7th UNAOC Global Forum will foster global and cross-sector collaboration for building inclusive societies
New York, April 26, 2016. During the upcoming 7th UNAOC Global Forum, participants from all around the globe and all sectors of society will be provided with ample opportunity to strengthen and establish strong partnerships to enhance the inclusion, peace, and justice of global societies.
“The ‘One UN approach’ to partnerships across the UN family and multiple sectors of society has been re-emphasized as a top priority of the international agenda, both with the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development as well as with the UN Secretary-General’s Plan of Action for the Prevention of Violent Extremism”, said United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser. “UNAOC has been focusing on this approach since its inception. The Forum is an ideal convening platform and UNAOC the catalyst for discussions and good practices on preventing violent extremism and creating inclusive societies.”
Not only as part of the Forum’s conceptual design will the creation of cross-sector partnerships be accentuated. Various breakout sessions will focus on particular sectors of society and their role in reducing polarization and creating more inclusive societies.
With SDG 17 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development now officially including both civil society organizations and the private sector in its call for a “global partnership”, the breakout session on “Civil Society and Business: Working Together for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development” will address how to achieve more effective partnerships between civil society organizations, the private sector, governments, and the United Nations.
Speakers at this session include Francois Loriot, Vice President of the Barreau Organisations Internationales; Tageldin Hamad, Secretary General of the Universal Peace Federation International; and Louise Kantrow, Permanent Representative to the UN for the International Chamber of Commerce.
The breakout session on “Save the Dream: Sport for Peace, Sustainable and Inclusive Development” will raise the awareness about the role of sport in intercultural dialogue and to develop the untapped potential of sport for promoting sustainability and inclusiveness. The session will also offer concrete opportunities on sport related activities amongst the participants of the 7th UNAOC Global Forum.
Panellists in this session, amongst others: Christian Karembeu, former French soccer player; Evelyn Watta, award-winning sports journalist; and Honey Thaljieh, former captain of the Palestinian national women soccer team.
The breakout session on “Youth Participation for Peaceful and Inclusive Societies: The Crucial Role of Partnerships across Generations and Sectors” will bring together members of youth organizations and representatives of government institutions for sharing good practices of cross-sectorial partnerships for building peaceful and inclusive societies.
Speakers to the session include amongst others: Susan Shepler, Associate Professor of International Peace and Conflict Resolution at the American University, Washington, D.C.; Shreya Jani, Founder of Standing Together to Enable Peace Trust; and Emmanuel Ande Ivorgba, Executive Director of the New Era Educational and Charitable Support Foundation.
Further information:
The breakout session “Civil Society and Business: Working Together for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development” will take place on April 26, 2016, 2:30-4:00pm AZT (10:30am-12:00pm GMT).
The breakout session “Save the Dream: Sport for Peace, Sustainable and Inclusive Development” will take place on April 26, 2016, 4:30-6:00pm AZT (12:30-2:00pm GMT).*
The breakout session “Youth Participation for Peaceful and Inclusive Societies: The Crucial Partnerships Across Generations and Sectors” will take place on April 27, 2016, 09:30-11:00am AZT (5:30-7:00am GMT).
* This session is broadcasted live on baku.unaoc.org and webtv.un.org
A detailed program as well as concept notes and the speaker list can be found at the Forum’s website baku.unaoc.org
About the Forum:
The Forum will take place on 25-27 April 2016 in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together around 2,500 heads of states, government officials, civil society, religious and youth leaders to share their perspectives and solutions on “Living Together in Inclusive Societies: A Challenge and A Goal”. The theme reflects UNAOC’s core mission to improve understanding and collaboration among peoples across cultures by reducing polarization. The definition of feasible and global solutions also contributes to achieving SDG 16 of the UN’s 2030 Development Agenda, which calls for the promotion of “just, peaceful and inclusive societies” as well as SDG 17, which aims at “revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.”
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