The New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO has appointed four new members to its UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders group. They are [listed in alphabetical order]: Raiyan Azmi, Ethan Jerome-Leota, Sabrina Manū, and Sondos Quraan. Shahin Najak is the group’s new Chair, taking over from Ashlee Peacock. As Special Advisor – Youth she will attend all… Read more »
Youth leader joins hack-a-thon
UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leader, Naheed Saeid spent last Friday in Wellington learning the art of game development. Here she feeds back on the session that was designed with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in mind. Last Friday I had the privilege of attending a hack-a-thon/game design session run by Gamefroot, an organisation aiming to blur… Read more »
Ideas exchange on Global Citizenship Education going ahead Friday 30 October Wellington
The New Zealand national Commission for UNESCO is hosting a lively discussion on Friday 30 October at the National Library, Wellington. The Global Citizenship Education Ideas Exchange brings together a range of voices who will share projects that have had a positive impact on their communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. By adopting diverse cultural… Read more »
The Possibilities are endless…
In 2019 Dunedin based Liz Breslin had the opportunity to participate in the City of Literature Residency Programme which enables writers to develop and share their work on an international stage. With support from Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature, Liz took up this two-month residency in Kraków, Poland. Exploring many forms of Polish literature Liz… Read more »
Aotearoa Youth Leaders, Ashlee and Blair reflect on Matariki and Puanga
The UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders have spent the past few weeks reflecting on Matariki which plays a significant role in Māori culture in signifying the start of the New Year and for plantings to begin. Here Blair Kapa-Peters and Ashlee Peacock share their experiences of Matariki. Blair: For some, the Māori Calendar begins with… Read more »
Culture Commissioner, Dr Dan Hikuroa on the plurality, nuances and history of Matariki
Dr Daniel Hikuroa became the Culture Commissioner for the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO in May 2020. Here he shares his knowledge of Matariki and the diversity of celebration that takes place across the country at this time of year. I grew up in Auckland disconnected from my marae, from ancestral knowledge. I first… Read more »
Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature teen writing prize: winners announced
A Land of Granite: Teen Writing Competition Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature in partnership with Dunedin Public Libraries and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery invited participation in a teen writing competition, timed to coincide with the Dunedin Public Art Gallery Colin McCahon exhibition A Land of Granite: McCahon and Otago. https://dunedin.art.museum/exhibitions/present/a-land-of-granite/ The writing… Read more »
New Cultural Commissioner joins National Commission
The New Zealand National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Commissioner for Culture. Dr Dan Hikuroa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui, Pākehā) has been appointed to the position of Commissioner – Culture, for a three year term and replaces outgoing Commissioner, Arapata Hakiwai. Dr… Read more »
Environmental Protection Authority’s National Te Herenga: 11 – 12 March in Porirua
Youth Leaders Morgan King and Brodie Cross joined the Evironmental Protection Agency’s Te Herenga hui in Porirua in March. The purpose of the hui was to bring rangatahi Māori together to discuss the importance of involving youth when addressing current and future issues for our taiao (environment). Brodie and Morgan report back. The hui… Read more »
COVID-19: The importance of collaboration, science and communication
Kia ora Tātou, In light of the Government’s decision on Monday 23 March to move immediately to level 3 (and subsequently level 4) of the COVID-19 response, we felt it was important to reflect on the responsibility UNESCO has—both as a National Commission and internationally—to support the sharing of reliable, trusted information. Firstly, internationally UNESCO… Read more »
