related to multiculturalism, becoming active actors and partners of social change.
OVERVIEW
Having finalized their capacity-building training and having produced their projects on alternative narratives, the youth participants will be traveling to New York, where they will present their achievements at the United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday, 4 May.
Through this component of the ‘News Generation Against Hate’ project, UNAOC seeks to empower the youth participants from the Municipality of La Courneuve by providing them with a platform for dialogue previously inaccessible to them. UNAOC will directly contribute to amplifying youth representation and thus allow them to have a voice in decisions that affect them, in line with the United Nations Secretary-General 2021 Report, ‘Our Common Agenda’.
Moreover, this will also constitute a unique opportunity for UNAOC to showcase the potential of working with local youth in collaboration with municipalities – an approach that is replicable across the board, in line with UNAOC’s wider strategy of working with cities and local governments to mobilize action at the community level.
