The called for African-led, community-driven heritage initiatives to ensure that World Heritage truly benefits the continent and its people.
Culture
Music teacher Ahmed Abu Amsha founded “GPS (Gaza’s Peaceful Sounds),” a who find hope and resilience through playing instruments amid harsh living conditions.
Deborah Papannah, a 27-year-old visual arts student, is pursuing a career in restoration to preserve her country's colonial buildings and artifacts, empowered by training from programme.
"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world, marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. In his message for this year’s Vesak (12 May), UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlights that the Buddha's teachings of compassion, tolerance, and selfless service align with UN values. He urges these principles to guide us through global challenges. May the spirit of Vesak inspire us to bridge divides, foster solidarity, and work together towards a more peaceful, sustainable and harmonious world.
Fleeing , Olga and Eva found safety and healing in Moldova, where a local library became their sanctuary, nurturing friendship, learning, and a fresh start.
The "Stories of Us" sculpture exhibition at the United Nations features five "talking drums" celebrating resistance, unity, and Afro-descendant communities' journey from roots to emancipation.
Since the 2019 earthquake, Albania's National Puppet Theatre has reopened, combining historic charm with modern innovation. Built in 1924, the theatre has served various roles, including as a military officers' club and the seat of the first parliament. In the 1960s, the building found new life as the National Puppet Theatre. The theatre was damaged in the 2019 earthquake and is being restored as part of the EU4Culture programme. The €40 million initiative, implemented by , has preserved historic elements from the 1920s, 1950s and 1980s. The revitalised theatre is expected to boost tourism, support local businesses and provide opportunities for artists. The National Puppet Theatre is now reopened and will continue to bring families together through laughter, storytelling and imagination.
Education is a human right and a pathway out of poverty. It is the backbone to development and prosperity, and all children should have the opportunity to go to school. But learning is also a lifelong endeavour, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations () has the resources to accompany you on this journey. Whether you want to know more about sea creatures or you want your children to learn about the importance of trees, we have the publication for you!Here are five suggestions to get you started – and there is topic for everyone’s taste: eating healthy, identifying jellyfish, being environmentally friendly from a young age, connecting digitalization and agriculture and understanding the issue of child labour.
The UN Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres shared a heartfelt to commemorate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Snake. Highlighting the snake as a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and renewal, he called for a renewed commitment to peace, equality, and justice. Encouraging people worldwide to view this festive season as a chance for fresh starts, the Secretary-General concluded by extending wishes for good health, happiness, and prosperity in the year ahead.
The study of logic, which examines the principles of reasoning, has been significant throughout history, influencing philosophy and science. Despite its undeniable importance to the progress of knowledge, science and technology, public awareness of logic remains limited. In collaboration with the (CIPSH), 's (14 January) seeks to highlight the history and practical implications of logic for both interdisciplinary science communities and the general public.
2025 marks 100 years of quantum mechanics and has been declared by the UN General Assembly as the . This global initiative highlights quantum science's transformative role in addressing challenges like clean energy, health, climate action, inequality reduction and economic growth. Through global cooperation, education, research, and innovation, quantum technology offers solutions to improve lives and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. the worldwide celebration of quantum science's impact and potential throughout 2025!
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 PotosĂ, Puebla, Hidalgo, QuerĂ©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 MartĂn Chalchicuatla and Chapulhuacanito, each with distinct origins and traditions.
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.
Humans have been producing textiles through weaving for thousands of years. Yarns or threads are carefully interlaced to create both simple and intricate fabrics. Many rural communities depend on weaving for everyday items such as clothing and household goods, and it also serves as a vital source of income for many people. Let's explore the art of weaving in Vietnam, Tajikistan, Fiji, and Guatemala.
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.