Ukraine and Iceland discuss cooperation between National Commissions for UNESCO
29 June 2021 20:07
On June 29, 2021, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Chairperson of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO Emine Dzheppar met with Chairperson of the National Commission of Iceland for UNESCO Ms Saeunn Stefánsdóttir. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland for UNESCO Ms Elin Flyngering.
Emine Dzheppar informed about the peculiarities of the organization of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO and the process of its reform in accordance with the priorities of the organization. Among the priorities reflected in the draft strategy of the National Commission for UNESCO, she named digitalization and gender equality. The Head of the Ukrainian National Commission noted a positive example of the Foreign Ministry's campaigns to support women's leadership, as well as efforts to create favorable conditions for women's career growth.
In turn, the Chairperson of the National Commission of Iceland for UNESCO stressed that the issue of gender equality was an integral part of her country’s public policy, including in the context of supporting relevant initiatives within the framework of UNESCO’s activities. She also noted the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the situation of women in the world, in particular, the increase in domestic violence.
In the context of cooperation between the two countries in UNESCO, the parties agreed on the need to support initiatives of both countries aimed at protecting human rights. In this regard, Emine Dzheppar drew the attention of the interlocutors to the ongoing human rights violations in the occupied Crimea.
The First Deputy Minister named the wider involvement of young people in various activities in the areas of UNESCO's work as an important priority of the National Commission of Ukraine. Emine Dzheppar informed about the initiatives to hold a competition among children and youth on climate change and digitalization of society. She suggested considering possible formats of interaction between the associated schools and UNESCO departments in Ukraine and Iceland.
The First Deputy Minister also informed about the international flash mob of video-greetings initiated by the President of Ukraine and the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Organization as an alternative way to celebrate the anniversary amid the COVID-19 pandemic and invited the Icelandic side to join it.
