report of the interregional meeting of national …...environment, mr. imangali tasmagambetov, mayor...

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Report of the First Interregional Meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO

22-24 July 2014, Astana, Kazakhstan

The First Interregional Meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO was held from 22 to 24 July 2014 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Jointly organized by UNESCO and the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ISESCO, this first ever interregional meeting of National Commissions gathered 108 Member States and National Commissions from all regions (Africa, Arab States, Asia and Pacific, Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean) (see attached List of Participants). Opening Session On behalf of H. E. Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Adilbek Zhaksybekov, State Secretary of Kazakhstan, delivered a message from Mr. Nazarbayev. The President stated that promoting the ideals and values of UNESCO required the efforts of Member States and their National Commissions, which represent a unique network of cooperation. Mrs. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, was represented by Mr. Eric Falt, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information. In a video message, she expressed gratitude to the Government of Kazakhstan for hosting this interregional event and welcomed all participants. She stressed that “National Commissions are essential members of the ‘UNESCO family’, connecting the Organization to the concerns and visions of societies, sharpening UNESCO’s action to strengthen the foundations of lasting peace and sustainable development”. Other distinguished participants included: Mr. Arystanbek Mukhamediuly, Minister of Culture and Chairperson of the National Commission of Kazakhstan for UNESCO, Mr. Nurlan Kaparov, Minister of Environment, Mr. Imangali Tasmagambetov, Mayor of Astana and Mr. Alexey Volkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the opening ceremony, Mr. Eric Falt awarded the Mayor of Astana, Mr. Tasmagambetov, with the UNESCO Silk Roads Medal and its Certificate. Mr. Falt also presented to him the Certificate of the World Heritage Property “Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor”, which also includes China and Kyrgyzstan. In addition, Mr. Falt presented to the Minister of Environment the Certificates of inscription of two new Kazakhstan biosphere reserves: “Ak-Zhayik” and “Katon-Karagay” to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Ms. Assel Utegenova, Secretary-General of the Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO, was elected as Chair of the meeting. Elected as Vice-Chairs were: Mr. Augustine Omare-Okurut, Secretary-General of the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO, Ms. Marjutka Hafner, Secretary-General of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, Ms. Susan Shurland, Secretary-General of the Trinidad and Tobago National Commission for UNESCO, and Mr. Mohamed Khlifi, Secretary-General of the Tunisia National Commission for UNESCO. Mr. Dongseok Min, Secretary-General of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, was elected as Rapporteur of the meeting. After a brief introduction from Mr. Falt and Ms. Utegenova, the agenda of the meeting was adopted without modification (see attached Agenda). The meeting was organized in the form of presentations, followed by an open discussion on the four main topics selected in advance by the National Commissions. Item 1. Interface and cooperation between UNESCO field offices and National Commissions Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi, Director of the UNESCO Office in New Delhi, and Mr. Juan Antonio Fernandez Palacios, President of the Cuban National Commission for UNESCO, each gave a presentation on the

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given topic. Mr. Aoyagi highlighted the changing roles and responsibilities of UNESCO against the backdrop of a changing operating environment. He shared the experiences of the UNESCO Office in New Delhi in cooperating with various National Commissions in the cluster. Mr. Palacios stressed the need for continuously improving and refining the relationship between National Commissions and UNESCO field offices. He emphasized the need for mutual and systematic consultations between these two entities, particularly in the process of preparing C/4 and C/5 documents. The presentations were followed by a lively discussion. 21 participants made general comments on the given topic. The participants highlighted the following issues: - The need for better cooperation between UNESCO field offices and National Commissions. - The need for including a provision that encourages a better culture of cooperation among National

Commissions in the revised guidelines. - The need for better collaboration with UNESCO clubs and associations by providing them with proper

status and guidance. - The importance of following the existing guidelines, rather than drafting new ones.

Participants of the meeting decided to establish a drafting group, consisting of two representatives from each of the five regional groups. The drafting group was chaired by Kazakhstan (Chair of the meeting) and composed by Mali, Seychelles, Lebanon, Sudan, China, Singapore, Denmark, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Republic of Korea (Rapporteur) and the Secretariat. It reviewed and updated the Guidelines for Interface and Cooperation between UNESCO Field Offices and National Commissions for UNESCO (174 EX/34 Annex), which was later presented to all the participants at the plenary session. It was agreed that the revised text will be transmitted to the services concerned at UNESCO Headquarters for further review and consolidation before circulation to the Member States and presentation to the Executive Board for consideration, in accordance with the Action Plan for enhancing the cooperation of the UNESCO Secretariat with National Commissions (37 C/50). Item 2. Raising UNESCO’s visibility at country level Mr. Eric Falt introduced the second agenda item by emphasizing the importance of UNESCO’s visibility. He shared the Secretariat’s recent efforts to raise UNESCO’s visibility, such as the publication of the first edition of Annual Report of National Commissions for UNESCO-2013. He informed the participants that the Secretariat will soon start working on the Annual Report 2014 and requested active contributions from all National Commissions. Mr. Falt also highlighted the ‘Monthly Visibility Report’ (www.unesco.int) as a useful reference; reaching out to youths through social media and translating UNESCO twitter feeds into local languages were also mentioned as some of the ways to improve UNESCO’s visibility. Ms. Katalin Csillag, Secretary-General of the Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO, and Mr. Arief Rachman, Executive Chairman of the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO each made a presentation on their activities contributing to increasing UNESCO’s visibility at the national level. 21 participants responded and made the following comments on this subject. - The important role played by National Commissions in ensuring UNESCO’s visibility in Member States

and therefore an emphasis on the need to strengthen this role. - The quality of programmes, which could positively impact people’s lives, as an important element to

increase visibility. - The effective utilization of the following UNESCO programmes and activities to enhance UNESCO’s

visibility in their countries: UNESCO World Heritage, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Memory of the World, ASPnet, UNESCO Chair, MAB, L’Oreal-UNESCO Award, Goodwill Ambassadors/eminent personalities who could be associated with UNESCO, partnerships with civil society/NGOs/private sector, celebration of international days, use of UNESCO name and logo, and use of social media.

http://www.unesco.int/

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- The importance of receiving adequate support from their respective governments to improve overall visibility of UNESCO at the national level.

Item 3. Methodologies for portraying the wider value of UNESCO in Member States Professor Kiran Fernandes, Director of the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO, shared with the participants the following two items: methodology of and findings from the 2012-2013 study and the new Wider Value Score Card methodology. The presentation included how the 2012-2013 study had provided benefits to the UK, its citizens, communities and organizations the benefits of being members of UNESCO. The presentation also included the rationale for developing a Wider Value Scorecard. It presented the need for National Commissions to take a pro-active role in capturing both financial and non-financial benefits of UNESCO membership inter alia the ability to shape global programmes in line with Government priorities. Examples from the UK study were provided. The presentation was followed by an active question and answer session. In the brevity of time, 10 countries had the opportunity to participate in the Q&A session. Some of the questions raised and answered were about the details of the non-financial measures and the ways to capture the social and cultural values of UNESCO activities. Item 4. Contribution of the Participation Programme to the National Commissions’ activities Mr. Stoyan Bantchev, Chief of the Participation Programme Section, briefly introduced the item, which was then followed by a presentation by Mr. Aliou Ly, Secretary-General of the Senegal National Commission for UNESCO, focusing on their own experience with regard to the UNESCO Participation Programme. These presentations were followed by comments and suggestions on the following issues: - The great importance attached to this programme and the role of the Participation Programme in

enhancing the visibility of UNESCO. - The clarification on the criteria for allowing material support, the deadlines for submission of

applications, timely release of the Participation Programme funds. - The difficulties encountered with a fluctuating exchange rate of the Participation Programme funds. Regional groups meetings In the margin of the plenary sessions, five regional groups meetings were concurrently held to discuss issues of relevance and interest to each region, according to the separate agendas decided by them. The summary reports of these meetings were later presented to the plenary session, as part of the main outcome and conclusion of this first interregional meeting of National Commissions. Mr Eric Falt, ADG/ERI, and his Secretariat colleagues were partly present at these meetings to share information and exchange views on related issues (see attached the regional reports in this regard). Cultural programme and side event organized by the host country Thanks to generous support of the Kazakhstan government and National Commission, a rich cultural programme was provided to the participants of the meeting, which includes visits to the Exhibition on Kazakhstan’s intangible cultural heritage, the Exhibition of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, the Festival of nomadic civilization “millenniums around Astana”, the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A special session was organized in the framework of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures, at which Ms Gulshara Abdykalykova, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was present and delivered a speech. Closing Session

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Mr. Mukhamediuly, Minister of Culture and Chairperson of the National Commission of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ISESCO, thanked all the participants for their active participation and expressed his satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the meeting. Mr. Mukhamediuly ensured that the Kazakhstan government will continue to cooperate closely with UNESCO and its Member States. In his closing speech, Mr. Falt warmly thanked the host country, on behalf of UNESCO and all the National Commissions present in Astana, for the generous hospitality and successful hosting of this international event. He also thanked the representatives of National Commissions and the staff members of the Secretariat for their contribution and hard work. He stressed the importance of the first interregional meeting of National Commissions and expressed his hope that the meeting and active interaction among National Commissions would be continued.

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Final list of Participants

NB COUNTRY PARTICIPANTS TITLE

AFRICA (35 countries – 42 persons)

1.

1.

Mr Arlindo Pedro CHANDAMA

Chief of Department

Angola National Commission for UNESCO

2.

Mr Afonso VALENTIM

Director

Ministry of Culture

2. BENIN 3. Mr Marcel N’dah OYA Secretary-General

Benin National Commission for UNESCO

3. BOTSWANA

4. Mr Richard K. MATLHARE

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Education & Skills Development:

Ministry responsible for relations with UNESCO

5. Mr Mokowe Oteng

BASIMOLODI

Deputy Secretary-General

Botswana National Commission for UNESCO

6. Mrs Phidelma Setoki MASEKO Assistant Director (Programme Officer)

Botswana National Commission for UNESCO

4. BURUNDI 7. Mr Salvator NYABENDA Permanent Secretary

Burundi National Commission for UNESCO

5. CABO VERDE 8. Mrs Glória RIBEIRO Executive Secretary

Cape-Verde National Commission for UNESCO

6. CAMEROON

9. Mrs Lejeune MBELLA MBELLA Ambassador

Permanent Delegate of Cameroon to UNESCO

10. Mr Owona ADA Secretary-General

Cameroon National Commission for UNESCO

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11. Mr Felix-Fils EBOA EBONGUE First Secretary

Permanent Delegation of Cameroon to UNESCO

7.

CENTRAL

AFRICAN

REPUBLIC 12. Mr Augustin DONGOLA

Director of the Division of Education, Human and

Social Sciences

Central African Republic National Commission for

UNESCO

8. CHAD 13. Mr Abdelkérim Adoum BAHAR Secretary-General

Chad National Commission for UNESCO

9. COTE D’IVOIRE 14. Mr Lou Mathieu BAMBA Secretary-General

Cote d’Ivoire National Commission for UNESCO

10.

DEMOCRATIC

REPUBLIC OF

THE CONGO

15. Mr Lazare LIEMA IBONGO-

BOTIE

Permanent Secretary

National Commission of the Democratic Republic

of Congo for UNESCO

16. Mrs Marie-Josée LULEYA

MOBEYA

Chief of the Special Programmes’ Sector


of Congo for UNESCO

17. Mrs Cybelle IYELI NSONO

Chief of the auto finance Section


of Congo for UNESCO

11. ERITREA 18. Mrs Mehret iyb TEKLU Secretary-General

Eritrea National Commission for UNESCO

12. ETHIOPIA 19. Mr Mebratu Berhan BERHE Secretary-General

Ethiopian National Agency for UNESCO

13. GABON 20. Mr Juste Joris TINDY-POATY Secretary-General

Gabon National Commission for UNESCO

14. GAMBIA 21. Mr Ousmane SENGHOR

Acting Secretary-General

Principal Programme Officer

Gambia National Commission for UNESCO

15. GHANA 22. Mr Riche-Mike WELLINGTON Officer in charge

Ghana National Commission for UNESCO

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16. GUINEA 23. Mr Ibrahima Solo CONDE Secretary-General

Guinea National Commission for UNESCO

17. KENYA 24. Mrs Evangeline NJOKA Secretary-General

Kenya National Commission for UNESCO

18. LIBERIA 25. Mr Caston Bob HARRIS Deputy Secretary- General

Liberian National Commission for UNESCO

19. MADAGASCAR 26. Ms Hanta Nirina RABOANARY Secretary-General

Malagasy National Commission for UNESCO

20. MALAWI 27. Ms Hyacinth KISHINDO Deputy Secretary-General

Malawi National Commission for UNESCO

21. MALI 28. Mr Youssouf DEMBELE Secretary-General

Mali National Commission for UNESCO

22. MAURITIUS 29. Mrs Aneeta GHOORAH

Assistant Secretary-General

Director of Curriculum Development and

Evaluation

Mauritius National Commission for UNESCO

23. MOZAMBIQUE 30. Ms Elia Dos Anjos Vaz BILA Secretary-General

Mozambique National Commission for UNESCO

24. NAMIBIA 31. Mr Roderick APRIL Deputy Secretary-General

Namibian National Commission for UNESCO

25. NIGER 32. Mr Namata ISSA Executive Secretary

National Commission of Niger for UNESCO

26. NIGERIA 33. Mrs Magdalene ANENE-

MAIDOH

Secretary-General

Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO

27. RWANDA 34. Mr Albert MUTESA Director of Science and Technology Unit

Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO

28. SENEGAL 35. Mr Aliou LY Secretary-General

Senegal National Commission for UNESCO

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29. SEYCHELLES 36. Ms Vicky GENDRON Assistant of the Secretary-General

Seychelles National Commission for UNESCO

30. SOUTH AFRICA 37. Mr Mukwevho LUFUNO

CARLTON

Secretary-General

South Africa National Commission for UNESCO

31. TOGO 38. Mr Ayao Akoété KOUGBLENOU Secretary-General

Togo National Commission for UNESCO

32. UGANDA 39. Mr Augustine OMARE-OKURUT Secretary-General

Uganda National Commission for UNESCO

33.

UNITED

REPUBLIC OF

TANZANIA 40. Mr Moshi Mussa KIMIZI

Acting Secretary-General

UNESCO National Commission of the United

Republic of Tanzania

34. ZAMBIA 41. Ms Brenda MUNTEMBA

Secretary-General

Chief Programmes Officer

Zambia National Commission for UNESCO

35. ZIMBABWE 42. Mr Temba Petros NDLOVU Secretary-General

Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO

ARAB STATES (7 countries – 9 persons)

36. ALGERIA 43. Mrs Dalila NEDJRAOUI

Secretary-General

Algerian National Commission for Education,

Science and Culture

37. LEBANON 44. Mrs Ramza JABER SAAD Assistant Secretary-General

Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO

38. MAURITANIA 45. Mr Mohamedou KANE

Assistant Secretary-General

Mauritanian National Commission for Education,

Culture and Sciences

39. MOROCCO 46. Mr Mohammed

BENABDELAKADER

Director of Cooperation

Minister of National Education and Vocational

Training

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40. QATAR

47. Ms Hamda AL-SULAITI (+ 1)

Secretary-General

Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture

and Science

48. Mr Abdullah AL-KUBAISI

Officer

Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture

and Science

41. SUDAN

49. Mr AbdulGadir Muhammad

Hassan NOUREDDIN

Secretary-General

Sudanese National Commission for UNESCO

50. Mrs. Wafa Seid Ahmed

Mohamed NOURELDIN

Assistant Secretary-General for Natural Science

Sudanese National Commission for UNESCO

42. TUNISIA 51. Mr Mohamed KHLIFI Secretary-General

Tunisian National Commission for UNESCO

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (25 countries – 39 persons)

43. AUSTRALIA 52.

Mr Dario MOROSINI

Secretary-General

Australian National Commission for UNESCO

44. BANGLADESH 53. Mr Monjur HOSSAIN Secretary

Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO

45. BRUNEI

DARUSSALAM

54. Mr Aminudin MOHD YA’AKUB International Affairs Unit

Ministry of Education

55. Mr Asmadi MD TUAH International Affairs Unit

Ministry of Education

46. CHINA

56. Mr Yue DU Secretary-General

Chinese National Commission for UNESCO

57. Ms Rong SHEN Director of Science and Culture


58. Ms Siying GE Programme Officer


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47. COOK ISLANDS 59. Ms Gail TOWNSEND

Education Commissioner

Executive Director

Cook Islands National Commission for UNESCO

48. FIJI 60. Mr Amani SIRIKISUVA Secretary-General

Fiji National Commission for UNESCO

49. INDONESIA

61. Mr Arief RACHMAN Executive Chairman

Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO

62. Mrs Hasnah GASIM National Coordinator of ASPnet


63. Mr Adi NURYANTO Head of Secretariat


64. Mr Ramadansyah HASAN Counselor

Permanent Delegation of Indonesia to UNESCO

50. IRAN (ISLAMIC

REPUBLIC OF) 65. Mr Mohammadreza

SAEIDABADI

Secretary-General

Iranian National Commission for UNESCO

51. JAPAN 66. Mr Shigeharu KATO Secretary-General

Japanese National Commission for UNESCO

52. KIRIBATI 67. Mrs Kaaro NEETI Director of Education

Kiribati National Commission for UNESCO

53. KYRGYZSTAN

68. Mrs Elnura KORCHUEVA

Secretary-General

National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for

UNESCO

69. Mrs Lilia RAKHMANKULOVA

Education Specialist

National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for

UNESCO

54. MONGOLIA

70. Mr Sukh-Ochir BOLD Minister Councellor

Embassy of Mongolia in Kazakhstan

71. Mr Tserendulam BAZAR Councellor in charge of Trade and Economic Affairs

Embassy of Mongolia in Kazakhstan

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55. NEPAL

72. Mr Sushil PANDEY Deputy Secretary-General

Nepal National Commission for UNESCO

73. Mr Suresh Kumar NIRAULA Under Secretary

Nepal National Commission for UNESCO

56. NEW ZEALAND 74. Mrs Patricia Mary CARTER Member

New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO

57. PHILIPPINES 75. Mrs Virginia A. MIRALAO Secretary-General

Philippines National Commission for UNESCO

58. REPUBLIC OF

KOREA

76. Mr Dong Seok MIN Secretary-General

Korean National Commission for UNESCO

77. Mr Jinsung JEON Chief of International Relations Team


78. Ms Song KWON Assistant Programme Specialist


59. SAMOA 79. Mr Tanielu AIAFI Secretary-General

Samoa National Commission for UNESCO

60. SINGAPORE

80. Mr Andrew TOH Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Singapore

to UNESCO

81. Mr Whee Jim YEO Chairman of the Culture Sub-Commission

Singapore National Commission for UNESCO

82. Ms Natasha MANO

Assistant Manager

Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth

Singapore National Commission for UNESCO

61. SOLOMON

ISLANDS 83. Ms Christina Victoria BAKOLO Chief Secretary

Solomon Islands National Commission to UNESCO

62. TAJIKISTAN 84. Ms Mushtarabegim KAMILOVA Science Programme Specialist

Tajikistan National Commission for UNESCO

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63. TIMOR-LESTE

85. Ms Angelita SARMENTO Secretary-General

Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO

86. Mrs Cedelizia Faria DOS SANTOS Head of Administration and Management Division

Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO

64. TONGA 87. Ms Lucy MOALA-MAFI Secretary-General

Tonga National Commission for UNESCO

65.

TURKMENISTAN

88. Mr Kuvandyk POLADOV

Secretary-General

Turkmenistan National Commission for UNESCO

66. UZBEKISTAN 89. Mr Alisher IKRAMOV Secretary-General

Uzbekistan National Commission for UNESCO

67. VIET NAM 90. Mr Van Hoa NGUYEN Ambassador of Viet Nam to the Republic of

Kazakhstan

EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA (27 countries – 28 persons)

68. ALBANIA 91. Mr Virgjil MUÇI Secretary-General

Albanian National Commission for UNESCO

69. AUSTRIA 92. Ms Mona MAIRITSCH Deputy Secretary-General

Austrian National Commission for UNESCO

70. AZERBAIJAN 93. Mr Dmitri PANIN Second Secretary

National commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO

71. BELARUS 94. Mr Sergei LUKASHEVICH Counselor

Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Belarus

72. BELGIUM 95. Mr Tijs D’HOEST Secretary-General

Flemish Commission for UNESCO

73. CANADA 96. Ms Pauline DUGRÉ

Acting Manager

Programme Officer for Communication and Inf

ormation

Canadian Commission for UNESCO

74. CYPRUS 97. Ms Antigoni POLYNIKI Officer

Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO

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75. CZECH REPUBLIC 98. Mr Karel KOMAREK Secretary-General

Czech Commission for UNESCO

76. DENMARK 99. Mr Jens DALSGAARD Secretary-General

Danish National Commission for UNESCO

77. ESTONIA 100. Mrs Hanna-Liis KAARLOP-NANI

Coordinator of Education Programs

UNESCO ERK

Estonian National Commission for UNESCO

78. GEORGIA 101. Ms Ekaterine CHIKOBAVA Member of the Secretariat

Georgian National Commission for UNESCO

79. GERMANY 102. Mr Lutz MÖLLER Head of the Division Science and Human Rights

German Commission for UNESCO

80. GREECE 103.

Mrs Maria-

Aikaterini PAPACHRISTOPOULO

U- TZITZIKOSTA

President

Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO

81. HUNGARY 104. Ms Katalin CSILLAG

Secretary-General

Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO

Head of Unit

Ministry of Human Resources of Hungary

82. ICELAND 105. Ms Áslaug Dóra EYJÓLFSDÓTTI

R

Secretary-General

Icelandic National Commission for UNESCO

83. ISRAEL 106. Ms Dalit ATRAKCHI Secretary-General

Israel National Commission for UNESCO

84. LATVIA 107. Baiba MOLNIKA Secretary-General a.i.

Latvian National Commission for UNESCO

85. NETHERLANDS 108. Mr Robert J. Quarles VAN

UFFORD

Secretary-General

Netherlands National Commission for UNESCO

86. PORTUGAL 109. Mrs Rita BRASIL DE BRITO Secretary-General

Portuguese National Commission for UNESCO

87. ROMANIA 110. Mrs Daniela POPESCU Expert

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Romanian National Commission for UNESCO

88. RUSSIAN FEDER

ATION 111.

Mr Grigory ORDZHONIKIDZE

Secretary-General

Commission of the Russian Federation for

UNESCO

89. SERBIA 112. Mr Vladimir MIRKOVIC Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia

to the Republic of Kazakhstan

90. SLOVAKIA 113. Mr Ludovit MOLNAR Chairperson

Slovak Commission for UNESCO

91. SLOVENIA 114. Mrs Marjutka HAFNER Secretary-General

Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO

92. SWITZERLAND 115. Mr Nicolas MATHIEU Secretary-General

Switzerland National Commission for UNESCO

93. TURKEY

116. M. Öcal OGUZ President

Turkish National Commission for UNESCO

117. Ms İrem ALPASLAN Assistant Secretary-General

Turkish National Commission for UNESCO

94. UNITED

KINGDOM 118. Mr Kiran FERNANDES Director

United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (13 countries – 13 persons)

95. BELIZE 119. Mr Rudolph ANTHONY Secretary-General

Belize National Commission for UNESCO

96. BRAZIL 120. Mr Demetrio Bueno

CARVALHO

Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to

the Republic of Kazakhstan

97. BRITISH VIRGIN

ISLANDS 121. Mrs Allison FLAX-ARCHER

Secretary-General

British Virgin Islands National Commission for

UNESCO

98. CHILE 122. Mrs Claudia Paz TELLEZ MARÌN Asesora

Relaciones Internacionales

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Ministerio de Educación

Chilean National Commission for UNESCO

99. CUBA 123. Mr Juan Antonio FERNANDEZ

PALACIOS

President

Cuban National Commission for UNESCO

100. CURACAO 124. Ms Marva BROWNE Secretary-General

Curaçao National Commission for UNESCO

101. DOMINICA 125. Ms Sonia WILLIAMS Secretary-General

Dominica National Commission for UNESCO

102. ECUADOR 126. Mrs Alia HASSAN Permanent Secretary

Ecuador National Commission for UNESCO

103. JAMAICA 127. Mr Everton HANNAM Secretary-General

Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO

104. SAINT KITTS AND

NEVIS 128. Mr Antonio MAYNARD

Secretary-General

Saint Kitts and Nevis National Commission for

UNESCO

105.

SAINT VINCENT

AND THE

GRENADINES 129. Mr Dixton FINDLAY

Senior Education Officer

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National

Commission for UNESCO

106. SINT MAARTEN 130. Ms Marcellia HENRY Secretary-General

Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO

107. TRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO 131. Ms Susan SHURLAND

Secretary-General

Trinidad and Tobago National Commission for

UNESCO

HOST COUNTRY (49 persons)

132. Mr Karim MASSIMOV Prime-Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

133. Mr Imangali

TASMAGAMBETOV Mayor of Astana City

134. Mr Arystanbek

MUKHAMEDIULY

Chairperson of Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO and ISESCO –

Minister of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan

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135. Mr Nurlan KAPAROV Minister of Environmental Protection and Water Resources of the Republic of

Kazakhstan

136. Mr Yerzhan ASHIKBAYEV Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

137. Mr Nurlan DANENOV Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to France – Permanent Delegate of

the Republic of Kazakhstan to UNESCO

138. Mr Yerlan NYSANBAYEV Vice-Minister of Environmental Protection and Water Resources of the Republic

of Kazakhstan

139. Mr Askar BURIBAYEV Vice-Minister of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan

140. Mrs Assel UTEGENOVA Secretary-General of Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO and ISESC

O – Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

141. Mr Bolat AKCHOLAKOV President of Kazakhstan Federation of UNESCO Clubs – Vice-Minister of Oil and

Gas of the Republic of Kazakhstan

142. Mr Takir BALYKBAYEV Vice- Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan

143. Mr Berik ARYN Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Arab Republic of Egypt

144. Mrs Karlygash KAKEN Executive Secretary of the Agency for Sports and Physical Culture of the Republic

of Kazakhstan

145. Mr Marat ZHURINOV President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan

146. Mr Galimkair MUTANOV Rector of Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi

147. Mrs Aiman

MUSSAKHAJAYEVA Rector of the Kazakh National University of Arts

148. Mrs Gaukhar

ALDABERGENOVA Rector of the National Academy of Arts named after T.Zhurgenov

149. Mr Leonid PROKOPENKO Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan

150. Mr Alibek ASKAR Chairman of the National “Memory of the World” Committee – Director of the

National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan

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151. Mrs Umutkhan

MUNALBAYEVA

Chairman of the National ICOM Committee – Director of the National Academic

Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan

152. Mrs Meruert ABUSSEITOVA Head of the UNESCO Chair on “Science and Spirituality” at the Institute of

Oriental Studies named after R.Suleimenov

153. Mr Serik SAPIYEV Kazakhstani boxing champion, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Sport

154. Mr Bauyrzhan BAITANAYEV Director of the Institute of Archeology named after A.Margulan

155. Mr Karl BAIPAKOV Chairman of the National World Heritage Committee, Honorary Director of the

Institute of Archeology named after A.Margulan

156. Mr Roman JASHENKO Chairman of the National “Man and Biosphere (MAB)” Committee

157. Mrs Zhaniya AUBAKIROVA Rector of the Kazakh National Conservatory named after Kurmangazy

158. Mr Dmitry VOYAKIN Secretary-General of the National World Heritage Committee, Director of LLC

“Archaeological Expertise”

159. Mr Kairat USTEMIROV Deputy Chair of the Committee of Forestry and Hunting, Ministry of

Environmental Protection and Water Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan

160. Mrs Akerke ABYLAIKHAN

Deputy Director of Higher and Postgraduate Education and International

Relations Department, Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of

Kazakhstan

161. Mr Satybaldy BURSHAKOV Minister-Counsellor of the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Kazakhstan

to UNESCO

162. Mrs Khanzada YESSENOVA

Deputy Chairman of the National Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural

Heritage (ICH), Director of Arts and Technical Design School named after

A.Kasteyev

163. Mr Leonid KIM National ASP Net Coordinator

164. Mr Aidar ABUOV Director of the International Center of Cultures and Religions

165. Mr Gadilbek

SHALAKHMETOV

Head of the UNESCO Chair on Tolerance at the Eurasian National University

named after L.Gumilyov

166. Mr Gennadyi SELUTIN Head of the UNESCO Chair on Pedagogy at Kazakh National Pedagogical

University named after Abai

18

167. Mr Darkhan KYDYRALI President of Turkic Academy

168. Mr Tleugali

KYSHKASHBAYEV Director of State Museum of Arts named after A. Kasteyev

169. Mr Balbek NOGERBEK Professor of the National Arts Academy named after T.Zhurgenov

170.

Mr Serkan AYAZBAYEV

Vice-President of Kazakhstan Federation of UNESCO Clubs (KazFUCA)

171. Mrs Sabina CHUKAYEVA Secretary-General of Kazakhstan Federation of UNESCO Clubs (KazFUCA)

172. Mr Ilya URAZAKOV Director of the Executive Directorate “Universiade - 2017”

173. Mr Aidos ZIYADIN Director of the International Cooperation Department,

Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan

174. Mr Valikhan AKHMETOV Acting Chairperson of the National Committee on Bioethics

175. Mrs Bakhyt SARYMSAKOVA Executive Secretary of the National Committee on Bioethics

176. Mr Yerlan MUSTAFIN Director of Katon-Karagay National Biosphere Park

177. Mr Arman KURMANBAYEV Director of Akzhayik National Biosphere Park

178. Mr Ruslan TULEBAYEV Director of Karkaraly National Biosphere Park

179. Ms Rizvana SADYKOVA Ass. Prof., Kazakh University of the Humanities and Law and Academy of Public

Administration

180. Raushan BIZHIGITOVA Head of the project on developing Archeological Park “Kone Taraz”

UNESCO (8 persons)

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181. Mr Eric FALT Assistant Director-General

for External Relations and Public Information (ADG/ERI)

182. Mr Xiaolin CHENG Chief

Section of National Commissions and Related Networks (Chief ERI/NCS/NAC)

183. Mr Stoyan BANTCHEV Chief

Participation Programme Section (Chief ERI/NCS/PPE)

184. Mrs Emiko DE MARMIER-

MURAI

Chief

Asia and the Pacific Section (Chief ERI/MSO/APA)

185. Mr Andreï CHEVELEV

Programme Specialist

Section of National Commissions and Related Networks (Programme Specialist

ERI/NCS/NAC)

186.

Mr Shigeru AOYAGI

Director and UNESCO Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka

UNESCO Office in New Delhi (DIR/New Delhi)

187.

Mr Serguei LAZAREV

Director and UNESCO Representative to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

UNESCO Office in Almaty (DIR/Almaty)

188. Mr Yuri PESHKOV Cultural Programme Specialist

UNESCO Office in Almaty

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS

189. Mr Amine DAHMANI

Chief of the Section of National Commissions

Office of the Director-General

Arab League Educational, Cultural, Scientific Organization (ALECSO)

190. Mr Pilho PARK

Director

International Institute for Central Asian Studies (UNESCO category 2 institute)

(IICAS)

20

Programme

TUESDAY 22 JULY 2014

PLENARY SESSION (Radisson Hotel Astana, Sary-Arka Ballroom 1)

9:00 – 10:00 Registration of participants (Radisson Hotel Astana, Sary-Arka Ballroom 1)

Viewing of the exhibition on Kazakhstan’s intangible cultural heritage

10:00 - 10:30

Opening Ceremony of the Meeting Welcoming remarks by:

■ H.E. Mr Arystanbek Mukhamediuly, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Chairperson of the Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO and ISESCO

■ H.E. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

■ H.E. Mr Eric Falt, Representative of H.E. Mrs. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, Assistant Director- General for External Relations and Public Information

- Video message of H.E. Mrs. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO

10:30 – 10:40 UNESCO diploma award ceremony (UNESCO medal, World Heritage property and biosphere reserve certificates)

10:40 - 11:00 Tea and Coffee Break

11:00 - 11:15 ■ Election of the Chair, the Vice-Chairs and the Rapporteur

■ Adoption of the Agenda

11:15 - 11:30

Presentation of the meeting: objectives and participants Speakers:

■ Mr Eric Falt, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for External Relations and Public Information

■ Mrs Assel Utegenova, Secretary-General of Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO and ISESCO

11:30 - 13:00

Interface and cooperation between UNESCO field offices and National Commissions

Speakers:

■ Mr Shigeru Aoyagi, Director of UNESCO Office in New Delhi

■ Mr Juan Antonio Fernandez Palacios, President of Cuban National Commission for UNESCO

Review of the Guidelines for Interface and Cooperation between UNESCO field offices and National Commissions (174 EX/34 Annex)

13:00 - 14:30 Lunch break (Radisson Hotel Astana, Sary-Arka Ballroom 4)

14:30 - 16:00

Interface and cooperation between UNESCO field offices and National Commissions

Review of the Guidelines for Interface and Cooperation between UNESCO field offices and National Commissions (174 EX/34 Annex) (Continuation)


21

16:15 - 17:45

Raising UNESCO’s visibility at country level

Speakers:

■ Ms Katalin Csillag, Secretary-General of Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO

■ Mr Arief Rachman, Executive Chairman of Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO

Open discussion

18:00 – 18:20 Transfer to “Khan Shatyr” square (Bus transfer from Radisson Hotel Astana)

18:20 – 20:20 Visiting the Festival of Nomadic Civilization “Millenniums around Astana”

20:20 – 20:40 Transfer to the Palace of Independence

20:40 – 21:00 Viewing of the General layout of Astana City

21:00 – 22:30 Official Reception hosted by H.E. Mr Imangali Tasmagambetov, Mayor of Astana City

22:30 – 22:50 Transfer to Hotel Park Inn

WEDNESDAY 23 JULY 2014

REGIONAL GROUP SESSIONS (Hotel Park Inn, 3 floor)

9:00 - 18:00

Regional meetings of National Commissions for UNESCO (Hotel Park Inn, 3 floor)

■ Election of the Chairs and the Rapporteurs

■ Adoption of the agendas

■ Open discussions

■ Preparing recommendations and conclusions to present at the plenary session

Africa Arab States Asia and the Pacific

Europe and North America Latin America and the Caribbean


13:00 - 14:30 Lunch break


18:15 – 20:15 Cultural sightseeing programme (Bus transfer from Hotel Park Inn)

20:15 – 20:30 Transfer to Radisson Hotel Astana

20:30 – 22:30 Dinner hosted by Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Radisson Hotel Astana, Sary-Arka Ballroom 4)

THURSDAY 24 JULY 2014

PLENARY SESSION (Radisson Hotel Astana, Sary-Arka Ballroom 1)

9:00 - 10:00 Viewing of the exhibition of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (Radisson Hotel Astana, Sary-Arka Ballroom 1)

22

10:00 – 10:30

Initiatives in the framework of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022)

Speakers:

■ Mr Leonid Prokopenko, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan

■ Mr Aidar Abuov, Director of the International Centre of Cultures and Religions

■ Mr Serik Sapiyev, Kazakhstani boxing champion, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Sport

■ Mr Ilya Urazakov, Director of the Executive Directorate “Universiade - 2017”


10:45 - 12:15

Methodologies for portraying the wider value of UNESCO in Member States

Speaker:

■ Prof Kiran Fernandes, Director of United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO

Open discussion

12:15 - 14:00

Contribution of the Participation Programme to the National Commissions’ activities (Radisson Hotel Astana, Sary-Arka Ballroom 1)

Speaker:

■ Mr Stoyan Bantchev, Chief of Participation Programme Section, UNESCO

■ Mr Aliou Ly, Secretary-General of Senegal National Commission for UNESCO

Open discussion

14:00 - 15:30 Lunch break

15:30 - 17:00 Outcomes of the regional meetings of National Commissions for UNESCO

Recommendations and conclusions


17:15 – 18:45

Closing of the meeting

Closing remarks:

■ H.E. Mr Arystanbek Mukhamediuly, Minister of Culture of Kazakhstan, Chairperson of the Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO and ISESCO

■ H.E. Mr Eric Falt, Representative of H.E. Mrs. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, Assistant Director- General for External Relations and Public Information

18:45 – 19:15 Transfer to the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Bus transfer from Radisson Hotel Astana)

19:15 – 20:45 Visiting the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan

21:00 – 22:30

Official Reception hosted by H.E. Mr Arystanbek Mukhamediuly, Minister of Culture

of Kazakhstan, Chairperson of the Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO and ISESCO with

a concert programme

22:30 – 22:50 Transfer to Hotel Park Inn

23

ANNEX

REPORT BY THE EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA GROUP

The Meeting of the National Commissions for UNESCO of the Europe and North America region was

held in Astana during the first interregional meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO. The

participants welcomed the new format of the interregional meeting and the way in which the agenda

had been drawn up collectively. They hoped that similar meetings would be held every year, with a

consensus-based, targeted and relevant agenda. The reference documents should be provided to

participants well in advance of the meeting. The participants designated Canada, Germany and Israel

to make preparations for the subsequent regional meeting.

The conclusions and recommendations of the meeting are set out below.

1. Cooperation among National Commissions, in particular the sharing of best practices and

capacity-building

The participants requested the UNESCO Secretariat to:

– clarify the role of the UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels for potential cooperation with the

National Commissions;

– design an online portal for information sharing, project cooperation and capacity building; the

online portal could be a standalone tool or could be integrated into www.unesco.int – the

existing UNESCO portal.

Owing to the limited resources (financial and human) of the UNESCO Secretariat, the region’s

National Commissions acknowledged the need for improved cooperation and greater proactive

commitment to reciprocal capacity building:

– the participants identified a number of short-term activities (for instance, training seminars) and

medium-term activities (for instance, twinning) conducive to closer cooperation between the

National Commissions, which they undertook to follow up;

– the National Commissions undertook to make better use of the UNESCO portal (unesco.int) to

exchange best practices and information;

– the National Commissions would consider using social media in order to improve internal

communications.

2. The wider value of UNESCO to Member States

– The participants welcomed the participation of the United Kingdom National Commission for

UNESCO, which submitted a methodology for capturing UNESCO’s wider value to Member

States and explored ways in which the methodology could be used in other countries. They

agreed to consideration of the methodology in greater depth by a small working group

(composed of all those concerned), which would be established after the interregional meeting

in Astana. The participants requested the UNESCO Secretariat to cooperate with and take part

in the exercise.

3. Involvement of young people and civil society at the country level

– The participants described activities and best practices for young people’s involvement in the

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work of the National Commissions. More specifically, they acknowledged the value of the

UNESCO Associated Schools (ASPnet) and their potential for increasing international

cooperation. Furthermore, they discussed ways of applying UNESCO’s programmes and

activities to young people, for example through a “Model UNESCO”, inspirational Goodwill

Ambassadors and recourse to youth NGOs.

– The participants emphasized the importance of the Youth Forum, even though they were of the

opinion that there was room for improvement to the Forum’s preparation and follow-up. They

acknowledged the utility of the preparatory meetings (for instance, the 2013 Stockholm meeting)

and agreed to hold similar meetings in future.

25

ANNEX

REPORT BY THE LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN GROUP

On behalf of the Latin America and Caribbean region, we would like to thank the government and the National Commission of Kazakhstan, and the UNESCO secretariat headquarters for organizing this first interregional meeting and the warm hospitality extended to us. We realize that we are at a new and superior stage in our relationship with UNESCO. We have at our disposal updated documents and resources. And we believe, this first interregional meeting is a turning point in the relationship between the UNESCO headquarters, the field offices and the National Commissions. So where do we go from here? Well, what we have discussed and the interaction that has taken place during these three days should not remain on paper, but rather need to be implemented. It is highly recommended that directors of field offices are present at future interregional meetings, because We need a UNESCO that delivers as one. After a review of the document, ‘Guidelines for Interface and Cooperation between UNESCO Field Offices and the National Commissions’, the Latin America and Caribbean Region proposes that in relation to the roles and responsibilities of the Field Offices,

the National Commissions need to be fully involved in the elaboration of the work plan, strategic frameworks and operational plans of the Regional /Cluster Office;

the Field Offices need to consider recommendations from National Commissions on the implementation of programme areas in respective Member States/ Associate States;

there needs to be greater collaboration including information sharing as it relates to UNESCO programmes, work plans within the regional and sub-regional offices;

Communication directed to the National Commissions should be duly submitted in the preferred language(s) identified by the National Commissions.

In terms of the Modalities of Cooperation, we recommend that:

A regional meeting prior to the interregional should be held at least once per year, during the four-year cycle.

In the case of international events organized by UNESCO, invitations should be channelled through the Secretary General.

We would like these guidelines to serve as a binding factor between UNESCO governing bodies and the National Commissions to ensure that a decision emanates from the General Conference and the Governing boards . The Latin America and Caribbean Region also discussed Priority Areas of our region, which are as follows:

Quality Education

Gender Equality and Youth Development

Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development

26

Creative Industries for Job Creation

Responsibility of Media and Ethical usage of social network

Climate Change with special focus on SIDS

Promotion of Cultural Diversity and Heritage

Environmental Conservation UNESCO offers a great opportunity for strengthening regional integration between Latin America and the Caribbean. By delivering as one, and by sharing experiences about ways to market UNESCO to our respective governments, we are confident that we are now better equipped to raise UNESCO’s profile at the country level for a stronger delivery of programs on the ground. Thank you, dank u, danki and muchas gracias!

27

ANNEX

REPORT BY THE ASIA AND PACIFIC GROUP Asia Pacific Regional Meeting Outcomes Document Co- Chairs Mr AriefRachiman – Indonesia Ms. Lucy MoalaMaafu - Tonga Rapporteur Ms. Gail Townsend - Cook Islands Agenda Items

a) Candidates for drafting group b) Guidelines for the Interface and Cooperation between UNESCO Field Offices and National

Commissions c) Priorities, Challenges and Opportunities for National Commissions in the Region d) Consideration on remaining Inter-regional agenda items e) Emerging Issues for further development and action

1. Candidates for Drafting Group

The two candidates nominated to the Drafting Group were: Mr Whee Jim YEO – Singapore Mr Yue Du - China

2. Guidelines for Interface and Cooperation between UNESCO Field offices and National

Commissions for UNESCO

Wide ranging discussion on both specifics of the document and its general intent,format and focus of the document on collaboration between the two parties. Discussion also included how these guidelines may be used with the governments of member states. Specifics on recommendations made to the drafting group are included as an appendix to this report.

3. Priorities, Challenges and Opportunities for National Commissions in the Region

i) Strengthening National Commissions in the Asia Pacific Region

Very dynamic region with a range of challenges and opportunities. The size, capacity and development stage of the National Commissions varies greatly. The discussions made the following recommendations:

• Capacity building for National Commissions – around priorities eg visibility • One project per biennium focussed on capacity building • Mechanism to support South-south cooperation to build capacity. Current regional work in this area by Korea, Singapore, Kazakhstan, China and Iran were noted. This may be support for National Commissions in general or programme specific eg the development of WHC nominations. This is currently an advantage to the Asia Pacific region.

28

• Secretariat reminder to member states of their obligation to sufficiently resource a National Commission

ii) Relationship between National Commissions and Field Offices

Following on from the discussions on the guidelines, this discussion focussed to moving forward and working with the guidelines what could be done to enhance the relationships to optimise programme outcomes. The following recommendations were developed:

Focus on cooperation and collaboration and a culture of dialogue. Create more joint activity. Demonstrate commitment to unity not disparity or competition

For National Commissions to be well informed on internal processes relating to Result Based Budgeting and timelines for consultation and active engagement of National Commissions into development of priorities, elaborations of workplans and the allocation of funding in relation to this (National Commissions understanding and accessing SISTER)

Mechanism for regular ongoing communication between Field Offices and National Commissions on the monitoring of programmes and activities.(nb this could include virtual meetings)

Working synergies between levels of UNESCO Secretariat eg Field Office and Antenna Office to ensure consistency of messages to National Commissions (so that NCs can understand the rationale and roles of each type of office)

4. Consideration on remaining Inter-regional agenda items

i) Promotion of the Wider/Comparative Value of UNESCO/Visibility of UNESCO

Key Words – communication, contribution, sharing, schools and youth, breadth of UNESCO programmes, informed National Commissions, currency of UNESCO conventions, forward thinking, complimentary to national priorities, action driven

The value of programmes to the country can be considered as a rationale for the activities of the workplan.

Use of other UNESCO programmes that contribute across a range of outcomes eg L’oreal Women in Science

Need to communicate all the areas of UNESCO – can be caught in only one or two programme areas eg education or culture

Focus on schools/youth in programmes to spread the profile (can start with smaller pilots and then share best practice, National Commissions can share activities through Teachers College)

In country UNESCO activities to promote issues such as climate change, water security

The effective implementation of programmes will automatically raise profile but can be more explicit.

Sharing programmes that gained high visibility so that others can considered

ASP Net has lost some drive – can be done in collaboration with other agencies eg ASPBAE to invigorate it again.

Some areas of UNESCO eg sport, creative arts education have not had the same focus from UNESCO and yet can add to the profile considerably.

Offices within UNESCO eg Teacher Taskforce that many National Commissions do not know about and therefore do not access.

Some conventions eg TVET are quite outdated and therefore do not have the same profile with National Commissions/member states. How well valued are the standard setting

29

documents produced by UNESCO? These need to be forward looking and promote 21st century outcomes and compliment national systems to engage National Commissions. Need to ensure ratification is followed with action.

UNESCO has 38 conventions – need to be taken care of and valued. ii) Contribution of Participation Programmes

Key Words: visibility, representation, quality

Activity related to PP helps raise the visibility of UNESCO Participation Programme represents UNESCO in the field National Commissions can help raise the quality of the projects and the submissions

5. Emerging Issues

- Strengthening understanding and implementation of the guidelines of Private Partnerships and

Fundraising and the role of Secretariat and National Commissions in initiating and developing these. A range of issues surround these eg legal frameworks, relationship between NC and government, accountability, overlap of approaches, other tools eg UNESCO clubs, other NGOs, other UN agencies

- Outcomes of the SIDS Global Conference their relationship to UNESCO programming for SIDS - Currency of UNESCO conventions and implementation at national level

Appendix One – Recommendations to the Drafting Group

1. Communication as a programme of UNESCO to be included in the Foreword. 2. Pg. 3/Para 2 – the word amended to replace revised (due to intent of the two words) 3. P4 /para1/line 4 Reviewed and amended…. 4. Pg4 heading “National Commissions” bullet point 1 refers to NC being “set up” to be consistent

with charter use the word “establish” 5. Pg 4/para1/line 6 Delete :”taking account…….Add “ in accordance of the General Conference

(37 C/Resolution97)” 6. Pg 4/para 2 UNESCO Field Network – simple encompassing term for the range of office

mandates that could exist as members of these partnerships (delete what is in brackets) 7. Mission Statement – remains as it to reflect the parties of the guidelines 8. Pg 4 Who’s Who? Deleted as title and replaced with: National Commissions and Field Offices –

reflects the actual parties involved 9. Pg 5 Rewording of “mobilise additional resources for attainment of UNESCO objectives” – to

make sure this reflects operational partnership strategy so that approaches to private companies are in consultation with National Commissions (to reduce conflict in roles and with any overarching national legislation or regulations)

General Comments on Guidelines

- The document title refers to cooperation between two bodies but often reads as two separate sets of mandates and does not explicitly refer to cooperation

- Review of bullet pints on National Commissions to be inclusive of the different possibilities of the

positioning of National Commission in country

- Include idea of dialogue between National Commissions of regions or sub regions to support each other.

30

- Notes on Field Office – although this reflects mandate of Field Office does not seem balanced in

terms of the intent of the document to be about the cooperation between FO and NC.

- Document contains multiple repetitions that could be simplified.

- Listing of some examples creates risk of other not being able to access – use the words “including but not limited to”……………..

- Structure of document – for purposes of reference number for paragraphs

Appendix 2: Summary of Discussions with UNESCO Secretariat

1. Relationship of UNESCO with NGOs

UNESCO working to rejuvenate these relationships. Have historically worked predominantly with NGOs from Western Europe but are now much more international and all regions except the Arab States are now on the NGO Liaison Committee. Role of National Commission – expertise and advice to HQ on appointment of NGOs to organisation. Current database of NGO partners is on UNESCO.int although this is coming up for review. Extensive documentation will be prepared for the next General Conference which will identify current accredited NGOs

2. Strategy around partnerships with the private sector and fundraising. Consideration as to whether or not this should this be codified further to ensure there is no perceived “competition” between HQ and NC in initiating and developing these relationships. UNESCO has access to other mechanisms for these partnerships. Consideration of national legislation and regulations which can restrict National Commissions in this area.

3. Regional Consultation for next C4/C5 Process and format will change. Using electronic consultation will increase. Ongoing regional face to face consultation is no longer possible given the high cost. Instead an annual inter-regional meeting will be held. Member states will be able to address this through General Conference if they wish to debate further.

4. Update on Global Meeting on SIDS to be held in Samoa in September. Mobilisation within UNESCO is very high. Of critical concern to SIDS in the region but also other countries.

Agreed outcomes

- Redistribution of guidelines on PPP - National Commissions are encouraged to contribute to UNESCO.int - ERI to keep National Commissions informed on UNESCO participation at SIDS Global Meeting.

31

ANNEX

REPORT ON THE REGIONAL MEETING OF THE AFRICA GROUP AT THE FIRST INTERREGIONAL MEETING

OF NATIONAL COMMISSIONS FOR UNESCO (Astana, Kazakhstan, 22-23 July 2014)

The Africa Group met on 23 July 2014 during the first interregional meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO, held in Astana (Kazakhstan) on 22 and 23 July 2014. The Bureau of the Africa Group’s meeting was composed as follows:

– Chairperson: Mr Augustine Omare-Okurut (Uganda) – Vice-Chairperson: Mr Lou Mathieu Bamba (Côte d’Ivoire) – Rapporteurs: Ms Magdalene Anene-Maidoh (Nigeria) and Mr Juste Joris Tindy-Poaty

(Gabon). The meeting was attended by 36 participants (see the list of participants). The agenda was as follows:

1. Revision to the Guidelines for Interface and Cooperation between UNESCO Field Offices

and National Commissions for UNESCO 2. Funding of the activities of the National Commissions for UNESCO and the Participation

Programme 3. UNESCO’s visibility in Member States 4. Cooperation among National Commissions for UNESCO and capacity building of National

Commissions I. Revision to the Guidelines for Interface and Cooperation between UNESCO Field Offices

and National Commissions for UNESCO Consideration of this item began with a question raised by a number of participants, namely the extent to which the “Guidelines” were mandatory.

In reply, it was explained that the Executive Board had, in a decision, taken note of the existing Guidelines contained in one of document 174 EX/34 and that, moreover, any document adopted, in turn, by the Executive Board and the General Conference was de facto mandatory.

The participants then considered, page by page, the proposed revision to the Guidelines submitted by the Secretariat.

The resulting work was entrusted to Ms Vichy Gendron (Seychelles) and Mr Youssouf Dembélé (Mali), responsible for representing the Africa Group in the proceedings of the meeting held between the Secretariat and regional groups to collate the regional positions on the revision to the Guidelines.

The Africa Group of National Commissions for UNESCO commended UNESCO’s efforts to revise document 174 EX/34 in order to reflect changes made during the first phase of implementation of reforms at UNESCO. The Africa Group acknowledged approvingly that the document would unquestionably strengthen cooperation between the National Commissions and UNESCO. It was concerned, however, that as the revised text was not binding, its stated objectives would not be met. It therefore recommended that the revised text be submitted to the Executive Board and General Conference for adoption.

32

II. Funding of the activities of National Commissions for UNESCO and the Participation

Programme

Before considering this agenda item, the participants engaged in a discussion with Mr Eric Falt, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information (ERI). He welcomed Africa’s substantial participation in the first interregional meeting of National Commissions for UNESCO and said that he was looking forward to taking part in the second international forum of NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO on 30 and 31 July 2014, in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire. He stressed that Africa was still a priority for the Organization as a whole and for the Participation Programme in particular.

In response to concerns voiced by the participants, Mr Falt acknowledged that the vital work under way to revise and amend the Guidelines for Interface and Cooperation between UNESCO Field Offices and National Commissions for UNESCO could not succeed without the goodwill of all concerned and their commitment to implement the Guidelines effectively. He accordingly undertook to provide better information on the revised Guidelines to field office directors. He then stressed that the management of the Participation Programme by the Section in charge had improved markedly.

Turning to communication between the Secretariat and the National Commissions, Mr Falt welcomed the prominence given to the latter’s activities in the publication of the Annual Report of the National Commissions for UNESCO. He encouraged those National Commissions that had not contributed to the first Report to consider doing so to the second. He concluded by announcing that the principle of holding an annual interregional meeting of National Commissions had been accepted.

On consideration of the agenda item itself, the members of the Africa Group of National Commissions were first informed about the fund-raising experience and best practices of the Cape Verdean National Commission for UNESCO. They then agreed to the following proposals:

– building National Commissions’ capacities for the fundraising strategy; – raising the level of communication among National Commissions; – securing support from professionals for the fundraising strategy or outsourcing that activity; – establishing partnership among National Commissions for the funding of some of their

activities; – establishing partnerships with the private sector, NGOs and bodies involved in the

development of countries; – instituting a percentage (3%), levied on financial cooperation contracts between UNESCO

and private companies and on Member States’ extrabudgetary contributions to UNESCO, to be paid to the National Commissions of the countries concerned.

III. UNESCO’s visibility in Member States In connection with UNESCO’s visibility in Member States, the participants said that UNESCO’s visibility was much the same as the National Commissions’ visibility. The participants agreed that in order to enhance that visibility, it was necessary to:

– encourage every National Commission to produce interesting newsletters, issue activity reports and make their websites more dynamic;

– design and produce publicity materials (diaries, calendars, etc. …); – establish sustained relations with the media; – involve young people in in the design and implementation of youth activities;

33

– organize meetings for the launch of UNESCO reports (such as the yearly EFA Global Monitoring Report).

IV. Cooperation among National Commissions for UNESCO and capacity building of National

Commissions The participants were of the opinion that cooperation relations among the National Commissions should be strengthened primarily at the subregional level, in particular regard to the promotion of UNESCO networks (UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network, UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations movement, and so on) and other activities of common interest. In strengthening cooperation among the National Commissions, the Commissions’ staff capacities could concomitantly be reinforced.

Moreover, National Commissions of the South could consider entering into mentoring agreements with National Commissions of the North.

The participants concluded by agreeing to the principle of putting the Africa Group of National Commissions for UNESCO on an official footing in the same way as the Africa Group of Permanent Delegations to UNESCO. The representative of Gabon was tasked with proposing, in conjunction with other interested participants, ways and means of putting that idea into practice.

Done at Astana, on 23 July 2014 The Rapporteurs

34

Annex List of participants

Number Name Country

1. Arlindo Pedro Chandama Angola

2. Alfonso Valentim Angola

3 Marcel N’dah Oya Benin

4. Richard K. Matlhare Botswana

5. Mokowe Oteng Basimolodi Botswana

6. Phidelma Setoki Maseko Botswana

7. Salvator Nyabenda Burundi

8. Gloria Ribeiro Cape Verde

9. Félix-Fils Eboa Ebongue Cameroon

10. Owana Ada Cameroon

11. Augustin Dongola Central African Republic

12. Abdelkérim Adoum Bahar Chad

13. Lazare Liema Ibongo-Botie Democratic Republic of the Congo

14. Lou Mathieu Bamba Côte d’Ivoire

15. Mehret Iyb Teklu Eritrea

16. Mebratu Berhan Berhe Ethiopia

17. Juste Joris Tindy-Poaty Gabon

18. Ousmane Senghor Gambia

19. Riche-Mike Wellington Ghana

20. Evangeline Njoka Kenya

21. Caston Bob Harris Liberia

22. Hanta Nirina Raboanary Madagascar

23. Hyacinthe Kishindo Malawi

24. Youssouf Dembélé Mali

25. Aneeta Ghoorah Mauritius

26. Elia dos Anjos Vaz Bila Mozambique

27. Roderick April Namibia

28. Namata Issa Niger

29. Magdalene Anene-Maidoh Nigeria

30. Aliou Ly Senegal

31. Vicky Gendron Seychelles

32. Ayao Akoété Kougblenou Togo

33. Augustine Omare-Okurut Uganda

34. Brenda Muntemba Zambia

35. Ibrahima Solo Condé Guinea

36. (1 colleague, name and country to be provided by Maidoh)

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ANNEX

REPORT BY THE ARAB GROUP Introduction The Arab Group would like to pay special tribute to the Government of Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO and UNESCO for the excellent initiative. The Group is already looking forward to the resounding success of the event and extends its sincere congratulations to the organizers. The Arab Group highly appreciated the richness of the scientific and cultural programme, the perfect logistical organization and the hospitable and friendly nature of the fruitful international gathering. I. Consideration of the document The Group, comprising some ten people, discussed the document on the Guidelines for interface and cooperation between UNESCO field offices and National Commissions for UNESCO. It stressed from the outset the relevance of the issues raised and welcomed UNESCO’s valuable contribution (Secretariat and regional offices) to the implementation of national programmes. It then engaged in a critical reading, thanks to which a number of suggestions were made with bearing on both the form and content of the document. The Group thus recommended that:

– National Commissions be further involved in developing, implementing and evaluating programmes;

– cooperation between the National Commissions and field offices be consolidated, particularly by intensifying efforts to keep National Commissions informed of all the activities undertaken;

– the French version of the document be revised; – an Arabic version of the document be made available for consideration.

II. The meeting with Mr Eric Falt

The Arab Group welcomed the initiative. The meeting focused on the following issues:

– the (limited) Arab participation at the interregional meeting; – the format and timing of meetings; – the next interregional meeting; – training seminars for Secretaries-General of National Commissions; – the National Commissions’ annual report and that important publication’s contribution to

visibility; – the organization of subregional meetings.

III. Inter-Commission consultation

The discussion highlighted the need for:

– the exchange of views, experiences, and good practices in particular; – one or two regional and/or subregional meetings per year.

In general, the Group expressed its total satisfaction with regard to the relevance of the presentations given at the meeting and the content of the discussions to which they gave rise. The Arab Group stressed the highly strategic nature of the questions raised, particularly with regard to opportunities for networking, exchange of good practices and dialogue on issues of common interest.

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CONCLUSION The Arab Group congratulated UNESCO and the Kazakhstan National Commission for UNESCO on the success of the event and called for it to become a permanent fixture.

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