International Symposium of art and civilization in the Romanian monastic spaces, 16-21 November 2018

ARTISTIC DUPLEX BUCHAREST - ODESSA

„Everything Begins in Mother’s Heart”

Bucharest, 1 July 2026

The 1 July 2026 the Bucharest-Odesa Artistic Duplex took place - "Everything Begins in Mother's Heart", an international cultural event organized by the Alumnus Club Association for UNESCO – Romania, together with Odessa Artists Club – Ukraine, under the auspices of the Romanian Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO (FRACU) and of the European and North American Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO (Enafcan).

Held simultaneously in Bucharest and Odesa, through the Webex platform, the event brought together UNESCO representatives, of the regional and world federations of the club movement for UNESCO, leaders of partner organizations and artists from Romania and Ukraine, in a dialogue dedicated to culture, cooperation and peace.

The event was moderated by Dr. Daniela Popescu, Honorary President of ENAFCAU, Vice President for Europe of the World Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO (WFUCA), President of the Alumnus Club for UNESCO and General Secretary of the Romanian Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO.

In the opening message, Dr. Daniela Popescu emphasized that this project represents more than an art exhibition - it is a meeting of souls, of cultures and shared hopes, reaffirming the role of art as a universal language and as a tool of intercultural dialogue and peace building. Simultaneously, highlighted the support given by the Clubs for UNESCO movement to refugee children and mothers in Ukraine and the importance of developing cooperation with the newly established Clubs for UNESCO movement in this country.

The event was attended by distinguished international guests:

* Assee utgevoca, Club Movement Focal Point for UNESCO, UNESCO;
* Olga Ganenko, representative of UNESCO Paris, who addressed the official conclusions of the event;
* John Maronites, President of the European and North American Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO (Enafcan);
* Sunjoo Lee, Vice President of the Asian Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO;
* Mokhtar Farhat, Vice-President of the World Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO (WFUCA);
* Alina Mavrodin Vasiliu, President of the Romanian Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO (FRACU);
* Iana Statieru, Secretary General to ENAFCAU;
* Muchanit Binner, President of the Association for Dialogue and Universal Values;
* Yurii Onyshchenko, representing the Odessa Artists Club and the artistic community of Odessa.

The theme of the exhibition, „Everything Begins in Mother’s Heart”, continues the international project "Spring begins in the mother's heart", held annually by the Alumnus Club for UNESCO, project that brought together over 250 of children and young people and which was included in the Global Events Plan of the World Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO and its regional structures.

The participants highlighted the importance of art as a universal language of solidarity and peace and appreciated the initiative to create the first international artistic collaboration between Romania and Ukraine within the Clubs for UNESCO movement.

Within the artistic duplex, the twelve participating young artists presented their works and had a dialogue with the public.

Artists from Ukraine:
* Anastasia Bas
* Kateryna Biletina
* Olha Hladushevska
* Peak Lesion
* Lesia Timokhova
* Tetiana Moloda

Artists from Romania:
* Alina Bobeica
* Maria-Sabina Cosmaciuc
* Eduard Leahu
* Andreea-Gabriela Tudor
* Maria-Ilinca Șoța
* Dariana Onofre

Their works conveyed a common message of hope, solidarity and trust in the power of culture to bring people together across borders and conflicts.

3-5 April 2026, 18th edition
(speech at the opening of the conference)

"Youth and Museums" Project, initiated by the Alumnus Club for UNESCO, it already has a solid tradition and international recognition. In 2009, it was designated by UNESCO as "best practice", being presented at the General Conference as an example of successful collaboration between a club for UNESCO and the organization itself. A recognition that honored us, but which made us responsible to continue with the same rigor.

I remember with emotion the first edition of the conference, when we brought together representatives from 15 countries, specialists from the most important museums in Europe, find out then on their first visit to Romania. The conference was honored by the presence of Laurent Lévi-Strauss, the son of the great anthropologist, conferring from the beginning a special symbolic and intellectual dimension to this endeavor.

Over the years, the conference grew, it has diversified and transcended national borders, through editions organized also outside Romania and through the participation of prestigious guests from the cultural environment, academic and institutional.

This year's edition is also special; marks the opening of a new stage of international cooperation – the Tunisia-Romania bilateral partnership, integrated into a larger dialogue between two cultural spaces: Europe and the Arab world, under the auspices of the World Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO.

We have the joy and honor of having distinguished guests with us: His excelence, Mr. Sami Nagga, Ambassador of Tunisia in Bucharest, I am Mr. Valentin Muntean, The Ambassador of Romania in Tunisia, Mrs. Assel Utegenova, focal point for associations and clubs for UNESCO, Mr. Bolat Akchulakov, the president of FMACU, Mr. Ioannis Maronitis, the president of ENAFCAU, as well as the Tunisian delegation, representing the Club for UNESCO in Gafsa, led by Mr. Mohamed Tlili.

Your presence confirms our common desire to build lasting bridges of cultural dialogue, educational and humane.

This year's theme - "Museums as Living Spaces for Future Education" - reflects our deep belief that museums are no longer just spaces for preservation, but they become essential actors in the formation of new generations, in stimulating critical thinking and strengthening intercultural dialogue.

In this context, YOUth and MUSEums is not just a conference. It is a living platform – a meeting space between generations, between cultures, between ideas and visions for the future.

(the opening speech)

Welcome to the opening of the project "Euro-Arab cultural bridge - education, heritage and UNESCO cooperation", an approach of the soul that brings people together, ideas and values ​​from two rich cultural spaces – Europe and the Arab countries.

Sincere thanks for the generosity and warmth of the entire team of the "Bucovina" Forestry College, as well as the Cygnus Scientific Society for UNESCO, for the constant involvement and co-organization of the event with the Alumnus Club for UNESCO.

At the same time, we express our deep appreciation to the City Hall of Câmpulung Moldovenesc, for opening up and supporting this project, thus contributing to the consolidation of an image of the city as a space of cultural dialogue and international cooperation.

This biregional project, held under the coordination of the World Federation of Associations and Clubs for UNESCO, the European Federation (Enafcan) and the Romanian Federation (FRACU) brings together partners from Tunisia, Romania and Greece in a joint effort to build sustainable bridges between cultures, educational systems and communities.

During the project, we will have the opportunity to attend conferences, workshops, academic meetings and cultural activities, all designed to stimulate intercultural dialogue and to open new perspectives for collaboration. We aim not only to exchange ideas, but also building solid relationships, that will continue beyond this event.

Young people have an essential role, the students, students, teachers involved in the field of education, culture and heritage, which represents the future of these partnerships. Through their involvement, UNESCO values ​​- peace, DIALOGUE, respect for diversity - takes on a vivid and authentic expression.

Welcome to Bucovina at Campulung Moldovenesc! 1-8 April 2026

Paris, 27 April, 2026

Today, the first working meeting with representatives of UNESCO clubs in Germany took place in Paris, in an open and constructive framework, dedicated to dialogue and the identification of common directions for collaboration.

The discussions highlighted the diversity and relevance of the activities carried out by these clubs, especially in areas such as: environmental protection, promoting tangible and intangible cultural heritage, conservation of natural heritage, charitable initiatives and the active involvement of young people.

The meeting was an important first step in strengthening relations and exploring the possibilities of integration into a wider European framework of cooperation. The openness to the development of partnerships and cultural-educational exchanges was expressed, aimed at reinforcing the shared values ​​of the UNESCO network.

Also, the invitation to discover the activities of the Alumnus Club was extended, as well as the latest international events organized, as starting points for future collaborations.

The general atmosphere was positive, marked by mutual interest and the desire to continue the dialogue.

The meeting represents a promising start for the development of lasting relationships and for the involvement of German clubs in joint initiatives at European level.