WFUCA

IN MEMORIAM: MR DHIRENDRA BHATNAGAR

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Dear Colleagues, dear Friends,

The Secretariat of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (WFUCA) is immensely sad to announce the sudden loss of our President of WFUCA, Mr Dhirendra Bhatnagar, who has left for his heavenly abode, on Sunday 17 May 2020, in Delhi, India, at the age of 65.

Born in 1954, Mr Bhatnagar, a prominent lawyer in India, dedicated his entire life in the field of UNESCO Club activities and promotion of programmes related to UNESCO and United Nations.

Having been actively associated with UNESCO Clubs movement in India and the Asia Pacific region since 1987, Mr Bhatnagar organized a number of National and Regional Training Programs, Seminars, and Workshops on important topics in the fields of UNESCO’s competence, particularly on Peace Education, World Heritage, Human Rights, Environmental Education, Sustainable Development, Education For All, International Understanding etc. Over the years, he wrote and published several books and articles to promote UNESCO’s programmes, including the production of a feature film “Babloo Ke Sapne” (Dreams of Babloo) to motivate out of school children.

Before being elected as the President of WFUCA, Mr Bhatnagar had been making contributions for years as Executive Board Member of WFUCA and the Vice President of Asia Pacific Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (AFUCA).

In his capacity as President of WFUCA since July 2015, despite the difficult time we have been facing, Mr Bhatnagar has been leading WFUCA’s work and development, and devoted his efforts to strengthen the communication and collaboration with UNESCO and among members.

Under his leadership and guidance, several key events were organized in collaboration with members and UNECSO, such as the 70th anniversary of UNESCO’s clubs movement in 2017 and the International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads in 2019. He also devoted to reinforcing the relationship between WFUCA and UNESCO though constant dialogue, meetings and information sharing, and led the process of amendment of WFUCA’s Constitution. This enabled WFUCA to maintain its presence in UNESCO Headquarters, to maintain its regional federations, and to involve in UNESCO’s participation programme. Mr Bhatnagar also showed support by actively participating in the meetings and activities organized by the member federations and stakeholders around the world. Even until most recently, Mr Bhatnagar was working to propose initiative to UNESCO and mobilize joint efforts to combat the global pandemic.

Mr Bhatnagar’s enthusiasm, leadership, wisdom and true humbleness in his character has made him a most appreciated colleague and friend among us. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered as the exemplary man he was.

We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, son, daughter, and all his family and friends.

Yours sincerely,

Secretariat
World Federation of UNESCO Clubs,
Centres and Associations

Call for Participations: “The Planet of ART” International Festival 2020

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“The Planet of ART” International Festival is organized by the Kazakhstan National Federation of UNESCO Clubs in cooperation with the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy and the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations. To educate the younger generation, promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, as well as strengthen friendly ties among children of the world, the competition has been successfully implemented in Kazakhstan for more than 10 years.

In 2020, the festival is marked by the release of the final album “The thinkers of the Great Steppe” which will include the best works of the finalists of the project, and the winners of the contest will traditionally be invited to attend the Final of the Festival in Almaty.

All the children and youth aged 3-18 are welcome to participate in this competition. The original works must be sent to the Organizing Committee of the Festival, no later than 1 June 2020.

For more information on the “The Planet of ART” International Festival please CLICK HERE.

Representatives of National Federations of Benin, Guinea-Bissau and Mali Visited WFUCA Secretariat, Paris, Francewf

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During the General Conference, Mr. Gabin Ahogbedji ALLOGNON, President of Benin National Federation Mr. Rui INFACA, President of Guinea-Bissau National Federation, and Mr. Alou KOITA, President of Mali National Federation visited WFUCA Secretariat with their delegations. They introduced the activities carried out, exchanged opinions about the development of UNESCO Clubs movements with the Secretariat, and acknowledged the work of the Secretariat.

 

Visit of Dr. Hojatollah Ayoubi, Secretary-General of Iranian National Commission to WFUCA Secretariat

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Dr. Hojatollah Ayoubi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission, visited WFUCA Secretariat on 24 October in Paris. He introduced the current progress of UNESCO Clubs movements made by the Iranian National Commission, particularly the six clubs created in Iran last year. He also expressed an interest in establishing the Iranian National Federation of UNESCO Clubs and becoming a member of WFUCA. The Secretariat of WFUCA warmly welcomed the work of the Iranian National Committee and introduced the structure and basic information of WFUCA, the work of the secretariat, and the procedure of how to join the WFUCA family.

The Extraordinary Session of the Executive Board of WFUCA, Paris, France

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The Extraordinary Session of the Executive Board of WFUCA was held on 12 August 2019 in Paris, France. During this session, the Executive Board members worked together and proposed a revised version of the Constitution of WFUCA, which will be submitted to the next World Congress for adoption. The meeting also introduced the progress made regarding the implementation of the “Regulatory Framework regarding Associations, Centres and Clubs for UNESCO” in different countries; discussed and adopted the postponement of the next World Congress considering the difficult circumstance we are currently facing.

The Executive Board member visited the UNESCO Secretariat on the following day and exchanged with the officials of the PAX Sector.


Forum of “International Cities Cultural Dialogue”, Beijing, China

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On 30 May, as a part of the China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations hosted a forum “International Cities Cultural Dialogue”. The forum provided a high-level platform for multicultural dialogue. More than 50 representatives from over 10 countries and regions, including Italy, Ukraine, the United States, Japan, and Iran, attended the forum. Mr. Bhatnagar, President of WFUCA, attended the forum and delivered an opening speech.

The Third International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads

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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.