On 24 July 2019, UNESCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Anna Lindh Foundation, as a tangible step towards the formalization of an existing relationship and fruitful cooperation over the years.
"UNESCO is pleased to enter into a strengthened phase of its relationship with the Anna Lindh Foundation, a network of networks and a genuine ally in reaching out to civil society stakeholders and in empowering communities", stated Mr Qu Xing, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, who signed the MoU on behalf of the Organization. "Our Foundation, strongly committed to the dialogue among cultures, the research-policy linkages, the close association of youth and civil society, is glad to join hands and efforts with UNESCO, whose mandate echoes perfectly our own mission", said, for his part, Dr Nabil Al-Sharif, Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation.
The two Parties expressed their mutual satisfaction towards this new impetus and synergy given to a collaboration that will focus primarily on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a particular emphasis put on intercultural dialogue; cultural diplomacy; education and training; as well as gender equality and cross-cultural reporting, and cultural diversity management. The backbone of the Memorandum of Understanding is based on the engagement to increase the sharing of expertise; the promotion of research activities; the strengthening of intercultural competences, through the optimal use and involvement of respective networks, the reinforcement of advocacy work; joint activities, notably one major annual activity; along with regional platforms and networking.
"I wish to convey to UNESCO our sincere gratitude, on behalf of President Elisabeth Guigou, and on behalf of the entire Foundation, for this excellent spirit of trust and genuine dedication among us to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, making the most of our expertise and networks", said Dr Al-Sharif.
"UNESCO sees in this MoU a first concrete step among many more to come, starting with the Euromed Women for Dialogue Forum, to take place in Amman in September 2019, to which our Organization is proud to be associated and fully involved by the Anna Lindh Foundation", concluded the Deputy Director-General of UNESCO. We are, if I may, "natural allies" and our strengthened cooperation can only lead to a stronger impact of our action on the ground, for the benefit of all women and men", concluded Mr Qu Xing.
