Men and boys face their own challenges. Society often expects them to "lead", to be the breadwinner, and to conform to traditional roles. These expectations can lead to mental health struggles, risk-taking behaviours, and even violence.
In a global context of backlashes against women’s and girls’ rights, the Transforming MEN’talities Master Class shed light on the benefits of gender equality for all, highlighting the value of soft-skills and non-violence for youth well-being and empowerment. Its goal: to equip youth with knowledge and tools to design their own projects against all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination.
Dear young people, we are here to transform mentalities for a better world. You are at the heart of change; the present and future world belongs to you. Make your choices and make good choices that will enable you to build relationships between men and women, girls and boys, favourable to sustainable development and peacebuilding.
Technology, including artificial intelligence, is neither good nor bad. It's what we make of it, and we need to regulate it.
ADG/SHS Gabriela Ramos, set the agenda, followed by Ambassador Delphine O and Minister Euphrasie Kouassi Yao, Natasha Kelly (Universität der Künste Berlin), Aïcha Zaimi Sakhri (), and Humberto Carolo () who gave lectures on various topics such as afro-feminism, intersectionality, and male allyship. Throughout the day, participants examined critical issues related to violence against women and girls, the rise of online and technology-facilitated violence, intersections with other forms of discrimination, and how to engage men and boys to redefine masculinities.
It’s a promise I made to myself and to all the other little girls: I will go to places I’ve never been, I will take up a lot of space, I will be vocal, I will be loud.
Building on the power of mentorship, the panellists Camille Aumont Carnel (), Jérémy Clamy-Edroux (), Emma Oudiou (UNESCO Fit for Life Champion), Domenica Cobo Flandoli (), Anas Kjidaâ (UNESCO Youth Commission), Gabriella Safe () and Alexis Zraibia-Prochasson (Help His Next President) shared their testimonies and provided advice and good practices to take action against discriminatory situations.
We all conform one way or another to the harmful social norms that we have inherited. This cycle affects us all. It is up to us to break it.
Workshops in the afternoon gave youth practical tools to build their own anti-discrimination projects thanks to facilitators Humberto Carolo (White Ribbon); Sarah Nicole and Badis Djouhri (Graine d’Orateur 93); Christian Grapin, Tia Daher, Charlotte Alaux and Hélène Letzelter (Tremplin Handicap); Jenny Sellers and Nick Newland (Associated Country Women of the World); Ramneek Ahluwalia ( and Maud Fridman.
I loved the workshops which enabled us to interact with people from diverse cultures and background.
In the future, I will pay more attention to the people around me to support and defend them.
The day was punctuated with inspiring video messages from Angad Singh Malik and Sapna Kedia who presented initiatives led in partnership with UNESCO, namely report. Laurent Metterie’s documentary Les petits mâles was projected to engage youth in an intergenerational and intercultural dialogue to question prejudices.
Being confronted with real, concrete situations of violence and considering solutions and projects allowed us to take initiative and take responsibility.
One of the highlights of the day came when young participants shared their ambitious plans to transform mentalities. Their proposals included:
Organizing a festival on positive masculinities;
Establishing a Day against Discrimination in their schools, featuring gests speakers to share experience and good practices;
Creating a club to raise awareness on gender-based violence and provide support to survivors;
Creating a discussion group;
Implementing a comprehensive awareness programme with interactive workshops and discussion sessions for their school community.
Share what you have learned, amplify the voices of those who need to be heard, and remain strong in your resolve.
The tested and tried methodology of UNESCO’s Master Class Series against Racism and Discriminations has already empowered over 14,000 young people worldwide.
The speakers' presentations helped to illustrate and clearly understand the challenges and opportunities for change. The presentation of commitments at the end of the day showed us that we can take action within our high schools and make a difference.
See also
Programme
More on UNESCO’s Transforming MEN’talities programme
More on the Master Class Series against Racism and Discriminations
More on the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Women4EthicalAI Network
