The Museum for the United Nations - UN Live, supported by the @IKEAFoundation and powered by @Sharedstudios, launched its first permanent public engagement program - “Global We”, to activate the world’s largest and most inclusive conversation on climate change.
In this video, visitors share their first impressions of visiting the Global We portals during the NYC Climate Week 2022.
In this video
#Anton Beck,
Climate Communications Team, United Nations
# Kasha Huk
Country Manager, B-Corp
# Swetha Stotra Bhashyam
Global South Focal Point, Global Youth Biodiversity Network
# Chryssa Koulis
North America Network Driver, BMW Foundation
As we address the issues of #climatechange we need to hold each other accountable - but more importantly, we need to work together as a global community.
In partnership with IKEAFoundation we're launching #globalwe, to bring the voices of many to the climate agenda. To address the issues of #climatechange, we’ll be connecting the voices of the many across cities worldwide..
The truth is, most people aren’t involved in the conversations and decisions affecting their lives.
And those actually making the decisions don’t hear the stories of those most affected.
Unveiled at New York Climate Week, the “Global We” program features immersive, technologically ground-breaking "conversation portals" (portable studios) powered by @Sharedstudios (www.sharedstudios.com/) three of which launched today in New York City, Mexico City and Kigali. The remaining 25 will activate globally in the lead-up to COP27 in November.
The portals will invite participants from all walks of life into conversations with one another to share experiences and solutions that may help unlock some of the world’s most complex challenges around climate change.
The unique immersive technology will enable people from around the world to connect through face-to-face conversations across locations as diverse as Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, Nakivale in Uganda, and Erbil in Iraq.
It will give people whose voices are often unheard an opportunity to speak to one another and connect with climate leaders, formal decision makers, and politicians in an intimate and inclusive setting.
“Global We” aims to galvanise “the many voices” - including those most affected by climate change as well as those rarely engaged. A group of partner institutions from the target 25 countries, together with climate activists and leaders, will help inspire people to get involved and use the portals. Many of the conversations that take place around the world will be recorded, and multiple perspectives will be captured and brought to 'formal leaders' of the world - both at COP27 and beyond. Thereby, the perspectives of many more people can influence the crucial negotiations that usually happen behind closed doors.
Additionally, a portal will run throughout negotiations at COP27, enabling people from around the world to continue to engage - even directly with negotiators - throughout the decisive meeting.
“Global We” is rooted in the notion that the most important thing we can do to tackle the climate crisis - or any issue - _is to connect people and create mutual understanding, which is the basis for collective action and solidarity.
It aims to nurture global conversations across divides, build empathy and renew a sense of belonging so we can come together withenergisedd solidarity in building a better future for people and the planet.
Per Heggenes, CEO, IKEA Foundation said, "through the “Global We” portals, we will bring the ideas and experiences of the many people into the crucial leadership conversations at Climate Week, COP27 and beyond. Our hope is that the “Global We” will help millions of citizens all over the world feel connected, empowered, confident and on track to building a more equitable, fair and just future.”
Molly Fannon from UN Live said, “The world is facing multiple, complex crises which will increasingly threaten our daily lives. Every single voice - from a child in Mali to a grandmother in Mexico City - is equally important in the face of these global issues."
Unlike an ordinary museum with one fixed address, “Global We” will travel directly to the communities whose voices are critical in a bid to recognise the power already inherent in people around the world and to help us all learn to talk constructively about the issues that matter. In doing so, we will hope to build a more connected, empowered society that looks out for others, holds its leaders to account in the service of our collective future, and works together to build solutions.”