What is the Alliance of Civilizations and why is it important now?
Here’s what you need to know:
An alliance for humanity
the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations has a long-standing motto: Many cultures, one humanity. Based on this, it was established by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in 2005 to embrace and promote cultural diversity, religious pluralism and mutual respect.
For nearly two decades, it has played an indispensable role in making that happen. It was supported by a group Israeli and Palestinian musiciansconvene a symposium to resolve the issue hatred directed at refugeesparticipated interreligious dialogue worldwide and more. It works with partners around the world to bridge gaps, mend fences, and defuse diplomacy at the local to global level to help shape a more peaceful, inclusive future.
Indeed, similar values are embedded within Pact for the futurepassed at Future Summitheld in New York in September, and on Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and its 17 goals.
“The Alliance is not a ‘feel good’ initiative,” the UN said. Secretary General António Guterres. “It is the foundation for peace, security, sustainable development and the world we need to build.”
Learn more about the Alliance This and watch a video of how it works below:
From AI to sports
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations organizes global events as a safe gathering place, which over the years has seen thousands of delegates from more than 130 countries discuss the challenges latest information and come to an agreement on solutions for the future. Participants from civil society and government offered rays of hope through turbulent times while celebrating the values they share in common.
On Monday, it will open the 10th Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal, with the theme Solidarity in peace: Restoring trust, reshaping the future. Delegations from around the world will address the latest issues, from artificial intelligence (AI) to sports, and how best to exploit them to promote peace. See the full Global Forum program This.
During the three-day event, UN Secretary-General Guterres will join ambassadors and representatives from civil society and the private sector to exchange views and share experiences at themed discussions. Diversity issues aim to arouse collective will to promote change on today’s most serious problems. challenges with innovative solutions, including intergenerational pathways towards sustainable development, religious reconciliation for peace and the eradication of hatred. On the second day of the Global Forum, delegates are expected to vote on the Cascais Declaration, a commitment to forward-looking action.
Stay tuned to UN WebTV, which will cover the Global Forum. Watch the opening ceremony on November 26 at 10am (GMT) This.
Young filmmakers from around the world will be present at the Global Forum’s PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival.
What the next generation is saying
Another highlight of this global gathering is the Youth Forum, which will be held on the first day, including dozens of side events for and by young people from around the world. Last year’s Youth Forum attracted 1,000 participants. This year, it features Meeting in tent for young people and other activities during the day.
To pay homage to the next generations, PURAL+ Youth video festival on migration, diversity and social inclusion will recognize the young directors at a ceremony Monday night. A joint initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), PURAL+ invites the world’s youth to submit unique and creative videos focusing on these three topics.
In a world often characterized by intolerance and cultural and religious division, PURAL+ recognizes youth as powerful agents of positive social change and supports the delivery of Media produced by young people. This year, the festival jury selected 32 short films from 21 countries, from Afghanistan and Israel to Russia and Yemen.
Watch live when selected videos are announced at 7:00 pm (GMT) November 25 This.
The latest cross-cultural innovations
A social circus for social change. Children design child-friendly cities Football for peace
Those were some of the more than 1,800 entries from grassroots groups around the world that entered the Center for Intercultural Innovation. The ceremony on day two of the Global Forum will recognize selected entries from Austria, Botswana, Canada, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, the United States and Zambia.
Co-funded by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and private car giant BMW Group, with support from technology company Accenture, the center looks at innovative projects, from promoting diversity and inclusion, promoting gender equality and promoting arts, culture and sport for social change.
Watch live as the ceremony begins on November 26 at 5:45 pm (GMT) This.
Follow daily updates from the 10th Global Forum in Cascais, Portugal, This.
The power of music
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has raged for decades, occasionally flaring up and leading to fierce wars, like the ongoing conflict in Gaza. What began as a conversation between two pianists – the Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim and the late Palestinian scholar and author Edward Said – about different ways to resolve the conflict, eventually evolved into West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in 1999.
The longtime friends first started a workshop for young musicians to use their modeling experience.
“We have musicians from countries that are in conflict with each other in one way or another,” violinist Michael Barenboim said just before a performance at the United Nations Headquarters in March 2023.
“We demonstrate that by collaborating on a project such as this, it is possible to bring together people from States in conflict so that they can work together towards a common goal.”
Even as the war in Gaza continues, the orchestra remains together, celebrating its 25th anniversary with performances in Europe this month, emphasizing that “the orchestra’s journey from its first This important milestone underscores their ongoing mission to promote dialogue and engagement through music. ”
Watch UN’s video report about the West-East Divan Troupe performing at UN Headquarters:
