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UNESCO and We Are Family Foundation Unite: Promoting Youth Empowerment and Combatting Discrimination
Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, and Nile Rodgers, legendary American musician and co-founder of WAFF, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in a ceremony on 9 September 2024 at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris.
UNESCO and We Are Family Foundation share a common mandate to foster global youth leadership and combat all forms of discrimination. Together, we'll be stronger in bridging gaps between cultures and peoples, and I look forward to this partnership.
I have been a musician since I was a child, performing for audiences from every corner of the globe. The one thing I love just as much as playing music, is meeting the people from all cultures and creeds. I learned very quickly that we are all more alike than not, and that young people are the key to humanity’s future. I am beyond proud of the partnership between We Are Family Foundation and UNESCO, because we believe that problems that span generations require leadership that does too.
Inspired by UNESCO's commitment to inclusion and WAFF's dedication to youth empowerment, the collaboration will leverage both organizations’ expertise to support young leaders, and address racism and discrimination through joint initiatives.
UNESCO and WAFF will join forces against racism, building upon UNESCO’s annual Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination and the Master Class Series against Racism and Discrimination, and foster gender equality through the “Transforming MEN'talities” programme, which contributes to changing mindsets and policies and addressing gender stereotypes and biases.
UNESCO and WAFF will also promote the production and dissemination of new knowledge on youth to better understand their needs, especially mental health and wellbeing, and support platforms and intergenerational dialogues for the meaningful engagement and participation of youth in decision-making.
This partnership underscores a common commitment to advance social justice and empower next generations to have their voices heard and create a more just and equitable world.
