Secretariat of WFUCA

Introduction

 The year 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations. During the last 40 years, WFUCA and its all members have greatly promoted UNESCO Clubs Movement all over the world, with the support and joint work with WFUCA, many countries have established their national federations and played important role in respective countries for the promotion of our mandate and work.

While initially planned for physical celebration activities to be held in UNESCO headquarters, due to the evolving situation of the pandemic and in order to ensure the widest participation of its members, in consultation with the Participation and fellowships Section, it was agreed that the celebration activities could be held online while the 10th World Congress of WFUCA is postpone to a later stage in order to ensure equal participation of all members, especially from LDC countries, as the Congress will include a series of election that require physical participation. To this end, a revised budget was also submitted to UNESCO and was approved on 4^th August 2021.

To celebrate this important anniversary this year, taking a stock of the progress WFUCA has made, share good practices with all members, and look into a better future of the work for UNESCO Clubs Movement, WFUCA organized a series of activities for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of WFUCA starting from the October 2021.

The celebration series are divided into four major parts as following:

This activity therefore consists of 4 reports, each corresponding to an activity as indicated above.

Part I

Opening Ceremony of the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of WFUCA

Followed by a Public Webinar on the theme of “Civil Society with the Pandemics”

 23 October 2021

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Opening Ceremony of the 40th Anniversary of the Establishment of WFUCA was held online on 23 October 2021. The Ceremony gathered over eighty people from all over the world, with the participation of high-level officials from UNESCO, representatives of the National Commissions for UNESCO, the Chairperson of NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee, and many representatives and friends from the national federations and the regional federations of UNESCO Clubs and Associations.

Mr Jaykun YOO, the president of WFUCA, opened the ceremony and welcomed all participants. He thanked UNESCO and National Commissions for UNESCO for their constant support and thanked all members for their effort to bring the UNESCO Clubs Movement forward.

He then invited all participants to recall the history of the establishment of WFUCA through the release of an official video prepared by the WFUCA secretariat, entitled  “WFUCA in Archives 1981-2021”. The video gathered many precious pictures and documents marking important moments for WFUCA and its members, including the birth of the UNESCO Club Movement, the creation of WFUCA, its official partnership with UNESCO, its contribution to the promotion of UNESCO’s mandate, and the messages from previous Director Generals of UNESCO to WFUCA. To prepare the video, the Secretariat has invested a great deal of effort in collecting a large amount of information on the history of WFUCA, consulting the UNESCO Library and requesting valuable photographs and information from all national federations.

After reviewing the history of the establishment of WFUCA, the secretariat played a video message received from Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director General for Sector of Priority Africa and External Relations, UNESCO. Mr Matoko congratulated the achievement made by WFUCA and its members during the last forty years. He emphasized the importance of UNESCO clubs and associations in promoting the UNESCO mandate and mission at different levels. He ended his remarks by sending his best wishes for UNESCO Clubs Movement in the next decade.

Mr. Changwei Qin, Secretary General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, was then invited to address the audience on behalf of all National Commission for UNESCO that has closely worked with WFUCA and its members. He expressed his congratulation on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of WFUCA, reviewed the flagship activities co-organized by WFUCA and the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, and suggested increasing the cooperation between different national and regional federations, using new technologies to lower the difficulty of running UNESCO Club activities, and further strengthening the relationship between National Federations and National Commissions for UNESCO in order to promote wider UNESCO Clubs Movement.

Whereafter, Mr. Bolat Akchulakov, President of the Kazakhstan National Federation of UNESCO Clubs (KAZFUCA) and President of the Asian-Pacific Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (AFUCA) was invited to take the floor. He introduced the activities hold by KAZFUCA and AFUCA, highlighted the importance of youth in achieving the SDGs and the important role of UNESCO clubs in promoting the concept.

Mr Jaykun YOO thanked all the three speakers bring their wisdom and experiences to the audiences. He then closed the Opening Ceremony and invited all participants to join into the following Public Webinar on the theme of “Civil Society with the Pandemics”.

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The Public Webinar on the theme of “Civil Society with the Pandemics” was opened after a short break.

Mr Jaykun YOO welcomed the participants to the webinar and pointed out that despite the outbreak of the Pandemic bringing many difficulties to civil society, the UNESCO Clubs Movement had continued in many countries and regions under the effort made by the National Federations, Regional Federations, and the secretariat of WFUCA, and under support granted by UNESCO and relative National Commissions for UNESCO. The best practices of the members of WFUCA were then shared with all audiences.

Ms. Assel Utegenova, Deputy Coordinator of the National Commissions Unit, Priority Africa and External Relations Sector of UNESCO, was invited to give a remarks on the theme of “the collaboration of UNESCO with WFUCA and its members”. She briefly reviewed the work done by UNESCO in recent years in relation to UNESCO Clubs, stressed the importance of good partnership between National Federations of UNESCO Clubs and National Commissions for UNESCO, and called for the advancement of accreditation of UNESCO clubs and associations by the National Commission. She concluded by expressing her wishes for the success of the 10th WFUCA World Congress.

Mrs Inho LEE, Professor of Seoul National University, Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Finland and Russia, and her assistant were then invited to give a keynote presentation of the webinar under the topic of “Civil Society with the Pandemics”. She noted that while the pandemic has created a crisis in today’s society, it has also opened up new opportunities for some sectors. She encouraged everyone to keep their faith in overcoming pandemics, just as human being has overcome diseases throughout history. At the same time, she pointed out that we are about to enter a new era of artificial intelligence that is different from the past and that will require us to adapt and accept these changes with great effort. And good civil consciousness and social norm will help our society to meet the new challenges.

Mr. Yue Du, Director of Priority Africa Coordination Division, Sector of Priority Africa and External Relations, UNESCO, was also invited to address the audiences and present UNESCO’s work on Priority Africa, as one of its global priorities which requires further attention for WFUCA and its members. Africa is full of potential continents and in order to achieve Sustainable development in Africa, international solidarity and cooperation is key to success. He pointed out that Priority Africa is a significant strategy of UNESCO and presented in more details of the Operational strategy for its implementation of Priority Africa and how it has evolved over the last decade or so. He finally called for more attention and helps for Africa and was confident that WFUCA, as an international NGO, would play an active role in working with the people of Africa.

Mr Davide GROSSO, Chairperson of the International Conference of NGO and the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee also joined the webinar and shared his views. He thanked the effort made by WFUCA in the last decades, recalled the fundamental role of NGOs facing the Pandemic and other challenges in achieving sustainable development Goals, and send his best wishes to WFUCA and its network for a prosperous future.

After the remarks made by the distinguished guest, Mr Jaykun YOO opened the floor and invited all participating members to share their experiences of activities during the outbreak of Pandemics.

Mr. Yuji SUZUKI, Director-General of National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ) introduced that under the COVID-19 pandemic NFUAJ provided the necessary support for disadvantaged families and community people in 4 countries where the Terakoya Project were implemented, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Nepal, and Myanmar.

Two representative of youth, Ms Arailym Kerimbekova and Ms Zhumagazy Emina from Kazakhstan Nazarbayev Intellectual School UNESCO Club, presented three projects, named “Mind to mind (MTM)” educational-charitable project, the «Birgemiz Bilim» projects, and the «Tech Support 55+» project, which aimed at helping and supporting students with distance and mutual learning during a pandemic.

Italy National Federation of UNESCO Clubs (FICLU) shared the activities of FICLU’s Clubs and Centres during pandemics, including the National working group on “Resilience and Innovation” and “Cultural landscapes and emotions…at the time of Covid-19”, Training Activities, National and International Competitions, and Celebration of UNESCO International Days.

Mr. Enrique Renteria Castro, Director-General of INEDE (Mexico), introduced the activities and virtual classrooms carried in Mexico and in the Latin America and the region Caribbean.

Mr. Ioannis Maronitis, President of Club for UNESCO of Piraeus &Islands, exhibited the homeless rescue action carried out in Athens.

Mr. Mustapha Badreddine, President of Lebanese National Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations, Ms. Midibahaye Alice Soulama, President of African Confederation of UNESCO Clubs (CACU) as well as Mr. Ardiouma Sirima, President of French Federation of Clubs for UNESCO (FFCU) also briefly shared their respective activities carried out locally in respond to the pandemic.

Thanking all the information shared, Mr. Yoo closed the webinar and encouraged the members of WFUCA to continue their endeavour to promote UNESCO’s mandate through their activities in close collaboration with the National Commissions and invite more information to be shared with the WFUCA Secretariat.

Part II

IV Asia-Europe Forum on Education “Sustainable Development in Our Society”

 October 29-30, 2021

 The Asia-Europe Forum on Education was established in 2013 as an international gathering where such problems are specifically targeted. Participants are encouraged to share ideas, experiences and good practices regarding current educational methods. It is paramount that relevant personalities who are active in the educational field come together and discuss from a global perspective the contemporary dilemmas regarding educational ethics.

Constant, well-organized and efficacious dialogue is the only solution to the obstacles in education determined by issues such as economic globalization, computerization and ever-increasing cultural diversity.

The first edition of the forum, themed Ethics Education was hosted by the Huijia School in Beijing, China in 2013 and it was attended by a vast number of participants. The forum launched the Passport for Global Ethics, a groundbreaking document aimed at promoting ethical education on a global scale.

The second edition of the forum, themed The Multicultural Challenge, was hosted by the Jilin HuaQiao Foreign Languages University in China. The participants discussed the importance of promoting multicultural education and concrete ways of improving international communication regarding educational issues.

The third edition of the Asia-Europe Forum on Education was dedicated to the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of UNESCO. The Third Edition of the AEFE is the first one to be hosted on European soil, namely in Bucharest, Romania from October 7-11, 2015.

The fourth installment, the IV Asia-Europe Forum on Education, took place online, facilitated by Kazakhstan, current President of the Asian-Pacific Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations, and by Romania, current President of the European Federation of Clubs and Associations of UNESCO on October 29-30, 2021 themed “Sustainable Development in Our Society”.

The Forum gathered over 1,500 people from more than 35 countries, including members of the UNESCO Clubs Movement, representatives of UNESCO Headquarters and National Commissions for UNESCO, as well as participants from various international organizations, government agencies, scientific circles, private and non-governmental sectors. In addition, the Forum was recognized by the experienced, professional community and participants, and the importance and necessity of creating such platforms for the exchange of best practices in the field of education, in particular, integral, inclusive education, education for sustainable development, and lifelong learning, all of which promote development of society worldwide.

The main emphasis of the program was placed on the UN 2030 Agenda, where UNESCO plays a leading role in the field of education at global and regional levels. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, the organization endorses holistic and humanistic management of quality education around the world and the implementation of the universal right to education. In this regard, UNESCO advocates the idea of the central role of education in the development of human potential, society and economy. The Forum presented successful cases of Asian and European national federations of UNESCO clubs and associations aimed at promoting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals through the implementation of educational projects for both the younger generation and the adult population.

The forum has repeatedly emphasized the importance and necessity of cooperation of all countries and the joint work of numerous partners to improve the efficiency of education systems at all levels and in any form (formal and non-formal education for children, youth and adults). Thanks to the tight cooperation of the public sector, government bodies and private business, projects and programs are being implemented that can help solve global problems and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals through education.

The creation of public goods, as well as the exchange of knowledge and experience in the regions, formed the basis of the Forum’s activities. At the final session, Forum participants voiced the importance of deepening multilateral and bilateral ties between countries and continents in the field of science and education, which makes it possible to overcome social and cultural barriers, and strengthen friendship between them through effective and useful cooperation. As a result of the Forum, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the activities of the clubs as partners of UNESCO, and the national federations received a stage for joint work by virtue of similar priorities and available projects for participation.

This final collection of publications serves as a roadmap for implementing best practices in the field of attaining sustainable development in our society.

The initiative to organize the Forum was proposed by Kazakhstan and Romanian Federations of UNESCO Clubs, and the organizers are the Asia-Pacific and European Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations with the support of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations, gathered with a purpose to create a platform to overview the interdependence between all spheres of development and share best practices on integrative and inclusive role of education in promoting sustainable development.

The event celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the 75th anniversary of UNESCO, the 40th anniversary of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the European Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations.

The general partner of the IV Asia-Europe Forum on Education “Sustainable Development in Our Society” is Tengizchevroil LLP (TCO), which introduces new technologies and operates in accordance with global safety and environmental.

Part III

WFUCA 40th Anniversary Youth Forum

 November 5-7, 2021

On the occasion of the WFUCA 40th anniversary, the Korean National Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (KNFUCA) and World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA) co-organized the WFUCA 40th Anniversary Youth Forum.

This forum is designed for youth (age from 13 to 18) who want to learn more about SDGs, especially about the climate change and culture. The participants are requested to come up with action plan, “Culture Changing the World”, to solve the issues regarding climate change from the learning and finding during the forum. After the forum ends, participants are expected to utilize the metaverse platform as a place for further discussion. The forum consists of the keynote speech, workshop, group discussion, and group presentation. This forum provides the participants opportunities to:

・   Learn about the overview of social issue, especially climate change and culture

・   Research about World Heritage

・   Discuss the relation between climate change and culture

・   Present “Culture Changing the World” by small groups as action plans to solve the issues regarding climate change

・   Issue “Youth Creating the Future: Climate Change and Culture” as an outcome of the forum

・   Encourage the participants to utilize metaverse platform for further discussion and communication with other participants

Due to COVID-19, this Youth Forum took place online by using metaverse platform called “Gathertown”. Metaverse is a term coined by writer Neal Stephenson in the novel “Snow Crash” which refers to an immersive digital environment where people interact as avatars.

Program of the “WFUCA 40th Anniversary Youth Forum”

Keynote Speech

Group workshop

Opinions from Participants

53 participants from 18 countries provided the answers of this survey.

Part IV

The Co-Creation, an International Game of Art

 October 15, 2021 – March 15, 2022

Painted by Banruo ZHANG (age 7)

Introduction

The “co-creation, an international Game of Art” is a joint initiative of the World Federation of UNESCO Associations (WFUCA) and the French-Chinese Association for the Promotion of Communication (ADEFC), an art exchange and interactive activity for international artists and children from China and other countries.

Since the project was launched, it has received the attention and welcome of many children’s art institutions and parents, and has established cooperation with more than 20 institutions one after another. Nearly 1,000 children from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Shandong, Shanxi, Guizhou and other provinces and cities have applied and have received nearly 700 pieces of exhibited works. From these imaginative and creative works, we deeply feel the children’s aspiration and enthusiasm for art, life and the future. Based on the current registration situation, it is estimated that nearly 2,000 more children will be registered by March 2022.

Along with the main competition unit, under the principles of tolerance, openness and diversity, three special units of “the temple of love”, “thinking map” and” you from the stars” were also implemented. Among them, “You from the Stars” is a public welfare unit for autistic groups, which aims to show the artworks of autistic children, stimulate their creative enthusiasm, and promote wider attention and assistance from the whole society to autistic groups. At present, this unit has cooperated with relevant public welfare organizations in Shanxi, Xiamen and other provinces and cities to collect works from local autistic children, and has carried out several offline creative activities one after another.

The Co-creation initiative has received widespread attention, and the response in domestic children’s aesthetic education, culture, art and other related fields has been tremendous. Especially in the context of the “double reduction” policy, this project plays an important role in promoting the diversified development of China’s children’s quality education and aesthetic education, and helping Chinese and foreign children’s art exchange.

Since its launch, the project has been reported by more than 30 media outlets, including People’s Daily Online, China.com, China.com, China News, China City, Sina, Netease, Tencent, Phoenix, and VW.com.

Online Gallery

An “Online Gallery” section has been set up on the event website, where you can view the children’s works at any time. Link to the online exhibition hall: http://www.lacocrea.com/home/show

作者：陈骆骐（8岁）

作品：《蚂蚁王国》

编号： ZBJ2040

作者：仲若溪（7岁）                     作者：潘熙佳（13岁）

作品：《魔法森林里的精灵王国》            作品：《舞动的裙摆》

编号： ZBJ1009                            编号：ZSH2112

作者：孙文武（11岁）                       作者：付思阔（8岁）

作品：《抓住时间》                       作品：《皇宫里的秘密》

编号： ZBJ2087                         编号： ZBJ1036

作者：张馨然（9岁）                    作者：兰采壹（10岁）

作品：《三个世界》                       作品：《秘境》

编号： ZBJ2046                         编号： ZBJ2056

作者：毕瀚仪（12岁）                       作者：王辰瑜（9岁）

作品：《后天》                           作品：《境》

编号： ZBJ2016                         编号： ZBJ2094