The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims a common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations. Human Rights Day serves as a yearly landmark to remember the victories won in the long struggle to respect the dignity of all human beings. But its main purpose is to mobilize against major threats to human rights, namely poverty, discrimination, gender inequality, climate change and terrorism. “Embrace Diversity. End Discrimination” is the motto of this 61st anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration. (More...)

As globalization spurs an unprecedented cross-fertilization cultures worldwide, investing in cultural diversity can renew our approaches to sustainable development, ensure the effective exercise of universally recognized human rights and freedoms, and strengthen social cohesion and democratic governance, according to a new UNESCO intersectoral World Report to be launched on 20 October. (More...)

The Arabic word ‘Majaliss’ means ‘a place of sitting’ used to describe various types of formal legislative assemblies in Islamic countries; it is also a common term used for a meeting, dialogue or exchange. UNESCO’s Digital Library Majaliss offers a modern platform for sharing digitised books of classical Arabic literature among a large and diverse public. (More...)

John Jay College of Criminal Justice, in partnership with the Advisory Council of Human Rights of the Kingdom of Morocco and Hassan II University, is pleased to announce its Ninth Biennial International Conference to be held in the City of Marrakesh from June 2 to June 5, 2010. (More...)

UNESCO participated in the 38th Annual Conference of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL), which concluded last week in Padua, Italy. This year’s theme, School Libraries in the Picture: Preparing Pupils and Students for the Future, highlighted the increasingly important role of school libraries to equip students in the 21st century with the abilities to use information effectively and develop critical thinking and life-long learning skills that are essential to responsible citizenship. (More...)