The MoU Conference is a forum for dialogue on the most effective methods of collaboration between the United Nations, as an employer of language professionals, and a group of universities, as providers of highly qualified candidates. The United Nations is a welcoming environment for young language professionals, guiding them on a career path that places the power of languages at the service of humanity. Members of the MoU Network meet periodically with representatives of DGACM to: ● Review collaboration within the MoU Network, and propose ways to strengthen and improve it; ● Share initiatives and innovations for the training of language professionals and trainers; ● Report on the outcomes of outreach and joint training activities; ● Discuss ways to align the academic training of language professionals with the requirements of the United Nations.
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management
Monday, 17 May 2021, 15:05-15:15 (Beirut Time – UTC+3)
Format: Virtual
Rola Dashti, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCWA
Movses Abelian, Under-Secretary-General, Department for General Assembly and Conference Management and Coordinator for Multilingualism of the United Nations
Monday, 17 May 2021, 15:15-15:35 (Beirut Time – UTC+3)
Format: Virtual
Carole Maisonneuve, United Nations Headquarters, New York
Monday, 17 May 2021, 15:35-17:00 (Beirut Time – UTC+3)
Format: Virtual
Short introduction to the breakout sessions based on input provided by universities in a consolidated paper
Deva Alexander, ESCWA, Beirut
Tuesday, 18 May 2021, 15:00-15:20 (Beirut Time – UTC+3)
Format: Virtual
● Nidale Noun, Chief Conference Management Section, ESCWA
Tuesday, 18 May 2021, 15:20-16:00 (Beirut Time – UTC+3)
Format: Virtual
● Anne Lafeber, United Nations Headquarters, New York
● Claire Gasnault-Vuiart, United Nations Office at Nairobi
Tuesday, 18 May 2021, 16:00-17:00 (Beirut Time – UTC+3)
Format: Virtual
● Lana Ayyad, United Nations Headquarters, New York
● Nathalie Chiem, United Nations Office at Geneva
● Jose Manuel Sanz Follana, United Nations Office at Vienna
● Ana Maria Correa, United Nations Office at Nairobi
Wednesday, 19 May 2021, 15:00-16:00 (Beirut Time – UTC+3)
Format: Virtual
● Cecilia Elizalde, United Nations Headquarters, New York
● Natalia Bondonno, United Nations Headquarters, New York
Wednesday, 19 May 2021, 16:00-16:50 (Beirut Time – UTC+3)
Format: Virtual
(a) Presentation of the outcomes of the breakout sessions
(b) Presentation, discussion and adoption of the proposed conclusions of the MoU Conference
● Carole Maisonneuve, United Nations Headquarters, New York
● Mary Yazbeck, St. Joseph University, Beirut
Wednesday, 19 May 2021, 16:50-17:00 (Beirut Time – UTC+3)
Format: Virtual
● Cherith Norman Chalet, Assistant Secretary-General for General
Assembly and Conference Management
● Sixth MoU Conference: Monterey, USA, 2019 pdf report
● Fifth MoU Conference: New York, USA, 2017 pdf report
● Fourth MoU Conference: St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, 2015 pdf report
● Third MoU Conference: Shanghai, China, 2013 pdf report
● Second MoU Conference: Mons, Belgium, 2012 pdf report
● First MoU Conference: Salamanca, Spain, 2011 pdf report