On Thursday, October 28, 2010, the UN Alliance of Civilizations participated in a briefing for NGOs on “Promoting Diversity of World Cultures and the Links that Unite Them.” The briefing was organized in observance of the 2010 International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures by the UN Department of Public Information.
The objective of the briefing was to explain the significance of the International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures, and the importance and value of diversity and intercultural dialogue. The panel was moderated by Ms. Maria-Luisa Chavez, Chief of NGO Relations for the UN Department of Public Information. More than 150 people were in attended the briefing.
Dr. Thomas Uthup, Research and Education Manager, gave a presentation on the background, mission, programs and initiatives of the UNAOC. He encouraged the NGOs to get involved with the work of the UNAOC. Other participants on the panel were Ms. Rochelle Roca-Hachem, Officer for Culture, UNESCO-New York; Dr. Allan Goodman, President of the Institute for International Education; and Professor Tina Richardson from the College of Education at Lehigh University.