On November 16, a special Partnership’s Hub session “Associations and Clubs for UNESCO as a driving force for a sustainable future” was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The event, which brought together online and offline representatives of the movement and stakeholders from different regions of the world, became a platform for discussion on the role of Associations and Clubs in shaping a sustainable society.

The key event of the session was the presentation of the book “United by UNESCO: Associations and Clubs for UNESCO as a driving force for a sustainable future”, initiated by Kazakhstan in cooperation with the UNESCO Secretariat and more than 30 Member States. This publication shows the development of the Clubs movement as one of UNESCO’s oldest partner networks, founded over 75 years ago. It also showcases the important role of volunteer activists around the world in implementing UNESCO’s vision for the development of an inclusive and sustainable society. The electronic version of the publication is available in English and French under this link https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000387420

The event was opened with words of welcome from the Sector for Priority Africa and External Relations of UNESCO, a video message by the President of the World Federation of Clubs and Associations for UNESCO, Mr Bolat Akchulakov, and a welcome speech by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to UNESCO, H.E. Ambassador Askar Abdrakhmanov.

Furthermore, the lead author of the publication, Dr. Cristina Stanca-Mustea, held a panel discussion with young representatives of the Clubs movement who were also delegates to the 13th UNESCO Youth Forum. Young people shared their experience of participating in the projects of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO in their local communities and expressed their vision for the future development of the movement.

Organizers express their gratitude to the general partner “Altyn Qyran Foundation”. 

It is hoped that this event will provide impetus for the development of more youth-oriented activities and collaborations within the Clubs movement at all levels.

The video from the event broadcast is available here.