Blog of Rina Dupriet, SI UN Representative at UNESCO

Our representative, Rina Dupriet, recently attended the 15th International Forum of NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO held on January 24 – 25, at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The event, organised by the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee in collaboration with UNESCO, aimed to mobilise international cooperation, partnerships, and networking. It focused on addressing inequalities within societies, building on UNESCO’s Roadmap against Racism and Discrimination, including the Transforming Mentalities initiative.

Don’t forget to watch Immediate Past President Maureen Maguire’s Intervention during this the 15th UNESCO International Forum for NGOs! See the full clip here!

Approaches to Change

Among the objectives of this international forum was the need to address the obstacles and solutions involved in overcoming inequalities and preserving future generations.

Gabriela Ramos, the Deputy Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO, set the tone by emphasising the importance of transforming mentalities through the projects undertaken by NGOs.

Before embarking on this journey of collective and collaborative change, it is necessary to examine some of the different approaches to change.

Firstly, during the forum it was stressed that in order to create change, we must begin by inspecting our own approaches – because many of us have lost the ability to listen to very different visions of the world.

To create a fairer future for all, participants were advised to:

• Be ready to change their minds
• Listen to others
• Interact with diverse perspectives
• Represent a shared humanity with stakeholders from around the world in addressing issues like homophobia, racism, and discrimination.
• Promote empathy

 

Beyond individuals, NGO’s have a major role to play in transforming mentalities – there is a growing call to enhance the globalisation of compassion and begin safeguarding the fundamental values that underpin life.

Tackling Gender Equality

Gender equality was also addressed as the forum explored the multifaceted challenges faced by women. From disparities in natural disaster impacts to lagging behind in terms of patent filing, education, leadership, and health. Additionally, women often greater levels of discrimination, including racism in sports, exclusion from political representation, and limited civic engagement – all these areas highlight a need for urgent attention.

Voices from Around the World

Speakers and representatives from Argentina, Canada, France, Kenya, the Netherlands, and New Zealand shared the impactful work of their organisations. The focus areas spanned gender equality, sport, disability, preschool education, and human rights.

Key takeaways from these diverse testimonies included:

• Education’s transformative potential in changing mentalities.
• Recognition of poverty as a criteria for social discrimination.
• The cultivation of engineering thought to address contemporary challenges.
• The indispensable role of mothers in children’s education.
• Advocacy for women’s and minorities’ rights through gender equality.
• Collaboration with populations to address climate change and limit social inequalities.
• The use of sport as a tool for social inclusion.
• Respect for the autonomy, culture, and history of diverse populations.

 

UNESCO’s Commitment:

UNESCO, recognising the crucial role of NGOs in this journey toward transformation, has pledged its support. The commitment to continue these meetings, which have already seen participation from over 30 countries, underscores the collective determination to tackle inequalities and foster a more inclusive and equitable future.

In conclusion, the 15th International Forum of NGOs in Official Partnership with UNESCO was not just a one-off event, but a stepping stone towards a world where mentalities are transformed, inequalities dismantled, and compassion reigns supreme. The journey toward a brighter and more equitable tomorrow has begun.