An international platform for reflection and discussion, UNESCO has created the Leaders’ Forum within the 36th session of UNESCO’s General Conference to inject from the highest level of governments new inspiration and directions for the future. The Leaders’ Forum is a major opportunity to explore in an open manner innovative, even provocative ideas and new ways of promoting peace and prosperity in a globalized world through UNESCO’s fields of competence and thereby help chart the programmatic activities of the Organizations in the future.

The Forum took place on 26 and 27 October 2011 on the following theme :

“How does UNESCO contribute to building a culture of peace and to sustainable development?”

The President of the 36th session of the General Conference; the Chairperson of the Executive Board and the Director-General of UNESCO  opened the Leaders’Forum.

Each of the three sessions started by  keynote addresses by Heads of State or Government, followed by an exchange of views between Ministers, preferably without set statements.

Heads of States or Governments who have honoured us with their presence are

• H.E. Mr Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
• H.E. Mr Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Republic of Gabon
• H.E. Mr Pal Schmitt, President of the Republic of Hungary
• H.E. Mr Johnson Toribiong, President of the Republic of Palau
• H.E. Mr Boris Tadic, President of the Republic of Serbia
• H.E. Mr Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada
• H.E. Mr Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya
• H.E. Mr Pascal Irenée Koupaki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Benin

The sessions were moderated by Ms Zeinab Badawi, Presenter of World News Today on both BBC Four and BBC World News and Mr Stephen Cole, Senior Presenter Al Jazeera English, Doha and London.