As the UN's "," serves as a unique forum for global discussion and innovation. We've gathered the highlights in one video to inspire thought leaders, young people, and national delegates to share knowledge and drive transformative change.
UNESCO
On 26 December 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake in Sumatra triggered the deadliest tsunami in recorded history. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was a global wake-up call, claiming over 227,000 lives in 15 countries. For the past 20 years, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO has worked to better understand tsunamis, prepare coastal communities, and raise the alarm when waves occur. Today, 20 years after the Boxing Day tsunami, the Global Tsunami Warning System spans the Pacific, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North-East Atlantic regions. When a significant sea-level disturbance is detected, it sends fast and accurate alerts to coastal communities, reducing response times and saving lives worldwide.
The video highlights how AI and digital tools can address challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS), promoting sustainable development, disaster resilience, and governance.
UNESCO explores it's policy brief on data-invisible groups, highlighting challenges in AI deployment, algorithmic bias, and the need for ethical, inclusive practices.
Mauro Colagreco, a Michelin-starred chef and , launches 'Seeds for the Future' at to promote sustainable food practices and education.
The 2024 highlights the vital role of minority artists and human rights defenders in promoting understanding and empathy through creativity. This year鈥檚 awards honored five winners: Bianca Broxton (USA), Joel P茅rez Hern谩ndez (Mexico), Francis Estrada (Philippines), Laowu Kuang (China), and youth laureate Jayatu Chakma (Bangladesh), with honorable mentions for Andr茅 Fernandes (Brazil), Maganda Shakul (Uganda), and Chuu Wai (Myanmar). Organized in partnership with several civil society organizations and the City of Geneva, the contest's theme, Memory in the Present, focuses on the artistic exploration of memory and memorialization by minority artists worldwide.
Educational forests in Bolivia blend formal education with indigenous knowledge, promoting environmental awareness and cultural preservation.
Xantolo is the Huastec celebration of the dead, observed during the All-Saints festivities in the Huasteca region of Mexico, encompassing Veracruz, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potos铆, Puebla, Hidalgo, Quer茅taro, and Guanajuato. A key feature of the festival is the Parranda or Comparsa of Huehues, where participants embody wisdom and connection to both living and deceased community members. From October 31 to November 4, the Huehues, sustained by community offerings and aguardiente, wear their costumes without removal until a purification ritual on November 4. The Huasteca region showcases three styles of Huehues, with the most colorful representations found in San Vicente Tancuayalab, influenced by Veracruz's Afro-Mexican roots, alongside unique celebrations in San Mart铆n Chalchicuatla and Chapulhuacanito, each with distinct origins and traditions.
The advances crucial science to better understand and protect the ocean, ensuring a sustainable future for all.
Every first Thursday of November marks the International day against violence and bullying at school which highlights global efforts to combat school violence and cyberbullying.
鈥淚 am absolutely sure that never before in this space has been a proper acknowledgment that we humans are not the only beings on the planet, I want to bring into the space the voice of the chimpanzees, the animal that I've been studying for so many years with my dedicated team. And what I'm going to say simply means: this is me; this is Jane. Because the chimpanzees have different ways of announcing their presence,鈥 Dr. Goodall, or Dr. Jane as she likes to be called, then proceeded to speak in chimpanzee to begin her speech at s headquarters in Paris. Dr. Jane Goodall emphasized the importance of collaboration in combating climate change and supporting local communities, aligning with 鲍狈贰厂颁翱鈥檚 efforts to leverage local knowledge for biodiversity protection.
Oct 31 is World Cities Day. asks: how can cities become hubs for (MIL) learning, especially through multi-actor engagement, physical and virtual MIL activities, and inclusive and accessible MIL participation? Get inspired by UNESCO's MIL Cities Initiatives! Together, we can cultivate informed, critical, and engaged citizens, fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities for all. Join us on this journey!
UNESCO proclaimed 17 October as the , inviting States Parties and stakeholders to celebrate and showcase the richness of living heritage.
This encouraged awareness and action to safeguard diverse cultural traditions for future generations.
Despite progress, 122 million girls remain out of school, inspiring a video for the 2024 International Day of the Girl.
plays a crucial role in preserving cultural diversity in the face of numerous challenges including globalization. It includes practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills passed down through generations. This heritage fosters a sense of identity, facilitates intercultural dialogue, and promotes social cohesion. For the first States Parties and stakeholders are encouraged to organize to showcase and safeguard their living heritage.