United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

28th session of the AFS Youth Assembly: "Breakthrough to a better future"
2023-08-11 - 2023-08-13 | New York, New York, NY, United States
UNAOC will participate in this year’s AFS Youth Assembly, a global platform that cultivates an international network of young leaders and changemakers through exchange, education, action and impact. Anchored around a celebration of International Youth Day, the theme of the 28th Session of the Youth Assembly is “Breakthrough to a better future.” Through discussions, skill-building workshops, networking, and ideation challenges, and with the support of experts and practitioners in the field, young attendees will gain the relevant resources and opportunities they need to become equal partners in achieving change.

UNAOC Group of Friends High-level Meeting
2023-09-21 15:00 - 18:00 (America/Halifax) | UNHQ Conference Room 12, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
The High Representative will convene a high-level meeting of the UNAOC Group of Friends on Thursday, 21 September 2023, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM New York time, at the United Nations headquarters, New York.
The High Representative will brief the Group of Friends members on UNAOC’s advocacy work, institutional developments, programmes and progress made under various portfolios and mandates during 2022-2023, including the UNAOC Action Plan 2019-2023. The meeting will also serve as an occasion to highlight planned activities in 2024, including the Tenth UNAOC Global Forum, which will be hosted by the Government of Portugal.

21st Session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions
2023-10-11 | Astana, Kazakhstan, Astana, Kazakhstan
UNAOC will participate in the 21st session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The event will be hosted by the Republic of Kazakhstan, which holds regular sessions of the Secretariat in Astana, convening religious leaders, representatives of the national authorities, faith-based organizations and international organizations. During the event, participants will review and adopt the Development Concept of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for 2023-2033 and mark the 20th anniversary since the Congress was launched.

Intercultural Innovation Hub Capacity-building Workshop
2023-10-15 - 2023-10-20 | Munich, Germany
The first capacity-building workshop for the ten recipients of the current edition of the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) will take place in Munich, Germany from October 15th to October 20th, 2022.
Hosted by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group, and with the support of Accenture, the workshop will focus on strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations that are promoting inclusive societies.
The workshop will be attended by the ten global grassroots initiatives which were recognized in May 2023 during an event held in Berlin, Germany. IIH recipients from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Guatemala, Jordan, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, and South Africa will participate in a variety of training sessions at the BMW Group Headquarters and the Accenture offices.

The 2nd Global Dialogue: "Towards the World of #OneHumanity – The Role of Artificial Intelligence"
2023-10-20 | United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in collaboration with the Onuart Foundation
Click here to download the agenda.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been one of the most transformative innovations of our time – with the potential to redefine industries and reshape societies. As AI continues to advance exponentially, its profound impact on #OneHumanity raises important questions about ethics, governance, equity, and sustainable development. Moreover, in our interconnected multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious world, it is crucial to address the surge in racism and xenophobia that persist in many parts of the world , and examine the impact of AI on exacerbating them or counteracting and mitigating them.
To address these crucial and timely themes, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), in collaboration with the Onuart Foundation, is convening the 2nd edition of the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence entitled “Towards the World of One Humanity”.
The dialogues aim to explore rapid breakthroughs in AI-powered technologies and explore how these innovations can be leveraged to advance global governance, foster mutual respect, and promote inclusive development. On the other side of the spectrum, the event will examine the impact of Artificial Intelligence on global peace and security, as well as its potential to spread disinformation, restrict freedoms, reinforce biases and structural racism, or infringe on basic human rights.
AI-enabled technologies, and particularly generative AI models, have become even more relevant over the past year. The emergence of Chat GPT in late 2022, for example, continues to fuel a global debate. While generative technology has ushered in a new era of creativity and productivity, it has also sparked contentious debate on the propagation of fake news, amplifying stereotypes, perpetuating bias, violating privacy, utilizing copyrighted content for training generative AI models, or promoting unequal representation in media narratives, to name a few.
At this important juncture in history, innovation and inclusion are crucial, and Artificial Intelligence in the service of humanity has the potential to empower diversity, respect and progress for all. However, establishing guardrails and adapting a governance framework are necessary and urgent to steer this technology towards building a better world. Moreover, a strong partnership between the public and private sectors is essential to drive the whole transformation process in harmony. This Global Dialogue will serve to deepen, amplify, and strengthen this collaboration.
Indeed, as AI continues to open infinite possibilities to aid Human Intelligence, it is of utmost importance for a multi-stakeholder, multilateral dialogue to address the potential dangers and misuse of these technologies, while simultaneously harnessing AI’s potential for positive impact. It is clear that AI will have an impact on every area of our lives including the three pillars of the United Nations namely, peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. That’s why last July, the United Nations Security Council took up the issue and convened for the first time a debate on AI.
The United Nations have taken steps to set new international rules and establish new global agencies. For example, the 2021 recommendations on Ethics of Artificial Intelligence agreed through the UNESCO; the AI for Good summits convened by the ITU to ensure that AI serves the common good. Furthermore, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has announced that he will convene a multi-stakeholder High-Level Advisory Board for Artificial Intelligence that will report back on options for global AI governance by the end of this year.
It is also in this context that UNAOC and Onuart Foundation are bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise from around the world, to debate and exchange views on the way forward for responsible, ethical, and equitable AI development rooted in transparency and accountability.
The event will take place on 20 October, 2023 , 09:15-13:00 , 14:30 – 18:00 in room XX (Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations room).

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La Courneuve Dialogue: Building Intercultural Cities
2023-11-13 - 2023-11-14 | La Courneuve, France, La Courneuve, France
On November 13 and 14, the city of La Courneuve in France will host the 3rd iteration of UNAOC’s “City Dialogue” series, following successful editions in Los Angeles (2020) and Seville (2021). Focusing on the overarching theme of “Building Intercultural Cities”, the La Courneuve Dialogue will gather over 100 participants from over 10 countries at the Diplomatic Archives of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, with the aim of promoting intercultural exchanges and advancing inclusion within diverse communities.

Download the Agenda in English
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Download the Agenda in French
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UN-AUSC Youth Forum: the Role of Young People in the 13th African Games
2023-11-21 - 2023-11-22 | Accra, Ghana, Accra, Ghana
In the context of the “UN Global Programme on the Security of Major Sporting Events (MSE), and Promotion of Sport and its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism”, UNAOC is organizing the “UN-AUSC Youth Forum: the Role of Young People in the 13th African Games”, taking place in Accra, Ghana, on 21- 22 November 2023, building on the power of major sporting events to promote increased youth participation in national and regional PVE strategies and assert the value of the youth in fostering sustainable peace and development in Africa.
Click here to download the agenda of the Opening Session

BACKGROUND
The current youth generation is acknowledged as the largest in history, with the global agenda increasingly focused on young people as key drivers for meaningful and impactful social movements. Youth’s diverse and unique actions have greatly contributed to promoting peace and identifying and addressing the triggers of violent extremism. Moreover, young people are the most able to mobilize their peers and become principal stakeholders of societies increasingly free from stereotypes, discrimination, and extremism. The United Nations acknowledges the value of the youth in peacebuilding through the development of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 2250 (2015), 2419 (2018), and 2535 (2020) on Youth, Peace, and Security that called upon the United Nations (UN) entities and Member States to improve capacity-building by integrating the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda into their technical assistance plans. Also, the African Youth Charter recognizes that “youth are partners, assets and prerequisite for sustainable peace and prosperity of Africa with a unique contribution to make to the present and future development.”
Through unique engagement, such as sports, the youth have led and sustained peacebuilding and development conversations across societies. Sports have historically played a significant role in disseminating positive values worldwide and across civilizations and cultures, thus making it a powerful vector for developing efforts to promote peace and prevent and counter violent extremism. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 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.” Through the African Union Sport Council (AUSC), established in 2016, the AU promotes sport in Africa with a focus on youth development, gender equality, and regional integration, supporting programmes that use sports to promote the African Union Agenda 2063 aspirations of the “Africa We Want.”
YOUTH PERSPECTIVE OF THE UN GLOBAL SPORTS PROGRAMME
As such, the UN Global Programme on the Security of Major Sporting Events and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism (Global Sports Programme), led by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and its partners, the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), was launched as a cross-cutting global initiative to help the Member States leverage the power of sports to strengthen social cohesion and build resilience to violent extremism, safeguard sports from extremist activities, and protect major sporting events against terrorist threats. A key element of the Programme’s workstream on PVE through sport has been to empower youth while ensuring that policymakers effectively consider their unique skills and perspectives on PVE through sport.
The Programme has organized youth consultations such as 1) the Online Youth Consultation on Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport (20-21 January 2021); 2) the MENA Youth Forum on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) through Sport (21-23 June 2022) in Rabat, Morocco; 3) the Global Youth Forum on PVE through Sport in Fez, Morocco (21-23 November 2022); 4) the ASEAN-UN Regional Youth Forum on Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport in Bangkok, Thailand (8-9 December 2022) to produce policy recommendations on PVE-Through-Sport from a youth perspective, aiming to provide guidance and actionable steps for policymakers to effectively leverage the power of sport in preventing violent extremism while ensuring youth inclusion and evidence-based decision-making. These recommendations were highlighted on the occasion of the 8th review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy during the Programme’s side event dedicated to youth and the use of sport for PVE, at UNHQ, New York (23 June 2023). Such activities are essential since youth are often excluded from PVE-through-Sport programmes and policies, despite their significant contributions. The Programme’s initiatives aim to contribute to addressing this challenge.
Considerations for youth are integrated into all other activities and projects of the Programme’s PVE-related workstream. The Programme’s “Guide for Policymakers for The Use of Sport for the Prevention of Violent Extremism” and “Preventing Violent Extremism through Major Sporting Events – A Handbook for Organizers,” for example, actively advise on the role of youth in fostering sustainable peace and development. Major sporting events provide a platform that can contribute to the prevention of violent extremism (PVE). Thanks to their widespread appeal and ability to foster a sense of ownership and belonging within the hosting community, major sporting events are ideally suited to address its drivers. A holistic approach is required, which includes the meaningful involvement of young people.
PROPOSAL
The Global Sports Programme will organize a Youth Forum on the role of young people in the upcoming 13th Edition of the African Games (Accra, Ghana, set to commence in March 2024) in partnership with the AUSC, which oversees the coordination and organization of the African Games—building on the power of sport to promote increased youth participation in the organization of major sporting events. Other partners are the 13th African Games Local Organising Committee (LOC) which comprises key Ghanaian stakeholders, the Ghana National Peace Council which is responsible for implementing the National PVE Strategy, and the UN Country Team.
OBJECTIVES

Raise awareness of integrating youth in major sporting events, particularly from an African perspective.
Establish a dialogue between youth and decision-makers about the power of sports and major sporting events to prevent violent extremism, showcasing unique youth approaches, including those targeting the vulnerable youth population.
Encourage more investment and support towards youth-led sport-based PVE initiatives and increased youth participation in major sporting events.
Concrete guidelines on the greater inclusion of young people in PVE-based activities within the context of a major sporting event.

TIME AND PLACE
21-22 November 2023 (2 days) in Accra, Ghana
FORMAT

We count on the participation of approx. 20 African civil society leaders between 18 and 35 years old and involved in major sporting events, decision-making, and/or sport for PVE.
This Forum will feature ‘safe and brave spaces,’ working groups, presentations, etc.
The young people will have the opportunity to go into dialogue with the organizers of the upcoming 13th African Games, including the AUSC and the LOC, as well as other PVE-through-sport/sport for peace stakeholders, including civil society organizations and the UN.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Raised awareness of the role and significance of sport in PVE.
Inclusion of strategies for PVE interventions while organizing major sporting events and its integration into NAPs.
Compiled recommendations on integrating young people in organizing major sporting events and related sport-for-PVE initiatives.

SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS

Due to limited slots, participants will be subjected to a selection process that will consider the relevance of their application, their experience, the motivation and interest demonstrated, as well as their potential contribution to the discussions. To the extent possible, the selection committee will balance age, gender, and diversity of backgrounds (cultural, educational, professional) among selected participants.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Age: 18-35 years of age
Region: African Union Member States
Interest in themes: the applicant demonstrates some experience and knowledge (or a great interest in getting involved) in issues related to PVE (through sport), the organization of major sporting events, sport for development and peace, and/or meaningful youth engagement.
Future impact and follow-up: the applicant expresses a strong commitment to further engage on the topics and has the ability to consult with and reach a wider group of young people, audiences, or networks, including leading initiatives at the grassroots and community levels.
Experience and potential: experience in the development of policies and guidelines and advocacy in PVE.

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Young Peacebuilders Symposium (6th edition)
2023-11-28 - 2023-11-29 | Cordoba, Spain, Córdoba, Spain
UNAOC will hold the culminating symposium for the 6th edition of its Young Peacebuilders programme, focused on Latin America and the Caribbean, in Córdoba, Spain, from the 28th to the 29th of November.
The Young Peacebuilders programme 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 and extremism.
The symposium will feature the peacebuilding efforts of the participating young peacebuilders from Latin America and the Caribbean region, and will serve as a platform to bring visibility to the initiatives, actions, and projects initiated by young people to promote peace, respect for diversity, and mutual understanding. Policymakers, UN officials, representatives from civil society, the private sector, the media, and academia will interact with them and exchange ideas on the role of youth in peacebuilding.

The Role of Religious Communities in Upholding and Implementing the Genocide Convention
2023-11-28 10:00 - 11:45 (America/Halifax) | UNHQ ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
Side Event to the 75th Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment

Live via UN Web TV Concept Note Download the Agenda
Leading up to the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention), on 8 December 2023 at the UNHQ, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) are organizing a joint side-event, showcasing stories of religious individuals and communities that have been promoting, protecting, and implementing the Genocide Convention.
Speakers will share their stories and provide insights about how the legacy of the Convention can be enhanced to protect populations from genocide.
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"If war is a choice, peace can be too" — A Side Event on Young Leaders’ Contribution to Peace and Security
2023-12-05 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Conference Room 8
Organized by Rondine with the Permanent Missions of Italy, Costa Rica and Monaco to the United Nations with the support of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
In the fifth iteration of the series, Rondine and its student community reaffirm their commitment to a world free of armed conflict and violent extremism through peace education, workshop trainings on youth leadership for peace, and by promoting the values outlined through the “Leaders for Peace” global campaign in line with the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and UNSC Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.
Together with the Permanent Missions of Italy, Costa Rica, and Monaco to the UN, with the support of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), Rondine’s students reiterate their call to action to the international community to join efforts to promote youth-led initiatives in the areas of peace education and peacebuilding in line with the recent Policy Brief of the UN Secretary General on Meaningful Youth Engagement, which has recognized youth as “positive and constructive social agents who play an essential role in building sustainable peace.
In 2023, Rondine signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) to develop collaborations on their mutual interests in peace education and intercultural and interreligious dialogue. UNAOC’s activities are fashioned around the five pillars of Education, Youth, Migration, Media, and Women as peace mediators in identity-based settings. Through its youth programming, UNAOC recognizes and empowers young pe ople as essential partners in fostering mutual understanding and building sustainable peace.
The event will also set the stage for the launch of the campaign’s main output, the “Global Leaders School” project, which is slated to start in 2024. Moreover, it will serve as an occasion to announce the extension of the campaign until 2030, aiming to transform “Leaders for Peace” into a permanent instrument of peace advocacy for young people from all over the world, with a view to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2030, and more specifically the advancement of SDG16 on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.

Doha Forum 2023
2023-12-10 - 2023-12-11 | Doha, Qatar, Doha, Qatar
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC, will take part in the Doha Forum 2023 in Doha, Qatar on 10-11 December 2023. He will speak in the Closing Panel on 11 December 2023, under the theme “Building Shared Futures”.
The Doha Forum is a global platform for dialogue, bringing together leaders in policy to discuss critical challenges facing our world, and to build innovative and action-driven networks. Under the banner “Diplomacy, Dialogue, Diversity”, the event promotes the exchange of ideas and discourse towards policy making and action-oriented recommendations. To learn more, click here.

2023 PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival Ceremony
2023-12-15 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Trusteeship Council Chamber, UNHQ New York, Conference Building, UNHQ, New York, NY, United States
Click here to RSVP for the Ceremony
The 2023 edition of the PLURAL + 2023 Youth Video Festival Ceremony is slated to take place at the Trusteeship Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ) in New York on Friday, December 15, 2023, from 4 pm to 6 pm.
PLURAL+, a joint initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), aims to amplify the global impact of young media makers who have created exceptional videos on themes such as migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia.
The ceremony will recognize and honor filmmakers selected for International Jury Distinctions across three age categories. Additionally, it will present three Special Recognitions for videos centered around the themes of “Combating Xenophobia and Discrimination,” “Sport for One Humanity,” and “Migrants’ Contributions to Societies

International Day of Human Fraternity 2024
2024-02-05 11:00 - 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
View Live Webcast Read Media Advisory
On December 21, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/75/200, designating February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity, to be commemorated annually starting in 2021.
Co-facilitated by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, the resolution acknowledges initiatives fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Notably, it recognizes the historic meeting on February 4, 2019, between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which led to the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.” The resolution also encourages all Member States to actively promote a culture of peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.
Celebrating human fraternity and its underlying principles — including mutual respect, cultural and religious diversity, and the promotion of intercultural and interreligious dialogue — serves as a poignant reminder of the shared values that unite us as one humanity. This spirit has become especially crucial in these troubled times marked by divisions along religious, ethnic, and cultural lines. The rise of religious animosity, stigma, and various forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities, not only violates human rights and UN values, but also poses a serious threat to international peace and security efforts.
The upcoming virtual event will provide an opportunity to highlight the principles and values included in the Document of Human Fraternity and renew our joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity and advancing dialogue.

Virtual Event: International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism
2024-02-12 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual

Beyond War and Toward Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables
2024-02-19 - 2024-02-21 | Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo, Japan
Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan, with the support of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), proudly announce the convening of the second “Beyond War and Toward Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables”, scheduled to take place from 19-21 February 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. Building on the success of the inaugural Roundtable in 2022, this event will bring together diverse religious and faith leaders, policymakers, and policy experts in a collaborative effort to explore innovative approaches to effective peacebuilding and discuss the impact of interfaith actions on global challenges. Click here to learn more.
View the Press Release

International Conference on the Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance
2024-02-20 - 2024-02-22 | Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Register to Attend Read the Press Release
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is pleased to support the International Conference on the Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance (“IDCT Conference”), to be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from the 20th to the 22nd of February 2024. The event will convene representatives of the academia, governments, multilateral organizations, and other stakeholders to jointly tackle questions at the core of the “Dialogue of Civilizations”.
The global event is organized under the patronage of H.E Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance & Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tolerance & Coexistence of UAE, and with the support of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).
More details are available on the conference website: https://www.idctconference.org/

Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2024
2024-03-01 - 2024-03-03 | Antalya, Türkiye, Antalya, Turkey
UNAOC will participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which will take place on March 1-3, 2024 in Antalya, Türkiye. In its third edition, this year’s Forum has an overarching theme of “Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil”, with the aim of leading the discourse on the search for peace amid a turbulent period in human history. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC, is a panellist in a session entitled “Rising Racism, Xenophobia and Islamophobia”.
To learn more, visit https://antalyadf.org/en/adf-2024-en.

Intercultural Innovation Hub Capacity-building Workshop
2024-03-17 - 2024-03-23 | São Paulo, Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
The second capacity-building workshop for the ten recipients of the current edition of the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH) will take place in São Paulo, Brazil from March 17th to March 22nd, 2024.
Hosted by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group, and with the support of Accenture, the workshop will focus on strengthening the capacity of participating civil society organizations.
The workshop will be attended by representatives of the ten global grassroots initiatives that were recognized in May 2023 during an event held in Berlin, Germany. IIH recipients from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Guatemala, Jordan, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, and South Africa will participate in a series of training sessions and visits in São Paulo, Brazil.

6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue: "Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity"
2024-05-01 - 2024-05-03 | Baku, Azerbaijan
Governments, international organizations, scholars, and thought leaders will gather at the 6th edition of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue
The 6th edition of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, operating under the theme “Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity,” is scheduled to convene from May 1st to May 3rd, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This forum, part of the “Baku Process” initiated by President Ilham Aliyev in 2008, will be conducted in collaboration with prominent international entities such as the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), UNESCO, the UN Tourism, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
The primary objective of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue is to explore the critical intersections between dialogue facilitation, cooperative frameworks, leadership efficacy, and the complex dynamics of interconnectedness, all in the service of advancing global peace and security imperatives. Over three days, a series of plenary sessions and panel discussions will bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from international organizations, eminent cultural figures, journalists, civil society actors, and intellectuals from across the globe, to deliberate upon pressing global challenges.
For more information: www.bakuprocess.az

Conflict mediation and peace building: strengthening the role of women
2024-07-16 - 2024-07-17 | Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo, Democratic Republic of the
UNAOC will support a 2-day high-level conference organized by Fundación Mujeres por África, entitled “Conflict mediation and peacebuilding: strengthening the role of women”, which will take place in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo on 16 to 17 July.
The event will bring together women mediators from the Central African Republic, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as national authorities, multilateral and civil society organizations, with the aim of addressing crucial issues relating to the role of women mediators in conflict resolution, combating violence and peacebuilding.

Working Together to Counter Antisemitism – A Global Human Rights Challenge
2024-09-04 09:30 - 12:30 (Europe/Helsinki) | Room XXII, Palais des Nations, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
When: Wednesday, September 4, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Room XXII, Palais des Nations, UN Geneva
History has shown that antisemitism is often a precursor to other forms of hate. In this context, deeply concerned by the dramatic rise in antisemitism globally and its effects on individuals, communities, and the wider society, this collaborative workshop aims to provide an opportunity for human rights experts to discuss the critical issue of antisemitism with subject matter senior experts, fostering greater understanding and collaboration among international stakeholders. Through dialogue, we seek to strengthen global efforts to identify and counter modern forms of antisemitism and build a more inclusive and respectful world.
Speakers:
Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism
H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
Dr. Felix Klein, Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight Against Antisemitism
Dr. Fernando Lottenberg, OAS Commissioner to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism
Dr. h.c. Katharina von Schnurbein, EJ Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life
Ambassador Michèle Taylor, U.S. Permanent Representative to the U.N. Human Rights Council

Promoting Peaceful and Inclusive Societies for Sustainable Development through Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue
2024-09-26 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Conference Room 12, United Nations headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
Organized by the Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
However, the world is facing unfathomable challenges that pose threats to and undermine peace and security, sustainable development and the full enjoyment of human rights.
The Pact for the Future, to be adopted at the Summit of the Future in September 2024, features the promotion of culture and intercultural and interreligious dialogue among collective actions that can strengthen social cohesion and accelerate the achievement of a wide array of sustainable development goals.
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UNAOC Group of Friends High-level Meeting
2024-09-27 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Conference Room 1, UNHQ, 405 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, United States
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) will convene a UNAOC Group of Friends high-level meeting on Friday, 27 September 2024, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM New York time, in Conference Room 1 at the United Nations headquarters, New York.
At the event, Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC, will present the UNAOC Plan of Action for 2024-2026 and highlight key achievements and progress made by UNAOC since the last Group of Friends meeting in September 2023. Together with the host Government of Portugal, the High Representative will also outline the latest substantive preparations and expected outcomes of the 10th UNAOC Global Forum, which will be held in Cascais, Portugal, from 25 to 27 November 2024.

Informal Briefing to UNAOC Group Friends on the 10th UNAOC Global Forum
2024-10-30 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Halifax) | Conference Room 8
The Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) are co-organizing an Informal Briefing on the 10th UNAOC Global Forum, which is scheduled to take place in the city of Cascais, Portugal on 25–27 November 2024.
The Informal Briefing, co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Rui Vinhas, the Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC, will be convened in Conference Room 8 at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday, 30 October, from 3:00 pm to 4:30pm.
The latest official programme of the event, the registration procedure and attendance, protocol arrangements as well as expected outcomes of the Global Forum, will be presented at the Informal Briefing. An interactive Q&A session will be held to address queries and any pending issues.

10th UNAOC Global Forum
2024-11-25 - 2024-11-27 | Cascais, Portugal
United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future
Reflecting on Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity

The 10th UNAOC Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal will convene members of the UNAOC Group of Friends, political leaders, representatives of international and regional organizations, religious leaders and faith actors, the private sector, civil society, academia, youth, arts and media, as well as donor agencies and foundations, who will address the global issues pertinent to peace and security and call for restoring trust and for uniting in peace. In Cascais, participants will have an opportunity to reflect on the twenty years of the ‘Alliance of Civilizations’ initiative, announced by Spain at the 59th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2004, and how UNAOC grew into a vibrant and well-established United Nations entity. The event will be an occasion to highlight and celebrate UNAOC achievements and map the blueprint for “One Humanity” in the years to come.
Visit this space for more updates.

3rd UNAOC Dialogue on "AI for #OneHumanity: Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence"
2025-04-22 14:30 - 2025-04-23 14:00 (Europe/Helsinki) | Room XX, Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Watch Live Programme Concept Note Media Advisory
The 3rd UNAOC Dialogue on “AI for #OneHumanity: Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence” will take place on 22–23 April 2025 at Room XX (Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations room) of the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Following the success of its first two iterations in 2022 and 2024, respectively, the third “AI for #OneHumanity” will convene key stakeholders — including governments, international organizations, private sector leaders, innovators, and representatives from academia, media, and civil society — to foster collaboration, share insights, and explore strategies to ensure the responsible and inclusive development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the service of humanity.
Organized by UNAOC in collaboration with Onuart Foundation, the two-day gathering will feature thematic discussions focused on the role of AI in fostering dialogue, advancing sustainable development, and shaping pathways for collective human progress, while also addressing critical challenges such as cultural and religious bias, governance, and equitable access. Through these discussions, UNAOC aims to amplify diverse perspectives and strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure that Artificial Intelligence serves as a unifying, rather than divisive, force.

Launch of “A Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law” (“Un Grito por la Paz, el Fin de las Guerras y el Respeto a la Legalidad Internacional”)
2025-04-25 - 2025-04-26 | Gernika, Spain
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and Religions for Peace are co-organizing the launch of “A Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law”, an initiative that aims to amplify a condemnation against war while fostering a message of peace and upholding respect for international law.

The launch will take place in the symbolic and historic town of Gernika in Basque Country, Spain, on the 88th anniversary of its bombing. The event will feature the participation of high-level officials, religious leaders, renowned figures from academia, civil society, and the media, as well as other key stakeholders committed to the cause of peace. The programme will also include cultural performances and a solemn tribute to the victims of the Gernika bombing.
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Watch Live / Síguelo en Directo
Programme (English)Programa (Español) 25 April 2025, Liceo Theatre, Gernika, Spain

09:30–10:30
Roundtable 1: Interfaith Dialogue: The Role of Religious Leaders and Faith Actors in Fostering the Call for Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding

10:30–11:30
Roundtable 2: From Grassroots Actions to Global Impact: Civil Society as a Catalyst for Sustainable Peace

11:30–12:30
Roundtable 3: Women at the Forefront: the Missing Piece in Advancing Peace and Security through Inclusion

16:00–18:00
Roundtable 4: “Youth Voices for Peace: Empowering a Generation of Changemakers”

18:30–19:00
Discussion and screening of “Why War”, a film by Amos Gitai

26 April 2025, Fronton Jai-Alai, Gernika, Spain

9:30–10:15
Welcoming all guests and family photo

10:30–11:30
Official Opening Ceremony
– Gernika Peace and Reconciliation Awards Ceremony

11:30–11:4:
Musical Interlude: performance of the Basque band ‘Pause’ and the Basque Soprano Jone Martínez

11:45–13:00
Official Launch of “A Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law”

13:00–13:15
Cultural Performance: Soprano recital and traditional Basque dance

16:30–17:30
A tribute to the victims and floral offering (Gernika Cemetery)

25 abril 2025, Teatro Liceo, Gernika, Spain

09:30–10:30
Mesa redonda con líderes religiosos

10:30–11:30
Mesa Redonda 1: Diálogo Interreligioso: El Papel de los Líderes y Actores Religiosos en la Promoción de un Grito por la Paz, el Respeto y Entendimiento Mutuos

11:30–12:30
Mesa Redonda 3: Mujeres al Frente: la Pieza que Falta en el Avance de la Paz y la Seguridad a Través de la Inclusión

16:00–18:00
Mesa redonda 4: “Voces Jóvenes por la Paz: Empoderando a una Generación de Agentes de Cambio”

18:30–19:00
Debate y proyección de “Why War”, película de Amos Gitai

26 abril 2025, Fronton Jai-Alai, Gernika, Spain

9:30–10:15
Recepción de invitados y foto de familia

10:30–11:30
Ceremonia de Apertura Oficial
– Acto de Entrega de los Premios Gernika Paz y Reconciliación

11:30–11:45
Interludio musical a cargo del grupo vasco ‘Pause’ y recital de la Soprano vasca Jone Martínez

11:45–13:00
Presentación Oficial de “Un Grito por la Paz, el Fin de las Guerras y el Respeto a la Legalidad Internacional”

13:00–13:15
Actuación cultural: recital de la Soprano vasca Jone Martínez y baile tradicional vasco: “Aurresku”

16:30–17:30
Homenaje a las víctimas y ofrenda floral (Cementerio de Gernika)

Links
Download the Concept Note (English)
Descarga la Nota Conceptual (Español)
Read the Press Release

Concept Note (English)Nota Conceptual (Español) Download (PDF, 3.36MB)

Download (PDF, 3.39MB)

Countering Extremism and Radical Ideologies: A multi-stakeholder approach
2025-04-29 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Halifax) | Conference Room 6, UN Headquarters, United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States
This event will bring together representatives of the United Nations system and faith-based organizations, with the Egyptian-US Dialogue Initiative Delegation in a round-table discussion on countering extremism and radical ideologies, including sharing good practices in building trust and understanding through dialogue, countering hate speech, xenophobia and the protection of human rights.
The Egyptian-US Dialogue Initiative was launched in October 2014. It seeks to build bridges of common interests at cultural, social and religious levels between Egypt and the United States. The Initiative includes representatives from the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS), a leading civil society and development NGO in Egypt, along with US partners, including major US church denominations—the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Church of Christ—and ecumenical organizations the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and Churches for Middle East Peace, as well as HANDS Along the Nile Development Services.

Thematic Dialogue on “Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations, Strengthening Global Solidarity and Cooperation”
2025-06-09 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Halifax) | Conference Room 2, United Nations Headquarters, United Nations, New York, 10017, United States
To commemorate the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, UNAOC is co-organizing a Thematic Dialogue on “Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations, Strengthening Global Solidarity and Cooperation” with the Permanent Missions of China, Egypt, Peru, Spain, Uzbekistan to the United Nations on Monday, 9th of June, in Conference Room 2, United Nations headquarters, New York.

Click Here to Download the Programme

Anna Lindh Foundation Forum 2025
2025-06-18 - 2025-06-20 | Tirana, Albania, Tirana, Albania
UNAOC is an institutional partner at the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum (ALForum 2025), to be held in Tirana, Albania on 18–20 June 2025. The Forum will bring together approximately 1,000 participants, including civil society representative, academic entities, young leaders, media outlets, influential figures, governments and institutions representatives, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders from 43 countries to transform the Euro-Mediterranean region. Learn more

ALForum 2025 Plenary Session: “Bridging Cultures and Religions in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: Reflecting on the UNAOC Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity”
19 June, 9:00 AM, National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania
UNAOC is organizing a plenary session titled “Bridging Cultures and Religions in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: Reflecting on the UNAOC Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity” at the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum.
Speakers:
H.E. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for UNAOC and United Nations Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia
H.E. Mr. George Andreas Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece (2009-2011)
H.E. Mr. Mladen Ivanic, former Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2014-2015; 2016-2017)
H.E. Mr. Egeman Bağış, former Minister for European Union Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye
Prof. Michele Capasso, President of Fondazione Mediterraneo, Architect and Engineer
Moderator: Ms. Nihal Saad, UNAOC Director

Rationale:
In September 2004, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in New York and terrorist attacks that followed in Bali, Madrid, London and İstanbul, the Government of Spain put forth a proposal to launch the ‘Alliance of Civilizations’ initiative to bring the international community together and build bridges between societies, promote dialogue and understanding across nations, cultures and religions. Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue was identified as an essential tool in achieving peace and greater understanding and respect among civilizations, cultures, religions and beliefs. Co-sponsored by the Government of Türkiye, the initiative was formally announced and launched by the United Nations Secretary-General a year later.
Today, UNAOC serves as an inclusive multi-stakeholder United Nations platform for advancing the culture of peace and promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue for peace and mutual respect. The United Nations Member States reaffirmed their support of UNAOC and its role in promoting dialogue as a soft power tool to prevent conflicts in General Assembly resolutions 64/14 of 22 December 2009 and 69/312 of 6 July 2015. Inspired by the values and principles of UNAOC, several Governments developed and launched their national plans and strategies, identifying and implementing a series of actions to prevent tensions and promote interfaith harmony, improve interethnic relations and foster social cohesion. In November 2010, the UNAOC Regional Strategy for the Mediterranean was adopted by Member States in La Valetta, Malta. Leadership of the region extended political will and determination to build bridges in order to promote dialogue and understanding among peoples, cultures, religions and beliefs, and foster a culture of peace in the Mediterranean region; and to reinforce trust, tolerance and respect for diversity through cooperation, partnership and inclusion. Combatting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including discrimination against persons based on their religion or belief and incitement to hate, were among the key focuses of activities implemented under the umbrella of the Regional Strategy.
In the framework of the Regional Strategy for the Mediterranean, UNAOC and its partners, including the European Commission, the League of Arab States and the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation, offered an array of trainings and workshops for journalists reporting across the Mediterranean region. UNAOC implemented a series of Summer Schools and annual editions of the Fellowship Programme, convening young people from across a wide spectrum of cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds to nurture collaboration and mutual respect, and to break down preconceived stereotypes and biases towards ‘the other’. Under its Youth Solidarity Fund and Young Peacebuilders programmes, UNAOC supported young people’s peacebuilding activities, provided mentorship opportunities and strengthened local organizations to promote peace and social cohesion through interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
The Plenary Session will be held at a critical juncture in global peace and security, which is marked by multiple conflicts and crises that contain identity-based components, exacerbate divisions and erode trust. The Euro-Mediterranean basin harbours over 40 countries with different histories and cultures, and its geographic and geopolitical perspectives are diverse and enrich one another. Strengthening regional unity and cherishing cultural and religious diversity must be the agenda ahead of current and future generations of political leaders in the region.
The Plenary Session will examine the current dynamics in the Euro-Mediterranean, exploring opportunities for stronger regional cooperation, grounded on the values of trust and unity. It will highlight the impact of flagship activities of UNAOC in the Euro-Mediterranean that addressed the root causes of conflicts and promoted peace and social cohesion through interreligious and intercultural dialogue. It will also explore the means through which the United Nations could meet the aspirations of the Euro-Mediterranean region and around the globe, for more resilient, more connected and more dynamic societies.
Held in Tirana, the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2025, the Plenary Session will be an occasion to celebrate the Mediterranean’s cultural richness and history of the interreligious dialogue in Albania. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Edi Rama, Albania navigates through a historical reconciliation process and fosters its cooperation between the European Union and Western Balkan countries. Cultural and religious harmony, which modern Albania enjoys today, holds particular significance in the current global landscape against the backdrop of growing Islamophobia, antisemitism and other forms of religious intolerance.
Format:

Opening Remarks: Brief introduction to outline objectives and introduce topics and speakers.
Panel Discussion: Structured dialogue among speakers.
Interactive Q&A: Audience engagement with the speakers through moderated discussion.
Conclusion: Summary of discussions, highlighting key insights and recommendations.
