The photo exhibition "International Cultural Dialogue" which commemorates the World Intellectual Property Day and the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, was inaugurated on May 7 at the UN House in Armenia.

The black and white photographs by the Armenian photographer and artist Tatev Mnatsakanyan, featuring the Armenian and Egyptian famous painters and sculptors, were exhibited. Her art attracted youth, artists, the international community, civil society activists, the media and the general public.

The aim of the exhibition is to raise the public’s awareness about the distinguished artists who dedicated their life to the development of art and promotion of peace, tolerance and cultural diversity. Tatev Mnatsakanyan plans to involve those countries in Western Europe, Middle East, USA, Canada and Russia, which have large Armenian communities, and serve as cultural bridge between nations.

Maria Dotsenko, UN Department of Public Information Representative said: “Through Armenian art, its rich traditions, which developed its strengths and brightness on the crossroads of various civilizations, we wish to attract public attention to the promotion of cultural diversity, tolerance and dialogue among different nations. I believe that this exhibition exalting the esteemed artists empowers the next, young generation with creativity. The UN House doors are traditionally open to artists who use their creativity to promote UN values aimed to spread ideas of peace, cultural diversity, gender equality and sustainable development.”

The photographer, Tatev Mnatsakanyan added: “I wish to further promote the beauty of Armenian art and its principles of tolerance and respect to diversity. Thanks to UNO Yerevan, I am able to share my works that were demonstrated earlier in the Armenian National Assembly and in Tashkent, Uzbekistan”.

Several of the elderly artists whose photos were on the walls were also present at the opening ceremony thus doubling the value of the exhibition and the essence of the theme itself.

The exhibition will be displayed in UN House till the end of May.
More photos on UN Armenia Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.521825264543213.1073741834.150992104959866&type=3

On the International Day Against Homophobia, the UN System in Peru celebrated diversity while reaffirming its rejection of all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation.

To advance this important Day, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) Lima approached local UN agencies, asking them to speak to the young victims of homophobic bullying. To reach the widest possible audience, UNIC recorded their words as video messages under Proyecto Todo Mejora for posting on the UN System web page. 

Among others, speaking on camera were the Resident Coordinator of the UN System and UNDP Representative in Peru, UNAIDS Coordinator for Peru and Bolivia, Representative of the Pan American Health Organization and the  World Health Organization, UNICEF Representative in Peru, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Population Fund in Peru, OHCHR Regional Representative and the UNIC National Information Officer.

On April 29 during a Model UN conference organized jointly by UNO Yerevan and the Yerevan State Linguistic University, over 30 students increased their knowledge of UN values, importance of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, as well as honed their negotiation and communication skills. The conference was a simulation of the UN Security Council session dedicated to the issue of nuclear tests conducted by North Korea.

Students played roles of diplomats, by representing positions of their respective countries and discussed and agreed on the Security Council’s Resolution. Prior to the Model UN (MUN) Conference, training sessions were held to further educate the participants on the UN global agenda, the functions and structure of the UN Security Council as well as its Rules of Procedures.

UNO staff, former UNO volunteers with extensive MUN experience, as well as a trainer from the Armenian UN Association, guided the participants through the preparation period, while two distinguished diplomats delivered lectures on the issue being simulated.

The students learned more about the leading role of the UN and its Security Council on the UN agenda issue of non-proliferation and North Korea. They understood what a huge responsibility it is to prepare their respective country’s position, properly voice it, negotiate, and find a common ground with other states, while taking into account possible consequences not just for their country and the region, but for the whole planet. The ability to negotiate, compromise, build consensus and tolerate other points of view, was unarguably useful for their future careers and will help them in becoming more active members of their society.

Maria Dotsenko, UNO Representative in Yerevan, Ambassador Vahram Kazhoyan, Head of the Department of International Organizations within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lusine Fldjyan, Deputy Rector of the Yerevan State Linguistic University highlighted that MUN is a useful tool which helps youth to better understand the challenges of global UN agenda and role of UN in promoting peace and security. They were impressed by the passion and enthusiasm showed by the students and the efforts they had invested into research and presentations.
Students actively discussed the agenda issue and as a result, drafted a resolution which was successfully adopted at the end of the day. At the end of the session, the participants received certificates of appreciation and the best delegate selected by the participants themselves received a symbolic award.

For more photos, visit UNO's Facebook page!

“Families hold societies together, and intergenerational relationships extend this legacy over time. This year’s International Day of Families is an occasion to celebrate connections among all members of the constellation that makes up a family. ” This was the essence of the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the International Day of Families, which was observed at UN House in New Delhi on 15 May.
 
Organized by the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse, the Development (INPEA), the Development, Welfare and Research Foundation (DWRF) and UNIC New Delhi, the observance included a poster competition for school children on ‘Intergenerational Solidarity’ and a seminar on that theme.
 
The judges for the poster competition – UNIC Director Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, historian and social activist Dr. Prem Lata and artist Seema Pandey – were struck by the quality of the poster designs. “I am astounded at the understanding the children have shown regarding the theme and how splendidly they have managed to portray the message of the Day,” said Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman after the prize-giving ceremony.
 
In her address, Ms. Mehra-Kerpelman said that for her, ‘intergenerational’ also meant the strong bonds between grandparents and grandchildren. “Grandparents are the cement that keeps families together when there are disputes at the level of parents and children.”

But, she added, “the relationships between children and their parents are also facing major challenges in the changing attitudes and socio economic conditions today, and we all need to work very hard on those relationships.”
 
The seminar saw an interesting discussion on the need to connect across generations. Educationist and Principal of Springdales School, Pusa Road, Ameeta Mulla Wattal, focused on the role of education in promoting intergenerational solidarity, the spirit of service and the need for empathy, understanding and dialogue. Psychiatrist and child development activist Dr. Jitendra Nagpal spoke about the special characteristics of the Indian family unit and the manner in which it reinforces basic human values such as trust, compassion and selflessness. Human and intergenerational bonding were the true markers of happiness, not Gross Domestic Product, he added.
 
The Chief Guest, T.R. Meena, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment emphasized the need for communicating “with the head and the heart”. Managing intergenerational relations, particularly between parents and children, is about maintaining a balance between discipline and freedom, he said. “We need to be ‘empowering parents’.” Mr. Meena described some of the initiatives taken by his ministry, including the formulation of policies on the elderly such as social security, financial security and healthcare. He also urged the students to study the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, aimed at ensuring the well-being and security of senior citizens.
 
INPEA (Asia) Chair and DWRF Managing Trustee Mala Kapur Shankardass welcomed the guests and also delivered the vote of thanks. The theme for the Day was apt, she said, one that highlighted the need to address social and economic exclusion and to strengthen programmes and policies for that purpose.