UNESCO launched the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme in 1991 as an international action plan for academic solidarity to strengthen inter-university co-operation with particular emphasis on support to higher education in the developing countries.
The programme works towards establishing and reinforcing strong and durable linkages amongst higher education and scientific institutions worldwide and at facilitating the transfer of knowledge while combating the brain drain. Special attention is paid to providing assistance through inter-regional and (sub)regional linkages.
The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme encompasses a broad spectrum of activities requiring very flexible modes of action. It is based on genuine, equal partnership among the higher education institutions which initiate various projects within its framework.
Two types of closely interrelated and interdependent activities have emerged as the base for the major strategies for implementing the Programme: inter-university networks and international UNESCO Chairs. While individual chairs responding to specific needs are possible, the programme endeavours to create the proper conditions to allow each chair to be a focal point of a network or to be a part of a network.
The UNITWIN network on Interreligious studies
NEWS
The 2009 UNESCO Chairs Conference
06.05.09
From May 8 - 12, 2009, the Center for Intercultural Dialogue, with the support of the University of Oregon, will host the first-ever meeting on U.S. soil of the UNESCO Chairs from the UNITWIN network on interreligious dialogue for intercultural understanding. UNITWIN is the abbreviation for UNESCO’s university twinning and networking system. There are currently only nineteen Chairs worldwide in UNESCO’s Intercultural Dialogue Program. Chairs from Austria, France, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Tajikistan, the UK and Uzbekistan will attend the conference and give talks on their research on Friday, May 8th.
In conjunction with this meeting, the center will put on a symposium titled "Ethics, Religion and the Environment". The symposium will be open to the public.
Conference Agenda
Events listed below are open to the public and free of charge, unless otherwise noted.
Friday, May 8, 2009
10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. UNESCO Chairs, Research Talks and Discussion Panels Mills International Center and Fir Room, EMU Click here for a detailed schedule.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Building a Culture of Peace Traveling Exhibit Papé Reception Hall, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
6:00 p.m. Blessing and Grand Ronde Canoe Family Lillis Hall, Atrium
6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception Lillis Hall, Atrium
7:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker: Professor Mary Evelyn Tucker "The Emerging Alliance of Religion and Ecology" Lillis Hall, Room 182
Sunday, May 10, 2009
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Building a Culture of Peace Traveling Exhibit Papé Reception Hall, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
10:30 a.m. UNESCO Chairs Brunch hosted by Rotary District 5110 (private event)
1:00 p.m. Professor David Frank "Chaim Perelman, The New Rhetoric, and the Founding of UNESCO" Ford Lecture Hall, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
1:30 p.m. Stein Villumstad "UN Decade of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace – A Contribution Towards World Peace?" Ford Lecture Hall, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
2:00 p.m. Tour of Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
3:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: Concrete Proposal for Future Best Practices: How Religious or Spiritual Communities Can Address Ecological Crises Ford Lecture Hall, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Moderated by Dr. Steven Shankman Jenny Holmes, Ecumenical Ministries Oregon – Portland, OR Rabbi Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin, Temple Beth Israel – Eugene, OR Bud Lane, Vice-Chairman of the Siletz Tribal Council – Siletz, OR John Pitney, Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church – Eugene, OR Imam Mamadou Touré, Bilal Mosque – Beaverton, OR
5:00 p.m. Dinner for UNESCO Chairs and Guests (private event)
7:00 p.m. A Time for Life – Concert by Capella Romana, composition by Dr. Robert Kyr Beall Concert Hall, Admission $10, $8 (students)
Monday, May 11, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Annual Meeting of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs on interreligious dialogue for intercultural understanding (private event)
12:00 p.m. Talk by Cornelia Dean, New York Times Reporter "Modern Environmental Debates: The Intersection of Research, Religion and Ethics" Robinson Theater
6:45 p.m. Interfaith Prayer Service First Christian Church; Eugene, OR
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Time TBD Visit Grand Ronde: Go on tour, learn about the history of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, and meet with Tribal Council members (private event)
6:00 p.m. Dinner at Native American Youth and Family Center, hosted by the Youth and Elders Council (private event)
Detailed schedule of events: http://unesco.uoregon.edu/conference/chairs.html Conference Speakers and Events: http://unesco.uoregon.edu/conference/speakers.html UNESCO Chairs Talks, May 8th: http://unesco.uoregon.edu/conference/chairs.html
