UNESCO collaborated with the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, the Information Office of Jiangsu Provincial Government, and the Nanjing Municipal Government to organize the second edition of the Nanjing Peace Forum, which took place from 24 to 26 October 2021. As part of a three-year MoU between UNESCO and the Nanjing Municipal Government, the annual Nanjing Peace Forum was first launched in 2020 to reiterate the significance of peace, and to promote peace and understanding among people. The Nanjing Peace Forum aims to provide a dynamic platform for ideas and actions on how to build peace and reshape the world towards one marked by intercultural understanding, tolerance, solidarity, social justice, and inclusion. It is designed to be more than just an event, but rather a periodic coming together, underpinning a permanent process of strengthening dialogue and capacities for all relevant stakeholders towards building and sustaining peace.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that humans and nature are part of the same community of living beings. However, global challenges like climate disruption, biodiversity loss, and worsening pollution are increasing social inequality and well-being. The interconnectedness between humanity and nature, as well as the pathway to positive and sustainable peace, are being undermined by the risks posed by these challenges. It is under this context that the 2021 Nanjing Peace Forum focused its attention on the overarching theme of “Living in Harmony with Nature for Peace”, drawing on the notion of ecocivilization.
As an important part of the road to the 2021 Nanjing Peace Forum, a series of regional/sub-regional dialogues were held in the weeks before 24 October 2021. These regional/sub-regional dialogues are designed to promote international exchanges and reflection around the overarching theme, or around one of the following five sub-themes: (i) Climate Change and Peace; (ii) Biodiversity and Peace; (iii) Heritage and Peace; (iv) SDGs and Peace; (v) Water and Peace. So far, the following dialogues have been confirmed:
- Islamabad Dialogue: This dialogue was organized by the UNESCO Islamabad Office on the theme of “Water for Peace”. Water is a shared natural resource whereas competing demand for this resource may generate a conflict or establish a partnership. Issues such as water resources management, development, and governance should be carefully considered and addressed.
- This panel discussion was focused on the following objectives: (i) To engage in a thinking process for regional cooperation in water sector; (ii) To discuss water governance strategies for the resolution of transboundary water disputes. Panelists from different stakeholder organizations were invited including academia, youth and women representatives, public policy experts, development partners, international organizations for water resources research, high level federal government representation, and community members.
- Date: 6 October 2021.
- More information on
- Islamabad Regional Dialogue Report - Road to 2021NPF (Attachment 1)
- Central Asia Dialogue: This dialogue was organized by the UNESCO Almaty Office on the theme of “Cultural Heritage and Cultural and Creative Industries: Build our peaceful future from the heritage of the past” for the Central Asia sub-region. Experts from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan participated in this session.
- Time: 4 PM, 19 October 2021 (Beijing Time, GMT+8:00)
- 2 PM, 19 October 2021 (Almaty Time, GMT+6:00)
- Modality: Online (Zoom)
- More information on:
- Central Asia Dialogue Agenda -Road to 2021NPF (Attachment 2)
- Central Asia Dialogue Report - Road to 2021NPF (Attachment 3)
- Time: 4 PM, 19 October 2021 (Beijing Time, GMT+8:00)
- Africa Dialogue: This dialogue was organized by the UNESCO Harare and Nairobi Offices, with support from the UNESCO Beijing Office, on the theme of “Positive Peace in Africa – The Environment We Need”. The African continent at large is facing acute threats that are related to a compendium of ecological threats, climate change, economic overexploitation of the natural resources, and lack of transparency and governance in the management of public affairs, including climate change, loss of biodiversity, poverty and food insecurity, and natural resources extraction. These threats will for no doubt be huge burdens for positive peace in Africa.
- This dialogue comprised two panels: (i) “Ethics, Politics, Economics, and Peace”; (ii) “Biodiversity, Knowledge, Culture, and Peace”. The dialogue strived to bring insights on two central questions: (i) what are the environmental preconditions for Africa to build and consolidate a Positive Peace? (ii) What new approaches or paradigms can be tested to translate the Ecocivilization into practice? Experts from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Uganda, Morocco, and Kenya participated in this session.
- Time: 3 PM, 22 October 2021 (Beijing Time, GMT+8:00)
- 9 AM, 22 October 2021 (Paris Time, GMT+2:00)
- Modality: Online (Zoom)
- More information on:
- Africa Regional Dialogue Concept Note (Attachment 4)
- Africa Regional Dialogue - The Role of Communication and Advocacy in Africa’s Fight Against Climate Change – Bolun Li (Attachment 5)
- Africa Regional Dialogue - IUCN ESARO – Charles Lukania Oluchina (Attachment 6)
- Africa Regional Dialogue - Le rôle des langues autochtones dans la paix et la protection de la nature en Afrique - Dr. HANDAINE Mohamed (Attachment 7)
- Africa Regional Dialogue - Reimagining Governance, Peacebuilding, and Ecology in Africa : How can states anticipate - Jesutimilehin O. Akamo (Attachment 8)
- Africa Regional Dialogue - Measuring Ecological Risks for Peace - Trust Mamombe (Attachment 9)
- Africa Regional Dialogue - Harnessing the power of Arts and Culture – What models exist in Africa to promote Eco-Existence? - Ayeta Anne Wangusa (Attachment 10)
- Africa Dialogue Report (Attachment 11)
- Latin America and the Caribbean Dialogue: On the sub-theme of “Water and Peace: The Role of Youth in Peacebuilding” to be organized by the UNESCO Montevideo, San Jose, and Kingston Offices, with support from the UNESCO Brasilia and Mexico City offices.
These regional/sub-regional dialogues enriched the discussion and outcome of the 2021 Nanjing Peace Forum.
Capacity Building Activities
Within the framework of the 2021 Nanjing Peace Forum, the UNESCO Beijing Office also worked with selected experts and networks to conduct training sessions designed to enhance capacities in planning and implementing initiatives towards building and sustaining peace. More information about these activities will be available soon.
The program sessions focused on the four themes as follows: SDGs and Peace, Biodiversity and Peace, Water and Peace, Climate Change and Peace.
SDGs and Peace
Introduction:
Ecological Civilization aim to bring about a more socially just and ecologically harmonious global society. Peace, stability, human rights and effective governance based on the rule of law are important conduits for sustainable development. We are living in a world that is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy sustained levels of peace, security and prosperity while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is by no means inevitable and must be addressed.
High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development, affecting economic growth and often resulting in long standing grievances among communities that can last for generations. Sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are also prevalent where there is conflict or no rule of law, and countries must take measures to protect those who are most at risk.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights is key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and strengthening the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
Promoting peace and justice is one of the 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.
Time:
Thursday, 14 October 2021
15h00 – 18h00 (Beijing Time)
Language:
English
Materials:
Capacity Building 1 - Dr Wesam - SDG and Peace (Attachment 12)
Capacity Building 1 - Dr. Ahmed Hilles - Proposal Writing (Attachment 13)
Trainers:
Dr. Wesam Al Madhoun, He holds a PhD of Environmental Engineering from Universiti Sains Malaysia, a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and A fellowship on Sustainable Cities at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He has 15 years of working experience (teaching, training, research and consultancy), where he had assignments in Palestine, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, South Korea, USA and Canada. He was a Research Professor at University of Seoul and a visiting scholar at University of Windsor. Currently he is leading a global initiative “Ambassadors of Sustainability” which has more than 10500 members from 120 countries and he is also the dean of Engineering Faculty at Gaza University.
Dr. Ahmed H. Hilles, He was a postdoctoral researcher at Gent University, Belgium. Dr. Hilles awarded VLIR-UOS Scholarship in Technology for Integrated Water Management from University of Antwerp and Ghent University, Belgium, 2016. He holds a Ph.D. degree in environmental sciences from the Department of Environment Health at Alexandria University (2015). He is also a member of the steering committee as NFG of UNDP/GEF in Palestine. Dr. Hilles has worked as the Director of the Environmental Awareness Department at The Palestinian Environment Quality Authority for 12 years, from 2005 to 2017. In addition, he works as the Chairman (and founder) of the National Institute for Environment and Development (NIED).
Biodiversity and Peace
Introduction:
Peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent and indivisible, where Biodiversity is the cornerstone and whole of life on Earth. Biodiversity loss implies the reduction and disappearance of species and genetic diversity and the degradation of ecosystems. It jeopardizes nature’s vital contributions to humanity, endangering economies, livelihoods, food security, cultural diversity and quality of life, and constitutes a major threat to global peace and security.
Time:
Thursday, 21 October 2021
15h00 – 18h00 (Beijing Time, GMT+8:00)
Language:
English
Material:
Capacity Building 2 - Dr. Dr. Asim Daud Rana-Biodiversity and Peace (Attachment 14)
Trainer:
Dr. Asim Daud Rana, Assistant Professor, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Passion driven scientist with distinguished academic career and having almost 20 years’ experience of imparting and sharing knowledge of satellite remote sensing through university education, multi-national and semi government organizations. Supervision and development of RS/GIS based ecological conservation projects for environmental resources and landuse/landcover mapping, funded by international donors like, World Bank, UNDP, GEF and EU. Professional and academic expertise in satellite remote sensing and digital image processing for atmospheric and landuse/landcover perspectives, GIS mapping, and applications focusing on Earth’s natural resources and environment.
Climate Change and Peace
Introduction:
Climate change is one of mankind’s greatest threats and it is a “crisis multiplier” that has profound implications for international peace and stability. Its negative effects have an impact on the health and wellbeing of people and the planet. Further, they are also closely related to peace and security – especially in vulnerable and fragile contexts. Preventing the dangers of climate change requires an integrated set of strategies that address the causes as well as the impacts on the natural and social environment. Institutions are needed to strengthen common, ecological and human security, build and reinforce conflict-resolution mechanisms and low-carbon energy alternatives.
Time:
Thursday, 28 October 2021
15h00 – 18h00 (Beijing Time, GMT+8:00)
Language:
English
Materials:
Capacity Building 3- Associate Prof. Aeslina Abdul Kadir –Climate change and Peace (Attachment 15)
Capacity Building 3-Dr. Amal Abdelhaleem-Climate change and Peace (Attachment 16)
Trainers:
Associate Prof. Aeslina Abdul Kadir was born in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia, on 21st of July 1980. Graduated with B.Sc. with honours in Environmental Science at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 2002 followed by M.Eng. in Civil Engineering (Environmental Management) at University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in 2004 and PhD in Civil Engineering at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia (2010). Her expertise is in solid waste management and wastewater treatment. She had published more than 100 publications including proceedings, journals, books and modules as the main author and co author with H-index 15. Worth to note, she and her research team also had won more than 40 medals for product competition. In addition, her passion in research has enable her research team to secure more than 3 million (RM) worth of grants. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aeslina binti Abdul Kadir also is a member of Board of Professional Technologist (Ts), International Water Association (IWA), International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), Malaysian Society of Waste Management and Environment (MSWME), Malaysian Society for Engineering and Technology (mySET), Concrete Society of Malaysia (CSM) and Malaysian Research and Innovation Society (MyRIS).
Dr. Amal Abdelhaleem got her Ph.D. of Environmental Engineering in 2019 from Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept., The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. Currently, she is an assistant professor at the Environmental Engineering department, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST). Prior to E-JUST, she worked as a director of environmental projects at Medaf Investments company, Egypt. In this position, she provided leadership in the assessment of global industrial technologies related to water and wastewater treatment, clean energy, and solid and hazardous waste management, especially waste to energy technologies and their potential implementation and application. Additionally, she worked as a reviewer and grant proposal officer at the United Nations Volunteers. Furthermore, she worked as an environmental researcher in the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency for thirteen years. Her role included water and wastewater quality assessment, water and wastewater management, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes management. Her role extended to include providing the technical support and leadership in the implementation of the national emergency plans to combat marine pollution including oil spills, hazardous materials, and upgrading local disaster risk assessment methodologies and disaster risk analysis systems from the environmental perspective
Water and Peace
Introduction:
Water insecurity is increasing worldwide. About 36% of the world’s people live in water-scarce regions, with the numbers set to increase thanks to population growth, rapid urbanization, and growing economic demands for water. On average, droughts affect over 50 million people annually and cause more than $5 billion of damage. Further, they may have long-term de-stabilizing impacts on livelihoods and societies. Meanwhile, 100 million are affected by floods, causing $31 billion in damage. Ecosystem losses and climate change impacts are exacerbating these threats.
Time:
Thursday, 4 November 2021
15h00 – 18h00 (Beijing Time)
Language:
English
Materials:
Capacity Building 4-Professor Ts Dr Zainura Zainon Noor-Water and Peace (Attachment 17)
Trainer:
Professor Ts Dr Zainura Zainon Noor, whom is currently holding the post as the Director of Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA) in UTM, is a passionate yet pragmatist researcher trained in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. Her expertise and research approach works through a green technology and sustainability lens, employing participatory methods and collaborative approaches to solve complex environmental challenges in actual world scenarios. To date, Zainura has published more than 100 articles in the forms of high-impact journals, policy papers, conference proceedings, edited book and book chapters. She has also secured various research funding from public, private and international funders namely British Council and UKRI, amounted to more than RM5 millions which have led to significant outputs and outcomes. Her expertise and wide experience in water and sustainability fields are highly recognised which has led her to being appointed in various national-level committee and high-profile consultation projects at both national and international levels including by various federal ministries and agencies, EPU and UNDP. She has also been awarded several prestigious fellowships including US-ASEAN Science & Technology Fellowship and MIT Visiting Scholars. She is currently the associate of Academy of Science Malaysia and member of Academy Professor Malaysia.