Blog of Evelyne PARA, SI Representative at UNESCO

During the general policy debate of the plenary session of 11 November 2024, chaired by Ms Simona-Mirela Miculescu, Ambassador of Romania and President-elect of the 42nd General Conference of UNESCO, I had the chance to have the floor and to speak on behalf of Soroptimist International face to representatives of the Member States.

An important mission entrusted by our NGO, and authorised by UNESCO officials, in the context that we all know, that of global conflict which tests the capacity of countries to work together for peace and at a time when we need to take a lucid look at all the challenges facing us.

I am providing you with the video of my intervention in French with English subtitles, as well as the text of my speech translated into English below.

Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the honour to speak in front of you on behalf of Soroptimist International, and I thank you so much.

Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is a global Movement with a network of 66,000 members. We are all women, volunteers, established in 118 countries. Around the world, Soroptimists defend Human Rights for all, without any discrimination, in particular the fundamental right to education, gender equality, and Peace.

We work on locally supported projects that help women and girls realise their individual and collective potential, their aspirations, and have an equal voice in all regions: “A Global Voice for Women”, in order to carry the values of Fraternity, of Sisterhood, beyond countries and drawn borders.

The various Appeals launched every two years by the President of our international NGO are based on the three pillars of our Organisation: “Educate – Empower – Enable”. The Call in force in 2023, entitled “Opening Doors to a Bright Future”, is championed locally by all Soroptimists around the world, and also by Soroptimist International Representatives in the seven United Nations Specialised Centres of which UNESCO is a part.

Each year, more than 4,000 action programs are carried out by Soroptimists in the field. These concrete actions make it possible to break down barriers, open new doors, and transform mentalities for a better life, in many areas:

 

• First of all, To develop access to information, resources, services, to fairer and safer societies, to open science, to a safe transition towards digital and “green” societies, in order to enable everyone to make positive life choices;

 

• But also, To fight against the root causes of vulnerabilities and inequalities linked to gender, socio-economic situation, culture, religion or even age, in order to remove obstacles to learning and the participation of every citizen;

 

• And finally, To recognise, respect and appreciate otherness, differences and multiple identities, in order to live in harmony with each other.

 

This is why we call for the strengthening of a partnership between all Member States, with UNESCO Services and with all NGOs, in a real spirit of inclusion. For our NGO Soroptimist International, this is the only chance to hope to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the Peace goals, which we are all committed to achieving by 2030.

On behalf of all women, and in particular Soroptimists, I thank you for listening.