Bokova: Future communicators must focus on inclusivity
sharjah — “Financial and economic considerations alone can’t solve all the problems. What the world now needs is more of an intellectual and moral solidarity and this is what the UAE is doing through the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF),” Irina Bokova, former director-general of Unesco, has said.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the IGCF on Wednesday, Bokova focused on cross-cultural communication and inclusivity. “We all feel diminished when something wrong is happening, even if it’s in some distant part of the world. Sensitivity is the common thread, that’s when we all feel connected.”
Focus on gender equality
She also expressed concern that even though there was progress, no country has achieved gender equality. “Therefore, the United Nations Women (UN Women) has declared 2020 as the year for gender equality. This year is especially important in terms of how we implement different policies pertaining to women. We also celebrate 20 years after adoption of another major security council resolution for women’s peace and security.” She added: “We know that women suffer most during conflict and violence, especially in refugee camps. But when it comes to negotiations, they are not at the table.”
Effective global citizens
Bokova further noted that no human being should be excluded from the mainstream. “To put a human being in front of a choice is damaging. This can be dangerous. We should never make a human being a minority. Stigmatisation and Islamophobia can destroy the world. Therefore, for everything we need to have the right compass or the right values. Thus, education is important for global citizenship”.
As the ninth director-general of Unesco (2009-2017), Irina Bokova made two firsts. She is both the first female and first Southeastern European to head the agency.
We know that women suffer most during conflict and violence, especially in refugee camps. But when it comes to negotiations, they are not at the table.” Irina Bokova, former director-general of Unesco