United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development: Perspectives from the global UNAOC community amid the current health crisis
2020-05-21 08:30 - 10:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
21 May marks the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (A/RES/57/249), which celebrates our world’s many cultures and the critical role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development. On this special occasion, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) – the leading UN entity in the field of intercultural dialogue – invited some of its programmes partners and friends working in the field of cultural diversity across the globe to participate in a virtual discussion. They will share thoughts and experiences about the current health crisis, what it has taught them, and how they envisage our world post-COVID 19, especially in the context of bridging the gap between various cultures to foster respect, mutual understanding, as well as sustainable peace, stability, and development. This event is part of the #OneHumanity campaign of UNAOC, through which it has collected stories of solidarity from its global community to inspire the world to stay united amid the crisis. Learn more by visiting solidarity.unaoc.org and following the hashtag #OneHumanity.
Click here to join the virtual discussion live

Click here to join the virtual discussion live

PLURAL+ Webinar: tips to create compelling video content amid the pandemic
2020-04-17 11:00 - 12:00
2020 marks the twelfth anniversary of the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival, a joint initiative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). UNAOC and IOM recently launched the 2020 call for video submissions, and announced the creation of two new award categories for the festival: The Future We Want Award, and the Award #forSafeWorship. In the current content, producing compelling content can seem challenging. During this webinar, UNAOC and IOM will share information about the 2020 edition of PLURAL+, answer questions, and share tips on ways to produce and submit exciting content for PLURAL+ despite the current restrictions related to the global pandemic.
Join the Webinar

Deadline Extended: Call for Applications for the 2020 Edition of the UNAOC Fellowship Programme
2020-03-15 19:30 - 23:59
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is pleased to launch the Call for Applications for the 2020 edition of its Fellowship Programme. The Call is open to participants between 25 to 35 years old, from the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and North America, with a strong interest in intercultural exchanges. The theme of the Fellowship 2020 is “Building peace in the age of new media”.

LA Dialogue on Creating Cities of Belonging
2020-03-04 - 2020-03-05 | Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
As dynamic laboratories of ideas and practical solutions to problems affecting co-existence, cities can and must lead the way in promoting inclusion, co-existence, and belonging. The LA Dialogue explores those ideas.

Co-organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the City of Los Angeles, and LAMEDINA International Dialogue Institute

The LA Dialogue on Creating Cities of Belonging aims to foster reciprocal knowledge, understanding, and exchange in a safe and stimulating intellectual environment.
The neutral venue of the LA Dialogue, as well as the private, off-the-record nature of the discussions, are designed to help participants develop a deeper comprehension of each other’s challenges and look for collective creative solutions to these challenges.
Under the chairmanship of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and UNAOC High Representative Miguel Moratinos, Mayors from around the world will interact with select cultural, religious, political, and business personalities to discuss issues of pluralism and diversity.
This unique dialogue structure can thus connect local actors – municipal leaders as well as global players – the United Nations, and civil society. It will take place in Los Angeles at the heart of a global search for a peaceful, inclusive, and multicultural coexistence.
The LA Dialogue will take place over 1.5 days in Los Angeles.
Download the LA Dialogue Flyer

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Interfaith Harmony Week Event: "United Nations Plan of Action to safeguard religious sites: A global communications campaign"
2020-02-14 10:00 - 13:00 | UNHQ Conference Room 11
In the context of the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week established by UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/65/5, UNAOC will organize an event entitled United Nations Plan of Action to safeguard religious sites: A global communications campaign to foster dialogue, mutual respect and understanding on Friday, 14 February from 10:00 to 1:00 in Conference Room 11.
The event will contribute to the implementation of the UN Plan of Action to safeguard religious sites and will feed into the global communications campaign recommended by the Plan.
The UN Plan of Action also recommends that 2020 World Interfaith Harmony Week be dedicated to the protection of religious sites and stresses the importance of interfaith dialogue, which can translate into enhanced respect for religious sites of different faiths and the recognition of their universality as symbols of our shared humanity, history, social fabric and traditions.
The event will consist of a panel discussion followed by an interactive dialogue that will look into the role that global youth and the global faith community can play to create connections to religious sites that can help celebrate their universality, underscore the role of individuals in protecting religious sites, and contribute to fostering dialogue, mutual respect and understanding. Building on the principles of the Plan, namely, respect, responsibility, diversity, dialogue, solidarity, standing together and staying together, the event will help identify issues and recommendations that will feed into the global communications campaign.

Deadline Extended: Project Management - Multimedia Intern
2020-02-12
UNAOC is looking for a multimedia intern for its New York office. Apply by 31 January 2020.

Addressing hate speech and preventing incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence: Synergies within the United Nations system
2020-02-04 10:00 - 11:30 | UNHQ Conference Room 3, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 10017, United States
An OSAPG Side Event during Interfaith Harmony Week
This event aims at discussing the role of religious leaders and actors to address hate speech and prevent incitement to violence during the annual Interfaith Harmony Week. In this context, it also aims at exploring synergies between the Fez Plan of Action and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, as well as other relevant UN initiatives. Ms. Nihal Saad, Chief of Cabinet and Spokesperson of UNAOC, is one of the speakers.
Click here to RSVP: https://forms.gle/EPwDadEaPGobwnqF9
*Registration deadline for non-UN grounds pass holders is COB Thursday, 30 January 2020*
For additional information, please contact Simona Cruciani (cruciani@un.org).
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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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Deadline: Request for Quotations for Printing Services
2020-01-28 11:00 - 17:00
UNAOC is pleased to invite prospective vendors to submit their quotations for printing services. Interested vendors must respond to the tender using the UNOPS eSourcing system via the UNGM portal.
Click here to submit a quotation now.

Background:
As part of its overall communications strategy, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) regularly produces a wide variety of promotional materials for its projects, initiatives and entire spectrum of activities. These materials are intended to disseminate information, increase visibility, boost outreach, and strengthen UNAOC’s branding efforts.
Established in 2005, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is a political initiative of Mr. Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, and co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Turkey. A High-Level Group of experts was formed by Mr. Annan to explore the roots of polarization between societies and cultures today, and to recommend a practical programme of action to address this issue. The Report of the High-Level Group provided analysis and put forward practical recommendations that form the basis for the implementation plan of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.
Guided by the principles of the UN Charter, the report of its High-Level Group, and the priorities of the Secretary-General, the UN Alliance of Civilizations works toward a more peaceful, more socially inclusive world, by building mutual respect among peoples of different cultural and religious identities, and highlighting the will of the world’s majority to reject extremism and embrace diversity. UNAOC will seek to operate in situations where it can contribute to broader efforts to ameliorate identity-based crises and promote culturally sensitive development policies.
Click here to submit a quotation now.

Deadline for Applications: Gender Equality Specialist
2020-01-28

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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Educate to Eradicate: The Role of Education in Tackling Violent Extremism
2020-01-14 09:00 - 11:00 | IIE Headquarters, 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, New York
UNAOC will be participating in a roundtable entitled “Educate to Eradicate: The Role of Education in Tackling Violent Extremism”, organized by the Hamad Bin Khalifa University in partnership with IIE.

Background: Violent extremism has threatened the lives and stability of people all over the world; as well as challenging norms and development of communities. Some of the causes that result in intolerance, hatred, and extremism need to be explored from socio-economic viewpoint, including the role of education. The issues need to investigated beyond the security aspect and try to tackle the root of the problem. (Read More)

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Deadline for Applications: #YouthWagingPeace South Asian Workshop
2019-12-25
#YouthWagingPeace South Asian Workshop
Under the aegis of the Second Phase of #YouthWagingPeace – The Whole of Community Approach to PVE, UNESCO MGIEP, UNAOC and the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO are inviting youth leaders from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; who are working on the ground to Prevent Violent Extremism through Education for an opportunity to improve their Social and Emotional Skills (including critical thinking skills), Media and information literacy skills and hands-on project management to curate and implement community-wide activities to build bridges of peace and prevent violent extremism in their communities. (Read More)
Click Here to Apply Now

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2019 Intercultural Innovation Award
2019-12-10 | Madrid, Spain
The 2019 Intercultural Innovation Award Ceremony, a celebration of the most innovative grassroots projects that encourage intercultural dialogue around the world, will be held in Madrid, Spain.
Following a competitive selection process with over 1,200 applications received from 128 countries, ten finalists have been announced by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and BMW Group for the 2019 Intercultural Innovation Award (IIA). Click here to read more about this year’s IIA finalists.
The final rankings will be revealed during the Intercultural Innovation Award Ceremony on December 10, 2019.
The ceremony will be chaired by H.E Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, and Bill McAndrews, Vice President Market Communications, BMW Group.
Learn more about the 2019 Intercultural Innovation Award in Madrid

UNAOC Fellowship Alumni Event: "Engaging women in peacebuilding, conflict mediation and the prevention of violent extremism"
2019-12-04 09:00 - 11:00 | Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, 871 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY, 10017, United States
Organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations
Violent extremism and conflict are transnational threats to global stability which can virtually affect every human being, without distinction of nationality, ethnicity, religion, ideology or gender. Across the UN system, there has been growing awareness that addressing these challenges requires a multi-dimensional and a whole-of-society approach focused on prevention. However, the importance of adopting gender-sensitive frameworks is often overlooked, despite some undeniable progress at global policy level through the advancement of the UN agenda on Women, Peace and Security. Nevertheless, today, women are still almost totally excluded from formal peace processes, while gender stereotypes and grievances are frequently manipulated and exploited by violent groups to enhance recruitment. In that context, UNAOC and the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN are inviting sixteen young professionals and civil society leaders from Europe, North America, the Middle East, and North Africa, to share their recommendations on the meaningful inclusion of women in mediation efforts and in the prevention of conflict and violent extremism. Following an interactive format, they will exchange good practices to harness the power of media, youth engagement, civil society and religious dialogue to support women in becoming champions of peace. All participants are UNAOC Fellows.
Interested in attending? Click here to RSVP.

View Speakers’ Bios
Download the Concept Note Here
RSVP to the UNAOC Fellowship Alumni Event

Concept NoteSpeakers
Concept Note
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Speakers’ Bios
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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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PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival Awards Ceremony
2019-11-13 10:00 - 13:00 | UNHQ ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration will hold the annual Awards Ceremony of the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival. Several young filmmakers from across the globe will be celebrated and will also get a chance to present their films on the pressing issues of migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia.

Youth Migration Film Forum
2019-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | UNHQ ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
Hear youth voices and join their call to action for the human rights of migrants around the world!
Join the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival (a partnership between the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration), the World Council of Peoples for the United Nations (WCPUN), INDOCUMENTALES, the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations, and the Consulate General of Mexico in New York to celebrate the work of youth filmmakers and discuss the power of storytelling.
The event will feature three youth-produced short films, including past winners of the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival.
Registration is required for anyone without a United Nations Grounds Pass.
RSVP by 15 October 2019: Click here to RSVP.
For more information, please contact: rportila@mexonu.org.

Deadline Extended: UNAOC Young Peacebuilders (4th Edition)
2019-10-14 | Online
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is pleased to launch the call for applications for the 4th edition of the Young Peacebuilders programme, focusing on the Middle East and North Africa region. The call is open to participants between 18 to 25 years old, from the region, with a strong interest in growing their ability to act as agents of peace in their community, region and beyond and to prevent violent extremism through intercultural and interfaith dialogue.
The application deadline is September 30, 2019, October 14, 2019, 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time (New York).
Read the eligibility criteria Click here to apply now

UNAOC Fellowship 2019 (MENA Cohort)
2019-10-13 - 2019-10-27
MENA Fellows of the UNAOC Fellowship Programme will travel to the United States, Germany, and Spain from 13 to 27 October 2019, while the EUNA cohort traveled to Morocco, Egypt and Qatar from 26 June to 10 July 2019. During their respective trips, in addition to addressing issues related to Intercultural Dialogue, both cohorts will also take part in activities and discussions focusing on a theme: “The role of women in peacemaking and conflict prevention”. This theme has been chosen in line with UNAOC mandate and priorities as well as the UN global agenda. The choice of the theme has also framed the selection process and participants from both groups are all involved professionally in the field of gender, peacebuilding and conflict prevention. For more information about the Fellowship, click here.

UNAOC Workshop for Young Peacebuilders of the MENA region
2019-10-07 - 2019-10-12 | Mérida, Spain, Mérida, Spain
Twenty young peacebuilders between 18 and 25 years old from 12 MENA countries will travel to Merida, Spain, to attend the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) peace workshop, organized in partnership with AEXCID.
From 7 to 12 of October 2019, the participants will analyze conflicts, practice peace tools to build bridges between cultures and religions, as well as design a peace project, which they will implement after the training.

About the UNAOC Young Peacebuilders programme
The Young Peacebuilders is a peace education initiative that is designed to support young people in gaining skills that can enhance their positive role in issues of peace and security and in preventing violent conflict. It also brings visibility to the initiatives, actions and projects initiated by young people towards peace and the promotion of diversity and dialogue. UNAOC intends to implement this programme in different regions of the world to grow and strengthen the global movement of young peacebuilders. Through this action, UNAOC is committing to support young people’s participation in peacebuilding with a growing coalition of partners.
Read more about Young Peacebuilders here.

Concert: "Youth for Sustainable Peace"
2019-10-03 18:30 - 20:30 | Trusteeship Council Chamber, UNHQ New York, Conference Building, UNHQ, New York, NY, United States
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is co-sponsoring a concert featuring the National Autonomous University of Mexico Youth Orchestra Eduardo Mata on the theme of youth for sustainable peace. This event is co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
This event serves as a platform to amplify the voice of young people for the promotion of a peaceful, just and sustainable world. Music serves to connect young people building solidarity, and to engage in quality education and develop opportunities to become actors and advocates for peace. It also serves as an instrument for building social cohesion and greater tolerance among communities.
FlyerAgendaConcept Note

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UNAOC Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting
2019-09-27 15:00 - 18:00 | UNHQ Conference Room 2, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
“Relevance of the Work of UNAOC to the United Nations Prevention Agenda and its Impact on the Ground”
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) will convene a Ministerial Meeting of its Group of Friends on Friday, 27 September 2019, 3:00pm to 6:00 pm, in Conference Room 2 of the United Nations Headquarters.
The meeting will focus on the theme “Relevance of the Work of UNAOC to the United Nations Prevention Agenda and its Impact on the Ground”. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, will present his vision and priorities for the work of UNAOC for 2019-2023.

Provisional ProgrammeNote on Organizational Modalities
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UNAOC: Reviving the Global Dimension (A High-Level Round Table Luncheon)
2019-09-26 14:00 - 17:00 | The Yale Club of New York, 50 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY, United States
“UNAOC: Reviving the Global Dimension”, a high-level round table luncheon, is a launch event for a series of consultations with key UNAOC stakeholders and partners, to promote the values and mandate of UNAOC globally, across all regions and continents.
This new series is launched in line with the High Representative for UNAOC Mr. Miguel Moratinos’ vision to reinvigorate the regional and national strategies of UNAOC, adopted in the past by groups of countries, as well as to provide impetus to the development of new national and regional initiatives, taking into consideration the latest global challenges and trends.

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High-Level Round Table on Countering Hate Speech
2019-09-25 08:00 - 09:30 | UNHQ Conference Room 12, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, will deliver the keynote address at the High-Level Round Table on Countering Hate Speech, a side event in the margins of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, organized by the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the UN and the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN.
The High-Level Roundtable will provide the participants with an opportunity to identify key factors leading to an increase in intolerance and various forms of hatred, including hate speech. It is aimed at identifying measures and approaches required to effectively address and mitigate the impacts of hate speech on societies across the world, with a view to fostering tolerance and inclusivity.

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High-Level Working Luncheon on the Culture of Peace
2019-09-13 13:00 - 15:00 | UN Headquarters – Delegates Dining Room, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
On Friday 13 September 2019, UNAOC will be participating in a high-level working luncheon convened by the President of the General Assembly, H. E. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, in the margins of the high-level forum devoted to the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace by the General Assembly in resolution A/RES/53/243.
The luncheon will bring together member states and stakeholders to engage in an interactive discussion on the role of partnerships for achieving the SDGs, including through building the culture of peace.
For more information about the High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace – 20th Anniversary, please click here.

Informal Briefing by the Secretary-General on the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites: In Unity and Solidarity for Safe and Peaceful Worship
2019-09-12 11:00 - 12:30 | UNHQ ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
The United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. António Guterres, will brief Member States regarding the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites: In Unity and Solidarity for Safe and Peaceful Worship.
The Plan of Action has been elaborated by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in the aftermath of the horrific attacks on two mosques that took place in Christchurch, New Zealand, on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, and on the three Catholic churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, as well as increasing occurrences of other hatred attacks targeting religious sites worldwide.
The Plan of Action was prepared following an extensive series of consultations with governments, United Nations entities, faith-based organizations, religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders, conducted by the office of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations during the period from April to July 2019.

Deadline Extended: 2019 Youth Solidarity Fund Applications
2019-09-06 17:00
Deadline extended to Friday, 6 September 2019 at 5:00 p.m. New York time
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is pleased to invite youth-led organizations to apply for the Youth Solidarity Fund (YSF). The call is open to organizations from select countries whose work seeks to foster peaceful and inclusive societies through improved understanding and collaboration across cultures, faiths and beliefs.
Learn more here or click here to apply.

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.

The Role of Faith Communities in Building Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies in Latin America and The Caribbean
2019-07-17 13:30 - 15:00 | Church Center for the UN, 777 United Nations Plaza, 10th Floor, New York, NY, 10017, United States
Side Event at the 2019 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)
UNAOC will be participating in a panel discussion entitled “The Role of Faith Communities in Building Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies in Latin America and The Caribbean”, a side event in the margins of the 2019 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The side event is organized by Alianza Interreligiosa, the Inter-Religious Alliance for the 2030 Agenda 2030.
