Irina Bokova: women’s empowerment is a breakthrough strategy for human rights and sustainable development

On 3 October, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, opened the 2nd International Conference Millennia2015, entitled “An Action Plan for Women’s Empowerment”.

“Gender equality benefits everyone, not just women,” said the Director-General. “It is an accelerator of political, economic and social transformations. It is a global priority for UNESCO, and a personal commitment”.

Millennia2015 acts for gender equality, women's empowerment, respect of human's rights for women and girls, their full participation in political, economic and social decisions, in cooperation with men, working together for the construction of more ethic and respectful futures, in line with the Millennium Development Goals, UNESCO drive to promote Education for All, the World Summit on the Information Society, and the objectives of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and UN Women.

Millennia2015 "Women actors of development for the global challenges" is a foresight research process launched in 2007 by The Destrée Institute, European research centre and NGO in operational relations with UNESCO. It is organized under the high patronage of UNESCO, with the support of the International organization of la Francophonie and in collaboration with The Millennium Project.