GFDD to Greet Director of UN Alliance of Civilizations at its November Session of GFDD Global Roundtables

For the November edition of its online broadcast program “Global Roundtable,” Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) is honoured to invite Matthew Hodes, Director of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.

Mr. Hodes previously served with the United Nations in the 1990s at headquarters and in the field. He has extensive experience in peacemaking, peacekeeping and post-conflict nation building in the public and
non-for-profit sectors. From the early 1990’s until 2001, he served the United Nations in multiple capacities, including providing policy and legal advice for the United Nations Protection Force leadership during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. In 1995 he opened the first office in Sarajevo for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and returned to Sarajevo to focus on rebuilding the Bosnian judicial system for the Office of the
High Representative of Bosnia from 1999–2001.

In 2001 Mr. Hodes went to work for The Carter Center. From 2003-2007 he was Director of the Conflict Resolution Program, where he advised former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter on matters relating to armed conflicts and political disputes, while leading the Center’s mediation and negotiation assistance activities around the world. In 2010, Mr. Hodes went on to serve as Director of Programs for Club de
Madrid, where he focused on transformational leadership in transitional societies and equitable development policies. He has also worked as a private consultant, advising public sector and not-for-profit agencies. Finally, in February 2013, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, a special project of the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, announced the appointment of Matthew Hodes as incoming Director.

During this edition of the GFDD Global Roundtables, Mr. Hodes will
provide insight on the programs of UNAOC, before delving into the importance of partnerships and cooperation within a multilateral system. He will explain how these can help to shape the post-2015 development agenda, while also comment on the recent outcomes of UNAOC’s 6th Global Forum held in Bali, Indonesia from 29 – 30 August 2014. To conclude, Mr. Hodes will provide further insight on the role that civil society can play in helping UNAOC provide a platform for intercultural
dialogue, understanding and cooperation.

About the United Nations Association of the United States (UNA-USA)
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) was established in 2005, at the political initiative of Mr. Kofi Anan, former UN Secretary General and co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Turkey. A High-Level Group of experts was formed by Mr. Annan to explore the roots of polarization between societies and cultures
today, and to recommend a practical programme of action to address this issue. In its 2006 report, the High-Level Group identified four priority areas for action namely, (Education, Youth, Migration, Media). UNAOC project activities are fashioned around these four areas, which can play a critical role in helping to reduce cross-cultural tensions and to build bridges between communities. The High-level group described UNAOC as an entity that would assist in diminishing hostility and
promoting harmony among the nations.

About GFDD Global Roundtables
In close association with the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the UN, GFDD organizes regular meetings with UN Ambassadors and other prominent figures in the international community in an effort to spread the news, knowledge and understanding of other countries, global issues and work of different UN bodies to its audience in the Dominican
Republic, the US and around the world.

The regular series,”GFDD Global Roundtables” is also a part of GFDD’s program to support the work of the United Nations and, as a non-governmental institution affiliated to it, contribute to the visibility and understanding of its work.

Related link:
www.gfddglobalroundtable.org