[Moscow, Russia] The Manege Central Exhibition Hallin Moscow hosted an international forum for Citizen participation #WEARETOGETHER which brought together more than 20,000 participants from Russia and other countries. The event was held from December 5 to 7, 2024.
Madam Ziona Ayorkor Biney from Ghana represented as an International Speaker on the Panel Discussion, “From Cliché to Understanding: Breaking Stereotypes through Social Projects”. She is the Head of Business Development and Innovations at the Ghana Russia Center for Commerce and Relations.
In her opening statement, “One of the first and most important steps is to show up in places where you will meet people of cultures other than your own. We all carry misinformation and stereotypes about people in different cultures. Especially as young people, we acquire this information in bits from TV, or from listening to people talk, and from the culture at large. This doesn’t make us bad but how we choose to act on what we hear determines the outcome”.
Madam Ziona made a stronger case on why travel and tourism can be used as tool to break stereotypes and foster social inclusion for development. “Tourism promotes understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives including languages, dressing, food and ways of life among both tourists and local communities. By exposing people to different cultures and backgrounds, tourism can break down stereotypes and prejudices, creating a more empathetic and tolerant world”, she added. She also praised the positive outcomes and benefits from the World Youth Festival 2024, which gave young people a new perspective to collaborating on social projects globally without borders.
The session wan moderated by Chernobrivchenko Anastasia Olegovna, Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Department of ANO “DVFM”
Regional Expert for Sub-Sahara Africa under the International Prize WE ARE TOGETHER, Mr. John Aggrey was also in attendance and shared his views during the forum. He stated, “Volunteering is a powerful tool that can help build social capital, promote collective action, and reduce the effects of social inequalities. It serves as a true action of dedication that can be a meaningful way to give back and immerse oneself in local community projects and social developments either during crisis, humanitarian needs or for a just cause.”
The We Are TOGETHER Prize is dedicated to support initiatives related to social change through volunteering. The Prize is awarded annually to citizens and organizations regardless of their country of residence, nationality, gender, etc. The selection of the Laureates of the Prize is made from 6 regions of the world: the CIS, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and North Africa, North and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the past years more than 1,300 projects of selfless aid from 100 countries have participated in the International Prize. Winners are allocated cash prize of $10,000 for their projects.
