CEO Monika Froehler hosts a penal at the 2020 RAUN Conference

January 16, 2020

2020 RAUN Conference kicked off in Vienna, Austria on January 15th. In cooperation with the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, University of Vienna, and the International Security and Conflict Analysis Network (iSCAN), this 2-day annual conference was hosted by the Regional Academy on the United Nations (RAUN). This year, the conference had the theme of “Environmental and Socioeconomic Sustainability: How to Create Lasting Impacts,” and was attended by BKMC CEO Monika Froehler and COO Katrin Harvey.

Today, on the 2nd day of the conference, Froehler chaired a panel session on “Innovations for Sustainable Development.” During the session, two research groups actively presented their ideas and the research outcomes and raised critical questions, highlighting the importance of community engagement, needs assessment, clear communication, and courage.

CEO Monika Froehler said,

“RAUN research groups looked at sustainable development and innovation through the lens of cities and SMEs. One group explored best practices in Vienna, Hamburg, and Prague. The other explored SMEs in Vietnam and how the 4th Industrial Revolution impacts them.”

Learn more about RAUN 2020: http://ra-un.org/2020-raun-conference.html

Ban Ki-moon delivers Ethics Commission Report to the IOC Session

January 13, 2020

BKMC Co-chair Ban Ki-moon delivered the “Ethics Commission Report” to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session taking place in Lausanne, Switzerland during the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics on January 10th. As Chair of the IOC Ethics Commission and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban focused on three specific points.

First, he indicated that the mechanism of preventive disclosure of interests will be extended to the full IOC membership as a new implementation of the Rules Concerning Conflicts of Interests. This decision by the Ethics Commission followed a thorough analysis of the Rules adopted in 2002 and of the mechanisms in place in other organisations. In order to comply with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), IOC Executive Board Members and IOC directors have been required to disclose their interests since 2015.

Second, in order to reaffirm the leading role of the IOC Ethics Commission and its efficiency in dealing with potential breaches of the ethical principles of the Olympic Movement by IOC Members holding positions in other sports organisations, specific and appropriate mechanisms will be put in place between the IOC Ethics Commission and the ethics com

missions of other sports organisations.

Finally, the IOC Ethics Commission Chair informed the Session that the Ethics and Compliance Office has been reinforced with the integration of a newly created Compliance, Risk Management and Internal Control Unit, which is aimed at strengthening the efficiency of the ethical mechanisms for the IOC administration.

“A culture of ethics is key to the success of any organisation, including the IOC,” said Ban. “We all agree that sport is a unique vehicle for peace; but it can be efficient only if it has credibility,” he stressed.

The IOC Session elected Mrs. Amina Mohamed from Kenya as a new member of the IOC Ethics Commission. Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage in Kenya since 2018, Mrs Mohamed was elected as an independent member in her capacity as a personality and non-IOC Member.

Source: https://www.olympic.org/news/ban-ki-moon-delivers-ethics-commission-report-to-the-ioc-session

Ban Ki-moon delivers a keynote at the inaugural GEMS World Academy Model United Nations conference in Dubai

January 11, 2020

GEMS World Academy Model United Nations (GWAMUN) hosted its 1st conference in Dubai from January 9th to 11th, 2020. As Ambassador of the Model United Nations of the GEMS World Academy (GWA), Co-chair Ban Ki-moon inaugurated the 1st GWAMUN and delivered a keynote at the opening of the conference.

In his keynote address, Ban Ki-moon said:

“We have to be inspired to go out into the world and to work not only for the betterment of our own country but also for the betterment of humankind. It is critical that we all are global citizens first and act with passion and compassion.

Today’s youth must be empowered to talk about these issues. I am confident that together, we can make the world safer and more sustainable for today and for generations to come.”

The two-day conference was attended by more than 500 delegates from 34 GEMS Education schools including GWA Singapore and other schools in the UAE. The conference was also attended by world leaders, government officials, educators and students from around the region, including former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, who also serves as a Board member of the Ban Ki-moon Centre, as well as CEO of the Centre Monika Froehler.

“I am delighted to attend the first conference where I had the privilege of meeting the GEMS World Academy students and thank the Secretariat team led by their Director-General Lihong Wang, and Deputy General Aditya Joshi for organizing the Model United Nations Conference. These students are passionate and committed to the MUN concept. They are our future as I look forward to seeing how they will deal with critical topics impacting our world,” Ban added.

The conference, under the theme of “Challenges of Intervention in a Complex World,” was organized by the GWAMUN Secretariat – a group of seven students from GWA, who Co-chair Ban had a meeting with before the opening of the conference. The MUN sessions concentrated on driving dialogue and sharping perceptions as well as gaining a critical understanding of the social, political, economic, and environmental challenges confronting the international community. Delegates discussed key aspects such as the difficulties of intervention in an increasingly complex, connected, and the multipolar world – one of the greatest challenges facing the global community.

The GEMS students also performed music pieces at the opening, some wearing Korean traditional clothes. GWAMUN’s ambition is not merely bringing simulation benefits to individuals but cultivating an ethic of service and a character of mindfulness. The conference aims to bring into closer contact the magnitude of the challenges confronting all of humanity and inspire each and everyone to match words with meaningful actions.

Dino Varkey, CEO of GEMS Education, said:

“We are delighted to be joined by our guest of honour – the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations – His Excellency Ban Ki-moon – our Ambassador for the Model United Nations at GEMS World Academy Schools worldwide. It is absolutely a privilege for us, and for the students from around the region who are attending the conference debating on real world issues from climate change to alleviating poverty. With the generous support of Ban Ki-moon, our students have already started receiving an unrivalled learning opportunity to take notes from such an inspirational personality. They can develop a stronger understanding of diplomacy and gain a clearer worldview on current issues, helping them become truly global citizens.”

GEMS World Academy Dubai, founded in 2008 as a member of the GEMS Education network of schools, has gone from strength to strength and now welcomes more than 1,500 students from 85 countries every day.

Learn more about GWA Dubai: https://www.gemsworldacademy-dubai.com/en

Ban Ki-moon’s Keynote Address at the Opening of the GEMS World Academy Model United Nations

January 9, 2020

Ban Ki-moon’s Keynote Address
Opening of the Inaugural Model United Nations Conference
GEMS World Academy – Dubai
January 9, 2020

I am delighted to be here at the inaugural GEMS World Academy, Dubai Model United Nations conference. It is energizing to see so many individuals and schools represented.

To be an Ambassador of GWA MUN is a great honour and privilege for me. One of the main reasons I accepted this position from Mr. Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman of GEMS Education, was because I knew it would give me incredible insight into the way youth are thinking.

You are the world’s future leaders, and by being here it shows that you are committed to the world we live in and your passion to make a difference. I commend you all for that.

The theme of the conference, “Challenges of intervention in a complex world”, is so important. It gives you all the opportunity to explore global issues and look for solutions that perhaps world governments, NGOs, and many others haven’t thought of.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting the GEMS World Academy Secretariat who organised this conference. I was impressed with the leadership of the entire Secretariat team led by their Director-General Lihong Wang, and Deputy General Aditya Joshi. Without them this conference would not have been possible. Their passion, enthusiasm, and their drive to make a change gives me great comfort.

Like all of you, they are so committed to the MUN concept. This fills me with so much pride.

You may ask “why?”

You are our future and I am confident that you will have prudent solutions to real 21^st century problems.

But, this conference is about more than that… and I hope that when the conference is over you will realise that you have personally grown and have met inspiring people and that you will have learned a lot.

The conference will train some of your skills that will help you shape your future in many ways; from developing key leadership abilities to researching, writing and public speaking.

Some of you will learn

Moreover, finding realistic solutions to real world problems that are acceptable to a majority of representatives requires incredible skills of negotiation, conflict resolution and cooperation. This is easier said than done!

I hope that the biggest take away for your all will be OWNERSHIP. Ownership of the world we all live in. OWNERSHIP for the Sustainable Development Goals. OWNERSHIP of the Agenda 2030. OWNERSHIP of the principle of leaving no one behind.

When I ended my tenure as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I knew that there was much more work to be done… So, I founded the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens along with Heinz Fischer, the former President of Austria. The Centre is based in Vienna and focusses on empowering women and the youth in the framework of the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement.

You might ask why we chose to focus on Gender Equality and Quality Education because half of the world is women and half the world is under 25 years of age.

And, despite best efforts, in many developing countries, primary, secondary and tertiary education for girls STILL remains a challenge. We cannot ignore this.

Currently 264 Million children are not at school, a majority of them are girls.
In matters of access to education, professional opportunities, pay and representation there is no gender equality…yet!
Women are still under-represented in top positions…
1 in 3 women in the world have experienced physical or sexual violence…
And trafficking women and girls is still happening around the world.
Child marriage is still practiced and women and young people are the hardest hit in any conflict, war or crisis.
This has to stop!

The world is currently home to the largest generation of youth ever – with 1.8 billion young people worldwide. Nearly 90 per cent of which live in developing countries.

More than 70 million youth are currently unemployed and around 40 percent of the world’s active youth are either jobless or living in poverty – despite working.

As we know, unemployment breeds many problems from inequality, crime to terrorism.

And this has to be addressed.

Yes, progress is being made. But it is not enough. The Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens puts emphasis on decreasing youth mortality, supporting education, women and youth entrepreneurship – and raises awareness for global citizenship issues.

We want to make sure that all young people know about the SDGs and become agents of positive change. This is important given today’s challenges globally.

I am often asked: ‘but what can I do as an individual?’ believing that your contribution won’t make a difference. That is wrong! And if you think that it is someone else’s responsibility, then the world will continue to suffer.

It doesn’t matter how small your contribution to society is, as long as you are contributing in whatever way you can – within your capability.

We all know that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are each mammoth tasks… but they are achievable if each and every one of us plays our part.

One of the biggest challenges is mobilising sufficient financing to effectively pursue the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development.

But, it is also about human-power.

This brings me back to ‘what is achievable’ for an individual? You should never think your contribution won’t be enough to be a catalyst for change. Everyone can make a difference. And I want to give you a real example from within GEMS Education.

I was delighted to learn that many GEMS teachers are United Nations Climate Change certified – with one school, The Kindergarten Starters, recently becoming the World’s first fully-accredited UN:CC school with all 300-plus of its teachers and support staff certified.

I am even more pleased to hear that other teachers across GEMS Education schools are following suit.

This was all made possible after ONE single teacher from GEMS First Point – The Villa – Candice Wright – discovered that accreditation was ONLY possible for teachers in the United Kingdom. However, she questioned the process and now as a result of her perseverance, the qualification is available to everyone around the world.

This has now resulted in hundreds of teachers becoming UN:CC certified in less than a year. And, it is evidence – within your own network of schools – that one person CAN make a difference.

I would like to leave you with this.
Be inspired to go out into the world and to work not only for the betterment of your own country, or the country you live in but for the betterment of humankind.
Be a global citizen! Act with passion and compassion!

Together, we can make the world safer and more sustainable for today, and for generations to come.
This is our moral responsibility as human beings.

Thank you.

Ban Ki-moon meets with the GEMS Education Model UN Secretariat

January 8, 2020

On January 8th, 2020, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon and CEO Monika Froehler had a meeting with the GEMS World Academy Student Executive Committee in Dubai. As Model UN Ambassador of the GEMS World Academy schools, Ban encouraged the students to act as global citizens.

“Whatever leadership you may take, you should have a global vision,” said Ban.

He stressed that aspiring leaders should have compassion and think outside their community and country and added,

“It is critical that today’s youth take on responsibility for the world we live in from an early educational platform, and it is essential that educators empower students to talk about issues such as the environment and sustainability so that we can limit any adverse effects on our future generations.”

Before the opening ceremony of the annual GWAMUN, the BKMC leaders also met with the Korean students at the GWA and had a Q&A session about global citizenship and the SDGs. Ban also shared his experience as the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Learn more about GEMS World Academy: https://www.gemseducation.com

Co-chair Ban Ki-moon Gives a Keynote during the 6th Seoul Climate-Energy Conference 2019

December 23, 2019

“The USA should return to Paris Climate Agreement…It is a political and moral responsibility of the US.”

On December 20, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon attended and gave a keynote at the 6th Seoul Climate-Energy Conference 2019 held in Seoul, Korea.

The 6th Seoul Climate-Energy Conference, under the theme of “New Climate Regime and the New Normal,” placed heavy emphasis on global climate change discussions and international cooperation. This year’s conference endeavored to redefine what “normal” is as climate change that has been accelerated by unpredictability in global politics and pushes the globe close to the point of no-return.

Renowned experts from academia, business, industry and policy together reviewed the outcomes of COP 25, examined the tole of higher education in sustainable development, discussed big data as the newest source of clean energy, revisited the importance of the renewable-nuclear alliance, and investigated the prospects of engaging young generations in climate change discussions.

Co-chair Ban Ki-moon emphasized the importance of getting support from political leaders to mitigate climate change effects and promote sustainable development, and said,

“Every state should make choices for humanity rather than its own selfish national interests. It is the responsibility of sovereign states to engage in transnational cooperation and participate in global challenges.”

He also proposed a multilateral approach as a solution. Co-chair Ban said,

“Even a country with abundant resources like the US cannot solve such a multifaceted issue alone. We must act in unity to solve the problem.”

Co-chair Ban then presented an example of Bangladesh,

“In 1971, a fatal cyclone in Bangladesh resulted in more than 300,000 casualties. However, after devising appropriate policies to prevent future lose, the average number of yearly casualties due to cyclones dropped to less than 10. Likewise, if we implement proper measurements, we can adopt to climate change and prevent climate catastrophes.”

As he concluded his keynote, Co-chair Ban said,

“Former President John F. Kennedy once said that we choose to go to the moon, not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Because solving climate change is also hard, we must do it and do it together.”

The first World Forum on Non-formal Education convened by the Scout Movement kicks off in Rio de Janeiro

December 10, 2019

The World Non-Formal Education Forum, convened by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), UNICEF, UNFPA and the Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, kicked off in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 9th and will run until December 11th. The Forum is the first convening of its kind offering an international platform for ideas on non-formal education and aiming to explore how organisations can keep pace with the latest trends in non-formal education and contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Non-formal education is a prerequisite for meaningful engagement in modern society. We are witnessing the largest generation of youth the world has ever seen, and it is our responsibility to ensure that every young person has access to opportunities that allow them to thrive in this rapidly changing society,” said Ahmad Alhendawi, Secretary General of the Scout Movement, who also serves on the Ban Ki-moon Centre’s Board.

Moderated by Alhendawi,

the first plenary session was held under the theme of “A Changing World of Learning: Where does Non-Formal Education fit in?” where BKMC CEO Monika Froehler featured as a key speaker.

She said “a life-long learning is incredibly important and non-formal education is actually much faster than formal education and is a pioneer in the life-long learning platform.”

“We need people that have agency. We need people with a global citizenship mindset,”quoting Jack Ma, Founder of Alibaba Group and Jack Ma Foundation, Froehler said that this is exactly what non-formal education says.

Contrary to the notion that education happens only through the formal educational curriculum, non-formal education is what happens in places such as youth organizations and clubs, and community groups where young people meet to undertake projects together, facilitate peer-to-peer learning, and engage in activities like camping, music and community service. Research highlights the increasing relevance of non-formal in building a wide-range of competencies that are necessary for a changing-world.

Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Youth Envoy, stressed that there should be “mutual respects across generations and within the generation.” Leading the youth panel discussion, she agreed that young people should not be expected to bring new solutions but rather that they are here to encourage the decision-makers to actually implement the solutions.

The three-day programme features a series of main panel discussions led by sector experts, stage talks, innovation labs and over 30 interactive sessions and side events. Among the key outcomes of the event will be a joint statement referred to as the Rio Declaration, presenting action items and commitments to advance the agenda and investment in non-formal education.

“Non-formal education is a powerful force for empowering young people to become active citizens and create social impact towards sustainable development. The next three days will bring key actors on board to drive more recognition and investments in non-formal education and allow us the opportunity to collaborate internationally and form successful partnerships,” said Pia Melin Mortensen, Member of the World Scout Committee and Chair of the World Non-Formal Education planning team.

The event is also providing a platform for alliances of youth orgnaisations to convene their annual side meetings including the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organisations (ICMYO) and the “Big 6” group of youth organisations which includes the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, YMCA, YWCA, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

“We are small organizations but have enormous impacts. Our work is super valuable,” said one of the participants from the audience at the youth panel discussion.

Watch the live streaming here:

Welcome to #NFEforum Live

Article Source: https://worldnfeforum.com/largest-specialized-world-forum-on-non-formal-education-kicks-off-in-rio-de-janeiro/
Highlights: https://worldnfeforum.com/highlights-of-the-day/

BKMC co-hosts the event “Evolving beyond Trauma” as part of the Orange the World Campaign 2019

December 6, 2019

“The world needs to heal from trauma.” – Elena Castellucci, Past-President Juvenilia Club Vienna, Soroptimist International Austria, founding member TANKA Solutions.

On the occasion of the UN Women campaign “Orange The World”, the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens brought together an event Orange the World 2019: Evolving Beyond Trauma with partners Juvenilia Clun Vienna, Soroptimist International Vienna on December 3, 2019.

Every fifth woman in Austria – around 20 percent of all women – is exposed to physical and/or sexual violence from the age of 15. One in three women had to experience some form of sexual harassment since they were 15 years old. Every seventh woman is affected by stalking from the age of 15. Many women experience traumas that accompany them throughout their lives.

The events included keynote speeches and a panel discussion on trauma of female victims of violence against women including domestic violence.

This topic was addressed by a jury of internationally acclaimed experts who will speak openly about their personal, unfiltered stories and share their knowledge and valuable insights into this complex topic.

Co-chair Heinz Fischer delivered a keynote speech and stressed three important points:

Education and Information
Safe space (which should be funded by the government)
Awareness (which should create solidarity, help, understanding, and courage)

Elena Castellucci, Past-President Juvenilia Club Vienna, Soroptimist International Austria, founding member TANKA Solutions, said during the opening that we need to create a shift and decrease the amount of trauma by creating a real support system.”

Before the panel discussion, an actress and author Erika Pluhar read an excerpt from one of her books “Raising the Voice.”

Many inspiring stellar speakers were there to support the victims because talking about trauma requires courage and learning about it requires compassion.

Speakers:
Elena Castellucci, Past-President Juvenilia Club Vienna, Soroptimist International Austria, founding member of TANKA Solutions
Co-chair Heinz Fischer, Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, former President of Austria
Dr. Desiree Schweitzer, UN Women Austria
Marcella Sigmund-Graff, President of the Austrian Union, Soroptimist International Austria

Reading:
Erika Pluhar

Panel discussion:
Kimberly Budinsky, moderator
Sean McCarthy, Founder of TEDS Foundation, CEO of Tanka Solutions & HolisticHealth Coach
Louise Deininger, Conceptual Artist & Founder of GYCO
Sharon Anena, GYCO Administration Manager & Chief Assistant, Founder of Julias Heart CBO
Rania Mustafa Ali, Jornalist & Documentarist
Dr. Susanne Hölbfer, Senior Physician Gynecology at Wilhelminenspital
Serani Siegel, Project Manager in the Gender Section of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General

Source: UN Women

BKMC awards innovative social leaders from Latin America “Latin America Leader Award 2019”

December 4, 2019

On December 4th, the Global School for Social Leaders hosted a Latam Awards Ceremony 2019 in support of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, Humanist World, Cámara de Diputados, 1 Million Startups, and GIAO at the Impact Hub in Vienna. At the ceremony, the top 8 selected social leaders and innovators from Latin America, who work for the SDGs, were awarded the “Latin America Leader Award 2019.”

Giving a keynote, BKMC CEO Monika Froehler asked the audience,

“Do you believe that you can make a change in this world?”

She said that by networking and cooperating with each other, we will eventually be able to convince that “we CAN make it happen.”

Froehler also introduced the Ban Ki-moon Centre’s partner Global Citizen to the gathered social entrepreneurs by explaining how it all started as a small initiative by young change-makers who now raise billions of money to make changes in the global society and how individuals can contribute to creating a bigger impact by doing global citizen deeds.

Ambassador Alejandro Solano of the Embassy of Costa Rica in Austria, Consul Fernando Flores of Ecuador in Austria, Diego Masera, Chief of the Renewable Energy Unit at UNIDO, and other SDG experts and global social entrepreneurs also delivered speech and presentations.

BKMC CEO Monika Froehler Attended FIA Environment and Sustainability Commission Meeting

December 3, 2019

Today, FIA’s Environment and Sustainability Commission came together during the Annual General Assembly that is taking place in Paris, France.

At the meeting, delegates discussed its aims to strengthen the FIA’s environmental sustainability credentials across its two pillars of Sport and Mobility by advocating for a cleaner, safer and more sustainable urban mobility as their core agenda. And this year’s agenda was on FIA E&S Commission’s support for UNFCCC’s “Sports for Climate Action Initiative.”

BKMC CEO Monika Froehler spoke highly of the role of FIA in the field and said,

“IOC and FIA are both important champions in this sport for climate action initiative…We are glad to see President of FIA Jean Todt, E&S Commission Chair President of Mexico Felipe Calderón and other high-level representatives of sports and mobility at FIA taking the lead on contributing to climate action in their respective fields.”

During the meeting, FIA’s Environmental Delegate Garry Connelly said,

“We need to be more vocal also about the positive contribution of motor sport and mobility for the environment and society at large: more efficiency for combustion engines, fuels, oils, less fuel consumption and other technological spin-offs.”

Category: Event