UNITED NATIONS RESPONSE TO OUR PETITION
Dear Mr Coma-Cros,
The Under Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming would like to express her sincere appreciation for your thoughtful message and for your commitment to promoting and supporting the principles of peace, dialogue, and social cohesion enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
Communicating for a world where everyone thrives in peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet is the objective of the Department of Global Communications. This is particularly important today, as we face unique, multiple challenges, and face division, mistrust, and social fragmentation. Our main priorities therefore align very much with what your petition calls for.
Our Department manages hundreds of websites and social media channels in about 35 languages in order to reach people around the world where they are, in languages and cultural contexts they understand. Educational materials, outreach activities – both in-person and online, and many other forms of communications take place on a daily basis thanks to the work of the Department and its global network.
We partner with civil society, academia, educators, media, creative and sports industries to support our communications work.
In addition to this, today it is essential to address threats to information integrity such as mis- and disinformation and hate speech. These undermine international cooperation, and all of the work the UN does around the world on human rights, sustainable development and peace and security. The United Nations has taken the lead in this area, actively advancing the Global Principles for Information Integrity, which seek to promote a healthier and more trustworthy information ecosystem. This framework, which we continue to promote, discuss, and develop with Member States, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, reflects many of the concerns and aspirations highlighted in your petition.
Among its objectives are the protection of human rights; safeguarding information integrity; ensuring access to reliable information; defending press freedom and transparency; protecting researchers, journalists, and civil society actors; strengthening development cooperation; encouraging political participation; supporting inclusive research; promoting media and information literacy; and providing resources for children, parents, and educators.
Finally, as you are based in Spain, we would invite you to engage with our UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (spain@unric.org) which serves Spain and other European countries, carrying out communications activities in 13 languages.
We are grateful for the support expressed through your endeavour. In order to progress we must work together. The spirit of your message encourages us to continue to make the case for multilateral cooperation and the importance of upholding the fundamental values and principles of the UN Charter.
Please be assured that the Department remains committed to advancing these important objectives. We appreciate your advocacy and engagement, and we have taken careful note of your call to action.
With best regards,
Sherri Aldis
Director, United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC)
Department of Global Communications
C: +32 (0) 471 96 29 85
aldis@un.org
United Nations
Residence Palace | rue de la Loi 155 | 1040 Brussels, Belgium