Intercultural Innovation Hub 2023 Ceremony
2023-05-24 | Berlin, Germany, Berlin, Germany

Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue: Working Together for Our Common Future
2023-06-13 - 2023-06-15 | Marrakesh, Morocco, Marrakesh, Morocco
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is pleased to announce that the Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue: Working Together for Our Common Future will take place from 13 to 15 June 2023 in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Conference is being organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco in cooperation with Religions for Peace, and with the support of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the Mohammadia League of Religious Scholars. Those from the UNAOC network are invited to attend this conference and can register at no cost. Please note that participants are however expected to cover costs connected to their participation in the event (travel, accommodation, etc).
The Conference will bring together speakers and members of parliament, religious leaders, representatives of civil society and other experts to engage in dialogue and share good practices around key issues standing in the way of sustainable co-existence and to jointly explore action points for building more peaceful and inclusive societies. It will also aim to develop a roadmap for joint action ahead.
Additional information, including the programme overview, concept note and note on practical arrangements is available at the following link: https://www.ipu.org/event/parliamentary-conference-interfaith-dialogue#event-sub-page-documents/

CT Week Side Event: "The Role of Youth in Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport"
2023-06-23 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Halifax) | UNHQ Conference Room 9
Youth’s unique and diverse actions have made a valuable contribution to addressing the causes of violent extremism but this has not always been adequately considered in policy-making processes. This side event aims to provide recommendations for the effective incorporation of youth perspectives in PVE-through-sport policies and plans, compiled through several youth consultations the UN Global Sports Programme has organized since 2021. Given the multilateral nature of the sport-for-PVE efforts, the panel discussion will gather athletes, youth representatives, UN entities, Member States, civil society, and regional organizations to address the pivotal role of youth and the importance of effective cooperation in the use of sport in prevention efforts.
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Young Peacebuilders Workshop in Merida, Spain
2023-07-03 - 2023-07-07 | Mérida, Spain, Mérida, Spain
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), in collaboration with the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY), and with the generous support of AEXCID, will host a capacity-building workshop for nineteen participants from Latin America and the Caribbean in Mérida, Spain. Aiming to enable young civil society leaders to design and implement impactful peace interventions, the training consists of interactive sessions on conflict analysis, innovative peacebuilding approaches, and fostering harmony and mutual respect, among others.

Fostering Gender Mainstreaming to Pursue PVE Goals through Sport: Developing New Guidelines for Member States and Sports Federations
2023-07-12 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Virtual Expert Meeting: 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)
The 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) is led by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), through its Programme Office in Madrid, in partnership with the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), and in close consultation with the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). The Global Sports Programme’s key objectives are to a) assist Member States in protecting vulnerable targets in the context of Major Sporting Events, and b) leverage the power of sports and its values to strengthen social cohesion and build resilience to violent extremism.
The Global Sports Programme serves as a platform for hundreds of national policymakers and practitioners nominated by 110 Member States as National Focal Points (NFPs) to facilitate substantive engagement vis-a-vis programmatic work. Acknowledging the crucial role that the NFPs continue playing to pursue sustainable policies through practices’ implementation, the Global Sports Programme will deliver a series of expert meetings addressing new challenges pertaining to its mission.
A 90-min discussion on Fostering Gender Mainstreaming to Pursue PVE Goals through Sport will kick start the series to identify actions to eliminate intolerance, gender inequality and double standards in sports practice and promote the leadership role of women and girls in sport for PVE.
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Expert Briefing Series: Cooperation between Religious Leaders and the Public Sector to Protect Religious Sites against Terrorist Attacks
2023-07-19 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Click here to register Regardless of goals and ideologues of specific terrorist groups, religious sites and places of worship represent attractive targets for perpetrators of terrorist groups and “lone wolves”. Attacks on sites such as mosques, churches, synagogues and shrines do not require sophisticated tactics, significant resources and expert knowledge. Large physical gatherings of worshippers, particularly for major religious holidays and processions, offer easy targets for all types of terrorists and their supporters. In addition to great numbers of casualties and wounded, these devastating acts of terrorism disrupt daily life, stoke fear and, in the case of faith institutions, they also target people’s beliefs, identities, histories and dignity.
Over the past years, terrorists have recurrently attacked religious sites around the world seeking to strike at the very core of communities’ sense of identity and belonging. Just in 2023, religious places and mass gatherings have been targeted in many countries for various reasons, including terrorism. For example, a terrorist bombing on the Peshawar Mosque in Pakistan on 30 January 2023 killed some 83 people and injured over 220. On 16 January 2023, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, strongly condemned all terrorist attacks on religious sites and places of worship that recently took place, including “the heinous bomb attack on a Pentecostal church in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo killing more than ten church-goers and wounding dozens,” and “the cold blooded attack on a mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Burkina Faso last week killing 9 worshippers.”
In its Seventh Review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in 2021, the General Assembly called upon Member States to “strengthen efforts to improve the security and protection of particularly vulnerable targets, including religious sites (…) as well as to enhance their resilience to terrorist attacks, in particular in the area of civil protection”.
As stated in the United Nations Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites, a multi-stakeholder approach is key to prevent, prepare and protect against potential attacks against places of worship. This should be a collective task to be pursued in a sustained and coordinated manner by relevant actors in Member States, including policymaking bodies, legislative authorities, law enforcement and emergency responders, as well as religious leaders, faith institutions, civil society groups and community members. The Plan of Action provides specific recommendations to Member States to strengthen preparedness and protection of religious sites including through partnerships with religious leaders and communities by building trust and cooperation, promoting respect and mutual understanding, and encouraging intra- and interfaith dialogue.
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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.
Download (PDF, 3.69MB)

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.
