UNESCO, the British Council and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) are launching “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), a project funded by the European Union aimed at fostering dialogue in the Western Balkans through enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.

1st Price - Mr. Nguonleng Mengkain (watercolor with pen).         2nd Price - Mr. Chorn Sovandy (painting)  ©RUFA

A visit to the historic Al Khader Monastery and Tel Umm Amer in Gaza highlights UNESCO's support to restoring and preserving Palestine's rich cultural heritage. On 20 April, UNESCO Ramallah accompanied United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Palestine, Lynn Hastings, to visit Al-Khader Monastery and Children’s Library, and Tel Umm Amer, Monastery of Saint Hilarion, in Deir Al Balah, Gaza.  Al Khader Monastery is a place of many legends, and one of the oldest historic buildings in the Gaza Strip. Thanks to the support of Sweden and Switzerland, UNESCO has worked with partners to rehabilitate and breathe life back into the space and it now serves the community as a children’s library. The library is managed by Nawa for Culture and Arts Association and is helping to enhance access to quality and inclusive education for children in Deir Al Balah. The Resident Coordinator also visited Tel Umm Amer, the Monastery of Saint Hilarion, inscribed on the Tentative List of Palestine for sites that could be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was the birthplace of Saint Hilarion, considered the founder of monastic life in Palestine. The site contains important ruins and artefacts, and has been undergoing extensive preservation efforts.  

On 3 May 2022, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, a celebratory event was held in Mongolia with support of the UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office.   Over 70 people coming from the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, Radio Frequency Regulation and Monitoring Department of Mongolian Regulatory Commission of Mongolia, Delegation of the European Union to Mongolia, and UN agencies, and representatives from the media sector participated in the event.   In line with this year’s global theme “journalism under digital siege”, the event featured discussions around the Mongolian media circumstances under digital siege and journalists’ safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Donor: Government of Luxembourg and International Labour Organization Project duration: 02 years (Jan 2014 – Dec 2015, with an extension until June 2016 due to a delayed start) Budget: EUR 500.000 (by LUX) and USD 189.000 (One UN) Geographical coverage: Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam province, Viet Nam. Evaluation duration: March-April 2016

Title: Sustainable Tourism in Central Vietnam Country: Vietnam Administrative unit/Lead agency: ILO Vietnam Responsible ILO official: Gyorgy Sziraczki, Director ILO Country Office for Vietnam Collaborating ILO units/offices: Employment Sector Tourism Sector External implementing partners: UNESCO Office in Viet Nam Quang Na, Provincial People’s Committee Thua Thien Hue, Provincial People’s Committee Budget: US$ 676,000 (EUR 500,000 equivalent)