National Federation

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the first WFUCA Academy for Women took place on 7th March, which was co-organized by the Romanian Federation and the Greek Federation, through the Piraeus and Islands Club for UNESCO (Greece) and the Alumnus Club for UNESCO (Romania). The first WFUCA Academy for Women is an online art presentation on the theme of “Equality”. National federations, clubs, and associations for UNESCO as well as their partners, and artists, in different parts of the world were invited to participate. This theme was chosen to take into account the recently concluded World Conference on Education through Culture and the Arts, organized in Abu Dhabi by UNESCO and the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

In the third millennium, in an era of contradictions, women still need many changes to avoid discrimination. This is what was attempted through the online exhibition EQUALITY, from March 7, a new perspective and new solutions through the exchange of ideas to combat discrimination and violence by creating (pro) attitudes against extremism of all kinds, partnerships and solidarity networks through the arts, based on understanding, dialogue, cooperation and peace. In the opening, more than 110 participants from all corners of the world were treated to an emotional micro-recital by the lyric artist, Hlín Leifsdóttir (Iceland), who chose to sing one of the famous songs “O sole mio”.

Messages were sent at the opening of the works, which emphasized the importance of the event and of International Women’s Day:

Ms Assel Utegenova, Liaison Officer and Focal point for Associations and Clubs for UNESCO at the UNESCO Secretariat:

“As we commemorate International Women’s Day, allow me to emphasize UNESCO’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. With its fundamental values grounded in human dignity, diversity and inclusion, UNESCO considers gender equality as the cornerstone of its principles, fostering dialogue, participation and ensuring the equal representation of women in all areas and at all levels, including within National Commissions, Clubs and Associations for UNESCO. By promoting inclusive governance structures and advocating for equal opportunities for all, we uphold the values of peace and sustainability and contribute to the vitality of societies for generations to come.”

Mr. Bolat Akchulakov, WFUCA President:

“Gender equality is not just a concept, but the foundation on which UNESCO stands. It is an essential element of our global mission, deeply rooted in the values we hold. The World Federation is committed to harnessing the transformative power of projects in the fields of education and culture in order to remove down barriers that hinder gender equality.
Through initiatives such as the Academy of Women, we strive to illuminate the path towards a world that is more inclusive and just, where the contributions of women are celebrated and recognized in all aspects of life.
The participation of member countries in this project demonstrates unity and shared commitment to the realization of our vision of gender equality.
As we gather here today, it also marks a significant occasion to extend my heartfelt greetings on International Women’s Day. This is an important day to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women and stand together as a united front, working towards gender equality around the globe.”

Ms.Daniela Popescu, WFUCA Vice president Ioanis Maronitis WFUCA Ex.Board:

“Intercultural education, propelled also by clubs and associations for UNESCO, started from the idea that in a rapid globalization of societies, there are great barriers and cultural gaps between groups of people and often the differences create conflicts or aggressions. Through the Women’s Academy WFUCA will try to educate the public on these issues; differences are not essential, cultures can coexist, and from acceptance of diversity we can progress toward communication, intercultural dialogue, and partnership. It is necessary to accept the values of another culture and to accept the idea that we now live in a mobile, multicultural society that is constantly improving”

The two moderators of the event, were Mrs. Daniela Popescu, WFUCA vice president, and Mr. Ioannis Maronitis, member of WFUCA EX. Board, helped by Mrs. Antonia Founti, the curator of the exhibition, tried to create a bridge of dialogue and cultures, helped by artists from all continents of the world. Moreover, Mr. Ioanis Maronitis announced the opening of the EQUALITY exhibition with posters of works from over 50 countries, this summer in Greece, with the handing out of participation diplomas at this first major WFUCA event dedicated to women.

On November 16, a special Partnership’s Hub session “Associations and Clubs for UNESCO as a driving force for a sustainable future” was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The event, which brought together online and offline representatives of the movement and stakeholders from different regions of the world, became a platform for discussion on the role of Associations and Clubs in shaping a sustainable society.

The key event of the session was the presentation of the book “United by UNESCO: Associations and Clubs for UNESCO as a driving force for a sustainable future”, initiated by Kazakhstan in cooperation with the UNESCO Secretariat and more than 30 Member States. This publication shows the development of the Clubs movement as one of UNESCO’s oldest partner networks, founded over 75 years ago. It also showcases the important role of volunteer activists worldwide in implementing UNESCO’s vision for the development of an inclusive and sustainable society. The electronic version of the publication is available in English and French by this link.

The event was opened with words of welcome from the Sector for Priority Africa and External Relations of UNESCO, a video message by the President of the World Federation of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO, Mr Bolat Akchulakov, and a welcome speech by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to UNESCO, H.E. Ambassador Askar Abdrakhmanov.

Furthermore, the lead author of the publication, Dr. Cristina Stanca-Mustea, held a panel discussion with young representatives of the Clubs movement who were also delegates to the 13th UNESCO Youth Forum. Young people shared their experience of participating in the projects of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO in their local communities and expressed their vision for the future development of the movement.

It is hoped that this event will provide impetus for the development of more youth-oriented activities and collaborations within the Clubs movement at all levels.

The video from the event broadcast is available here.

A large-scale event dedicated to the Siberian gold embroidery traditions and the 300th anniversary of the city of Yekaterinburg took place on August 18, 2023, in the Central City Library in Yekaterinburg. The Catalog “Cultural and Historical Heritage of Gold Embroidery of Siberia” and a new tourist route around the city of Tyumen “Golden Fibre of Siberia” were presented to the participants of the UNESCO Club movement. The participants were welcomed by the Chairman of the Committee for Accreditation of UNESCO Clubs under the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO Mrs. Lyudmila Savicheva, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Sverdlovsk Region Mr. Roman Dorokhin, and Head of the Department of the Ministry of International and Foreign Economic Relations of the region Mr. Dmitry Vaskov. The guests got acquainted with the history of handicrafts, with samples of gold embroidery of the peoples of the Eurasian continent.

Elena Suleymanova, the founder of the Siberian Gold Embroiderers UNESCO Club, spoke about the development of a new project called the National Brand “Golden Thread of Russia”, which will include regions where unique gold embroidery traditions are revived and preserved. Mrs. Suleymanova has participated in the UNESCO Club movement for more than 10 years, representing the Tyumen region and our country at international exhibitions, congresses, and conferences. In 2022, her Club won the All-Russian competition “The Best UNESCO Club of the Russian Federation” in the nomination for the preservation of cultural heritage.

The 4th Sustainable Development Forum and Eco Asia Conference – Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals and Brighter Future (the “Forum) was held successfully on 23rd November (Monday). Co-organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development (the “Institute”), The Hong Kong UNESCO Hong Kong Association (the “Association”), and The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event attracted nearly 500 participants in various forms of the webinar, online streaming and panel discussion.

Please find the details of the Conference at this link.

The 4th Sustainable Development Forum-HongKong

On November 16, 2020, a round table of UNESCO clubs was held dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the creation of UNESCO.
The event was attended by leaders and coordinators of UNESCO clubs accredited by the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO.
The event was opened by Executive Secretary of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, Mr. Grigory Ordzhonikidze, who noted the special contribution of NGOs to the popularization of the principles proclaimed in the UNESCO Charter.
The Acting Minister of International and Foreign Economic Relations of Sverdlovsk Region Mr. Detchenya sent congratulations on the 75th anniversary of UNESCO to the participants of the round table of clubs.
At the Round Table, UNESCO clubs presented their work carried out during 2020, and also formed a joint work plan for the next year in accordance with UNESCO’s key directions and taking into account national and regional priorities.

Youth Contest-Exhibition 2020 on the theme of “I am an artist: the world we strive for” dedicated to the UN 75th anniversary was held in Russia. Please find below the news of these activities from the Russian Ad-Hoc Committee for the accreditation of UNESCO Clubs.

Dear Colleagues of NFUAJ,

It was with enormous sadness that the Secretariat of World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA) learned of the sad demise of Mr. Masatake Matsuda, the Honorary President of the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan and former President of Asia Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (AFUCA), on 19 May 2020.

He was a very close friend of the UNESCO Clubs family and a wisdom leader of the NFUAJ and AFUCA. He devoted immense service to the promotion of UNESCO’s ideas and UNESCO Clubs movements in both Japan and Asia Pacific region.

We have lost an outstanding leader, a great pioneer.

The secretariat of WFUCA, on behalf of all of our members, conveys our deepest and sincere condolences to his family and to all the members of NFUAJ.

May he rest in peace.

Yours sincerely,

Secretariat

World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations