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ⓒ UNESCO Education stakeholders and media representatives discuss the role of education and digital citizenship in countering disinformation and hate speech during pandemic 2020-06-22  The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to another form of pandemic which is spread of misinformation and disinformation, wave of hate speech across the world amplified by the internet. To minimize these risks and promote values of solidarity and human rights, it is vital that young people, as well as their educators and parents are supported to acquire core competencies of digital citizenship that will help them not only become more resilient to disinformation, but also engage positively and responsibly in the current online environment. In this context, UNESCO Almaty organized its fourth COVID-19 education response webinar on 12 June to look at the dangers of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech sparked by the COVID-19 crisis and proliferating online and the role of education in countering them.Participants including representatives of ministries of education in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Armenia, as well as journalists and media professionals from the Central Asian region attended the webinar and deliberated on the different aspects of the issue.Ms Sanita Jemberga, lecturer of media literacy at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (Latvia), delivered a keynote presentation on “The COVID-19 Pandemic of Disinformation and Hate Speech: How can Education and Digital Citizenship help?”. After a brief explanation of the terms such as ‘disinformation’, ‘misinformation’ and ‘mal-information’ (for UNESCO definitions please see below), which are often confused or conflated, Ms Jemberga emphasized the negative impact of disinformation surrounding the coronavirus. The presentation provided an overview of different waves of misinformation and disinformation during COVID-19, explored the drivers and root causes and conditions conducive to disinformation and hate speech, and underlined the importance of addressing digital citizenship through education. “In Latvia, there is a programme where journalists go to schools and tell the students how they select facts and events that make the news and how they choose their topics,” she said. Photo: Ms Sanita Jemberga ©UNESCO Almaty Following the keynote presentation, Mr Sergey Karpov, Communication and Information Officer at UNESCO Almaty, presented UNESCO’s resources and guidance materials on Media and Information Literacy, Information and Communication Technologies and Digital Citizenship Education. These resources are important in mainstreaming learning that promotes respect for human rights, freedom of expression, and create a culture of global citizenship, which is particular significant for combating disinformation that can lead to violence.The session also provided the opportunity to ministry officials and media professionals to share their experience and perspectives on the issue of disinformation, as well as rethink what educational responses can be taken to foster digital citizenship, address hate speech and minimize risks affecting young people during the current crisis, and in its aftermath.Webinar participants recognized the importance of integrating media and information literacy as one of the key competencies of the 21st century to prevent disinformation, hate speech and violence in the digital space towards responsible global citizenship.The recording of the webinar is available here.** We refer to UNESCO's definition of the following terms: Disinformation: Information that is false and deliberately created to harm a person, social group, organisation or country Misinformation: Information that is false but not created with the intention of causing harm Mal-information: Information that is based on reality, used to inflict harm on a person, social group, organisation or country. For more information about previous webinars: The Vice Ministers of Education in the Central Asian countries agreed on common challenges in distance learning Organization of examinations and e-assessment in the context of distance learning: Estonian and other country experiences UNESCO, UNICEF and WHO support Central Asian countries in planning and managing the reopening of schools URL:http://en.unesco.kz/education-stakeholders-and-media-representatives-discuss-the-role-of-education-and © UNESCO New UN report shows countries failing to protect children against violence 2020-06-20 While global attention is focused on containing the COVID-19 pandemic, one out of two of two children across the world continue to be affected by physical, sexual or psychological violence, according to a new report released by WHO, together with UNESCO, UNICEF, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children and the End Violence Partnership. The report – Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020 – brings to light the increasing number of children who are suffering injuries, disabilities and death because countries are not following established strategies to protect them from harm. The first of its kind, it charts countries’ progress against the “INSPIRE” framework, a set of seven strategies for preventing and responding to violence against children. The report includes the first ever global homicide estimates for children under 18 years of age. In 2017, an estimated 40150 children were victims of homicide. It also draws on data from UNESCO’s 2019 report, Behind the Numbers: Ending school violence and bullying, highlighting that bullying is a major problem worldwide, with 32% of students aged 11- 15 bullied by their peers at school at least once in the last month. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, and the related school closures, we have seen a rise in violence and hate online – and this includes bullying. Now, as schools begin to re-open, children are expressing their fears about going back to school,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that schools are safe environments for all children. We need to think and act collectively to stop violence at school and in our societies at large.” Uneven progress in implementing violence prevention strategies Laws that ban corporal punishment of children in all settings, including schools, have the potential to reduce the violence perpetrated by adults on children, and also between children, the report finds. Yet, while 79% of countries which responded for the report ban corporal punishment, only 30% of respondents believe that those who are violent towards children for whatever reason, including teachers, will be sanctioned. “This report is a strong reminder that having good policies is not enough, and that we need to work constantly to make sure that these policies are enforced, said UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini. “It will be impossible to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education for all if children cannot learn in schools that are safe and free of violence, including violence perpetrated by students, teachers and other school personnel, and corporal punishment.” COVID-19 response and its impact on children Stay-at-home measures, including school closures, have limited the usual sources of support for families and individuals such as friends, extended family or professionals. This erodes victims’ ability to successfully cope with crises and the new routines of daily life. Spikes in calls to helplines for child abuse and intimate partner violence have been observed. And while online communities have become central to maintain learning, support and play for many children, an increase in harmful online behavior including cyberbullying, risky online behavior and sexual exploitation have also been identified.  URL:https://en.unesco.org/news/new-report-shows-countries-failing-protect-children-against-violence © UNESCO Bangkok Призыв к молодежи: какое влияние пандемия COVID-19 оказала на молодых людей? 2020-06-05 Help us shape the “Youth As Researchers – COVID19” Project, a new global youth-led research initiative that seeks to answer questions like these. COVID-19 has created an unprecedented health crisis, disrupting the lives of thousands of individuals, as well as their societies. As this pandemic expands, young people have been amongst those mobilizing to shape new forms of solidarity, demonstrating humanism and creativity. Young people are amongst those impacted by the current crisis in terms of mental and physical health, learning and professional development, civic engagement and respect for their rights – on all these fronts young people are also facing important disruptions and changes.UNESCO and the UNESCO Chairs at the National University of Ireland Galway and Penn State University are committed to ensuring that young people have meaningful ways to contribute to sustainable development - ways that are designed and managed by young people as our partners.Be part of the design!If you identify as a young person in your country, we invite you to get involved in designing this research initiative! Your answers to the questions in this Survey will be used to identify the key research questions that need to be answered and to design the research focus. The Survey asks about your experiences with COVID-19 and the things you have seen happening to your friends and other young people.This Survey will only take you 5 minutes.Questions in the English language is available here until 15 June 2020.If you are interested in knowing more about the Youth As Researchers project or how to be involved in the next stage, please contact yar@unesco.org URL:http://en.unesco.kz/call-to-youth-how-are-young-people-being-impacted-by-the-covid-19-pandemic ⓒ UN News/Shirin Yaseen UN appeals for restraint, ‘social cohesion’ as protests across the US continue 2020-06-03 Responding to on-going protests that have spawned violence on all sides across dozens of US cities, the UN Spokesperson on Monday reiterated the Secretary-General’s appeal for grievances to be heard in “peaceful ways”, met with restraint by police and security forces. Outrage began after video footage went viral on social media early last week, showing a white officer in the city of Minneapolis kneeling on the neck of 46-year-old African-American George Floyd for more than eight minutes, during which he appeared to become lifeless, dying in police custody.  Tens of thousands have taken to the streets during mainly peaceful protests, but violence by some demonstrators aimed at the police has also seen widespread looting, and increasingly violent policing tactics employed across multiple US cities.  “The situation we're seeing today we've seen in different parts of the world before”, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters, adding that UN chief António Guterres’s message has been consistent: “Grievances must be heard, but they must be expressed... in peaceful ways, and authorities must show restraint in responding to demonstrators”.  " STOP racism.STOP anti-semitism.STOP xenophobia.STOP intolerance.Join the @UN call to #StandUp4HumanRights and help build a world free of discrimination, hate & violence. pic.twitter.com/rL9PTsp9mE " — UNESCO (@UNESCO) June 1, 2020 As in any country in the world, “diversity is a richness and not a threat, but the success of diverse societies in any country requires a massive investment in social cohesion”, the spokesperson said, responding to questions from correspondents at the regular daily briefing, and pointing to “reducing inequalities, addressing possible areas of discrimination, strengthening social protection, [and] providing opportunities for all”. “These efforts, these investments need to mobilize national governments…local authorities, the private sector, civil society, faith based organizations…society as a whole”, he said. And in cases of instances of police violence, Mr. Dujarric reiterated the UN’s stance, calling for thorough investigations. “We've always said that police forces around the world need to have adequate human rights training, and there also needs to be an investment in social and psychological support for police so they can do their job properly in terms of protecting the community”, the UN Spokesperson said. Violent outbursts The killing of Mr. Floyd has rocked Minneapolis and other cities across the country, with mostly peaceful daytime demonstrations turning violent as night fell, with many curfews being imposed, and largely ignored. Throughout the weekend, reports reverberated of shootings, lootings and vandalism in a host of American cities, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Meanwhile, riot police fired tear gas and pepper bullets to try to disperse crowds and according to news reports, at least 4,400 people have been arrested. By some accounts, the country is experiencing the most widespread racial turbulence and civil unrest since civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King, was assassinated in 1968. Protest-connected outbreak Although only days ago the COVID-19 pandemic had led to weeks of largely empty streets across the country, march routes in many cities have seen demonstrators ignoring physical-distancing, marching shoulder to shoulder, despite the risk of further transmission. Speaking at a regular World Health Organization (WHO) press conference, infectious disease epidemiologist, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, said that physical distancing remains a “very important aspect” to control and suppress transmission. “This is not over yet and we need to ensure that any locations that are considering these mass gathering events”, have “systems in place to prevent and detect and respond to any such cases”, she spelled out. URL:https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/06/1065262 ⓒ OSCE/Farhod Nabiyulloev Расширение прав и возможностей инвалидов в Таджикистане посредством тренинга «Знай свои права» 2020-05-29 Twenty-seven year-old Gulrukhsor Meliboeva is a single mother from northern Tajikistan and has a hearing disability. “I did not know about social protection for people with disabilities and what support is available to them. I had no idea where and how to look for what I am entitled to,” she said. After her divorce, life has not been easy. She is raising her daughter on her own. Gulrukhsor did not apply for alimony from her former husband as she was not aware that she had the right to do so. Having left school after the eighth grade, she got married when she was only 17. She and her husband lived in his parent’s house and Gulrukhsor found herself subjected to domestic violence. It was not only her former husband who treated her badly, demanding obedience for his every whim. “His mother constantly criticized me,” she recalled. With her marital life becoming unbearable, she took her daughter and went back to her mother’s house. “Soon after that I divorced my husband,” said Gulrukhsor, who spoke with help from a sign language interpreter. But now that she has attended a workshop helping disabled people to claim their rights, she feels more confident: “Now that I have learned about the law, I know what to do to apply for alimony for my daughter.” The workshop Gulrukhsor attended was one in a series of events entitled “The Inclusive Moot Court Training” that the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe supported in 2019-2020. Gulrukhsor, and a friend who told her about the initiative, are part of more than 80 people who have completed the workshop. (Photo: OSCE/Farhod Nabiyulloev) The training workshops were specifically devised for persons with different disabilities. They aim to inform disability rights representatives and members of their organizations about their legal rights in Tajikistan.  During the workshops they acquire vital skills, such as how to properly prepare submission of legal cases and appeals, how to speak in front of a real court and how to assert their rights. The ultimate goal is to empower participants by improving their confidence to claim and defend their rights.  The events were organized by the “Durnamo” and “Noil” youth organizations and held in five locations: in Khujand and Kanibadam, in the northern Sughd region; in Khorog, the provincial centre of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in the east; in Bokhtar, the centre of the southern Khatlon region, and in the capital, Dushanbe. The workshops had an additional element of inspiration as they were conducted by trainers who themselves had a disability. One of them, Firuz Shamsiddinov, explained how being involved in delivering training courses gives him confidence in overcoming his disability. “Although I am visually impaired, I am able to help others build their abilities, and it makes me feel good and motivates me.” (Photo: OSCE/Farhod Nabiyulloev) The outcome of the training courses and the fact that they took place across the country contributed further to the gradual change in attitudes, as well as to awareness efforts on the issue of disabilities throughout Tajikistan. Although Tajikistan signed the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018, it was only recently that the approximately 140,000 people registered with a disability were recognized as holding legitimate rights, rather than just receiving pensions and medical care. The more inclusive policy adopted by Tajikistan has paid significantly more attention on the situation of those with disabilities. This has helped improve their living conditions, as well as to broaden the understanding and respect of the public towards people with disabilities. However, for anyone with a disability to be included in public and political life, it is essential to become informed about their human rights, and familiarized with existing tools to ensure those rights can be realized and respected. The Programme Office is actively engaged in this process by raising public awareness in each region of Tajikistan. The Office reaches out to women and girls with disabilities, who require support and face serious restrictions of their rights. (Photo: OSCE/Farhod Nabiyulloev) The training workshops are part of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe’s work aimed at supporting people with disabilities. Other activities include awareness raising events that reach out to several hundred people across Tajikistan. Attending the training was a short break for Gulrukhsor, who earns money by making national dresses. In her free time, she likes dancing and meeting her friends for a chat, some of whom she met through the workshop. URL:https://www.osce.org/programme-office-in-dushanbe/450718 ⓒ CAYNET Привет, CAYNET! 2020-05-26 "Youth is a decisive phase in personal development. It is the age when people venture into the unknown, seeking new horizons; it is a time of encounters, often memorable ones; it is a time of first commitments"- Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.Be confident in yourself and make your dreams come true!Today, it is necessary to realize your role in shaping the life of society. Indeed, it is young people who are considered the main agents of changes and the builders of the future. Have you ever thought about who are you in the society? Do you have leadership skills? Do you have something to say to this world? Then you will be interested to know about our new online-space CAYNET!What is CAYNET?Let's start with the name: CAYNET stands for Central Asian Youth Network. The CAYNET project was developed by the UNESCO Office in Almaty. It covers four countries of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.People from these countries have much in common. Do you agree? Even the greeting sounds almost the same: people of the Kazakh steppes say “Salem”, under the bright sun, in warm, hospitable Uzbekistan we hear “Salom”, in the realm of natural splendor of Tajikistan, the inhabitants cheerfully say “Solam”, from the shore of warm Issyk-Kul, the sonorous “Salam” is heard. And now they also have a common joint safe space, which is specially designed to develop the potential of young people in these countries, to expand their opportunities and participate in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as to foster intercultural dialogue and build inclusive societies in the region.Why we need it?And the point is to enable all young people, without exception, to be heard. With the help of our network, young specialists can prove themselves, express their points of view and listen to the positions of their peers. The platform will provide the main networking opportunity. This will allow young people to make new friends and integrate their common ideas into the society. The great advantage of the participants of our platform will be the chance to become a global citizen who is able to make decisions and actively participate in the political, legal and social processes of our society. Members of our network will have an opportunity to meet with the international experts, to join free online education, to be supported in the implementation of their own projects within the framework of five main programmes (education, culture, sciences, communication and information) of the UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty. And most importantly, young participants of the CAYNET project will be able to bring positive transformations in their region and become a UNESCO partner in building a peaceful and fair future.Who is the project focused on?The project focuses on young people aged 15 to 34 years. CAYNET members are promising, proactive, courageous, talented young people, regardless of gender, culture, language or religion! We are very pleased to welcome young people with special needs, who can help us develop an inclusive approach in the development and implementation of youth projects. We are also pleased to invite young people from remote and rural areas who are interested in positive changes in their communities. We invite to cooperation all concerned young women and men. Together we will make this world better!!!And that's not all!On 12 August, 2020, in the framework of the International Youth Day, we are going to officially launch our online platform. But you can already join us, leave your applications and stay tuned.Follow us on the Instagram account - @caynet2030And leave your application to join the network via the link.An incredible and rewarding adventure with CAYNET awaits you!  URL:http://en.unesco.kz/hi-caynet ⓒ UNESCO Almaty World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2020-05-26 Held every year on 21 May, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development. The United Nations General Assembly first declared this World Day in 2002, following UNESCO’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, recognizing the need to “enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development and global peaceful coexistence.” The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is an occasion to promote culture and highlight the significance of its diversity as an agent of inclusion and positive change. It represents an opportunity to celebrate culture’s manifold forms, from the tangible and intangible, to creative industries, to the diversity of cultural expressions, and to reflect on how these contribute to dialogue, mutual understanding, and the social, environmental and economic vectors of sustainable development. All are invited to join in, and promote the values of cultural diversity, dialogue and development across our globe. MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL: "Although COVID-19 has not succeeded in curbing dialogue among cultures, the long-term consequences of the crisis, especially in economic terms, might inflict severe damage on diversity, as periods of crisis are conducive to concentration and standardization. It is this insidious threat that looms." — Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. To learn more please visit this website. URL:http://en.unesco.kz/world-day-for-cultural-diversity-for-dialogue-and-development-2020-05-21 © The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia, 2020 Developing the communication capacity of NGOs representatives in Uzbekistan 2020-05-21 On February 11-13, the representatives of 22 water and environmental NGOs from Andijan, Namangan and Fergana regions took part in a special meeting organized in Fergana by CAREC with the involvement of the State Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection of Uzbekistan (Goskomekologiya). The Committee and CAREC presented plans to develop cooperation with NGOs in addressing environmental protection issues, and the public shared what socially-oriented eco-solutions are required in the Fergana Valley. Also, the capacity, conducted by specialists of NGO “Center for Development of Modern Journalism” within the EU-funded project UzWaterAware. The meeting with NGOs from the Fergana Valley was opened by Director of CAREC Branch Office in Uzbekistan Ms. Shakhnoza Umarova, who noted that such events, which create conditions for dialogue between public sector and government agencies, international and regional structures, have become an annual tradition of CAREC not only in Uzbekistan but also in other country offices. “CAREC has been cooperating with environmental NGOs since its foundation, and the schemes of this interaction have changed depending on the opportunities, priorities of donors, and the availability of projects supporting NGOs as a target group,” said Shakhnoza Umarova. “But what is important, it was possible to change the qualitative component of such cooperation in the process, to create conditions for the transition of NGOs from the role of seminar and training participants to that of experts, consultants, speakers, and facilitators. CAREC with great interest engages the expertise of NGOs in the implementation of specific activities under its major projects through subcontracts. In Uzbekistan, these are CAMP4ASB, Smart Waters and UzWaterAware projects funded by the World Bank, USAID and the European Union. For example, within the national project UzWaterAware, funded by the European Union, we work with 17 different public organizations of the country, implementing socially-oriented activities with their support and participation, creating information products aimed at raising public awareness.” Shakhnoza Umarova noted that CAREC would continue the existing practice of cooperation with NGOs, as well as would create new conditions for strengthening the interaction of NGOs with government agencies and media. “This meeting in Fergana was very informative and I am sure it will bring results by joining forces with the public sector. NGOs have demonstrated active citizenship, especially in water and environmental issues, and it is clear that they are in close contact with the population. It is important for us to meet, listen to their opinions on topical issues, as well as talk about the plans of the State Committee for Environmental Protection of Uzbekistan, defining the vector of common efforts. The dialogue took place and NGOs identified topics and problems important to their region. We are grateful to our permanent partner CAREC for organizing such events, where state agencies and NGOs have the opportunity to meet at one venue,” mentioned Ms. Irina Mirzaeva, the head of press service of Goskomekologiya. It should be noted that the meeting with NGOs and the two-day training in Fergana were held at the request of representatives of the Association “For Environmentally Clean Fergana”, who previously applied to CAREC Branch Office following one of the training seminars of the UzWaterAware project and asked to organize a similar event in the Fergana Valley. The project responded with great interest to this proposal, taking into account the great contribution of the public sector in addressing socially important issues. “Our organization is the coordinator of all NGOs in the Fergana Valley. And I know that the representatives of NGOs here are constantly trying to learn something new and strive for development, so I suggested holding a training in Fergana, organized by CAREC in November 2019 in Tashkent province, as the knowledge and materials obtained from this training were successfully used by us in subsequent events,” shared Mr. Ibragim Domuladjanov, the head of Association “For Environmentally Clean Fergana”. “Special thanks to CAREC for organizing a meeting with representatives of the State Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection of Uzbekistan as part of this field event, which brought together NGOs from Andijan, Namangan and Fergana regions. All NGOs had the opportunity to ask questions, share plans, make suggestions to the responsible environmental committee and exchange direct contacts.” The training “Developing the communication capacity of NGOs” was conducted by experienced specialists of the NGO “The Center for Development of Modern Journalism”, which was involved by CAREC within the UzWaterAware project. Ms. Saida Sulaimanova, Ms. Lola Islamova, and Ms. Daria Osmanova spent two days explaining to NGO representatives what techniques and channels of effective communication should be used, how to interact with journalists and a wide audience, as well as familiarizing participants with modern methods of disseminating socially-oriented information. After the training participants shared their feedback on the event. Kobuljon Tillaboev, the head of “Hillya Bulogi” Society, Pakhtaboysky District, Andijan region: “It was very interesting to learn about modern approaches in establishing relations with the population through information, social networks, messengers. This is worth using because time changes very quickly and if we want to be heard, we should have these modern communication tools. Both the meeting and the training were very informative. I was interested to learn about the plans of the Goskomekologiya, to tell about our plans in these areas, and also, for example, to hear about such a concept as “environmental hygiene”. It was a pleasure to talk these days with representatives of other NGOs and young people from our large Fergana Valley, to exchange contacts with them for further communication, and to share practical experience.” Zhamoliddin Ergashev, “Baimok-Damobod Obi Hayoti” NGO, Chust District, Namangan region: “The main task of our organization is to provide the population with clean drinking water. I would like to note that the training allowed us to understand how to solve problematic issues in practice by consistently building a dialogue with the population and representatives of various organizations. The coaches managed to provide all the information in an accessible language.” Nurbek Pulatov, “Tarakkiyot” Population Development Support Centre, Fergana region: “During the meeting and training, we were able to establish closer contact with CAREC and representatives of Goskomekologiya. I hope we will actively cooperate with them and implement projects that are currently actual for rural areas. For example, problems with the construction of eco-toilets in areas where there is no sewerage management and water supply system. The meeting also addressed the problem of interaction between NGOs themselves. This event allowed to gather NGOs from different parts of the Fergana Valley and created new opportunities to strengthen their cooperation both with each other and with Goskomekologiya. I am sure that all participants, having received here certain experience, will actively apply it in the activity and train colleagues on the ground.”    The UzWaterAware project is implemented by CAREC with the financial support of the European Union during the period 2016-2019. The overall objective of the project is to sensitise and generate a greater degree of awareness on the strategic importance of water saving, water conservation and environmental protection under the conditions of climate change. The project is funded by the European Union. URL:http://www.carececo.org/en/main/news/razvitie-kommunikatsionnogo-potentsiala-u-predstaviteley-nno-uzbekistana/ ⓒ SWITCH-ASIA SWITCH-ASIA запуск проектов в Центральной Азии 2020-05-21 TASHKENT - 3-4 March 2020- SWITCH-ASIA Grants Launch in Central Asia, organized by the SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility and the European Union Delegation to Uzbekistan took place. This event was dedicated to the extension of the second phase of SWITH-Asia to the Central Asia through starting 7 projects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.  Ambassador Eduards Stiprais, Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan highlighted the importance of the SWITCH-Asia programme, recently expanded to Central Asia, in further supporting the country’s ongoing work and achievements, in particular in the context of the European Green Deal: «The European Green Deal puts a strong emphasis on supporting the transition to clean energy in line with a more ambitious climate policy». Newly awarded beneficiaries - implementing organizations introduced projects, which will promote environmentally friendly technologies, behavior change of consumers, better policy dialogue, etc. to promote sustainable consumption and production in the areas of tourism, textile and leather, and agri-food.  The consortia of 7 organizations from Austria, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will implement the project: “Resource Efficiency in Agri-food Production and Processing (REAP)” in the Republics of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The consortia includes the following members: the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, the National Association of Small and Medium Business of Tajikistan, Adelphi Research gGmbH, Austria Recycling, STENUM Asia Sustainable Development Society and TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute.  The project will promote the resource-efficiency in the agri-food production and processing industries along the entire supply chain, thus creating an enabling environment through clusters and incentives. The project will increase the efficiency of water use, reduce food losses, decrease energy and resource inefficiency and enhance the competitiveness of small and media agro-enterprises in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.  URL:https://carececo.org/en/main/news/switch-asia-zapusk-proektov-v-tsentralnoy-azii-/ © UNESCO Call for applications and nominations for the 2020 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2020-05-20 UNESCO has now opened its call for applications and nominations for the 2020 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes. This year UNESCO will reward five individuals or organizations around the world for their outstanding projects that promote literacy within the theme ‘Teaching and learning literacy: the role of educators and changing pedagogies’. This year’s thematic focus is highlighting teachers who are at the frontline of delivering literacy learning, and their contribution to promoting youth and adult literacy, linked to target 4.6 of the Sustainable Development Goal on Education (SDG4), where literacy is perceived as a continuum developed throughout life. Since 1967, the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have rewarded excellence and innovation in the field of literacy. Over 495 projects and programmes around the world have already received recognition and support for their excellent work. Who can apply and who can nominate? Governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals who promote literacy through projects and programmes are welcome to apply. All applications should be submitted to nominating entities, such as the National Commission for UNESCO in the country of the programme, or an NGO that is in an official partnership with UNESCO. Candidates can submit their applications through the online platform. Details about the application and nomination process are on the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes’ website. National Commissions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in official partnership with UNESCO are encouraged to nominate individuals, institutions and organizations who are making outstanding contributions to promoting literacy and who request a nomination. Deadline for candidates to submit applications to nominating entities: 28 June 2020 (midnight, Paris time). Deadline for nominating entities to submit their nominations to UNESCO: 12 July 2020 (midnight, Paris time). The nominations will be assessed by an independent International Jury, composed of five experts on the basis of the selection criteria. Based on the recommendations of the International Jury, the Director-General of UNESCO will select the finalists to be awarded at the occasion of International Literacy Day (8 September). About the Prizes Through two prestigious literacy Prizes, UNESCO supports effective literacy practices and encourages the promotion of dynamic literate societies to close the literacy gap of approximately 750 million of people. UNESCO distinguishes between two Literacy Prizes which are given to five laureates in total: The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (2 awards), was established in 1989 and is supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea. It gives special consideration to programmes that focus on the development and use of mother-tongue literacy education and training. The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards), was established in 2005, and is supported by the Government of the People’s Republic of China. This Prize recognizes programmes that promote literacy amongst adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth, particularly girls and women. Each prizewinner receives a medal, a diploma and US$20,000. Contact: literacyprizes@unesco.org(link sends e-mail) UNESCO International Literacy Prizes URL:https://en.unesco.org/news/call-applications-and-nominations-2020-unesco-international-literacy-prizes