Event Details
The Unlearning Intolerance Seminar Series
UN Under-Secretary-General Kiyotaka Akasaka will open the seminar “Art Changing Attitudes toward the Environment”.
The seven participating artists representing six global regions are: Noor Al-Bastaki, El Anatsui, Subhankar Banerjee, Catherine Chalmers, Ichi Ikeda, Philippe Pastor and Cecilia Paredes.
UN Experts: Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity and a Representative from UNEP
Venue:United Nations Headquarters, First Avenue at 46th Street, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Live webcast: www.un.org/webcast
Event organized by the Outreach Division, Department of Public Information.
Press Conference:
Date: Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Venue: Press Briefing Room, S-226, UN Headquarters -- 11:00 a.m.
Live webcast: www.un.org/webcast
Media Arrangements:
Accreditation:Journalists without UN accreditation who wish to attend the events should send a request on company letterhead signed by a supervisor to Gary Fowlie, Chief, UN Media Accreditation Unit, fax +1 (212) 963 4642 or call +1 (212) 963 6934. More information at www.un.org/media/accreditation
For further information or for interviews please contact:
UN Department of Public Information Yvonne Acosta: Tel: +1 (212) 963 7214, e-mail: unchronicle@un.org Rosa-Maria Ndolo/ Scaria Augustine: Tel: +1 (917) 367 3030/9326, e-mail: unchronicle@un.org
Natural World Museum Andrew Ütt: Tel: +1 (415) 402 0583, e-mail: Andrew@naturalworldmuseum.org See also: http://www.artintoaction.org/
Background
The Unlearning Intolerance Seminar Series
The Unlearning Intolerance Seminar Series was initiated by the Department of Public Information in 2004. The series aimed to examine manifestations of intolerance as well as explore means to promote respect and understanding among peoples. As its name suggests, the "Unlearning Intolerance" series offers opportunities to discuss how intolerance, wherever it exists and for whatever reason, can be "unlearned" through education, inclusion and example.
The previous seminars, all held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, have highlighted diverse issues of intolerance on the themes: "Confronting Anti-Semitism: Education for Tolerance and Understanding" (2004); "Confronting Islamophobia: Education for Tolerance and Understanding" (2004); "Fanning the Flame of Tolerance: The Role of the Media"(2005); "Critical Perspectives in Combating Genocide: What We Can Do to Prevent. What We Can Do During. What We Must Do After" (2005); and "Cartooning for Peace" (2006).
UNEP
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the world’s leading environmental agency and environmental arm of the United Nations System, providing leadership and encouraging partnerships for conservation efforts by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations to improve quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
Natural World Museum
Founded in 2001, the Natural World Museum (NWM) is a mobile and global cultural institution that presents art through innovative programs to inspire and engage the public in environmental awareness and action. This innovative approach became globally recognized in 2005 when NWM joined forces with UNEP to launch the ongoing Art for the Environment initiative. Art for the Environment exhibitions demonstrate that the fusion of art and environment is a powerful synergistic tool for positive social change. In order to engage the public, NWM designs its exhibits to be interesting and evocative with sensibility in mainstream thought. NWM exhibits feature an eclectic mix of painting, sculpture, photography, multimedia and conceptual installations. The exhibits function as an interface between humans and nature - the story behind the artwork is what makes the environmental message come alive. By providing enlightening visitor experiences, NWM helps create communities of reflective learners, critical thinkers, and creative activists.
Art for the Environment
This exhibition is presented as a part of the global Art for the Environment Initiative, a partnership between NWM and UNEP. The Goal is engage the public in environmental awareness and action. The exhibition demonstrates that the fusion of art and environment is a powerful synergistic tool for positive social change. By utilizing the universal language of art as a catalyst to united people in action and thought, we empower individuals, communities, and leaders to focus on environmental values across social, economic, and political realms.
