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NEWS UPDATE
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World Leaders Adopt Peace Pledge Amid Wars in Gaza, Lebanon and beyond
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Ahead of the declaration’s adoption, the UN chief and world leaders took the floor, including Prime Minister Aminata Touré of Senegal, who drew attention to the ongoing devastating war in Gaza
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NEW YORK, United States of America, November 27, 2024/ — World leaders adopted a bold, forward-looking declaration on Tuesday at a global forum to advance peace as war rages on, from Gaza and Lebanon to Sudan and Ukraine.
Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and combatting hate speech and mis- and disinformation are part of the plan to bolster peace and mutual understanding as Heads of State and Government, including kings, presidents and prime ministers from Cabo Verde, Senegal and Spain, unanimously adopted the Cascais Declaration. Named for the city hosting the UN Alliance for Civilizations 10th Global Forum from 25 to 27 November, the declaration outlines a range of actions and focuses on solutions to a current landscape of eroding trust and rising antisemitism, nationalism and online hate. “These are very difficult times,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the forum’s opening session. “In such a scenario, we need peace” now, in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan and Ukraine and beyond. The adoption of the declaration is the centrepiece of the 10th Global Forum, which included a dynamic youth forum and film festival on Monday, its Intercultural Innovation Hub ceremony on Tuesday and vibrant panels throughout, tackling current challenges, from a spike in antisemitism to the power of young people. “We need voices and actions across all levels,” including in communities, online and across cultures and institutions, using all tools available, Mr. Guterres said. Learn more about the UN Alliance of Civilizations and its Global Forum in our explainer here. Highlights of the Cascais Declaration The 25-paragraph declaration spotlighted a set of innovative actions and keys to unleashing this badly needed peace. It noted the potential use of AI as a tool to advance intercultural and inter-religious dialogue and stressed the importance of combatting disinformation, misinformation and hate speech while strengthening information integrity. The Cascais Declaration also stressed the importance of intergenerational dialogue for peace, sustainable development and human rights; noted the contribution of “sports diplomacy” as a tool for promoting dialogue and emphasised the need to support and strengthen the role of women as negotiators, mediators and peacemakers. By its provisions, world leaders and partners pledged to:
The declaration also stressed the importance of encouraging the implementation of the UN Plan of Action to safeguard religious sites and called for the implementation of recommendations and commitments that will be made at the UN Global Conference on Safeguarding Religious Sites, to be convened on Wednesday during the 10th Global Forum. War in Gaza is not civilization Ahead of the declaration’s adoption, the UN chief and world leaders took the floor, including Prime Minister Aminata Touré of Senegal, who drew attention to the ongoing devastating war in Gaza. “As we witness what is happening in Gaza, with more than 42,000 victims, mostly civilians, what does civilization mean in such context?” she asked. “Is civilization about ‘you kill one of mine, I’ll kill 34.16 of yours,’ which is, so far, the retaliation rate of Israel against the unacceptable, widely condemned attacks of October 2023. Don’t the unbearable scenes we see on television make any discussion on civilization look out of touch?” She said there is no other way to deal with civilization than discussion based on equal rights embedded in the UN Charter and international framework. King Don Felipe VI of Spain told delegates that “in the 21st century, diplomacy is a tool of peace, but its traditional tools are outdated and must be supplemented with new spheres of action, more boldness, creativity and pragmatism.” ‘We must raise our vision’ “We must raise our vision to more deeply understand what unites us,” King Don Felipe VI said. “The Alliance of Civilizations is the implementation of what is known as the diplomacy of values, tearing down walls and building bridges,” he added. “Our actions must go beyond conference rooms, to school, places where people gather and the marketplace.” In this regard, he said, social media is potential as a catalyst in this regard, he said, pointing to the Alliance’s Youth Solidarity Fund, which was featured on day one of the 10th Global Forum. Still, a great deal more needs to be done, he said. At a time when dehumanisation is a growing problem, he emphasised that efforts must aim at eliminating stereotypes and ensuring that the wealth of human diversity is beneficial for everyone. ‘Rebuilding trust is essential’ In a similar vein, UN Secretary-General Guterres said that the absence of peace is leading to an erosion of trust, making the Alliance of Civilizations’s work more important than ever before. “Rebuilding trust is our essential task,” he said. “Hate-filled frenzies are perpetuating stereotypes and misconceptions,” the UN chief said. Unchecked digital platforms and AI have endowed hate speech with a speed and reach unseen before. We must rein in hate speech and disinformation spreading online.” Next step: A global alliance for peace The Alliance’s High Representative Miguel Ángel Moratinos renewed a call for an alliance for peace to put an end to violence and extremism and wars in the 21st century. “Biodiversity needs to be protected, but what about human diversity?” he asked. “We need to make peace with nature, and we need to make peace with ourselves,” he said, emphasising that the Alliance is the best platform to do so. Stay tuned for more updates as the 10th Global Forum continues, with the Intercultural Innovation Hub ceremony taking place later on Tuesday and sessions convening through Wednesday on current issues, from sports diplomacy and religious mediation for peace to the soft power of AI and leveraging the role of women peacemakers. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
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Day: November 27, 2024
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NEWS UPDATE Connecting stories with a golden thread at the Joburg Film Festival
NEWS UPDATEConnecting stories with a golden thread at the Joburg Film FestivalJFF remains committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity and the celebration of universal human storiesJOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 27, 2024/ — The Joburg Film Festival (JFF) in partnership with the MultiChoice Group (www.MultiChoice.com) is proud to announce the theme for the highly anticipated seventh edition of the festival – ‘The Golden Thread – Connected Through Stories’. Set to take place from 11 – 16 March 2025, the festival will explore the profound interconnectedness of our shared human experiences and the timeless value of storytelling.Guided by the festival’s tagline, ‘Our Stories. Our Gold’, JFF continues to embrace Joburg’s identity as the “City of Gold”, with stories serving as the most precious treasures that illuminate our lives and reflect the collective wisdom of our diverse global communities.
Audiences are invited to explore the essence of connection as we celebrate ‘The Golden Thread’—an elegant reminder of the ties that bind us all, a recurring symbol that represents universal themes, emotions and truths found within the world’s most compelling stories.
“We are pleased to present ‘The Golden Thread’ as our theme for the next edition of the festival,” says JFF Founder Tim Mangwedi. “It represents the unbreakable link that storytelling forms between individuals, communities and cultures. Through our carefully curated selection of films, we aim to show how stories, much like threads, interlace to create a larger tapestry of shared human experience. This is a celebration of connectivity, of learning from one another, and of recognising the meaningful impact our stories can have on the world.”
The seventh edition will once again bring together filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences from across the globe to share their experiences and forge connections through the universal language of cinema. JFF remains committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity and the celebration of universal human stories.
The festival will feature over 60 local, African and international curated titles, including fiction and documentary feature-length films and shorts), with several notable world premieres already confirmed. A snippet of what’s in store for film, art and culture lovers.
Starting here at home with Sebata, a gripping dark South African detective thriller directed by Norman Maake and Timmy the Kid, a rural-urban comedy from director Gray Hofmeyr, that boasts a star-studded local cast.
The Man Died is a powerful adaptation of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s harrowing prison memoir directed by Awam Amkpa. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s civil war, the feature narrates a tale of resistance, courage and the indomitable human spirit.
Directed by Lebanese national Mahdi Fleifel, To a Land Unknown follows two Palestinian cousin friends as they strive to escape their desolate environment before it’s too late and is shot across five countries.
Under the Volcano, directed by multi award-winning author Damian Kocur, depicts the story of a Ukrainian stranded in Tenerife, Spain, after a vacation, as they learn of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Haitian born, Paris based director Rauol Peck, chronicles the life of Enerst Cole’s journey as the first black freelance photographer in apartheid SA.
Ernest Cole: Lost and Found illustrates Cole’s career, peerless artistry, political strength and a moving end.
“The seventh edition will once again bring together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences from across the globe to share their experiences and forge connections through the universal language of cinema. JFF remains committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity, and the celebration of universal human stories. The Joburg Film Festival is a celebration of the stories that bring us together, reflecting our shared humanity and the unique perspectives that make us who we are. At MultiChoice, we are proud to partner with the festival to spotlight the richness of African storytelling, highlighting its power to connect, inspire, and transform. Through ‘The Golden Thread – Connected Through Stories,’ we embrace the idea that stories are our greatest treasures, weaving communities and cultures together with purpose and passion” says Nomsa Philiso, CEO of General Entertainment, MultiChoice.
In addition to the film programme, the festival will feature a robust industry programme in Joburg Xchange (JBX), incorporating JBX Business (market), JBX Talks and JBX Youth.
JBX BUSINESS
The JBX Market has experienced remarkable growth since 2022, with 165 participants currently registered making it the fastest-growing pillar of the film festival. The market attracts a diverse range of attendees, including exhibitors, producers, content creators, festivals, buyers and investors.
Early registration is still open for interested participants via the JFF website.
JBX TALKS – Made in Joburg for Africa and the World
JBX Talks at JFF 2025 celebrate the unifying power of storytelling and the thriving film industry in Johannesburg, which resonates across Africa and the globe. We position Johannesburg as a vibrant nexus of African narratives that transcend borders and captivate international audiences.
The three-day industry programme offers dynamic panels, in-conversations, masterclasses, workshops and networking events. Participants may expand their reach, refine their craft, and unlock new opportunities that elevate African film and television on the world stage.
Festival badges which provide access to JBX go on sale with an Early Bird discounted price from Tuesday, 3rd December.
JBX YOUTH
JBX Youth is a new addition to the industry programme, running parallel to JBX Talks and JBX Business. It builds on the festival’s anchor pillar focussed on the youth, the Youth & Audience Development Programme that is targeted at aspiring and up and coming content creators and filmmakers.
This 3-day programme will cover a range of topics and issues with the aim of developing, skill, empowering and nurturing the next generation of filmmakers to ensure the long-term growth, sustainability and viability of the industry.
YOUTH & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
This initiative focuses on emerging talent and aspiring filmmakers aged 18 – 35 with the aim of equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in the film and television industry.
The Programme will launch at the Kagiso Archives Centre in February 2025, with an intense two-day workshop, offering a range of activities including film screenings, director Q&As, skills-building practicals, filmmaker forums and mentorship opportunities within the community. The programme will conclude at JFF, with the JBX Youth initiative, providing youth filmmakers with further exposure to the tools and resources they need to advance their skills and careers.
The annual Young Voices Competition which forms part of the programme which celebrates the creative talents of young filmmakers in South Africa makes its return. Under the theme ‘The Power of Sports in Film’, submissions officially open on Tuesday 3rd December and entries will be accepted until mid-February 2025.
We believe that sports is a universal language, allowing everyone to participate at any level, whether competitively or just for the love of the game. The winner will be announced at the Golden Thread Gala awards ceremony in March 2025, with their film later showcased at the JFF Film Society later in the year.
Mark your calendars for 11 – 16 March 2025 and be part of the 7th edition of the Joburg Film Festival. For more information on programming, tickets and how to get involved, please visit our website at www.JoburgFilmFestival.co.za or follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Together, we create, share, and celebrate the stories that connect us all…
Check out Joburg Film Festival the various online platforms:
Website: www.JoburgFilmFestival.co.za
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/3CKyrqy
Twitter: http://apo-opa.co/4eXhJSo
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/4i9aDNd
LinkedIn: http://apo-opa.co/4i7WXBZ
TikTok: http://apo-opa.co/4fLRr6v
The hashtags for the festival are #JoburgFilmFestival #JFF2025SOURCE
MultiChoice Group