Wrapping up the 20th anniversary celebrations for the UN presence in Azerbaijan, UNO Baku dedicated its third workshop to promoting UN work in improving gender equality and women's empowerment.
 
Held at  at the "Azerbaijani Women and Development Centre”, UNO highlighted the main objective to provide “in-depth information on the concerted work of the UN to prioritize women and gender equality around the world.”

Noting that UN statistics once again brought the challenge of addressing inequality between women and men to the fore, Parvin Aliyeva, Head of the Centre, was thankful for the "interactive, eye-opening and fruitful session”.

With UN Women as the cornerstone of UN efforts in this sphere, UNO mentioned that the "agency was established in the belief that advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will generate greater progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and other goals and targets, benefiting of everyone”.

Participants expressed their appreciation to UNO with positive feedback and great enthusiasm. The smiling faces of the Azerbaijani Women and Development Centre members further affirmed the success of UNO outreach activities at both the local and national level.

“Educating local women and girls on their rights is paramount to developing the necessary skills and confidence for getting a job, creating a healthy lifestyle and regaining a home for themselves and their children” the UN Office in Baku opened the session of the Women’s Initiative and Assistance to the Solution of Social Problems Public Union seminar on 7 July 2012.

Highlighting the priorities and theme of the meeting in Sumgayit, the second largest city in Azerbaijan, around 40 women of different ages discussed experiences and participated in activities on gender equality and womens’ empowerment. 

Not only a human right, UNO Baku pointed out that gender equality and womens’ empowerment was also an important link to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, “The main aim of today’s session is to develop a common understanding of better ways to measure an up-close opportunity to interact with UN work on gender mainstreaming across our diverse society”.

The session provided an opportunity for union members to consider gender equality from different perspectives, both broad and local. Getting acquainted with the UN work through a detailed presentation, the workshop participants also expanded their knowledge on the Secretary-General’s campaign “UNiTE to End Violence against Women” by viewing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s interview.

During the presentation, attendees were asked to complete a short 10-question test on facts regarding human rights, gender equality and current situation of women around the world.

The programme, prepared by UNO, resulted in a candid and constructive discussion among the participants, who expressed the tremendous benefit they received from the seminar and their enthusiasm for future meetings. Public Union Director Zemfira Huseynova closed her remarks with deep gratitude to UNO for its seminal cooperation.

At the end of the session, a short video, “No is No”, a collective call to say no in any language when putting an end to violence against women, was screened.

The UN Information Centre (UNIC) New Delhi joined forces with Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), a leader in 3D Animation and VFX training, in partnering an animation film festival promoting the Millennium Development Goals which aim to improve the quality of lives of the world’s bottom billion.
 
At a media launch in New Delhi on 8 June, UNIC and MAAC invited applications for the 24FPS international animation awards, which would showcase the best animation & VFX works in Hollywood, Bollywood, gaming and advertising films.
 
The 24FPS is designed to provide a common platform for young animators not only India, but also from countries like China, France, Germany and the US. It gives the young professionals an opportunity to understand the challenges and opportunities of the industry and learn from world-class experts of the industry. The award will be a key driver in the promotion of fresh talent in animation in India and has the support of the global animation industry.
 
Speaking at the event Ms. Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, Director, UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan said: “It is appropriate that the MAAC-UNIC partnership is being forged in the ongoing International Year of Youth. This animation contest will raise awareness among young people on the Millennium Development Goals and hopefully lead to a renewing of their interest to get involved in efforts that can yield us a better world. Today, with technological advancements progressing at a rapid pace, such creative ventures, I believe, will go a long way in productively engaging young people. The UN Information Centre is pleased to collaborate with MAAC to deliver very tangible results.”
 
Talking about MAAC’s association with the UN in promoting the Millennium Development Goals, Mr. Ninad Karpe, CEO & MD Aptech Ltd., “The tie-up is a new thrust to achieve the 8 Millennium Development Goals. It will enable contestants to develop content in terms of animated films to promote these development goals which is the theme for inviting entries for the 8th 24FPS awards. We believe that the power of vocational education can empower an individual with the choice of being self-sustained.”

Also, announcing the forthcoming 24FPS Animation Competition website, he added, “The global animation industry is said to breach the $100 billion mark in 2012 and will cross $1 billion in India. Awards like 24FPS celebrate talent and bring to the limelight some of the best work done in this industry. Our academy is providing invaluable training to thousands of students who can enter the work place with new skills that can find them decent jobs.”

18 school children, winners of competition received awards at the ceremony which was held within the framework of the World Water Day and World Water Decade 2005-2015.
 
The purpose of the competition was to educate youth and to promote efforts to fulfill international commitments made on water and water-related issues by 2015 by the UN Member States, including Armenia.  This is also youth’s contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

More than 157 schoolchildren participated in the essay and creative works competition under the slogan “Water for Cities” which was announced within the educational institutions of three regions of Armenia: Armavir, Lori and Shirak.

The competition was organized jointly by the companies LSN Utility Management MVV decon, MVV Energie, AEG Service, KfW Development Bank with the support of Armavir, Lori and Shirak Governors’ offices and the UN Department of Public Information.
     
The Representative of UN Department of Public Information, Maria Dotsenko said: “It is crucial for young people to learn more about water resources and their preservation, so that they can contribute to the country’s efforts aimed at the protection of its beautiful nature.”

After a welcoming address made by Garry Stout, General Contract Manager of Lori, Shirak, Nor Akunq Water and Sewerage Companies, an outreach lecture on UN history and its work in Armenia and a film screening were held.

The UN office (UNO) in Yerevan invited journalists to the awards ceremony and promoted the event with the help of the press release.