On December 16th, 2015 in Paris, was held a meeting of the NGO–UNESCO Liaison Committee, during which were discussed different topics. Participants expressed their positions on the Committee’s activities during the year. Overall activity in 2015 of the Liaison Committee and the non-governmental and civil sectors was very successful and enriching all stakeholders. They were held several major events, including forums in China, at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris and a Round Table on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO and external meeting of the NGO–UNESCO Liaison Committee in Bulgaria.
It was stressed the importance of the allocated space for NGOs during the 38th session of the UNESCO General Conference. Space was useful both for NGOs themselves, which exchanged experiences and ideas and also for participants and guests of the conference, who had the opportunity to learn about various activities of NGO partners.
Members of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison CommitteeMr. Shen Che, Chairman of the Association of folklore and photography, China
and Mr. Kiril Arnautski, Chairman of Sozopol Foundation, Bulgaria
Last but not least, special attention was paid to the initiative to hold a forum in March 2016 with the working title “Sustainable Development for Peace”. Sozopol Foundation shares the opinion that the issue of peace is particularly timely and important, given the growing violence and hatred in the world.
After the held meeting Sozopol Foundation, following its high activity, made a proposal to the Liaison Committee to organize an external meeting in late May, early June in Bulgaria, in the towns of Sandanski and Melnik. The proposal of Sozopol Foundation stems from the desire to illustrate on site how in Bulgaria in partnership with Government, local authorities, civil society and NGOs are making efforts in safeguarding of the natural and cultural heritage.
The idea is during the meeting to discuss several major topics:
• The ability of the NGO Committee members, who are representing the respective regions in the Liaison Committee, to perform functions of the focal points for these regions (without financial participation of UNESCO).
• Discussion of the activities regarding Forum “Sustainable Development for Peace”: results, follow-up.
• Discussion on the preparation of the second Forum, which should be held in the autumn of 2016: program, topics, expectations.
For Sozopol Foundation, local authorities and civil society of the municipality of Sandanski and the town of Melnik will be an honor to organize external meeting and meet their friends from the NGO–UNESCO Liaison Committee in Bulgaria.