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APCEIU Successfully Concludes the 2024 SSAEM Conference in Collaboration with Eight Countries 5 December 2024 The 2024 SSAEM Conference, marking the conclusion of this year’s ‘Asia-Pacific Teacher Exchange for Global Education(APTE)’, was successfully held on November 21 at Suwon Convention Center. Hosted by the Ministry of Education of Korea and organized by APCEIU, the event provided a platform to review the achievements of the APTE programme and discuss its future directions. Over 200 participants, including officials of the Ministries of Education and embassies and teachers from Korea, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Thailand, and the Philippines attended the conference.The opening ceremony began with opening speech from Ms. SHIN Meekyung, Director at the Korean Ministry of Education, followed by a welcoming remark by Dr. LIM Hyun-mook, Director of APCEIU. Congratulatory addresses were delivered by Ambassador Tanee Sangrat of the Royal Thai Embassy, Minister-Counsellor Alounkone Boulommavong of the Lao PDR Embassy, Second Secretary Eung Saravuth of the Cambodian Embassy, and Director Rohayati binti Abd Hamed from the Malaysian Ministry of Education. During the panel discussion, representatives from the Ministries of Education of the eight partner countries explored the significance and impact of the Programme amidst changing social dynamics. The session also highlighted the unique characteristics of each country’s implementation and outcomes, fostering a meaningful exchange of insights. Notably, students from Seoul Youngil Elementary School, one of the participating schools in the newly launched hybrid online-offline teacher exchange programme this year, took the stage as presenters. Their active participation exemplified the role of students as key stakeholders in the programme, alongside teachers. In the afternoon, parallel sessions were held, reflecting UNESCO’s Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, International Understanding, Cooperation, Freedom, Global Citizenship, and Sustainable Development, adopted at the 2023 General Conference. The sessions were divided into three themes: enhancing digital and media literacy as global citizens, understanding cultural diversity and global citizenship, and fostering solidarity for a sustainable environment. Participants shared diverse approaches and practical educational activities under these themes. A distinctive feature of the APTE is its emphasis on collaborative efforts between participants and their assigned schools to achieve shared goals. The session featuring presentations by matched schools highlighted the active cooperation and engagement between Korean schools and their counterparts in participating countries, showcasing firsthand reactions from teachers and students alike. The conference concluded with a dialogue session featuring six former participants, including teachers who joined the APTE programme as early as 2013. They shared their ongoing initiatives and follow-up activities, ensuring that the educational exchange extends beyond a one-time event. The discussion also sparked great interest as they proposed actionable ideas for follow-up activities tailored to participants, countries, and specific fields of collaboration. URL: https://www.unescoapceiu.org/post/5220 
Innovate for Peace: No to Hate Speech 28 November 2024 Within the EU-funded project SocialMedia4Peace, UNESCO organised a hackathon to develop digital solutions to fight hate speech online in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 26 November 2024 The increasing digitalisation of societies worldwide has led to unprecedented opportunities for the free flow of information. However, there are growing concerns about digital communication tools, especially social media platforms, and the increasing prevalence of harmful content and disinformation. Funded by the European Union and implemented by UNESCO, the SocialMedia4Peace project seeks to enhance societal resilience to harmful online content, in particular targeting hate speech inciting violence while protecting freedom of expression and promoting peace through digital technologies. UNESCO organised a hackathon titled "Innovate For Peace: No To Hate Speech”, last September, bringing together students, young journalists, and NGO activists from across Bosnia and Herzegovina to develop innovative digital solutions for recognising and combating hate speech in online spaces. Participants worked with mentors over the course of a month, developing skills and tools through workshops to identify and combat hate speech. The young innovators were divided into teams, and tasked with developing digital applications to combat hate speech. The top 3 teams were selected for the finals. The final convened on 28 October, at the UN Building in Sarajevo, where the teams’ solutions were presented. The winning team, ZAADA, was recognised for developing the most innovative solution, an online tool for detecting disinformation, one of the root causes of hate speech online. “This experience was truly valuable – giving us the chance to work with experienced mentors and develop a solution that could contribute to creating a safer digital space,” ZAADA, Winning team, UNESCO Hackathon. ©UNESCO The other 2 teams also developed insightful solutions: Team ‘Pilići’ created an interactive ‘Escape Room', where participants had to answer questions identifying examples of hate speech and disinformation to exit the virtual room. Team ‘Mind Media’ developed a game that both entertained and educated children on disinformation and hate speech in the online world. The hackathon highlighted the importance of digital tools in fostering a safer online space and inspired young developers to combat hate speech. “UNESCO is proud to have brought together young innovators through the 'Innovate For Peace' hackathon, enabling them to contribute to the fight against hate speech in the digital environment,” said Sinisa Sesum, Head of the UNESCO Antenna in Sarajevo. The initiative was organised in partnership with Sarajevo-based IT company ‘Klika’ and the marketing agency ‘Republic’, which provided mentors for the teams and technical prerequisites for solution development, and event organisation.©UNESCO Links UNESCO Hackathon Innovate For Peace: Young Innovators Develop Digital Solutions Against Hate Speech in Sarajevo Teaser - Innovate for Peace: not to Hate Speech [0:31] SocialMedia4Peace URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/innovate-peace-no-hate-speech 
World Leaders Adopt Peace Pledge Amid Wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Beyond 28 November 2024 By Eileen Travers in Cascais, Portugal 26 November 2024World leaders adopted a bold, forward-looking declaration on Tuesday at a global forum to advance peace as war rages on, from Gaza and Lebanon to Sudan and Ukraine. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and combatting hate speech and mis- and disinformation are part of the plan to bolster peace and mutual understanding as Heads of State and Government, including kings, presidents and prime ministers from Cabo Verde, Senegal and Spain, unanimously adopted the Cascais Declaration. Named for the city hosting the UN Alliance for Civilizations 10th Global Forum from 25 to 27 November, the declaration outlines a range of actions and focuses on solutions to a current landscape of eroding trust and rising antisemitism, nationalism and online hate. “These are very difficult times,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the forum’s opening session. “In such a scenario, we need peace” now, in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan and Ukraine and beyond. The adoption of the declaration is the centrepiece of the 10th Global Forum, which included a dynamic youth forum and film festival on Monday, its Intercultural Innovation Hub ceremony on Tuesday and vibrant panels throughout, tackling current challenges, from a spike in antisemitism to the power of young people. “We need voices and actions across all levels,” including in communities, online and across cultures and institutions, using all tools available, Mr. Guterres said. Learn more about the UN Alliance of Civilizations and its Global Forum in our explainer here. UN Photo/Carlos Porfiio | UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivers remarks to the High-level Ministerial Meeting of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Group of Friends, in Cascais, Portugal. Highlights of the Cascais Declaration The 25-paragraph declaration spotlighted a set of innovative actions and keys to unleashing this badly needed peace. It noted the potential use of AI as a tool to advance intercultural and inter-religious dialogue and stressed the importance of combatting disinformation, misinformation and hate speech while strengthening information integrity. The Cascais Declaration also stressed the importance of intergenerational dialogue for peace, sustainable development and human rights; noted the contribution of “sports diplomacy” as a tool for promoting dialogue and emphasised the need to support and strengthen the role of women as negotiators, mediators and peacemakers. By its provisions, world leaders and partners pledged to: Emphasise the need to combat all forms of religious intolerance Acknowledge the central role of inclusive, quality and transformative education in promoting dialogue, peace and human rights Recognise the role that religious leaders can play in conflict mediation and development cooperation Underline the positive impact that safe, orderly and regular migration can have on countries of origin and destination, including through promoting cultural pluralism and encourage the creative vision of young people to prevent xenophobia and highlight positive narratives about cultural diversity, social inclusion and mobility Take note of the adoption of the Pact for the Future, which recognises the role of reinvigorated multilateralism and the importance of the voice of religious leaders and faith-based organizations in promoting a culture of peace The declaration also stressed the importance of encouraging the implementation of the UN Plan of Action to safeguard religious sites and called for the implementation of recommendations and commitments that will be made at the UN Global Conference on Safeguarding Religious Sites, to be convened on Wednesday during the 10th Global Forum. War in Gaza is not civilization Ahead of the declaration’s adoption, the UN chief and world leaders took the floor, including Prime Minister Aminata Touré of Senegal, who drew attention to the ongoing devastating war in Gaza. “As we witness what is happening in Gaza, with more than 42,000 victims, mostly civilians, what does civilization mean in such context?” she asked. “Is civilization about ‘you kill one of mine, I’ll kill 34.16 of yours,’ which is, so far, the retaliation rate of Israel against the unacceptable, widely condemned attacks of October 2023. Don’t the unbearable scenes we see on television make any discussion on civilization look out of touch?” She said there is no other way to deal with civilization than discussion based on equal rights embedded in the UN Charter and international framework. King Don Felipe VI of Spain told delegates that “in the 21st century, diplomacy is a tool of peace, but its traditional tools are outdated and must be supplemented with new spheres of action, more boldness, creativity and pragmatism.” ‘We must raise our vision’ “We must raise our vision to more deeply understand what unites us,” King Don Felipe VI said. “The Alliance of Civilizations is the implementation of what is known as the diplomacy of values, tearing down walls and building bridges,” he added. “Our actions must go beyond conference rooms, to school, places where people gather and the marketplace.” In this regard, he said, social media is potential as a catalyst in this regard, he said, pointing to the Alliance’s Youth Solidarity Fund, which was featured on day one of the 10th Global Forum. Still, a great deal more needs to be done, he said. At a time when dehumanisation is a growing problem, he emphasised that efforts must aim at eliminating stereotypes and ensuring that the wealth of human diversity is beneficial for everyone. ‘Rebuilding trust is essential’ In a similar vein, UN Secretary-General Guterres said that the absence of peace is leading to an erosion of trust, making the Alliance of Civilizations’s work more important than ever before. “Rebuilding trust is our essential task,” he said. “Hate-filled frenzies are perpetuating stereotypes and misconceptions,” the UN chief said. Unchecked digital platforms and AI have endowed hate speech with a speed and reach unseen before. We must rein in hate speech and disinformation spreading online.” Next step: A global alliance for peace The Alliance’s High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos renewed a call for an alliance for peace to put an end to violence and extremism and wars in the 21st century. “Biodiversity needs to be protected, but what about human diversity?” he asked. “We need to make peace with nature, and we need to make peace with ourselves,” he said, emphasising that the Alliance is the best platform to do so. Stay tuned for more updates as the 10th Global Forum continues, with the Intercultural Innovation Hub ceremony taking place later on Tuesday and sessions convening through Wednesday on current issues, from sports diplomacy and religious mediation for peace to the soft power of AI and leveraging the role of women peacemakers. Social circus for social changeCircus Zambia | Circus Zambia focuses on social change, including gender equality and female empowerment How do you make peace? There are dozens of grassroots examples from around the world that will be on stage on Tuesday evening at a ceremony on the sidelines of the 10th Global Forum, hosted by the Intercultural Innovation Hub, an initiative driven by the UN Alliance of Civilizations and car giant the BMW Group with support from the tech company Accenture. Gift Chansa, co-founder and artistic director of Circus Zambia is working for social change, starting in the crime-ridden neighbourhood of Chibolya outside the capital, Lusaka, where he grew up. “The vision is to make young people realise they have the power to change their circumstances and to know that where you come from doesn’t determine where you go,” he told UN News. This year, Circus Zambia is among 10 non-governmental organizations from around the world who will be recognised at the ceremony. Ilka Horstmeier, of the BMW Group, said Circus Zambia is an excellent example of spreading the messages of the UN Alliance of Civilizations across the world. “They really make it happen for young kids,” she said. “With circus activities, they build up trust in themselves. We really have to invest in these kids. They are the future.” Watch the Intercultural Innovation Hub ceremony live on UN Web TV here.UN News/Eileen Travers | Gift Chansa is the co-founder of Circus Zambia. URL: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1157491 
South Asian Youth Leaders Renewed Their Commitment As GCED Advocates at the Youth4GCED Regional Workshop in South Asia 28 November 2024 24 November 2024 In Lahore, Pakistan, from 31 October to 2 November 2024, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) under the auspices of UNESCO convened the Youth4GCED Regional Workshop in South Asia, in collaboration with the GCED Youth Network and The Little Art. This event brought together 28 young leaders from 7 South Asian countries under the theme of "Youth Bridging Divides, Building Futures: GCED, Social Justice, and Emerging Technologies for a Sustainable South Asia." The first day of the workshop laid the foundational understanding of GCED, with activities designed to enhance participants' understanding and application in their local contexts. It started with opening remarks by the director of Dr LIM Hyun Mook, Director of APCEIU, emphasized the role of youth today, encouraging the participants to develop and share knowledge, skills and solidarity throughout the Workshop. Following up, Mr Umair Mushtaq, the interim director of The Little Art facilitated team-building exercises, and Mr Diego Manrique, a core member of the GCED Youth Network introduced the core framework of GCED with interactive exercise. Dr Tania Saeed from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) led a session on the power of storytelling and its key roles in promoting GCED. In the afternoon, Sukyung Go from APCEIU introduced APCEIU's youth projects andthe Recommendation on Education for Peace and Human Rights, International Understanding, Cooperation, Fundamental Freedoms, Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development (hereinafter UNESCO 2023 Recommendation. Dr Zafar Malik from UNESCO Islamabad discussed GCED and youth initiatives, followed by Dr Richa Bansal from UNESCO MGIEP presented on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) online. Finally, Mr Rafiq Jaffer, international youth development and training expert, led a session using role play to address regional challenges. The day ended with the initiation of drafting the South Asian Youth Declaration on GCED (hereinafter Youth Declaration), facilitated by the GCED Youth Network, where participants shared their ideas for the declaration.After closing the program for the day, participants joined a cultural visit to Lahore’s Walled City, a historical site of significant importance for Pakistan. On the second day of the workshop, with a facilitation by the core members of GCED Youth Network, participants explored the intersection of advocacy and technology through panel discussions and breakout sessions. These discussions focused on utilizing technology for social change and addressing regional challenges through collaborative solutions. The day also included further development of the Youth Declaration, with a strong emphasis on the critical role of youth in shaping future educational frameworks and contributing to sustainable development initiatives. The last day of the workshop started with an interactive session on teaching GCED through arts by Mr Umair Mushtaq, and followed by Mr Muhammed Zahid’s session on AI and AI tools for youth empowerment. These sessions culminated on the third day with participants finalizing the first draft of South Asian Youth Declaration on GCED. Comprising the three part; Preamble, Call to Action, and Commitment, the Declaration underlines the South Asian youth’s role in shaping a sustainable future as global citizen. The Youth4GCED Regional Workshop underscored the transformative role of youth in GCED aligning with the key points of UNESCO 2023 Recommendation . The workshop not only enhanced the participants' understanding of GCED but also showcased the potential of youth in advancing transformative education strategies across South Asia. The draft of Youth Declaration on GCED, one of the key outcome of this workshop, those youths participated in this workshop promised their commitment to employing GCED for sustainable development, highlighting the dynamic role of youth as key agents of change. URL: https://www.unescoapceiu.org/post/5216 
COP29 Climate Talks End with $300 Billion Annual Pledge, Guterres Calls Deal a ‘Base to Build on’ 28 November 2024 23 November 2024 Rich nations pledged to contribute at least $300 billion annually to the global fight against climate change as UN climate talks came to a contentious end early Sunday morning in Baku. Developing nations who had sought over $1 trillion in assistance called the agreement “insulting” and argued it did not give them the vital resources they required to truly address the complexities of the climate crisis. After two weeks of intense negotiations, delegates at COP29, formally the 29th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), agreed to provide this funding annually, with an overall climate financing target to reach “at least $1.3 trillion by 2035”. Countries also agreed on the rules for a UN-backed global carbon market. This market will facilitate the trading of carbon credits, incentivizing countries to reduce emissions and invest in climate-friendly projects. These were among the big-ticket issues decided upon as the summit, underway since 11 November in the enormous Baku Stadium in the Azerbaijan capital, ran into double overtime. Other steps forward at COP29 included: extension of a programme centered on gender and climate change; and agreement on support for the least developed countries to carry out national adaptation plans This summit had been dubbed the ‘climate finance COP’, and representatives from all countries were seeking to establish a new, higher climate finance goal. The target, or new collective quantified goal (NCQG), will replace the existing $100 billion goal that is due to expire in 2025. In the closing days at COP29, negotiating teams from the developed and developing worlds were deadlocked over a final deal, with reports that representatives for least developed countries and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOIS) had walked out of the talks. ‘A more ambitious outcome’ Reacting to the outcome, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that while an agreement at COP29 was absolutely essential to keep the 1.5-degree limit alive, “I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome – on both finance and mitigation – to meet the great challenge we face.” But he continued, this agreement provides a base on which to build and added: It must be honoured in full and on time. Commitments must quickly become cash. All countries must come together to ensure the top-end of this new goal is met." For many vulnerable nations, it represents a glimmer of hope—but only if commitments translate into swift action. “Commitments must quickly become cash,” the Secretary-General stressed, urging all countries to work together to meet the upper end of the new financial goal. Beyond finance, COP29 built on previous gains in emissions reduction targets, the acceleration of the energy transition, and a long-sought agreement on carbon markets. These achievements come despite an “uncertain and divided geopolitical landscape,” which threatened to derail negotiations. The UN chief commended negotiators for finding common ground, noting, “You have shown that multilateralism – centred on the Paris Agreement – can find a path through the most difficult issues.” ‘An insurance policy for humanity’ UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell described the new finance goal agreed at COP29 as “an insurance policy for humanity.” “This deal will keep the clean energy boom growing and protect billions of lives. It will help all countries to share in the huge benefits of bold climate action: more jobs, stronger growth, cheaper and cleaner energy for all. But like any insurance policy – it only works – if the premiums are paid in full, and on time.” He acknowledged that no country got everything they wanted, and that the world leaves Baku with a mountain of work to do. “So, this is no time for victory laps. We need to set our sights and redouble our efforts on the road to Belém,” in the eastern Amazonian region of Brazil, which is set to host COP30 next year. ‘Weak, insulting deal’ While some delegations applauded the deal, many from the developing world, including Bolivia and Nigeria, expressed their deep disappointment at what they argued was an “insultingly low” financing target and that the agreed text failed to significantly build on an agreement last year at COP28 in Dubai calling for nations to “transition away from fossil fuels”. India's representative strongly denounced the new goal, calling it a “paltry sum” and emphasizing, “We seek a much higher ambition from the developed countries [and the amount agreed] does not inspire trust that we will come out of this grave problem of climate change.” A representative from a group of small island nations said: “After this COP29 ends, we cannot just sail off into the sunset. We are literally sinking,” and the conference outcome highlighted “what a very different boat our vulnerable countries are in, compared to the developed countries”. UNFCCC/Kiara Worth | Civil society actors at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, advocate for climate financing initiatives. Sierra Leone’s representative said African nations were disappointed in the outcome, which “signals a lack of goodwill by developed countries.” Indeed, the $300 billion deal was “less than a quarter of what science shows is needed and barely enough to forestall a climate catastrophe”. Striking a different tone, a representative from the delegation of the European Union said the new climate finance goal would “simply will bring much, much more private money on the table, and that is what we need. And with these funds, we are confident we will reach the 1.3 trillion objective.” Want to know more? Check out our special events page, where you can find all our coverage of COP29, including stories and videos, explainers and our newsletter. URL: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1157416 
World Science Day for Peace and Development: Why Science Matters; Engaging Minds and Empowering Futures 15 November 2024 Celebrated annually on 10 November, the World Science Day for Peace and Development emphasizes science's vital role in shaping our world. By bridging the gap between science and society, the day aims to engage the public in scientific discussions and highlight the impact of science on our daily lives. Ultimately, it seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for science and its potential to address global challenges. “Science is essential to peacebuilding because it offers practical, sustainable solutions to contemporary global challenges. By seeking responses to climate crises, epidemics and resource shortages, science helps to mitigate the root causes of many conflicts.” Ms. A. Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO. This year, UNESCO celebrates the World Science Day for Peace and Development 2024 is: Why Science Matters: Engaging Minds and Empowering Futures The International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) and World Science Day for Peace and Development are closely linked in their shared goal of promoting science for sustainable development and for improving populations’ lives. UNESCO has been entrusted with leading the implementation of the Decade declared by the UN General Assembly in August 2023. The Decade recognizes science as a common good for humanity and reaffirms its fundamental role in humanity's quest for a development model that improves the human condition while preserving the planet on which our very survival depends. Alike World Science Day, the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development “aims at finding solutions to global challenges” and “restore confidence in science, encourage critical and nuanced thinking, and strengthen worldwide scientific cooperation”. UNESCO regional office for West Africa in Dakar welcomes proposals from all sectors of society in the region interested in contributing to a sustainable future through scientific innovation and collaboration. The Decade is an opportunity for all regions in the World to be at the forefront of a new era in science, making meaningful impacts on society and our planet.: Call for initiatives: International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) | UNESCO URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/world-science-day-peace-and-development-why-science-matters-engaging-minds-and-empowering-futures 
Webinar on “Innovative Approaches to Global Citizenship Education in the Asia-Pacific: A Dialogue between Theory and Practice” 14 November 2024 On November 1, 2024, the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) held an online webinar titled “Innovative Approaches to Global Citizenship Education in the Asia-Pacific: A Dialogue between Theory and Practice”. In the webinar, experts from the Asia-Pacific region discussed how to reimagine Global Citizenship Education (GCED) through local perspectives and contexts. The webinar opened with remarks from APCEIU Director LIM Hyun Mook, followed by presentations from six researchers and subsequent Q&A sessions. The event highlighted the outcomes of the research project entitled “Rethinking Global Citizenship Education from Asia-Pacific Perspectives” and facilitated a discussion of key insights with the researchers. The presentations were organized into two discussion sessions, each focusing on the following theme: Discussion 1: “How is GCED Shaped by Local Contexts in Asia-Pacific Countries?” “Performing Global Citizenship through National Citizenship: Humanity, Politics, and Competency” – Sicong CHEN from Kyushu University, Japan, discussed the nature of citizenship education in China and Japan, exploring the concept of performative global citizenship. “Exploring Global Citizenship Education in Central Asia” – Aigul KULNAZAROVA from Tama University, Japan, examined the historical context and distinct dynamics of Central Asia, proposing stronger connections with GCED. “A Direction of Global Citizenship Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Beginning from Locality and Expanding to Universality” – SEOL Kyujoo from Gyeongin National University of Education, Korea, presented applying GCED with locality that expands toward universality, using Korea’s ‘Statue of Peace’ as an example. Discussion 2: “How Can GCED Be Reimagined through Asia-Pacific Cultural and Philosophical Perspectives?” “Home and the World: Rethinking Global Citizenship Education from Tagore’s Perspective” –Mousumi MUKHERJEE from O.P. Jindal Global University, India, reflected on Tagore’s ideas to offer a new approach to GCED. “(Re)Imagining GCED through Pacific/Oceanic/Moana Perspectives” – Tanya SAMU from University of Auckland, New Zealand, introduced the conceptualisation of pacific-centric and oceanic-centric approach to GCED. “Tolerance, Interdependence, and Global Citizenship Education: A Buddhist Perspective” –Thippapan CHUOSAVASDI from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, shared the Buddhist perspective of tolerance and interdependence, linking them to GCED. The webinar provided an invaluable platform for sharing diverse perspectives on global citizenship and GCED, drawing on traditions from across the Asia-Pacific region, including the Pacific, East Asia, India, and Central Asia. These perspectives were rooted in various cultural and religious traditions, such as Buddhism, Islam, and Confucianism. The results of the “Rethinking Global Citizenship Education from Asia-Pacific Perspectives” project will be published in book in November 2024. URL: https://www.unescoapceiu.org/post/5199 
G20 Education Working Group Sets Stage for Future Educational Progress 13 November 2024 Under Brazil’s presidency of the G20, the G20 Education Working Group (EdWG) has focused on three priority topics: valuing education professionals, digital resources for education for sustainable development (ESD), and strengthening education systems through school-community engagement. The G20 EdWG’s meeting, held on 30 and 31 October 2024, in Fortaleza, Brazil, set the stage for future educational progress, aligning with UNESCO’s mission of promoting peace and sustainability through education. 8 November 2024 UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, presented the official summary booklet of the Working Group’s activities, which was prepared collaboratively by UNESCO and the Ministry of Education of Brazil. She emphasized that “quality education is a pathway to social justice and sustainable development.” These two topics together form the backbone of Brazil’s overall G20 Presidency under the heading Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet. Brazilian Minister of Education, Camilo Sobreira de Santana, echoed this sentiment: “We stand united in our conviction that education is a transformative force, capable of empowering individuals, strengthening communities and addressing global challenges.” Over the course of the meeting, G20 members and representants of countries and international organizations demonstrated their commitment to advancing the G20 Presidency’s agenda by sharing relevant national and global efforts related to the three above-mentioned priority topics. The back-to-back 2024 Global Education Meeting (GEM) held immediately after the Working Group sessions allowed countries to also assess progress towards achieving SDG 4, reaffirming their commitment to inclusive, quality education and lifelong learning for all. Strengthening school-community engagement The G20 EdWG meeting focuses, among others, on school-community engagement through a creative virtual exhibition of videos from G20 countries, supported by UNICEF as knowledge partner. The videos emphasized the lifelong and lifewide interpretation of school featuring also learning spaces outside of the walls of a traditional school building and focusing on subjects such as the preservation of cultural heritage, technical skills development, adult literacy, agriculture, cooking, arts, environmental and community service work. “Schools are not just places for academic learning; they are environments where students learn to connect, collaborate, and contribute to their communities,” said Stefania Giannini as she spoke about the Happy Schools initiative. This initiative advocates for improving education quality by prioritizing joyful learning and the holistic well-being of the entire school community – students, teachers, leaders, parents and school staff. Such efforts are pivotal in addressing issues like bullying, burnout, attrition, low achievement and early-school leaving. The UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPNet), spanning 180 countries with over 10,000 member institutions, was also recognized for fostering community-centered learning and encouraging schools to tackle global challenges with local actions. Leveraging digital resources for education for sustainable development As official knowledge partner on the topic of digital education as a driver for sustainable development, UNESCO also addressed both the digital divide and the growing environmental footprint of technology. "The intersection of digital and green transitions is a critical frontier in education, where we can empower students with both digital and environmental literacy."Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Digital divides remain substantial, with only 40% of primary schools connected to the internet worldwide, limiting access to online educational resources. Stefania Giannini highlighted several global initiatives steered by UNESCO supporting countries to advance holistic and sustainable digital transformation of education, such as the multistakeholder alliance entitled the Digital Transformation Collaborative and the Gateways to Public Digital Learning initiative. The latter, a collaboration between UNESCO, UNICEF and 16 countries, serves as a peer learning space for countries to support each other’s efforts to provide high-quality public digital learning solutions. The G20 Education Working Group recognized the importance of emerging applications of AI in education in quality-assured educational content with a strong emphasis on ethical standards. UNESCO supported this dialogue through its AI competency frameworks for teachers and students, which promote the development of critical skills, including understanding AI’s ethical and environmental implications. These frameworks are intended to cultivate responsible digital citizenship, empowering students to make informed decisions in an increasingly digital world. Camilo Sobreira de Santana, Brazilian Minister of Education, and Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education© UNESCO/Aurélio Alves The way forward: multilateralism In preparation for South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025, Stefania Giannini underscored the role of multilateral cooperation in addressing ongoing challenges, stating, “Education is at the heart of sustainable development, and multilateralism is the key to achieving our shared educational goals. By fostering collaboration across nations, we can create a world where education drives social, economic and environmental transformation.” Since its establishment in 2018 during Argentina’s G20 Presidency, the EdWG has served as a key platform for harnessing the power of multilateralism to address equity and quality in education, build skills for life and work as well as improve education financing. South Africa, as the next country slated to chair the G20, has announced its intention to keep the Education Working Group active. G20 Education Working Group Global Education Meeting 2024 Fortaleza Declaration Education 2030 URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/g20-education-working-group-sets-stage-future-educational-progress?hub=87862 
Learn about Kristallnacht through the Eyes of a Holocaust Survivor 13 November 2024 Just ahead of the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass), which took place during the Holocaust, the Claims Conference and the USC Shoah Foundation, in partnership with UNESCO and Meta, offer an unprecedented experience of this pivotal moment by means of an immersive mixed-reality project. 8 November 2024 Through the words and experiences of Holocaust survivor and activist Dr Charlotte Knobloch, the mixed-reality “Inside Kristallnacht” project details the fear-provoking time during and after Kristallnacht which marked the Nazi dictatorship’s declaration of war against Jews. This immersive experience takes learners on a journey from her survival of Kristallnacht to the end of the Holocaust, illustrating the profound dangers of unchecked hatred when it turns into action. Dr Knobloch, who was born in 1932 in Munich, Germany, recounts the night of 9 November 1938, today known as Kristallnacht, when as a six-year-old she walked through the terrifyingly volatile streets with her father. This was the historic moment when growing hatred peaked, catalyzing into acts of violence and rage. Citizens turned on their longtime neighbours, roaming the streets in mobs, breaking the glass of Jewish homes and shops. The “Inside Kristallnacht” project integrates real-life footage, photographs, music, other audio and meticulously researched historical context into the hand-drawn world of Dr Knobloch’s story. Learners can engage in an interactive Q&A with Dr Knobloch that uses natural language processing technology in which her prerecorded answers are matched with the questions. These answers cover diverse topics about her experience during Kristallnacht, her family and the Holocaust in general. Dr Knobloch’s memories are animated in a powerful way providing learners with a deeper, more emotional understanding of her survival, of the Kristallnacht, and of the years that followed. © Claims Conference"Charlotte Knobloch’s story reminds us of the imperative to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, at a time when only but a few survivors can testify to their experience. We must also explore the possibilities offered by new technologies to help amplify the voices of survivors, preserve their testimonies and thereby combat Holocaust denial and distortion. It is also by confronting the past that we can prevent antisemitism and future violence. UNESCO is proud to support this innovative initiative as part of its international education programme on the Holocaust and genocide."Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General Response to hate speech and Holocaust denial and distortion The “Inside Kristallnacht” project uses technology to counter the spread of disinformation and Holocaust denial by proposing quality teaching and learning materials to assist teachers and learners. The mixed-reality nature of the project also enables learners to understand what happened at the onset of World War II in a visceral way: future generations will be removed from the experience of hearing first-hand testimonies of Holocaust survivors, so technology can help keeping their memories alive for the next generations to better understand the dangers of antisemitism, racism, and all forms of discrimination and dehumanization. Hate speech, including denial and distortion of the Holocaust, is rampant especially on social media. Attempts to distort this history is an attack on truth and factual knowledge and it spreads antisemitism by jeopardizing the understanding of the genocide of 6 million Jews by Nazi Germany, its allies and collaborators. Educating about the history of the genocide of the Jewish people and other Nazi crimes offers a robust defense against denial and distortion. To build resilience against ideologies of hate, learners need accurate knowledge about the fundamental facts of the Holocaust, and critical thinking and digital and AI literacy skills. Why learning about historical violence matters today Learning about past genocides and other atrocity crimes illustrates the dangers of antisemitism, racism, and all forms of discrimination and dehumanization. Examining these histories raises questions about human behaviour and our capacity to succumb to scapegoating or simplistic answers to complex problems in the face of societal challenges. It also reveals the full range of human responses raising important considerations about ideological, societal and individual motivations and pressures that lead people to act as they do – or to not act at all. Education plays a fundamental role in responding to these threats, by fostering an understanding of violent pasts while at the same time developing the knowledge and values to prevent future atrocity crimes. In studying such events through new engaging pedagogies and tools, including the “Inside Kristallnacht” project, learners can better understand what drives mass violence globally, raise awareness of the warning signs and promote human rights and responsible civic engagement that support peace and human solidarity. The “Inside Kristallnacht” project will also be displayed in museums and film festivals, and accompany educational materials. What UNESCO does to promote education about the Holocaust and genocide Addressing antisemitism through education AI and the Holocaust: rewriting history? The impact of artificial intelligence … Countering hate speech Global citizenship and peace education URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/learn-about-kristallnacht-through-eyes-holocaust-survivor?hub=87862 
'Pay Up or Humanity Will Pay the Price,' Guterres Warns at COP29 Climate Summit 13 November 2024 12 November 2024 UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday that leaders gathered in Baku for the COP29 Climate Action Summit must take immediate steps to cut emissions, safeguard people from climate chaos, and “tear down the walls to climate finance” in response to the “masterclass in climate destruction” that the world has witnessed in 2024. “The sound you hear is the ticking clock. We are in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. And time is not on our side,” he warned. In his opening remarks to the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, the ministerial-level segment of COP29, which officially opened on Tuesday in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku, Mr. Guterres pointed to the proof, noting that 2024 is almost certain to be the hottest year ever recorded. Meanwhile, “no country is spared” from climate destruction ranging from hurricanes to boiling seas, drought ravaged crops, and more, all being supercharged by human-made climate change. ‘Avoidable injustice’ In the global economy, supply chain shocks raise costs – everywhere: Decimated harvests push up global food prices; destroyed homes increase all insurance premiums. “This is a story of avoidable injustice: The rich cause the problem, the poor pay the highest price,” stated the UN chief, noting that Oxfam has found that the richest billionaires emit more carbon in an hour and a half than the average person does in a lifetime. “Unless emissions plummet and adaptation soars,” he emphasized that “every economy will face far greater fury.” ‘Reason to hope’ But there is every reason to hope, the Secretary-General continued, pointing to the solid steps that had been taken last year at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates. In the UAE, all countries had agreed to move away from fossil fuels; to accelerate net zero energy systems, setting milestones to get there; to boost climate adaptation; and to align the next round of economy-wide national climate plans – or NDCs – with the 1.5-degree limit set at Paris. “It’s time to deliver,” he said stressing that a poll by the University of Oxford and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had found that eighty percent of people around the world want more climate action. In addition, “scientists, activists, and young people are demanding change – they must be heard, not silenced.” The UN chief went on to note that last year – for the first time – the amount invested in grids and renewables overtook the amount spent on fossil fuels and today, almost everywhere, solar and wind are the cheapest source of new electricity. “Doubling down on fossil fuels is absurd. The clean energy revolution is here. No group, no business, and no government can stop it. But you can and must ensure it is fair, and fast enough to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius” he explained. Three focus priorities With all this in mind, Mr. Guterres said, “developing countries must not leave Baku empty-handed” and urged world leaders at COP29 to focus on three areas for immediate action: Make emergency emissions reductions – cutting emissions by nine per cent every year towards 43 per cent of 2019 levels by 2030. This is the clearest pat to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Do more to protect people from the ravages of the climate crisis. The gap between adaptation needs and finance could reach up to $359 billion a year by 2030. The missing dollars are not abstractions on a balance sheet: they are lives taken, harvests lost, and development denied. Tear down the walls to climate finance by agreeing a new finance goal that contains a significant increase in concessional public finance; a clear indication of how public finance will mobilise the trillions of dollars developing countries need; taps innovative sources; sets out a framework for greater accessibility, transparency, and accountability; and boosts lending capacity for bigger and bolder multilateral development banks. ‘Pay up or pay the price’ “On climate finance, the world must pay up, or humanity will pay the price,” emphasized the UN chief telling world leaders that “you and your governments must be guided by a clear truth: Climate finance is not charity, it’s an investment; climate action is not optional, it’s imperative.” ‘Strong standards’ agreed for centralised carbon market There was progress late on Monday at COP29 when parties adopted strong new standards for a centralised carbon market under the auspices of the UN, a mechanism highlighted just last week by UN Trade and Development body UNCTAD. UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said the agreement was “a good start” following 10 years of negotiations. “When operational, these carbon markets will help countries implement their climate plans faster and cheaper, driving down emissions,” he said, adding that “we are a long way from halving emissions this decade, but wins on carbon markets here at COP29 will help us get back in that race.” The UNFCCC chief said it was essential to ensure that developing countries benefit from the new financial flows unlocked through the UN carbon market, where credits will be bought and sold to boost development. ‘Climate finance is global inflation insurance’ In his remarks to the leaders’ summit, UN climate chief Simon Stiell echoed many of the same themes, warning that the climate crisis is fast becoming an economy-killer. “Climate impacts are carving up to 5 per cent off GDP in many countries,” underscoring that the climate crisis is a cost-of-living crisis because climate-driven disasters are driving up costs for households and businesses. “Worsening climate impacts will put inflation on steroids unless every country can take bolder climate action,” said Mr. Stiell, who is the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which convenes the annual COP meetings. He urged the leaders to learn the lessons from the pandemic – when billions suffered because collective action wasn’t taken fast enough when supply chains were smashed. “Let’s not make that mistake again. Climate finance is global inflation insurance. Rampant climate costs should be public enemy number one,” he stated. He went on to stress that bolder climate action can drive economic opportunity and abundance everywhere. Cheap, clean energy can be the bedrock many economies. It means more jobs, more growth, less pollution choking cities, healthier citizens and stronger businesses. “Billions of people simply cannot afford for their government to leave COP29 without a global climate finance goal,” Mr. Stiell said told leaders to make it clear that they expected a strong set of outcomes in Baku. “Tell your negotiators – skip the posturing – and move directly to finding common ground. Bring those positions together.” Want to know more? Check out our special events page, where you can find all our coverage of COP29, including stories and videos, explainers and our newsletter. URL: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156831