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© OSCE Role of the Ombudsperson’s Office in Protecting Women's Rights and Promoting Gender Equality Discussed at OSCE Seminar in Turkmenistan 2022-09-04  On 29 July 2022, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized an online seminar on the role of the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in protecting women’s rights and promoting gender equality. The event brought together representatives from the Office of the Ombudsperson of Turkmenistan with the aim to explore and discuss functions of the Ombudsperson’s Offices in other OSCE participating States and exchange practical experiences. The discussions were led by speakers from the Office of the People`s Advocate of Moldova (Office of the Ombudsperson of Moldova), who presented legal instruments and mechanisms for the protection of women’s rights and promotion of gender equality. They also discussed the role of the Office of the People's Advocate in the protection and promotion of human rights in the Republic of Moldova and strengthening co-operation between NHRIs and national state bodies and civil society. “Working for peace, security and prosperity requires that all the people in a society are included and their rights protected,” said Rune Castberg, officer in charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “OSCE participating States are therefore strongly committed to making gender equality a reality everywhere – at home and in public life, in politics and the military, in the economic and environmental spheres, in every realm of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” added Castberg. URL: https://www.osce.org/centre-in-ashgabat/523553 © OSCE/Madina Abdumamadova OSCE Trains Lawyers from Women Resource Centres and Local Authorities in Tajikistan on Legal Support to Survivors of Domestic Violence 2022-09-04  The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized a four-day training course for lawyers from the OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs) and local authorities from 11 to 14 August in Dushanbe. The course trained participants on how to provide legal advice and legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and people at risk of experiencing domestic violence.  Some 23 lawyers from the Sughd, Khatlon, Rasht Valley regions, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan participated. Specialized trainers/attorneys with many years of hands-on domestic violence law experience delivered the course. During the course participants were familiarized with the legislative framework in the field of prevention of domestic violence, international and national mechanisms, identification of domestic violence and skills of working with victims of domestic violence. Other topic covered was redirecting mechanisms and mechanisms of recovering materials and moral compensation to victims of domestic violence in criminal and administrative cases. During the event, discussions on human trafficking also took place. Participants had a hand-on exercises and group works which helped them to discuss issues and find solutions. Shamsiddin Mirzosafarzoda, a lawyer from the local government authority of the Dusti district, Khatlon region found useful that during the course he was able to enhance his knowledge of national and international laws and how they are implemented. He also mentioned he found the sessions on legislation in the field of combating domestic violence and human trafficking particularly informative. Mirzoboy Mallaev, a lawyer from WRC “Kuhsor” in the Ayni district, Sughd region said: “The involvement of lawyers from relevant state structures was very good and timely. This will expand and strengthen co-operation between local structures and will lead to the improvement of activities for the prevention of domestic violence.” He added that he will use his gained knowledge and skills in his field of activity. The OSCE Programme Office will continue to support the Government of Tajikistan in implementing the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence. The Programme Office provides a comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence in the regions through a network of 14 OSCE-established WRCs in close partnership with local authorities. The current activity is being implemented within the WRCs project of the OSCE Programme Office funded by Norway, the United States of America, Finland, the European Union, Andorra and Germany. URL: https://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-dushanbe/524274 © Anna Usova United Nations and the Government of Uzbekistan Launch Joint Programme on Rights of People with Disabilities 2022-07-20  Adham Ikramov, Chairperson of the Inter-ministerial Coordination Council on Disability, the Minister for Development of Sports, Roli Asthana, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan and Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan launched the Joint Programme implemented by UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and OHCHR aimed at transforming of social service delivery by implementing human rights-based approach for children, youth and women with disabilities in Uzbekistan.  Promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals has been a key long-standing priority for the UN Country Team in delivering together in Uzbekistan. In June 2021, Uzbekistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and reiterated its commitment to human rights and the importance of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in line with the principles of the Convention, as well as the principle of Leaving No One Behind. The newly launched programme will focus on following priority areas: Strengthening disability mainstreaming within the implementing of country-level UN agencies’ activities to ensure that national development assessments, plans budgets, programmes and monitoring mechanism supported under the SDGs processes advance disability-inclusive development in Uzbekistan. Consolidating the multi-stakeholder commitment to the achievement of CRPD-compliant SDGs through a robust legislative and policy framework, coordination structures, and meaningful participation of organizations with disabilities. Development of accessible and inclusive person-centred and age-appropriate services in the community, aimed at supporting the autonomy and inclusion of children, women and men with disabilities in the society, and prevention of institutionalization, abuse and violence. “Working directly with people with disabilities will build a sustainable, inclusive and transformative future where everyone can realize their potential and move to achieving the central promise of the 2030 Agenda: leaving no one behind,” highlighted Ms. Roli Asthana, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan. “The Joint Programme lays an important foundation to address some immediate priorities for the domestication and the implementation of the CRPD,” said, Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “However, collective responsibility of all stakeholders to creating the requisite pre-conditions is required." This joint programme worth $600.000 and will be implemented over the next two years. The joint programme will be implemented in close coordination with the Government, particularly the Agency on Medical and Social Services under the Cabinet of Ministers, different ministries and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities. URL : https://uzbekistan.un.org/en/183209-united-nations-and-government-uzbekistan-launch-joint-programme-rights-people-disabilities © UNDP Uzbekistan Расширение участия молодежи Узбекистана в решении вопросов, связанных с изменением климата 2022-07-19   The dust storms that have been observed more frequently in recent years in Uzbekistan are a negative consequence of human activity and are associated with the use of fossil fuels, deforestation and inefficient use of water resources. Human activities also resulted in increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and in the global warming due to the greenhouse effect, which heating the Earth's surface and atmosphere. This affects on the natural ecosystems and humanity.The situation aggravates and requires urgent measures to be taken by the government. In 2021, at the 26th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Uzbekistan has announced its more ambitious nationally determined contributions (NDCs) on to reduce specific greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP to 35% by 2030 from 2010 the base year. To achieve this goal, the country plans to develop a National Low-Carbon Development Strategy, and the role of youth in the implementation of this strategy is fundamental.On May 24, the students of Uzbekistan participated in the climate talks “On the way to a common vision of Uzbek youth in climate action”. The outcome of the talks is a video message of a common statement formulated by the students, which announces their proposals for required climate actions, the role that the youth in achievement of the climate related commitments taken by Uzbekistan at the international level, including greater utilization of renewable energy sources. "Young people in the future will be responsible for decision-making and play a central role in the implementation, operation and promotion of green technologies," the statement says.Previously, the participants of the talks participated in the study tours to renewable energy facilities located in Tashkent region and Tashkent city. Students familiarized with solar power plants generating electrical energy into the grid, which were constructed by the private investors.Moreover, all students passed an online training course on climate change negotiations from which they gained knowledge about the measures and actions undertaken by Uzbekistan towards combating climate change.Students discussed introduction of green technologies, sustainable mechanisms of their financing and strengthening the legal framework.  They also noted that the conditions in the country allow scientists to actively develop new technologies related to the production of green energy. For their successful harnessing, the expansion of research and development is required.The climate talks “On the way to a common vision of Uzbek youth in climate action” were organized within the framework of the regional project ‘Policy action for climate security in Central Asia - Phase II’, implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Center of Hydrometeorological Services (Uzhydromet) of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).  URL : https://www.undp.org/uzbekistan/press-releases/enhancing-youth-participation-climate-action © UNESCO/ Kehinde Olufemi Akinbo/Shutterstock.com 逾140位教育部长在教科文组织总部绘制教育变革路线图 2022-06-26 Kehinde Olufemi Akinbo/Shutterstock.com UNESCO is to host the Transforming Education Pre-Summit on 28-30 June, a meeting of Ministers of Education, policy and business leaders and youth activists, who come together to build a roadmap to transform education globally.  Key opportunity to reflect on educational inequalities This meeting is a precursor to the Transforming Education Summit (TES), to be held in September at the UN General Assembly in New York. This high-level summit was convened by the UN Secretary General to radically change our approach to education systems after COVID-19 – especially for the most marginalised learners who are facing severe learning losses.   The meeting will focus on 5 key areas of transformation: Schools, Life-long quality learning, Teachers, Connectivity and Financing education. A Youth-led Global Engagement Day will precede the pre-Summit on 28 June bringing together youth from around the world to center young voices in the conversation and provide opportunities for their perspectives on Transforming education to be heard and acted on.  All voices will be heard Participants in the Pre-Summit will include heads of State of Ethiopia and Sierra Leone; 140 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Education; UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay; EU Commissioner for International Cooperation Jutta Urpilainen; Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed; UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M. Russell; Summit Special Advisor Leonardo Garnier; Co-chair of the Advisory Committee David Sengeh; Youth activists; Champions of education, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Salif Traore (A’salfo - Lead singer of Magic System). Mid-point in the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda This is the moment to reverse the historical slide resulting from pandemic, climate and conflict disruptions, and to seek transformational changes around schooling, learning, teaching, technology, and financing of education. This meeting comes at a critical time when government spending on education everywhere is not keeping up with the growing crisis in learning. An estimated 40 percent of low- and lower-middle income countries have reduced their spending on education with the onset of the pandemic in 2020, with an average decline in real spending of 13.5 percent.  Further, in 2020, 43 bilateral donors decreased their aid to education, while households in the poorest countries are picking up 39% of the total cost of education compared to just 16% in high-income countries, according to a report released today by the World Bank, UNESCO’s Global Education Report and UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics.   As the world slowly and painfully emerges from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, which deeply affected education, and exactly midway through the 15-year period allocated to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the time is right to take stock of where the world is with the Sustainable Education Goal—and to act.  The pre-summit aims to prioritize quality education as a global public good, just like clean air and water, health and safety. Programme of the event Watch the event live For accreditation, please complete this online form.  URL:https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/transforming-education-over-140-ministers-education-unesco-draw-roadmap © UNDP Uzbekistan UNDP trains rural youth of Karakalpakstan in public planning 2022-06-04 April 4, 2022. Kungrad district, Karakalpakstan. On March 29, 31 and April 4, UNDP in Uzbekistan held trainings to enhance the capacities of rural youth in Bozatau, Muynak and Kungrad districts on public planning and decision-making. This initiative is also aimed at studying the needs of the rural population in pilot territories for the integration of Sustainable Development Goals on the ground. About 90 young people took part in the trainings aimed at: Raising awareness of the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National SDGs and localization of SDGs in rural areas; Dissemination of knowledge and skills on the use of methods and tools for rapid assessment of the community; Assisting local youth in identifying community problems and setting the priorities; Increase the potential of rural youth in public planning and decision-making. Local authorities play a major and practical role in the implementation of the SDGs and, as noted during the meetings, they make a significant contribution to the implementation of global and national SDGs. Participants gained knowledge and skills in using methods and tools for rapid community assessment, local youth learned to conduct their own research to identify problems and determine priorities in their implementation in the field of social infrastructure and community digitalization. In the practical part of the training, which took place in the format of group work, participants were introduced a "Community Development Plan" to fill out according to a certain sample, which in the future will allow young people to participate in the processes of public planning and decision-making. The trainings are organized within the framework of the Joint Programme of UNDP, UNFPA and FAO "Unleashing young people’s and vulnerable citizens’ creativity and innovation by strengthening their adaptive capacity to address the economic and food insecurities in the exposed communities of the Aral Sea region" in partnership with local khokimiyats and district divisions of the Youth Agency of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. URL: https://www.undp.org/uzbekistan/press-releases/undp-trains-rural-youth-karakalpakstan-public-planning © UNDP Uzbekistan На пути к инклюзивной цифровизации и аутсорсингу бизнес-процессов в Узбекистане 2022-06-04 Together with the Ministry for the Development of Information Technologies and Communications and the World Bank we held an international roundtable on "Inclusive digitalization and business process outsourcing (BPO) in Uzbekistan". Supporting the development of digital government, ensuring public trust and transparency, and participating in the development of the digital economy play an important role in providing efficient, effective public services to all on an equitable basis. The continuous development of information and communication technologies is fundamentally transforming society, the cultural environment, and the economy. Today, in the wake of COVID-19 there is a tendency of an accelerated development of technologies in the global digital ecosystem. For instance, the business process outsourcing (BPO) and knowledge outsourcing (KPO) in the field of social networks, blockchain technologies, artificial intelligence technologies. Recognizing the important role of digital development for the economic growth of Uzbekistan, the Government has set digital transformation as a top strategic agenda. Among them is the approval of the Strategy "Digital Uzbekistan - 2030" and drawing attention to digitalization issues with human interest at heart in the framework of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=319799233573518 Based on this, the Government of Uzbekistan is implementing consistent measures to strengthen digital skills and create digital jobs in Uzbekistan, in particular, to increase the potential of young people - measures to expand the provision of business process outsourcing (BPO) and knowledge outsourcing (KPO) services. By demonstrating the potential of IT-outsourcing by the government of Uzbekistan, in order to improve the digital skills of the population, especially young people in all regions and districts, specialized educational BPO institutions are being organized and their capabilities are expanding. This event was attended by a wide range of local specialists, IT stakeholders, diplomatic missions and international experts who discussed the current state and prospects of digital development, assessment methods and further tasks for the inclusive digital development of Uzbekistan. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan highlighted that according to the Digital Readiness Assessment held jointly with the Ministry of ITC in 5 priority dimensions: infrastructure, government, regulation, business, and people Uzbekistan scored 3.57 out of 5, which means that the country is systematically advancing in key areas of digital transformation based on identified priority areas. “Now it is time to explore how to leverage digitalization to build forward better, to accelerate Uzbekistan’s growth while ensuring it is more inclusive and resilient through strengthening the national capacity to integrate into the global digital economy,” she added. During the event, participants reviewed how well the country is positioned to leverage BPO and KPO in terms of legal and institutional framework, digital infrastructure, digital education and other aspects, including the wide involvement of young women and men in these processes. URL: https://www.undp.org/uzbekistan/press-releases/towards-inclusive-digitalization-and-business-process-outsourcing-uzbekistan ⓒ UNESCO UNESCO’s General Conference reaches global agreements on artificial intelligence, open science and education 2021-11-28 The 41st session of UNESCO General Conference ended yesterday with the adoption of key agreements demonstrating renewed multilateral cooperation for educational recovery, open science and the ethics of artificial intelligence. On 9 November, the organization’s 193 Member States overwhelming voted in support of Audrey Azoulay to serve a second term of four years as Director-General of the Organization, which celebrated its 75th anniversary during this session. Member States endorsed the Paris Declaration: A Global Call for Investing in the Futures of Education at a meeting which brought together Heads of State and Government and education ministers from 40 countries on the 10 November. The purpose of the meeting was to increase support for education in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. A key part of the event was the launch of a report Reimagining our futures together: a new social contract for education by UNESCO’s Director-General and the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde.  UNESCO’s Member States adopted the first ever global Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.  It will be presented by the Director-General accompanied by experts at a press conference at 15.00 CET on Thursday, the 25 November, at UNESCO Headquarters. Journalists seeking Accreditation should contact Léo Bégé-Duclaud: l.bege-duclaud@unesco.org Another landmark moment was reached with the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science which was also adopted during the General Conference. Of particular relevance to global scientific cooperation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic , this agrement  promotes equality among scientists so that populations and policy-makers will reap the benefits of advances in science. More information is available at https://www.unesco.org/en/natural-sciences/open-science. UNESCO also passed a significant milestone by marking its  75th anniversary with a special ceremony attended by 28 Heads of State and Government. There were moving  performances by an array of leading international musicians and artists. During the session, the Organization also celebrated the anniversary of its Man and the Biosphere Programme, which has been a vehicle for progress for sustainable development and the sharing of ideas and examples of best practicearound the world for the last fifty years. Finally, the Åland Islands, part of Finland with autonomous status, became UNESCO’s 12th Associate Member. More information on the General Conference at https://www.unesco.org/en/general-conference/41 Media Contact: Clare O’Hagan: c.o-hagan@unesco.org URL:https://en.unesco.org/news/unescos-general-conference-reaches-global-agreements-artificial-intelligence-open-science-and ⓒ UNESCO Only half of the national curricula in the world have a reference to climate change, UNESCO warns 2021-11-08 Education systems do not currently address the gravity of the climate crisis, warns the UNESCO, the UN's leading education agency, ahead of the first joint meeting of environment and education ministers at COP26 in Glasgow on 5 November. New UNESCO data from 100 countries shows that only 53% of the world’s national education curricula make any reference to climate change and when the subject is mentioned, it is almost always given very low priority.  Furthermore, fewer than 40% of teachers surveyed by UNESCO and Education International were confident in teaching about the severity of climate change and only about one-third felt able to explain the effects of climate change on their region or locality. "The climate crisis is no longer the threat of a distant future, but a global reality. There is no solution without education. Every learner needs to understand climate change, and be empowered to be part of the solution, and every teacher given the knowledge to teach about it. States must mobilize for this."   -- Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General When asked about the challenges of teaching climate change, 30% of the 58,000 teachers surveyed reported that they were not familiar with suitable pedagogies. Over a quarter of those surveyed felt some approaches to teaching climate education were not suited to online teaching. This is of particular concern given that 737 million students in 66 countries are still affected by full or partial school closures. In view of these findings, UNESCO decided to organize with the United Kingdom and Italy, co-Presidents of COP26, the event ‘Together for Tomorrow: Education and Climate Action’, the first joint meeting of environment and education ministers, at COP26 in Glasgow on 5 November. "Climate and sustainability education must be mainstreamed into the curriculum to go beyond the mere concept of sustainability and re-generate the school and the entire planet."   -- Patrizio Bianchi, Italian Minister of Education UNESCO will underscore the need for collaboration between the education and environment sectors to successfully integrate climate change in education systems worldwide in every level of schooling.  The event builds on the Youth4Climate education session jointly organized by UNESCO and the Italian Education Ministry, where young climate activists discussed their calls for quality climate education with six education ministers. ‘Together for Tomorrow” will take place on 5 November, 4 pm to 5.30 pm, in the Blue Zone, and will be open to those who have tickets to the area.  Watch Together for Tomorrow on livestream: https://ukcop26.org/ Find out more about the  ministers’ pledges here UNESCO’s work on education for sustainable development: https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-sustainable-development Media contact: Thomas Mallard, t.mallard@unesco.org URL:https://en.unesco.org/news/only-half-national-curricula-world-have-reference-climate-change-unesco-warns ⓒ UNESCO Global Education Ministers Conference, towards a shared action plan to counter hate speech 2021-10-31 Education Ministers from all over the world on Tuesday attended a Global Minister’s Conference held at the initiative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay to reinforce the struggle against online and offline hate speech. Against a background of high anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in hate speech and people’s instinctive quest for scapegoats has resulted in a sharpr rise in prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. The UN and UNESCO have called on States to take action to curb this harmful phenomenon. The Global Ministers Conference, the first of its kind, organized by UNESCO and co-chaired by President Hage Geingob of Namibia has given rise to decisions on common actions at all levels of education, prioritizing media and information literacy, teacher training and public awareness raising about digital citizenship. "This hatred is not new. But what has changed more recently is the influence and magnitude of social media platforms, which have become an echo chamber that amplifies. The legal response is essential, but it is not enough. We must also mobilize education, because it is through education that we develop critical thinking and deconstruct prejudices."   -- Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General UNESCO and partners’ work to address hate speech spans multiple areas, notably:   Addressing hate speech on social media developed to monitor the existence, spread and impact of online hate speech, as well as assess capacities to counter it. Media information and literacy curriculum for teachers to help young people assess the relevance and reliability of information.   Prevention of antisemitism through education, as well as teaching about the Holocaust and genocides, including training for policy-makers and teacher trainers around the world. Preventing violent extremism by providing support to youth so they can engage against hateful and dangerous ideologies, and by training and guiding educators. Organized in partnership with the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, the Ministers Conference follows on the work of the multi-stakeholder forum organized by UNESCO early this month with the participation of governments, civil society organizations, human rights experts, as well as tech and social media companies including Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. Underpinned by the United Nations’ human rights and free speech-based Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, the Ministers Conference specifically focused on education in the struggle against hate speech, its deeply rooted causes and driving forces. Strengthening educational responses to build the resilience of learners to the rhetoric of exclusion and hate  also lies at the core of the Education 2030 Agenda, and more specifically Target 4.7 of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on the social, moral and humanistic aims of education. For more information and resources: https://en.unesco.org/news/addressing-hate-speech-through-education-global-education-ministers-conferencePress contact: Clare O’Hagan: c.o-hagan@unesco.org +33 145681729 URL:https://en.unesco.org/news/global-education-ministers-conference-towards-shared-action-plan-counter-hate-speech