Within the framework of the Forum, UNESCO is organizing, from 6 to 8 September 2004, an interdisciplinary conference on "New forms of ignorance, new forms of literacy" focusing on ignorance of diversity, ignorance of the other, ignorance of the future and ignorance of ethics. The conference will be preceded by a high-level round table with the participation of Heads of State and Ministers. As part of the DESIGN 21 project, the Forum will also stage an exhibition of the works of some sixty designers on the theme "Love Why?".

UNESCO specialists are also involved in the organizing committees for thirteen "dialogues" to be presented by other bodies:

• "The world today" (12-13 May),
• "Information, power and ethics in the twenty-first century" (17-19 May),
• "Communication and cultural diversity" (20-23 May),
• "Global audiovisual communication and cultural diversity" (30-31 May),
• "Energy and sustainable development" (2-3 June),
• "Water, a strategic resource" (31 May-1 June),
• "Listening to the sea" (7-11 June),
• "Tourism, cultural diversity and sustainable development" (3-5 July),
• "Poverty, microcredit and social development" (15-18 July),
• the World Youth Festival (8-14 August),
• "Cultural rights and human development" (23-26 August),
• the World Urban Forum (13-17 September)
• "Human rights, emerging needs and new commitments" (18-21 September).

For more information

Contact: A. Schischlik