I Have a Dream: Gender equality and Environmental protection

I got to reflect on the last seminars and realize my potential as a leader, feeling inspired by all the fellow delegates following the UBUNTU values and principles!

This was one of the many lessons that the delegates shared with the team behind the Ubuntu United Nations, after the final seminar of the program. As the Ubuntu methodology developed by Instituto Padre António Vieira states, the last day of the program is always a day dedicated to visualizing the future, clarifying the vision and steps for it to come true while celebrating the past. In this format, the seminar counted with the presence of Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Danilo Turk, former President of Slovenia.

José Ramos-Horta, 1996 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

To close this journey and initiate others, the Chair of the Ubuntu United Nations reviewed the seminars so far and their main lessons,

Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Centered around the topic of Gender Equality and Environmental Protection, none better than the former in charge of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations organization responsible for decisions concerning the empowerment of women and gender equality. In her intervention, she used the program as an example that "far away countries" are a myth and the bridge-building process is the only answer to ignite the collaborative actions between the countries, which is why initiatives like this are an essential part of the solution because it enables us to see past our differences and recognize that discrimination doesn't bring any positive change whatsoever

Discrimination does not only harm the individuals who are directly targeted; it hurts all of us.

Danilo Turk, President of Club de Madrid

Club de Madrid, a partner of Ubuntu United Nations, is an initiative founded 15 years by several heads of state with the aim to further develop the concept of shared societies, a concept where everyone can equally participate and express their concerns and voices in policy development.

As its president, Mr. Danilo Turk spoke about the importance of initiatives that enable the youth to connect and provide them with the necessary tools so that they can have an impact on the world, which has been most notorious in environmental activism, proving crucial to the awareness and fight against climate change. There is still a considerable amount of work to be done, but the former head of Slovenia trusts the youth to lead society into a bright future.

Her Royal Highness, Princess Rym Ali

As the program came to an end, the princess of Jordan reminded everyone of the journey so far, and their experience in discovering Ubuntu and its importance applied to governmental practices and daily life, as it motivates everyone to strive and be the best servant leader they can, fulfilling their human potential.

She expressed gratitude towards all the guests that were present throughout the seminars, and invited everyone to discover their lives, to better understand the concept of servant leadership, as every single guest had to overcome obstacles and build bridges, sometimes in extreme challenging situations, highlighting the journey of Mr. José Ramos-Horta, chair of the Ubuntu United Nations and 1996 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, who fought for the independence of East Timor for over 20 years.