The sixth session of the UNESCO Forum on Gender Equality, organised in cooperation with the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO and the Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO, was held on 6 November 2008. The session focused on the topic of "Justice and Equality: myths and stereotypes" and was moderated by Ms Elizabeth Longworth, Director of Cabinet of the Director General, UNESCO.

Ms Gülser Corat, Director, Division for Gender Equality, UNESCO, gave the opening remarks, recalling UNESCO’s commitment to gender equality and women’s rights. Following this introduction, Ms Elizabeth Longworth emphasised the importance of the theme "Justice and Equality" as we approach the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Mr Michel Audet, Representative of the Government of Quebec within the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO, then introduced the Honourable Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, Former Judge of the Canadian Supreme Court.

In her presentation, the Honourable Claire L'Heureux-Dubé addressed the issue of the training and education of judges in equality and human rights, particularly within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Advisory Forum on Judicial Education on Equality Issues. She highlighted the importance of judicial education as a means to eradicate the myths and stereotypes with which women are confronted in the judicial process.  

Ms Béatrice Castellane, President of the French Association of Women Lawyers, offered an overview of the mandate and activities of the Association and made a commentary on the allocution made by the Honourable Claire L’Heureux-Dubé.