United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

First International Expert Group Meeting on the Security of Major Sporting
2020-02-03 - 2020-02-04 | United Nations Headquarters, New York, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY, 10017, United States
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), in association with the United Nations Interregional Criminal Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Centre for Sport and Security (ICSS) and in consultation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), has designed the “Global Programme on Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism”.
The first International Expert Group Meeting and the launch of the Global Programme will take place on 3 and 4 February 2020 in a closed-door manner at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The First IEG meeting will see the participation of a wide range of experts and stakeholders, to discuss the state of the art of major events security around the world, setting up the priorities for the development of specific global policies, as well as collecting practices and identifying recommendations for the development of global guidelines to better assist Member States in managing the security of major sporting events.
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Addressing hate speech and preventing incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence: Synergies within the United Nations system
2020-02-04 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Halifax) | UNHQ Conference Room 3, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 10017, United States
An OSAPG Side Event during Interfaith Harmony Week
This event aims at discussing the role of religious leaders and actors to address hate speech and prevent incitement to violence during the annual Interfaith Harmony Week. In this context, it also aims at exploring synergies between the Fez Plan of Action and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, as well as other relevant UN initiatives. Ms. Nihal Saad, Chief of Cabinet and Spokesperson of UNAOC, is one of the speakers.
Click here to RSVP: https://forms.gle/EPwDadEaPGobwnqF9
*Registration deadline for non-UN grounds pass holders is COB Thursday, 30 January 2020*
For additional information, please contact Simona Cruciani (cruciani@un.org).
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Deadline Extended: Project Management - Multimedia Intern
2020-02-12
UNAOC is looking for a multimedia intern for its New York office. Apply by 31 January 2020.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to join the virtual discussion live

The importance of education for global citizenship in the age of Covid-19
2020-06-12 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, will be participating in a virtual discussion entitled “The importance of education for global citizenship in the age of Covid-19”.
Watch the Discussion Live

Virtual Refugee Conference
2020-06-20 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Halifax) | Virtual
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is organizing an interactive discussion with refugee students on the issue of hate speech against migrants and refugees in traditional and new media and ways to combat it. This event is part of the interactive online conference “Amplify Now”, organized by Kiron – Open Higher Education for Refugees, which is bringing together refugees, non-governmental organizations, academics, and the private sector in a unique global gathering to foster collaborative and results-oriented exchanges around the theme, “Elevating new learning and strengthening communities”.
The UNAOC session will introduce participants to UNAOC’s #SpreadNoHate initiative and include small-group discussions allowing participants to benefit from one another’s experiences and perspectives and leave the session with new ideas on ways to combat hate speech. Alumni of the UNAOC Fellowship programme and current UNAOC Fellows will facilitate the small-group discussions with refugee students.
For more information and to register, visit https://virtualrefugeeconference.com/program/spread-no-hate-UNAOC

Deadline for Applications: Programme Management Senior Officer - Online trainer in intercultural dialogue
2020-06-22 08:00 - 23:55 (America/Halifax)

Deadline for Applications: Programme Management Senior Officer – Online trainer in media and peacebuilding
2020-06-22 08:00 - 23:55 (America/Halifax)

PLURAL+ Youth Media Makers Against Racism: a Virtual Watch Party featuring PLURAL+ Winners
2020-06-26 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Halifax) | Online
Join the PLURAL+ Watch Party Here
Join us for a virtual “watch party” featuring short movies made by young filmmakers who stand up against racism. All featured films are winners of the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival, a joint initiative of UNAOC and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Featured films:
Exit Right
By Rupert Holler (Austria)
2015 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: A man on the bus verbally abuses a black passenger. The story takes an unexpected turn and conveys a strong message using a keen sense of humor.
Click here to watch the video
Inspire
By Awais Ali and Sheroze Khan (United Kingdom)
2015 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: A conversation on the positive impact of cultural diversity and immigration, challenging audiences to counter discrimination in their own communities.
Click here to watch the video
A Letter to My Unborn Daughter
By DaeQuan Collier (United States)
2016 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: An expecting father writes a letter to his daughter, encouraging African American women to embrace who they are.
Click here to watch the video
Translate into Power
By Andreia Friaças and António Castelo (Portugal)
2018 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: Three migrant women recite a poem in its original language, Portuguese, sharing one message of inclusion and resilience.
Click here to watch the video
It’s Not Me, It’s You
By Zavia Forrest and Ella Cooper Creative production (Canada)
2017 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: This short film explores the injustices of systemic racism through art, rejecting western beauty standards, and empowering women of color to do the same.
Click here to watch the video
Blue
By Breech Harani (Philippines)
2015 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: In this short animation, the main character leaves home to move to a new community and discovers that no matter who you are or where you come from, you are not alone.
Click here to watch the video
The Cops Don’t Know
By Sam Chegini (Iran/United Kingdom)
2016 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: This music video explores the history of police brutality against the African American community and reflects on the injustice people still face today.
Click here to watch the video

Seeking Refuge
By Eva Eileen Limones Macdonald (Spain)
2019 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: A young refugee adapts to life in a new country with her mother and sister, while navigating friendships across language barriers and the challenges of her mother finding work.
Click here to watch the video
Colour
By Taryn Birkett (Canada)
2016 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: Born in Ontario, Canada, to Bajan and Scottish heritage, Taryn reflects on her experience living in a predominantly white neighborhood and takes pride in her diverse background.
Click here to watch the video
The True Impact
By Babar Ali and Sarah Randolph (Nepal)
2017 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: This video invites the viewer to reflect on the fundamental impact that discrimination and violence have on individuals and humanity.
Click here to watch the video
Color Makes the World Better
By Carlo Villanueva Ruiz, Claudia Ruiz, Moremil Tornero, Silvana Villanueva Ruiz, and Luciano Villanueva Ruiz (Mexico)
2018 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: Through art class and color theory, students explore the concepts of social inclusion, its impact on people’s lives, and how diversity enriches our global society with a mosaic of ideas, choices, beliefs, languages, roots, and cultures.
Click here to watch the video
See Actions, Not Colors
By Joana Maria Sousa (Portugal)
2017 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: Shot from the perspective of our four-legged furry friends, this video reminds us to judge people by their actions, not by their skin color.
Click here to watch the video
We are human
By Sophie Kanza, Louise Kanza, and Stuart Williams (South Africa)
2017 PLURAL+ winner
Synopsis: African immigrant youth living in South Africa recite common racist slurs and stereotypes associated with their different nationalities. The video ends with a message calling for African unity.
Click here to watch the video

Join the PLURAL+ Watch Party Here

G20 Interfaith Forum Middle East Regional Meeting
2020-06-27 | Online
The G20 Interfaith Forum offers an annual platform where a network of religiously linked institutions and initiatives engage on global agendas (primarily and including the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs). The annual G20 Summits are a critical time and place where priority global issues are considered. The G20 process has evolved since it was established in 2008, with various platforms (ministerial meetings, engagement groups) that allow different sectors and communities to present ideas and recommendations to global leaders. Our goal is to contribute meaningful insight and recommendations that respond to and help shape the G20 and thus global policy agendas.

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

Learn More About the G20 Interfaith Forum

Deadline extended: PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival
2020-07-03 23:30 - 2020-07-04 01:00 (America/Halifax)
The deadline to apply for the 2020 edition of the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival is Friday, 3 July 2020 Friday, 19 June 2020, at midnight EST. For more information and to submit a video, visit: https://pluralplus.unaoc.org/.

Deadline to Apply: Learning Management Specialist
2020-08-19 23:30 - 23:55 (America/Halifax)

Request for Quotations: Provision of written translation and simultaneous interpretation services
2020-08-24 23:00 - 23:59 (America/Halifax)

High-Level Meeting Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport Values
2020-09-18 10:00 - 12:45 (America/Halifax) | Online
Within the framework of the United Nations Global Programme on the Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was mandated by the General Assembly to enhance coordination and coherence across the UN System’s counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism work to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The Office coordinates and implements technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives to support Member States’ efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism (PCVE) conductive to terrorism, including through leveraging sport and its values as a tool to prevent violent extremism. Sports have historically played a significant role in the dissemination of positive values throughout the world and across civilization and cultures, especially for the youth, and is a powerful vector for the development of efforts aimed at preventing and countering violent-extremism and radicalization, promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and facilitating integration at large.
With this vision in mind and within the framework of the “United Nations Global Programme on the Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism”, UNOCT is convening a two-hour High-Level Meeting on the Prevention of Violent Extremism through Sports, in partnership with the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS). The event will precede the launch of a series of initiatives which include, inter alia, the development of a guide for policymakers, a training handbook, a global campaign and a grant-awarding mechanism for local civil society organizations (CSOs) working on sports-based prevention of violent extremism (PVE).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Security Council resolution 2419 (2018) on Youth, Peace and Security recognizes the “growing contribution of sport and culture to the realization of development and peace in the promotion of tolerance and respect as well as the contributions sport and culture make to the empowerment of youth and women, individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives”. More recently the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2535 (2020) calling on United Nations entities to improve capacity-building by integrating the Youth, Peace and Security agenda into their technical assistance plans.
The virtual high-level meeting will feature discussions between senior United Nations Officials, Member States and international organizations representatives, policymakers, and sports personalities committed to the fight against violent extremism. The event will be followed by a technical level International Expert Group Meeting where representatives from governments, international and regional organizations, sport bodies, academia and CSOs will share experiences and discuss actionable good practices of sports-based interventions aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism that can inspire the inclusion and further acknowledgment of sports within national and regional action (PCVE) action plans.

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

Tentative Programme

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

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

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

11:30AM-11:45AM Intermission 1

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

01:15PM-03:00PM Intermission 2

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

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

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

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

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

Participants:

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

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

Special Guest
Ms. Aya Chebbi
Youth Envoy, African Union

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agenda

5-16 October: Introduction

19-28 October: Virtual exposure

29 October – 3 November: Capacity building activities

29-30 October: Intercultural and interreligious dialogue

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

11 November: Conclusion

Bios: 2020 EUNA Fellows
Bios: 2020 MENA Fellows

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

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

Download (PDF, 9.11MB)

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

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

As disinformation has become a cross-cutting problem for the different goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda, so too different UN agencies may find shared interests in the role of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) as part of the responses. This document outlines some ways in which MIL is relevant to the mandates of different members of the UN family, and possible points of co-operation. This novel first round of discussions may lay the ground for continued dialogues and practical steps forward.
Learn More

2020 Balkans Forum Against Anti-Semitism
2020-10-28 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Online
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), will participate in the 2020 Balkans Forum Against Anti-Semitism, hosted by the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, in partnership with the Combat anti-Semitism Movement (CAM) and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
The Forum will take place on October 28th, 2020 at 16:00 CET / 11:00 AM EST.
The aim of the conference is to create a united front among the Balkans to work together in order to eradicate the scourge of anti-Semitism from our discourse and to create better, more tolerant societies for future generations.
Register for the 2020 Balkans Forum Against Anti-Semitism Watch Live on YouTube

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

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

Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief 2020
2020-11-16 - 2020-11-17 | Online
Hosted by the Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Mr. Zbigniew Rau, the Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief aims to discuss the most current and pressing issues related to the freedom of religion or belief in the world. As the 2020 edition of the Ministerial will take place during the COVID-19 health crisis, one of the focus of the conference is how to advance freedom of religion and belief despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Learn More

Freedom of Speech and caricatures vs. Respect of Religions : Clash or Alliance of Civilizations?
2020-11-19 14:30 - 15:30 (Europe/Paris)
A Zoom conversation with Mr. Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, organized by the Aspen Institute of France
Following the recent events in Conflans Sainte Honorine with the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty and in Notre Dame Cathedral in Nice, and the Vienna shooting a few days later, France and Europe are hit again by fanatic attacks and murders committed in the name of Islam. The reaction by President Macron saying that France would not surrender its core value and freedom of expression, and the preparation of a law on “Islamic separatism” has generated fury in the Muslim world and the boycott of French products.
Should there be some limit in the freedom of speech and expression? Are we heading towards a new wave of terror and escalation of tensions?
25 years after the publication of the Clash of Civilizations and all attempts made to prevent it by promoting dialogue and alliance of Civilizations, can we say that Huntington’s predictions have prevailed? What could be the responses and the measures to be taken to guarantee mutual respect among religions and faiths and peaceful societies?
The Aspen Institute will host Miguel Moratinos, the Head of the UN body against extremism and radicalization, to discuss these sensitive issues and to seek his views in the global context.

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