This exhibition showcases how biosphere reserves around the world play a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing local solutions to global challenges, such as climate change. The 32 panels, available in English and Spanish, show, for example, how UNESCO and its biosphere reserves are working on poverty alleviation in Ghana, ensuring turtle conservation and food security in the Bolivian Amazon, and empowering women in Morocco through better work opportunities in the Argan oil production. The exhibition was developed by UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme with the kind support of the Abertis Foundation. It will be installed in the Paseo La Castellana, one of the main avenues in Madrid. A press conference will be organized with Abertis, the Spanish Government and UNESCO representatives. In addition to contributing to the achievement of the SDGs through its work in education, culture, and the social and human sciences, UNESCO has pledged to increase its activities to promote and safeguard sites for sustainable development though designated biosphere reserves and UNESCO Global Geoparks, as well as inscribed World Heritage properties. These are ideal places to explore innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable development. Biosphere reserves around the world can play a key role in achieving the SDGs by providing local solutions to global challenges.

The UNESCO office in Mozambique is encouraging staff to reflect and debate Gender Based Violence. A documentary on domestic violence in Mozambique will be screened on the morning of the 6th of December in the office conference room, followed by a role playing exercise encouraging staff to take the shoes of vulnerable girls and women, and reflect on their situations and the injustice they face. A suggestions board has also been posted in the office, asking colleagues for their ideas on how to combat gender inequality, in an effort to encourage reflection and discussion among staff members and visitors to the office. A number of sensitization materials have also been placed around the office, with facts to highlight the injustices and abuses many women and girls around the world continue to face

On the occasion of Human Rights Day, UNESCO is organizing a Training of Trainers session on the activity contained in the “Manual for Developing Intercultural Competencies: Story Circles”, to be held on 10 December 2019, from 9:30 to 12:30 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (Room IX). “Story Circles” is a structured yet flexible methodology for developing intercultural competencies in both formal and informal contexts. The methodology was designed to enhance the skills, attitudes, and behaviors of individuals to engage in meaningful and transformative intercultural dialogue. It is a direct response to the ambitions of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013–2022), for which UNESCO is the lead agency within the UN system. The training will be facilitated in English by the author of the Manual, Prof. Darla Deardorff, a globally acclaimed expert on intercultural education. It will include - by invitation - key stakeholders in Paris (French and International NGOs, educators) who can act as multipliers at local and international levels. Interpretation in French will be available.

The International workshop on GLOCAL user requirements for Disaster Risk Reduction and Cultural and Natural Heritage is organized with the support of UNESCO’s unit for disaster risk reduction, France, and guidance of SHELTER project partners, notably the project coordinator Tecnalia. The workshop is structured upon an interactive framework in which international organizations, national governments, local governments, cultural heritage site managers, technical experts and carefully selected international advisors will interplay with SHELTER project partners to provide substantial feedback on the top down user requirements through stocktaking and discussing of existing frameworks dealing with multi-hazards contexts for disaster risk management in cultural heritage.