The UNESCO Chair on Cultural Diversity and Social Justice at Deakin University, Professor Fethi Mansouri, has been appointed Adjunct Professor at South Mediterranean University, in Tunis, Tunisia.

The Adjunct Professorship is three years in the Mediterranean School of Business. Through his appointment, Professor Mansouri will continue collaboratively researching social and political transformation in Tunisia, and migration. This includes the social and economic impacts of sub-Saharan African ‘unauthorized’ migration. Mansouri’s research will also continue to focus on Tunisian youth and democracy education.

Professor Mansouri has collaborated with colleagues at South Mediterranean University and NGOs in Tunisia in the past. Most recently, he presented to the Mediterranean School of Business in 2025 (pictured).

Professor Mansouri’s appointment builds global North-South research cooperation between Australia and Tunisia, as well as being the Professor’s country of birth.

The UNESCO Chair on Cultural Diversity and Social Justice is a Member and Convenor of the UNESCO UNITWIN IDIU Network

UNESCO warmly invites you to take part in this month’s Futures Dialogue, a global webinar series dedicated to exploring the trends shaping our shared future. The webinars will cover a range of themes across education, the sciences, culture, and communication.

This month’s session is on the topic of Futures of Knowledge. The session will reflect on what it takes to sustain progress toward more inclusive and transformative knowledge societies amid rapid technological shifts, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving power dynamics.

As UNESCO writes:

Uneven access to knowledge, and opportunities to generate knowledge, often reflect social and economic inequalities. Research funding is increasingly concentrated in the private sector. Yet, conversations about inclusive ‘futures of knowledge’ for the common good cannot avoid questions of epistemic justice, such as ‘whose knowledge counts’? 

In an era defined by unpredictability and accelerated change, long-term and futures-oriented thinking has never been more essential.

These monthly sessions serve as an observatories for change. They aim to bring together diverse voices to explore developments that could shape generations to come. Whether you work in education, research, cultural policy, media, or science, this series provides an invaluable opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and contribute to meaningful, future-oriented conversations.

Read more and register for the webinar which will be held on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 14:00 to 15:30 (Paris time), to be held online in English and French.

The UNESCO Chair in Comparative Studies of Spiritual Traditions, their Specific Cultures and Interreligious Dialogue participated in an international conference on the ‘Anthropological Turn in Policultural Education: Values, Identities, Educational Strategies.’

About one hundred academics from across Russia attended the conference, held on 6 February 2026 in St Petersburg. Based at the Coat of Arms Hall of Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University, the meeting was presided by the Rector, Mr. Sergei V. Tarasov. A number of honorary guests attended, including the famous Russian diplomat and state official, Senator Mr. Vladimir A. Chizhov. Professor Guy Mettan, from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, also attended the conference.

UNESCO Chair, Mr. Dimitri L. Spivak, delivered an invited plenary paper on Intercultural Dialogue in UNESCO Educational Strategy. His discussion analysed strategic documents including the UNESCO Constitution (1945), Vision Statement of the United Nations Organization Secretary-General Antonio Guterrez on Transforming Education (2022), Fortaleza Declaration of the Global Education Meeting, organized by UNESCO (2024), Santiago Consensus adopted at World Summit of Teachers, sponsored by UNESCO (2025), and last but not least, UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2029).

In addition, Vice Chair, Ms. Alina V. Venkova gave an invited talk devoted to ‘Anthropological Challenges of Digital Space: Mechanisms of Inheritance and Outlooks of Creativity’. Her presentation focused on issues of ‘post-humanity’ and artificial intelligence.

The UNESCO Chair on Comparative Studies of Spiritual Traditions, their Specific Cultures, and Interreligious Dialogue is a member of the IDIU Network.

The Futures Dialogue on Transcending boundaries: Futures thinking for addressing systemic challenges, will be held online on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, 14:00 to 15:30 (Paris time), in English and French.

UNESCO writes:

This session will consider how futures thinking can support innovative approaches to inform policymaking, in the context of the complexity and interconnectedness of the challenges confronting the world today. Futures thinking is a systemic approach to planning, preparing, and imagining a plurality of future possibilities.

The Futures Dialogues are monthly webinars to examine emerging issues and trends that relate to UNESCO’s mandate across education, the sciences, culture and communication. Read more and register to attend the Futures Dialogues on the UNESCO website.

In partnership with the UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Studies and Research, the Center for Intercultural Studies and Research at the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje organize the Fourth World Conference for Religious Dialogue and Cooperation from 22-26 June 2026 in Skopje, North Macedonia. The topic of the Conference is: Religion as a Weapon of War: in the past, present and future.

Given that religious wars today have a new dynamic, leave a deep mark and have complex causes, many questions will be explored in this conference, which will bring together eminent and talented professors and researchers with expertise in religious studies, sociology of religion, sociology of culture, theology, philosophy of religion, history of religion, psychology of religion, anthropology of religion and other scientific fields.

You can read much more about the conference themes and program on the conference web site: http://icrd.fzf.ukim.edu.mk/

Call for papers (abstracts)

You are invited to submit a 200-300 word abstract of your presentation, according to the instructions for
authors given on the Conference web site: http://icrd.fzf.ukim.edu.mk/
Send your abstracts via e-mail (wcrdc@fzf.ukim.edu.mk) to be received no later than April 15, 2026.

Important dates

• Submission of a paper proposal (abstract): April 15, 2026.
• Final date of the registration for the Conference: May 15, 2026
• Final program: June 10, 2026
• Submission of full papers: October 1, 2026

The UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Studies and Research is a member of the Network for Inter-religious Dialogue and Intercultural Understanding.

Building on its programme on Global Citizenship Education, UNESCO published ‘Addressing violent pasts through education: a policy guide’ in September 2025. The guide offers education policy-makers a set of strategies, principles, and education practices to effectively integrate education about violent pasts into local education systems.

Learning and teaching about violent pasts and their legacies is an essential component of fostering sustainable peace. That is why, educating about violent pasts is a challenging yet critical endeavour for policy-makers globally. As the Guide states:

“Education can build a nuanced understanding of complex histories, raise awareness of the roots and legacies of violence, nationally and internationally, and sensitize learners for their own agency as actors of change for reconciliation and conflict prevention.”

What can policy-makers and educators gain from this guide?

The guide provides policy-makers with concrete strategies and pedagogical approaches to integrate education about violent pasts into national and local education systems. It sets out principles, frameworks, and case studies that can inspire the design of programmes which foster constructive engagement with history. 

A central recommendation is the creation of supportive policy environments that explicitly recognize the importance of addressing violent pasts through education. This includes providing teachers with training and resources to navigate sensitive discussions and empower learners to think critically about history and its relevance for today. 

To ground these recommendations, the guide draws on concrete examples from different countries, such as policy frameworks in Colombia and peace-focused curricula in Rwanda, illustrating both achievements and challenges encountered when teaching about violent pasts. These case studies show how lessons learned in practice can shape more effective approaches elsewhere.

The guide will soon be complemented by a series of online courses, offering perspectives from different countries, practical tools and support for educators.

From: What you need to know about UNESCO’s policy guide on addressing violent pasts through education

The UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence has announced that its 2026 annual conference will take place 12 – 16 October 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.

Now in its third year, the Conference invites scholars, practitioners, educators, and change-makers from across Africa and around the world to explore intercultural competences in African contexts and to deepen dialogue on how intercultural understanding intersects with issues such as climate action, peacebuilding, gender equality, and education.

The conference promises a dynamic mix of keynotes, workshops, parallel sessions, and poster presentations that highlight both research and practical tools for fostering intercultural engagement across cultures, generations, and communities.

Calls for Proposals are now open until 1 April 2026. Learn more about the application process.

The theme of the Conference is:

Exploring Intercultural Competences in African Contexts

The Chair invites contributions from academics, researchers, professionals, practitioners, educators, students, innovators, leaders, artists, and organisations with an interest in this theme. Participants are encouraged to consider the following sub-themes:

• How do aspects of Intercultural Competence intersect with and influence climate action, gender equality, or peacebuilding?
• The existence and use of intercultural practices in pre-colonial times.
• Intercultural tools available to the practitioner (for example; Cultural diversity and ethics; Ethical encounters and interactions; Culturally responsive teaching; Collaborative Online International (intercultural) Learning (COIL); tools for understanding values across multi-cultural and multi-religious societies)
• African Youth Perspectives on Intercultural Competence

The Chair welcomes research, reflections, lived experiences and examples from practice that respond to the theme and sub-themes. While the conference focuses on African contexts, the Chair has stated they also welcome perspectives and contributions from other regions of the world in relation to African contexts.

Contribution Formats:

• Workshops,
• Arts,
• Parallel sessions and,
• Poster sessions.

Submission Details and Timelines:

Please submit your proposal online by 1 April 2026 at: https://forms.gle/4NTynRUUwfLz2WudA

The UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences, hosted by Stellenbosch University in South Africa, is a member of the UNITWIN IDIU Network.

The twelfth meeting of the Elijah Board of World Leaders in Oxford is scheduled for December 1st – 5th, 2025.

The focus of the meeting will be “The Human Person: Religious Ideals and Contemporary Challenges’’. Elijah Leaders will study perspectives of different religions on the meaning of being human and extend these conversations into reflections on what are the challenges to the human person that present day life poses. In this way, voices of religious leaders can address some of the most challenging and urgent questions of the day. In addition, Elijah Leaders will be contributing resources, thoughts and vision towards the ongoing establishment of the Global House of Friendship and Hope.

From the newsletter of the Elijah Interfaith Institute Wisdom Newsletter November 2025:

Follow Elijah Leaders at Oxford Meeting

As this newsletter is released, members of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders will be gathering in Oxford in the UK for the 12th meeting of this important body. 30 leaders from 6 different religious traditions from around the world will explore the topic “The Human Person: Religious Ideals and Contemporary Challenges.”

Our meetings have always included a public event to expose the local religious communities to our work. This year, for the first time, the event will also be available on Zoom.

You are invited to join us for the final session of the Elijah Board of World Religions, live from Oxford, featuring Archbishop Rowan Williams, Rabbi Art Green, Swami Atmapriyananda and other leaders.

Here is the Zoom link.

For many of you it will be your first encounter with the Board, so it feels timely to share the history of this flagship Elijah Interfaith activity.

Twenty-two years ago, in Seville, Spain, more than forty religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths from more than fifteen countries gathered to discuss, “Religion, Democratic Society and the Other: Hostility, Hospitality and the Hope of Human Flourishing.”
The gathering provided a rare opportunity to forge relationships and embark on collaborative endeavours, while providing a much-needed symbol of interfaith understanding. It was clear that this was not a one-off meeting but the beginning of a unique process of sharing wisdom and fostering peace.

Read more about the Meetings of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders

Many of these meetings of the Board of World Religious Leaders have led to the publications of books in our Interreligious Reflections series. Others have launched on built on ongoing campaigns. In every case, religious leaders have inspired each other and strengthened their spiritual friendships and the upcoming meeting in Oxford, where we will explore “The Human Person: Religious Ideals and Contemporary Challenges,” will be no less significant.