New York/ Baku, April 22, 2016. The 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, April 25-27, themed Living Together in Inclusive Societies: A Challenge and A Goal. The Forum will explore the relevance of inclusive societies for preventing violent extremism, creating peace and enhancing sustainable development.
“UNAOC chose to focus on Inclusive Societies as it reflects UN key priorities,” says UNAOC High Representative Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser. “The Forum will represent the incredible opportunity to harness multiple perspectives of about 2,500 participating actors and to determine innovative solutions to advance the international agenda.”
The Forum’s themes and sub-themes reflect the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which incorporates the promotion of inclusive societies as pivotal component for sustainable development, and the creation of justice, peace, and security. At the same time, the Forum will provide a platform to discuss the intersection between social inclusion and the prevention of violent extremism, echoing the respective Plan of Action that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released in January 2016.
In two plenaries, 16 breakout sessions and seven networking sessions, the Forum will trigger discussions and exchanges on matters related to building inclusive societies, such as the role and significance of religious leaders, women, sports, youth and education. The Forum will also intensively discuss the role, responsibility and opportunity for media to enhance social inclusion by countering stereotyping and hate speech.
A preceding Youth Event (April 25) will bring together 150 young leaders from all around the world to jointly define The Narratives of Tomorrow in reference to inclusive societies.
“We are faced with one of the starkest humanitarian crisis that the world has ever seen caused by wars, regional instabilities, and violent extremism,” says Al-Nasser. “As a world community we can no longer afford to disregard our joint responsibility to facilitate inclusive, peaceful, and just societies. The Forum will be the unique opportunity to find common ground in our humanity and to define practical and effective solutions and global partnerships.”
A majority of the Forum’s sessions as well as the Opening and the Closing Ceremonies will be broadcasted live on the Forum’s website and at UN Web TV.
On the website you can also find all relevant information about the programme, content, speakers, and logistics.
Follow the Forum on Twitter: #UNAOCBaku2016 | Watch the Forum live at http://baku.unaoc.org/watch-live/.