At the Cannes Festival, there are also significant events organised by Manuel Collas de La Roche, the founder of the Better World Fund. According to him, “the atypical and exceptional journey and the quality of organizing her conferences and masterclasses on women’s rights” explain this award. Here is an interview with Guila Clara Kessous, the disciple of the late Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate of 1986.  
Hello Guila Clara Kessous, you have just received this award. Its good news for women's rights, isn't it? Can you tell us more about this award and the Better World Fund?

Yes, it's incredible because my humanitarian work is quite discreet since I don't have social media or a website. When Manuel Collas de La Roche, the founder of the Better World Fund, contacted me, I was very surprised because the support work, I do for women victims of post-traumatic syndromes through art therapy remains quite confidential.

It is mainly known within the UNESCO network (Note: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). I try with all my strength to build a better world. A more egalitarian world, especially around the great question of the place in the world of feminist diplomacy, which remains a great cause supported by France.

What do you mean by "feminist diplomacy"?

Like everything related to equality, it is a concept that comes from the Nordic countries, which are profoundly avant-garde on gender parity. That's why I invited the First Lady of Iceland to the masterclass on equality at the Cannes Festival as part of this award.

The term "feminist diplomacy" was born in Sweden, initiated by the former Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, which consists of promoting ideals and good practices through a state's diplomatic relations to achieve "gender equality." It also aims to ensure "that all women and girls enjoy their fundamental rights."

Feminist diplomacy aims to combat sexual and gender-based violence, promote education for all, assist in the economic empowerment of women worldwide, and support female entrepreneurship.

It's both fascinating and new. Regarding the award you just received, at a time when conflicts are multiplying almost everywhere in the world, is it good news for our humanity, which is somewhat declining in certain regions of the world?

It’s true that the violence in our world is such that it calls into question the nature of humans to do Good. It's even more terrible in different regions where I intervene, like Congo, where sexual crimes against women are multiplying with limitless cruelty. How horrible it is to see that, little girls that are just a few months old, are affected.

I think that faced with these growing darknesses, it is more necessary than ever to support the bearers of hope who, through their actions, bring the necessary light for the survival of our humanity.

Before talking more about what you have done, remind us: who are you?

I am a UNESCO Artist for Peace, and I use theatrical techniques to help with personal reconstruction. Through dramatherapy and bibliotherapy (healing through reading), I support populations suffering from post-traumatic syndromes (Congo, Rwanda, Bangladesh, etc.). I use these same theatrical techniques for leaders in the private and public sectors to help them find more authentic leadership.

My audience, both at the humanitarian level and in coaching, is primarily female. Today, I am initiating a project on diplomatic entrepreneurship by establishing international feminist diplomacy agreements, offering women from different governments worldwide to unite to be more present in the diplomatic world to finally weigh more in the way the world is governed.

You are a UNESCO Artist for Peace, what does that mean concretely?

It was Elie Wiesel who recommended me to Irina Bokova, then Director-General of UNESCO, in 2012 to be a UNESCO Artist for Peace. Several of us are trying to defend UNESCO's humanist values through art, and in my case, theater. I define myself as an "artivist," which means I am both an "artist" and an "activist."

I have been leading the International Women's Rights Day called "Femina Vox" under the aegis of UNESCO for over five years now. Each year, about thirty participants explain their views and the situation of women in the world. Additionally, I lead World Art Day, which connects Art and Human Dignity, presenting numerous round tables on Art and Care, Art and Peace Education, Art and Engagement.

What is the connection with UNESCO?

The causes I support fall within the action plan presented to the direction as a UNESCO Artist for Peace. As for me, my actions are carried out in collaboration with two specific UNESCO divisions: the Division of Social and Human Sciences (for World Art Day, which I lead, for example) and the Gender Equality Division (for International Women's Rights Day, which I also lead).

But I must clarify that I am not employed by UNESCO. My title is honorary. This commitment allows me to defend UNESCO's noble humanist values while giving prominence to philanthropy to support these "diplomatic entrepreneurship" initiatives.

Back to your award. What are the consequences for you?

This award is a very beautiful recognition for me and has already allowed me to highlight the incredible work of the First Lady of Iceland, whom I invited to this evening to also present her with an award. The work she does to allow the ‘Sprakkar’, these strong women – as they are called in Icelandic – to emerge (regardless of their education or social level) is admirable... Let us remember that today; Iceland remains the leading country in terms of equality and parity.

One last word about the Cannes Festival. I imagine you saw some films. Which one did you prefer?

Well, I am going to disappoint you. Believe it or not, I made a round trip.

I attended the World Better Fund Gala to receive the Women Empowerment Award and the next day held the masterclass in the presence of the First Lady of Iceland. But I did not have the chance to see any films, as I was expected the next day in Tangier, at the Mata Festival, an initiative supported by His Majesty the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, spectacularly implemented by Nabil Baraka.
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Interview conducted by Journalist Antoine Bordier Translation: Sana Bouaichi