Our Voice at the United Nations: International Conference of NGOs, UNESCO
The International Conference of NGOs (ICNGO), held biennially at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, is a crucial gathering for civil society organisations to collaborate, share ideas, and strengthen partnerships in support of UNESCO’s mission. This conference, held most recently from 17 to 19 December 2024, centred on the theme “Building Capacity for Action,” focusing on enhancing advocacy efforts, fostering strategic alliances, and showcasing success stories to advance sustainable development goals over the next two years.
In this issue of Our Voice at the UN, we feature insightful contributions from our dedicated representatives who attended the conference. Joseph Mason, SI Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, offers a unique perspective as a youth representative, detailing his experiences with UNESCO’s collaborations and the vital roles played by Soroptimist International’s (SI) representatives to the UN. Evelyne Para, provides in-depth analyses on gender equality and sustainable education initiatives, highlighting UNESCO’s efforts to empower women and integrate climate action into educational curricula. Marie-Christine Gries explores the advancements in the Human and Social Sciences sector, including initiatives to combat racism and address the enduring impacts of slavery. Lastly, Rina Dupriet delves into the ambitious “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development,” outlining strategies to ensure the health and sustainability of the world’s oceans through scientific innovation and inclusive partnerships.
Explore the diverse perspectives and comprehensive reports from our representatives below, and click the links to read their full blogs for a deeper understanding of the impactful discussions and initiatives shaping UNESCO’s work.
Navigating the ICNGO at UNESCO
Joseph Mason, SI Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, shares his insights experiences from attending the ICNGO as a youth representative in his latest blog. As his first time at a UN conference, Joseph took the opportunity to delve into UNESCO’s collaborations with partner NGOs and understand the vital roles played by SI’s representatives to the UN. He covers the dynamic opening sessions focused on strengthening partnerships, the challenges of funding and advocacy, and the impactful parallel events addressing topics like sustainable education and gender equality. Joseph’s reflections highlight the collaborative spirit and strategic discussions that drive UNESCO’s mission forward, as well as the organisations efforts to engage young people in global issues.
Read complete blog on the ICNGO Opening Day
Read Joseph’s insights on the Beijing +30 Panel Discussion
Advancing Gender Equality
Evelyne Para, highlights UNESCO’s unwavering commitment to gender equality in her latest blog covering the ICNGO. She details a dedicated session on “Emerging Issues Related to Gender Equality,” moderated by prominent leaders and featuring impactful testimonies on UNESCO’s initiatives. Evelyne emphasises the challenges of measuring gender inequalities and outlines UNESCO’s efforts to promote equitable education, support women in science, and bridge the gender digital divide. She also showcases various projects that empower women and girls, ensuring they play a central role in preserving ecosystems and advancing sustainable development.
Read Evelyne’s full report here.
Sustainable Education Initiatives at ICNGO
In her second blog, Evelyne focuses on the pivotal session about education for sustainable development and climate action. She explains UNESCO’s new Global Recommendation on Education and the Partnership for Greener Education, which aims to integrate climate change into curricula worldwide by 2030. Evelyne discusses the four key pillars of greening education: greening every school, making curricula greener, strengthening teacher training, and engaging communities. She highlights the collaborative tools and strategies presented to accelerate national actions and foster sustainable learning environments.
Discover Evelyne’s comprehensive report on these initiatives here.
Advancing Human and Social Sciences at UNESCO
Marie-Christine Gries, explores some of the pivotal initiatives discussed at the ICNGO. She highlights the Human and Social Sciences sector’s efforts to establish ethical standards for AI and neurotechnology, promote sports in health and education, and combat discrimination and racism. A significant focus of her blog is the launch of a new research project on the contemporary after-effects of slavery, which aims to address the psychological legacy and erased histories affecting descendants of enslaved individuals in Western contexts. Marie-Christine emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and the role of NGOs in supporting UNESCO’s mission to build a more equitable and peaceful world.
Read Marie-Christine’s full insights here.
The Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
Rina Dupriet, highlights the ambitious “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development” discussed at the December 2024 ICNGO. She outlines how this global initiative aims to harness scientific innovation and foster inclusive partnerships to ensure the health and sustainability of the world’s oceans. Rina details the Ocean Decade’s goals of open access to ocean science, building inclusive collaborations, and embedding sustainability in all scientific efforts. She also emphasises the participative and consultative processes designed to engage a wide range of stakeholders, from scientists to policymakers and civil society, ensuring equitable benefits and shared responsibility in ocean stewardship. Rina underscores the critical role of collaboration and innovation in achieving a resilient and sustainable future for marine ecosystems.
Discover Rina’s full insights here.
Conclusion
The December 2024 International Conference of NGOs at UNESCO highlighted the powerful collaborations and innovative initiatives driving sustainable development forward. Through the dedicated efforts of Joseph Mason, Evelyne Para, Marie-Christine Gries, and Rina Dupriet, SI showcased its commitment to advancing gender equality, sustainable education, human and social sciences, and ocean sustainability. These insightful blogs reflect the dynamic discussions and strategic partnerships that are essential for addressing global challenges and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. We are proud of our representatives’ contributions and look forward to continuing our impactful work at UNESCO. Stay connected with Our Voice at the UN for more updates and stories from the frontlines of international cooperation.