The seminar, organized under the auspices of the UNESCO Chairs Program, focused on the theme of transforming global governance. This event, held on July 17, 2024, was the sixth and final seminar in the series “Towards the Pact for the Future,” which aimed to discuss key aspects of modern governance, including the reform and reinvigoration of multilateralism.
Three distinguished representatives of UNESCO Chairs participated in the seminar:
- R. Pieza from the UNESCO Chair on Complex Systems and Transformative African Futures at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, discussed the importance of a complex approach to governance, emphasizing the significance of interconnections and interactive processes in the modern world. She noted that governance systems must be adaptive and include diverse knowledge systems to better understand complex realities.
- Osman Gouten from the UNESCO Chair on Cultural Diplomacy, Governance, and Education at Istanbul Aydın University, Turkey, highlighted the significance of internationalization in higher education and its role in global governance. He emphasized that international student exchanges should not be used solely for enhancing political or economic influence but should foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding among nations.
- Professor M.M. from the UNESCO Chair for the Culture of Peace at Felix Houphouet-Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire, focused on the importance of the culture of peace and its role in shaping effective global governance. He shared examples from African cultural traditions that can contribute to developing conflict prevention mechanisms and promoting peace.
The seminar provided an important platform for discussing the contemporary challenges in global governance and exploring new approaches to address them. Participants shared insights on the need to rethink traditional governance models and incorporate diverse cultural perspectives into decision-making processes.
This seminar underscored the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and the engagement of diverse stakeholders to create more inclusive and equitable global governance in the future.