UNESCO played a key role in the second Multi-stakeholder Partnership Dialogue, which focused on social development issues in Small Island Developing States. UNESCO Director-General Mme Irina Bokova was a panellist in the opening session.
The Director-General emphasized the importance of culture and heritage as an intrinsic part of social development. She stated that social inclusiveness is critical to the dialogue on social development, and that we need the full membership of all members of society to shape a collective destiny. Cultural heritage plays a vital role in this process, as a force for social cohesion.
Irina Bokova mentioned three additional areas of great importance: education, gender equality and youth development. Education is an especially powerful development multiplier: a tool for empowering girls and young women, addressing health issues such as HIV and AIDS and opening opportunities for youth.
She concluded with examples of UNESCO's action in these areas, and how UNESCO works in partnership with many different stakeholders. A highlight is the Supporting Comprehensive Sexuality Education in the Pacific partnership with Pacific governments, UNFPA and UNICEF, which focuses on a comprehensive approach to school-based sexual and reproductive health education. Launched this February, the SIDS Youth Network brings together young people from the more than 40 SIDS member states, giving them a voice in devising sustainable development strategies for their countries as well as a forum through which they can take collective action. (http://ift.tt/Ybl36m ) These initiatives demonstrate UNESCO's commitment to working with SIDS to continue building inclusive approaches to education, gender equality and youth development.
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