4 May 2022, United Nations, New York – The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) organized an interactive discussion at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where youth from La Courneuve (Paris area, France) who participated in the ‘News Generation Against Hate’ project presented their media productions to UN officials, Member States, government representatives, and other key stakeholders.
UNAOC is committed to engaging with municipalities, which are often on the frontlines of challenges linked to intercultural and interreligious tensions that may erupt within diverse communities. To this end and in collaboration with the municipality of La Courneuve, UNAOC implemented the project ‘News Generation Against Hate’ that has, since 2021, engaged forty youth from La Courneuve between the ages of 16 and 24. Led by a group of experienced facilitators, the youth participants learned to recognize and address misinformation and discrimination in the media. As an outcome of the project, they produced alternative narratives and multimedia content covering local and national issues. Their presence at the United Nations served as a culminating activity to showcase their projects.
Chaired by UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC, H. E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, and in the presence of Mr. Gilles Poux, Mayor of La Courneuve, the young participants presented the objectives, outcomes, and impact of the ‘News Generation Against Hate’ project. The young speakers unveiled their media productions on salient issues, ranging from racism, xenophobia, gender biases and discrimination in the media. The presentation of the their media productions underscored how the La Courneuve youth have become true actors of positive social change.
“I had the chance to meet the La Courneuve youth, and I was touched and impressed by their motivation, energy and inspiration. UNAOC was created to support young people by creating opportunities for dialogue and cooperation, especially between different cultures, religions, and backgrounds. Because our world is a mosaic of cultures, without dialogue, we cannot move forward and live together productively,” said Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC.
“The youth of La Courneuve presenting their project and commitments today at the United Nations is a key achievement, for these young leaders and also for the municipality. As the Mayor of La Courneuve, I cherish our partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and I am proud that, together, we have allowed each of these young people to be acknowledged and promoted here, at the United Nations, via the presentations of their realizations. It is a rare and formidable opportunity for the youth to be heard on key contemporary issues at the international level and, also, back home,” said Mr. Gilles Poux.
Other noteworthy guests include H.E. Mr. Nicolas de Rivière, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations and Ms. Daniela Bas, Director of the Division for Inclusive Social Development at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
Following their presentation at the United Nations and over the course of three days, the youth will have an opportunity to meet with local stakeholders and engage in thematic debates with UN representatives.
For more generation about ‘News Generation Against Hate’, please visit:
https://www.unaoc.org/what-we-do/projects-and-initiatives/news-generation-against-hate/