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Mme France Marquet, SAF Representative to UNESCO, attended 15th International Forum of NGOs in Official Partnership with UNESCO

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News UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France - 26th January 2024

Mme France Marquet, SAF Representative to UNESCO, attended 15th International Forum of NGOs in Official Partnership with UNESCO-Transforming Mentalities


24-25 January 2024

UNESCO is delighted to extend an invitation for participation in the 15th International Forum of NGOs, held in collaboration with UNESCO, themed "Transforming Mentalities." The event is scheduled to take place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on January 24 and 25, 2024, accommodating both in-person and online attendance.

This forum endeavors to collect exemplary practices addressing persistent discriminations and inequalities within societies, fostering tangible recommendations for action across various levels. Aligned with UNESCO's Transforming MEN’talities initiative, dedicated to combatting harmful gender stereotypes and promoting positive social norms, the forum also draws inspiration from UNESCO's Roadmap against Racism and Discrimination, including its annual Global Forum.

Organized by the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee in partnership with UNESCO and following UNESCO's directives regarding NGO partnerships, this event primarily targets NGOs officially partnered with the organization. However, it warmly welcomes other NGOs, institutions, and representatives of Member States, with a special emphasis on encouraging the active involvement of youth representatives.

If your organization is in a position to participate, we kindly request you to register your representatives at indico.un.org/event/1009103/ by January 22, 2024. Upon registration, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment and further communications to the specified email address. Please be aware that, as customary, the organization must cover the travel and living expenses of its representatives.

Your presence in Paris and active engagement in this Forum are highly anticipated. We also encourage you to share this invitation with other organizations and partners who may find interest in joining this event.

Warm regards,

Nick Newland - President of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee

Gabriela Ramos - Assistant Director-General, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO

 

                                                                                   

15th  International Forum of NGOs in Official Partnership with UNESCO

Transforming Mentalities

Programme

Day 1: Wednesday 24 January 2024 (All times are CET)

ROOM XI

 
09.30

Registration

Entrance: 7, place de Fontenoy 75007 Paris
10.00-10.30

Opening Ceremony

With Nick Newland, President of the International Conference of NGOs and of the NGO- UNESCO Liaison Committee, and Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO
 10.35-11.55  

Session 1: Overview from UNESCO

UNESCO’s Secretariat will outline current perspectives on the global situation regarding the theme. This will include introducing key initiatives and programmes from UNESCO and the Social and Human Sciences sector.

by the Sectionfor Inclusions,Rights,andInterculturalDialogue
 12.00-13.00  

Session 2: Approaches to Change

Presenters from Argentina, Canada, France, Kenya, Netherlands and New Zealand will showcase the work of their organisations, with a focus on gender, sport, disability, early-years education and human rights. Followed by a Q&A session.

André de Jeu – Director, Association of Sports and Municipalities

Linda Kroeger – Co-Director for Policy and Communications, Womankind Worldwide Phylomène Zangio – Chair, New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, Canada Mercedes Mayol Lassalle – President, World Organization for Early Childhood Education Clotilde Granado – Representative, ATD Quart Monde

Moderated by Gilles Pétreault – World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP)
 13.00-14.30

 Lunch Break
 14.30-15.25  

Session 3: Building Change

This panel will focus on action-based programmes and initiatives with a particular emphasis on parenting, inclusion, and social innovation. Speakers from Belgium, Canada, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Venezuela. Followed by a Q&A session.

 Anne-Claire de Liedekerke – President, Make Mothers Matter

Owen Thomas – Managing Director, Future Men

Tracy Riddler – Senior First Nations Engagement Consultant, Canada

Kehkashan Basu M.S.M – Founder, Green Hope Foundation

Rosa Lopez de D’Amico – President, International Society for Comparative Physical Education & Sport

Moderated by Julien Pellaux – Director of the Division for Partnerships, Bureau of Strategic Planning, UNESCO
 15.30-16.40  

Session 4: Domestic and International Approaches – Member State Panel

Having established the challenges and identified NGO-led actions, representatives of Member States will address their work on transforming mentalities. Followed by a Q&A session.
 16.45-17.15  

Session 5: Practical Approaches to Internal Change

The Institute of Cultural Affairs International will introduce a prctical session on developing internal change to address conflict and build positive futures. Followed by a Q&A session.

Catalina Quiroz, Cecilia O’Dwyer and David Bishop - Institute of Cultural Affairs International
 17.15-17.30  Closing of Day 1
  

Day 2: Thursday 25 January 2024
 09.30-10.00  

Morning Refreshmentsd

Participants are invited to network over coffee in front of Room XI
 10.00-10.55  

Session 6: Youth Panel – Building a More Positive Future

Youth Panel with representatives from the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee’s Youth Working Group. Followed by a Q&A session.

 

UahSandjeVivianePriscaKoffi– Regional Coordinator, International Young Catholic Students Eugenie Yang – Manager, Global Capacity Building, National Board for Certified Counselors Hani Nurlina – Youth Action Officer, Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service Rishika Mahanta - Young Olympic Ambassador

Moderated by Garance Sarlat – Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO
11.00-12.00

Session 7: Approaches to Women’s Empowerment

Leaders of four major NGOs focused on the empowerment of women will discuss their efforts in a global context. Speakers from Associated Country Women of the World, BPW International, Soroptimist International and Zonta International. Followed by a Q&A session.

Magdie de Kock – World President, Associated Country Women of the World

Catherine Bosshart – International President, BPW International Maureen Maguire – Immediate Past President, Soroptimist International Ute Scholtz – President, Zonta International

Moderated by Caroline de Senneville – Director of Projects, Make Mothers Matter
 12.05-13.00

Session 8a: Innovation for Change

Leaders and innovators to present their approaches to change, with a particular focus on disability and inclusion. Followed by a Q&A session.

Neil Kelso – Multi-disciplinary artist

Jospehine Goube – Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sistech

Catherine Carty – UNESCO Chair, Munster Technological University

Goran Zelic – Puppetry Collaboratorium Initiator, Union Internationale de la Marionnette

Ramneek Ahluwalia - CEO, Higher Health

Moderated by Janani Ramanathan – Secretary General of the World Academy of Art & Science

 

Session 8b: Participatory workshop on designing local change

Following the introduction on Day 1, the Institute of Cultural Affairs International will facilitate a small break-out session (in French only) for those who would like to participate in a practical training session. Please note there are limited places, and this parallel session will run from 12.05 to 13.30.

Catalina Quiroz, Cecilia O’Dwyer and David Bishop - Institute of Cultural Affairs International

 

 13.00-14.30

 Lunch Break
 14.30-14.50  

Session 9: Reflection on Transformative Action

Professor Keith Magee, Senior Fellow in Culture and Justice at University College London and Chair of the Guardian Foundation, will give a personal reflection on meaningful change and transformative action.

14.55-16.00

Session 10: Mobilising NGOs

Participants will reflect on key points of action and mobilisation. NGOs are invited to take the floor throughout this session to share comments and highlight further recommendations.

Led by the moderators of each session across the Forum, coordinated by Claire Boursier

from the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee.

16.05-16.45

Closing

 Nick Newland – President of the International Conference of NGOs and of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee

Angela Melo – Director of the Division for Research, Ethics and Inclusion, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO

Julien Pellaux – Director of the Division for Partnerships, Bureau of Strategic Planning, UNESCO

Thanks and Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all those involved in the preparation of this International Forum, and acknowledge the particular efforts of the Forum Steering Committee:

Janani Ramanathan (World Academy of Art & Science), Gilles Pétreault (OMEP),

Caroline de Senneville (Make Mothers Matter) and Claire Boursier (NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee).

 Source: PDF