A seminar on the 2019 “Global Education Monitoring Report” was organized by the Ural-Siberian Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations. During the session, a presentation of the 2019 GEM Report “Migration, displacement and education: Building bridges, not walls” and the discussions on the 4 themes were carried out. Over 400 people from all Ural-Siberian Regions took part in this event. The participants inspired by the principles and ideals of UNESCO and recommendations from the Report have intentions to provide quality education for everyone and inclusion, and to adept education policy to the specifics of the Ural-Siberian Region.
News
The Third International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads
The International Youth Forum (Hereinafter: “IYF”) is an annual grand gathering of youth which was initiated by UNESCO and the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO since 2017. The third International Youth Forum (Hereinafter: “IYF3”) was organized as a follow-up to and building on the successes of the first two IYFs held in Changsha and Quanzhou in April 2017, and in Changsha and Nanjing in May 2018. The World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (Hereinafter: “WFUCA”) co-organized the third forum in 2019.
The IYF3 on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads was held in again in two cities, namely Changsha and Nanjing, from 31 March to 5 April 2019, focusing on the theme of “Youth Creativity and innovation in the age of Media Arts”. The forum gathered 125 young women and men aged between 18 to 30 from 85 countries along the Silk Roads and beyond. Over 60 participants came from countries along the terrestrial and maritime Silk Roads in Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe. In line with UNESCO’s Global Priority for Africa, the number of participants from African countries was doubled to 20. Meanwhile, a further 40 participants came from the host country, China.
Throughout the IYF3, participants gained first-hand experience and knowledge through a series of discussions, field visits and interactions with professionals, entrepreneurs, government officials as well as youth leaders. Furthermore, they discussed how creativity and heritage drives inclusive, sustainable and meaningful development. IYF3 also enabled young participants to contribute their own wisdom to realising SDGs, particularly though emphasis on power of culture, heritage and literature.
Key events of IYF3
1. The Opening Ceremony and Creative Pyrotechnical Lighting Show
- Mr Hu Henghua, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, Secretary-General of the CPC Changsha Municipal Committee gave an opening remark at the forum.
- Ms Marielza Oliveira, Representative and Director of the UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office; Mr Qin Changwei, Secretary-General of the National Commission of China for UNESCO; Ms Kristeena Monteith, Young Leader for the SDGs gave their speech respectively.
2. High-Level Forum on the theme of “Youth Creativity and Innovation in the Age of Media Arts”
The Forum brought together senior officials from UNESCO as well as representatives of city managers or focal points within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) to showcase the latest development of Creative Cities. Interactive dialogues were carried out between experts and participants focusing on roles that youth could play in achieving sustainable development through the emphasis on creativity as an engine of innovation and technological change.
Mr Qu Xing, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, sent a video message to this forum.
The participants below attended the High-Level Forum and shared their opinion on this topic.
- Mr Zhang Yanbin, Director of Social Development Bureau, Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee;
- Mr Ou Xiaoli, Director of Social Development Bureau, National Development and Reform Commission;
- Ms Marielza Oliveira, Representative and Director of the UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office;
- Mr Gao Shan, Member of Standing Committee of CPC Changsha Committee, Director-General of Changsha Publicity Department;
- Mr Marcel Gibóda, Deputy Mayor of Kosice, Slovakia;
- Ms Denise Bax, Chief of the Cultural Policies and Development Entity;
- Ms Sharon Petti, Filmmaker and Co-owner My One;
- Mr Jia Linyuan, Director of Public Affairs at ByteDance.
3. Youth Panel Discussion: Protecting Heritage and Fostering Creativity: the role of Culture in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
4. Discussion and draft of the “Changsha Initiative”
The participants collectively drafted the “Changsha Initiative” in which they have reaffirmed themselves as a positive and constructive force in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and highlighted ten concrete recommendations for actions in three consensus areas. As an action-oriented outcome document of IYF3, Changsha Initiative was officially adopted by the forum and published by UNESCO.
5. Concluding Session of International Youth Forum
Multi-media assisted interactive sessions between moderator and youth participants. During this activity, IYF3 participants had the opportunity to share their opinions about their experiences during the past week. The objective is for this activity to be fast, fun, and spontaneous.
6. Closing Ceremony
- Performance
- Remarks by Ms Marielza Oliveiria, Director of UNESCO Cluster Office in Beijing
- Remarks by Mr Yubiao Shen, Representative of Chinese National Commission for UNESCO
- Remarks by Mr Dhirendra Bhatnagar, President of WFUCA
- Remarks by Representative of Nanjing municipal government; announcement of the closing of IYF3
Side events during the third International Youth Forum
1. Discussion with WFUCA’s representatives
WFUCA sent its delegation to participate in the International Youth Forum and had an in-depth discussion with the IYF3 participants. During the session, WFUCA’s representatives introduced the history of UNESCO and its mandate; the UNESCO Clubs movements all over the world; and how young people can participate in the UNESCO Clubs movements, including how to initiate a UNESCO Club in their country. Many youths expressed their enthusiasm for participating in UNESCO Clubs activities.
WFUCA’s representatives including:
- Mr Dhirendra Bhatnagar, President;
- Mr Mustapha Badreddine, Vice-President;
- Mr Enrique Renteria Castro, Vice-President;
- Mr Noboru Noguchi, Senior Advisor;
- Mr Liangeng Dong, Executive Director of the Secretariat.
2. Creative Workshop
This workshop introduced the Changsha Residency Programme to all IYF3 participants and provided an opportunity for them to communicate directly with artists, entrepreneurs and participants.
Speakers:
- Mr NUNO FILIPE MAGALHÃES SANTOS, media artist from Braga
- Mr LIM YONGHYUN, media artist from Gwangju
- Ms ODIN-ADI SHADMI, media artist from Tel-aviv
- Mr Boris Vaitovič, media artist from Košice
- Mr Wan Wenqi, media artist from York
- Seven Changsha Residency Programme participants to share their art proposals
3. Opening Ceremony of Caribbean Film Festival
The Caribbean Film Festival was an opportunity to foster greater understanding among the peoples of the Caribbean and IYF3 participants and to promote Caribbean cultural & creative industries.
Documentary entitled “Finding Samuel Lowe From Harlem to China” was screened at the opening ceremony.
4. Field Visit
1) Traditional Pottery Making Practices
Pottery making, as an intangible cultural heritage, involves the production of hand-made clay vessels and other objects, involving knowledge connected with the preparation of materials, the use of tools, design and decoration skills, and the firing of products. Participants were introduced to traditional production techniques and have an opportunity for some hands-on excercises.
2) Visit to National Centre of Book Repair in Nanjing
Participants visited the National Centre of Book Repair and interacted with “Book Doctors” who have thorough knowledge of the different types of paper used in ancient books and understand the art of making ancient books. During these interactive sessions, participants learned the traditional book making techniques and have an opportunity to try it by themselves.
3) Visit to Nanjing Imperial Weaving Museum
The Nanjing Yunjin Brocade weaving skill was inscribed in 2009 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Participants learned the techniques applied through ancient wooden looms to make brocade, and experience the intangible heritage in person on a loom model.
The Seminar “1979-2019: UNESCO and FICLU 40 years of collaboration, what future?” Rome, Italy
The National Assembly of the Italian Federation of Associations, Clubs and Centres for UNESCO (FICLU) took place on 5-7 April, with around 50 participants to a seminar entitled “Live in Peace. The contribution of Italian Clubs for UNESCO to the 2030 Agenda”. During the Extraordinary and Ordinary Assembly of the Federation, the 2019/2020 guidelines of the Federation were approved, focusing on the themes including the 2030 Agenda, education and training, promotion and safeguard of material and immaterial heritage, gender equality.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Toulouse, France
The French Federation of Clubs for UNESCO (FFCU), in collaboration with the Club of Chemins Buissonniers, Toulouse, successfully organized a series of events from 4 to 14 February for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which focused on the role of women scientists in the South and particularly in Africa.
Training Seminar on “Human Rights at 70”, Noida, India
The Confederation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations of India (CUCAI), in collaboration with Peoples UNESCO Club of Noida, Uttar Pradesh, successfully organized a Training Seminar on the theme “Human Rights at 70”, from 20 to 22 December 2018, at Panchsheel Balak Inter College (Uttar Pradesh). About 100 UNESCO Club Leaders from 18 States in India and students attended the programme.
During the three days programme, ten lectures/presentations on topics related to Human Rights, UNESCO and UN Programmes were delivered by the Guest Speakers. Students of Panchsheel Balak Inter College presented various cultural performances. Visits to Akshardham and Iskon Temples were also organized.
Training Seminar on “Youth and Agenda 2030”, Imphal, India
Confederation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations of India (CUCAI) in collaboration with People’s UNESCO Club of Manipur and Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Manipur University organized a Training Seminar on the theme “Youth and Agenda 2030”, from 12 – 14th October 2018 at City Convention Hall, Imphal, Manipur (North Eastern State of India). About 700 local youth and 58 UNESCO Club Leaders from 15 states attended the programme.
Lectures on topics related to Role of Youth in Achieving SDGs, Impediments of Sustainable Development, Skill Development and Education Programme for Rural Women and Cultural Heritage were organized.
Minister of Education, Labour and Employment, Member of Parliament (Upper House) of Manipur, Senior Administrative Officer of the Government of India, University Professors addressed the participation. Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India (Honorary President of CUCAI) and Mr Eric FALT, Director and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, UNESCO Office in New Delhi sent a video message.
As part of the programme, visit Myanmar Border, Cultural and Heritage Sites, performances depicting arts and dances of Manipur were organized. The event was widely covered by electronic and print media.
Seminar on “The Role of UNESCO Clubs in Promoting SDG-4 Goal at grassroots Level”, Kathmandu, Nepal
Organized by the Nepal National Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations, in cooperation with UNESCO Office Kathmandu, the Seminar “the role of UNESCO Clubs in Promoting SDG-4 Goal at grassroots Level” was successfully held on 26 September 2018, with participants from the Federation, clubs and youth representatives.
Celebration of UN International Day of Peace, Hong Kong , China
The celebration of the UN International Day of Peace was successfully organized in Sai Kung District of Hong Kong on 21 September. The President of WFUCA, Mr. Dhirendra Bhatnagar and the Honorary President Mr. Tao Xiping, together with 9 Executive Board Members of WFUCA, attended the celebration. During this event, WFUCA members held a conference with local Clubs to exchange ideas and experiences.
UNESCO Summer University “The Culture of Peace and Education for Sustainable Development” held in Bucharest, Romania
From 8 to 11 August 2018, the UNESCO Summer University on “The Culture of Peace and Education for Sustainable Development” was organized by “Dimitrie Cantemir” Christian University in Bucharest, in cooperation with the National Commission of Romania for UNESCO, and the EFUCA. This project, inviting youngsters from countries such as Bulgaria, Belarus, Italy, Moldova, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey, and the USA, focused on the themes of Peace culture and non-violence, World Heritage, Education and Sustainable Development.
The China-Japan-Korea Youth Cultural Festival, Beijing, China
As one of the most important youth cultural exchange activities, The China-Japan-Korea Youth Cultural Festival, with the theme of “Artificial Intelligence New Challenges” was held during 26-30 July in Beijing, China. This Youth Culture Festival was initiated by CNFUCA, NFUAJ, and KNFUCA in 2015 and held annually by the three countries.
During the five days forum, 36 young people from China, Japan, and South Korea participated in the Artificial Intelligence Summit Forum, delivered keynote speeches, experienced Chinese culture, and visited cutting-edge technology studios. The closing ceremony of the forum was highlighted by the presentation of the Youth declaration made by the young representatives which confirms the responsibility of youth in the age of artificial intelligence.