UNESCO [to 28 November 2015]
http://en.unesco.org/news
Selected Press Releases

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New report shows cultural and creative industries account for 29.5 million jobs worldwide
27 November 2015

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Protect Heritage Now for Resilience and Peace
26 November 2015
The protection of culture and heritage is a humanitarian and security imperative that also paves the path towards resilience, reconciliation and peace, said UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, addressing the International Symposium on “Cultural Heritage at Risk, the Role of Museums in War and Conflict”, held at the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm, Sweden, on 26 November.

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UNESCO and UNIFIL: Exploring the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
24 November 2015
Throughout our long human history, wars and conflicts have always constituted serious threats to cultural heritage. Since ancient times, and going into world wars I and II, looting and destruction of cultural heritage were part of ongoing battles.

As witnessed in countries living an armed conflict in the region, cultural heritage is particularly at risk, owing to its inherent vulnerability and tremendous symbolic value. Intentional targeting and destruction of heritage sites, illicit trafficking of artefacts, and illegal excavation are causing major losses that can deprive a community of its memory, the physical testimony to its past, but also of a precious resource for social and economic wellbeing.

With these new enormous challenges, it has become necessary to develop and improve the mechanisms and tools for the protection of cultural property, especially in the case of disputes. As the leading organization in this area, UNESCO has sounded the alarm, calling for greater cooperation to take concrete steps to protect the cultural history and unique cultural heritage in this region through awareness, and recalling the obligation to commit by international conventions and treaties, in particular the Hague Convention (1954), which established the rules for the protection of cultural goods during armed conflict. This Convention is the first international treaty designed to protect the cultural heritage in the context of war, and has highlighted the concept of common heritage and led to the creation of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS), headed currently by Director-General, Mr. Julien Anfernz of the International Council of Museums (ICOM)…

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Three UN agencies join forces to boost education of adolescent girls and young women
23 November 2015
The heads of UNESCO, UNFPA and UN Women sealed a partnership to empower adolescent girls and young women through education, by signing a joint programme agreement at the headquarters of the United Nations Population Fund in New York.

The agreement was signed today by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka represented by UN Women Deputy Executive Director Yannick Glemarec.

“Taking the 2030 Agenda forward calls for working in synergy to better tackle the cross-cutting obstacles that are preventing young girls and women from fulfilling their potential,” said Ms. Bokova. “This partnership is a model that brings together our respective strengths to break the cycle of exclusion and vulnerability, to ensure that girls benefit from a full cycle of quality education, in line with the promise of Sustainable Development Goal 4.”