The UNESCO Coalition of African Cities Against Racism and Discrimination is officially launched

On the occasion of the fourth Africities Summit held September 18^th-24^th, 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya, UNESCO launched the Coalition of African Cities Against Racism and Discrimination. The initiative is a follow-up on the Durban meeting of experts that drew up a Plan of Action reflecting the specificities and priorities of Africa last May.

As a response to the persisting practice of apartheid, xenophobia, ethnical and religious intolerance, and the legacy of historical slavery, UNESCO urged African leaders to formulate strategies and policies to fight racism and discrimination in their respective cities. Four cities have been called upon to take on the role of “lead city” – Bamako for West Africa, Durban for Southern Africa, Kigali for Central Africa and Nairobi for East Africa.

UNESCO also urged rights groups to continue in their fight against the discrimination of the victims of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, saying their acceptance in the society was critical.

Below are excerpts from remarks made during the Summit:

"It's sad to say in Africa ethnical backgrounds lead to racism and discrimination. This has hindered the continent's development in the fight against discrimination, a vice that needs total devotion to eliminate", said Pierre Sane, UNESCO Assistance Director General for Social and Human Sciences.

"The issue of racism and discrimination and the attitude in the mind threatens equality and security of our people and the responsibilities is on our shoulders as authorities to create room for all in tolerance of racism and promote mutual understanding among our people", added Nairobi City Mayor Dick Wathika.

Photo© Africities 2006

The UNESCO Coalition of African Cities Against Racism and Discrimination is officially launched

On the occasion of the fourth Africities Summit held September 18^th-24^th, 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya, UNESCO launched the Coalition of African Cities Against Racism and Discrimination. The initiative is a follow-up on the Durban meeting of experts that drew up a Plan of Action reflecting the specificities and priorities of Africa last May.

As a response to the persisting practice of apartheid, xenophobia, ethnical and religious intolerance, and the legacy of historical slavery, UNESCO urged African leaders to formulate strategies and policies to fight racism and discrimination in their respective cities. Four cities have been called upon to take on the role of “lead city” – Bamako for West Africa, Durban for Southern Africa, Kigali for Central Africa and Nairobi for East Africa.

UNESCO also urged rights groups to continue in their fight against the discrimination of the victims of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, saying their acceptance in the society was critical.

Below are excerpts from remarks made during the Summit:

"It's sad to say in Africa ethnical backgrounds lead to racism and discrimination. This has hindered the continent's development in the fight against discrimination, a vice that needs total devotion to eliminate", said Pierre Sane, UNESCO Assistance Director General for Social and Human Sciences.

"The issue of racism and discrimination and the attitude in the mind threatens equality and security of our people and the responsibilities is on our shoulders as authorities to create room for all in tolerance of racism and promote mutual understanding among our people", added Nairobi City Mayor Dick Wathika.

Photo© Africities 2006

Ricky Martin Lobbies Congress Against Trafficing in Children

Ricky Martin at the UNESCO signing ceremony.

Read "Pop Star Puts Spotlight On Human Trafficking" by Elizabeth Williamson in The Washington Post of September 26, 2006.

We previously reported that Ricky Martin had joined forces with UNESCO on a global initiative aimed at safeguarding children against exploitation and abuse.

Today he was to carry his campaign to the Congress, testifying before the House Committee on International Relations.

Comment: It is great to see Martin use his celebrity in such a good cause! JAD

Ricky Martin Lobbies Congress Against Trafficing in Children

Ricky Martin at the UNESCO signing ceremony.

Read "Pop Star Puts Spotlight On Human Trafficking" by Elizabeth Williamson in The Washington Post of September 26, 2006.

We previously reported that Ricky Martin had joined forces with UNESCO on a global initiative aimed at safeguarding children against exploitation and abuse.

Today he was to carry his campaign to the Congress, testifying before the House Committee on International Relations.

Comment: It is great to see Martin use his celebrity in such a good cause! JAD

+6 Chinese sites to UNESCO’s list of World Geoparks

Mount Tai in Shandong, Mount Wangwu and Nanyang Funiushan in Henan, Fangshan in Beijing, Leiqiong Geoparks (Volcanic Geoparks) in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan, and Jingbo Lake in Heilongjiang have recently been added to the UNESCO list of World Geoparks.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources announced that his country would make great efforts to protect and develop the 18 World Geoparks and 138 national geographic parks that China has, as these reflect the Earth’s geological evolution over 4.6 billions of years.

Since 1999, UNESCO has been promoting a global network of geosites having special geological feature. The organization supports Geological heritage initiatives through the World Heritage Convention and bi-lateral cooperation through its Division of Earth Science.

Related
China's National Forest Parks

Mount Tai© Martin Gray/Magic Planet

+6 Chinese sites to UNESCO’s list of World Geoparks

Mount Tai in Shandong, Mount Wangwu and Nanyang Funiushan in Henan, Fangshan in Beijing, Leiqiong Geoparks (Volcanic Geoparks) in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan, and Jingbo Lake in Heilongjiang have recently been added to the UNESCO list of World Geoparks.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources announced that his country would make great efforts to protect and develop the 18 World Geoparks and 138 national geographic parks that China has, as these reflect the Earth’s geological evolution over 4.6 billions of years.

Since 1999, UNESCO has been promoting a global network of geosites having special geological feature. The organization supports Geological heritage initiatives through the World Heritage Convention and bi-lateral cooperation through its Division of Earth Science.

Related
China's National Forest Parks

Mount Tai© Martin Gray/Magic Planet

"UNESCO to Organize Regional Global Literacy Conferences"

Read the full article on EuropeWorld (September 22, 2006).

"Building on a United States-hosted conference on global literacy this week, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will organize a series of high-level regional conferences during 2007 and 2008." UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said:

These conferences will address specific regional challenges in literacy with the aim of building cooperation among stakeholders and mobilizing resources for concrete interventions at country level,