18 February 2010: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and inaugurated a panel of prominent political, intellectual and religious figures from all regions entrusted with furthering peace founded on justice, respect for human rights, gender equality and solidarity in the context of the challenges posed by an increasingly globalized world, including climate change, management of resources and ethical and economic issues.
The Panel’s mission will be to disseminate UNESCO’s message of peace in the world, through education, science, culture, information and communication. It will meet once or twice a year, and its membership may vary according to the subjects addressed. [UN Press Release] [UNESCO Press Release]