INTERVIEW WITH UNESCO SPECIAL AMBASSADOR DR. H. C. UTE-HENRIETTE OHOVEN
Question: Do you work on a voluntary basis?
I have been volunteering for the poorest of the poor since 1985. A personal experience made me make this promise to God back then and I continue my social work with daily commitment to this day.
There are no boundaries for cultures, origins, skin color or religions.
My belief in “those in the sun must help those in the shade” was passed on to me as a young girl by my father, who was also involved in social work at the time.
Question: How did you come up with the name YOU?
Question: What motivates you?
The world, the many challenges that reach us every day. The great need, the extremely poor, from famines to women who want to die because they have no milk for their babies, diseases that can be avoided, the major climate catastrophes even in countries that have contributed the least, child slavery in our century – all these are the disgraces of our time that must not go unnoticed. Only if we make a global difference can we keep our one world worth living in in the future.
Question: What is the aim of the YOU Foundation?
Question: What is the philosophy of the YOU Foundation?
Our basic principle follows the mission and focus of UNESCO.
The UNESCO Education Agenda 2030, quality climate education, priority Africa and many more, in order to support the UN’s global Sustainable Development Goals.
YOU promotes:
HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION & TRAINING, CONTINUED EDUCATION and STRENGTHENING EMPOWERMENT
GENDER EQUALITY – EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
FOOD SECURITY, AGRICULTURE IN A CHANGING CLIMATE
HEALTH and CLEAN WATER and WATER, RESOURCE PROTECTION / affordable, clean energy
RESILIENCE & strengthening measures for INCOME-PROMOTING ACTIVITIES
HUMAN RIGHTS – EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES and overall SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
This means that all the projects we carry out should offer added value to the respective place/country, the beneficiaries, the Agenda 2030 and the donor.
The YOU Foundation has an international advisory committee of renowned experts. These personalities specialize in different regions of the world and support us with their extensive expertise.
Question: Are there new projects?
Yes, they will always exist. The world and its necessities and needs are changing, and at an ever faster pace. We move with the times and the needs of the local beneficiaries. All project steps are participatory right from the start, with all stakeholders and partners always involved in the development of the project, in all measures and activities on an equal footing. It would be unthinkable today to realize project work that “we” want…. It is important that those affected on the ground can identify with a project, can contribute to it and actively work on it, thus also making it sustainable.
