UNESCO South Asia Cluster Consultation And Media Workshop

Transcription

1 ERC/RSC/NAC/25 New Delhi, December 2002 Only in English UNESCO South Asia Cluster Consultation And Media Workshop December 2002 New Delhi, India

2 CONTENTS Page 1 Agenda List of Participants Report... 10

3 Este documento solo está disponible en inglés. Ce document est seulement disponible en anglais UNESCO South Asia Cluster Consultation And Media Workshop (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka) Hyatt Regency, Bhikaji Cama Place New Delhi, December 2002 Draft Agenda Monday 09 December Opening Session Welcome by Director UNESCO Office in New Delhi Introduction of Participants Election of Chairperson, Drafting committee and Rapporteur Adoption of Draft Agenda Country Presentations on ongoing programme activities (10 min each) Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Nepal Sri Lanka Coffee Break Presentations on ongoing programme activities by UNESCO Country and Cluster Offices UNESCO Dhaka Office UNESCO Kathmandu Office UNESCO New Delhi Office Covering the four sectors, cross cutting themes and the flagship programmes Discussion

4 Lunch Break Identification of regional priorities in each programme sector (Education, Science, Culture, Communication and Information and Cross Cutting themes for the preparation of 32 C/5) taking into consideration the UN Millennium Development Goal Coffee Break Discussion on efficient governance and consultation process Working together Modalities Developing projects at the Cluster level Meeting of UNESCO Directors in the Cluster Dinner Tuesday, 10 December Discussion on efficient governance and consultation process contd Coffee Break what can be done to ensure UNESCO visibility, presence and action in cluster countries where UNESCO has no office? what seed moneys can be invested for what return in cluster countries and for what activities or projects? Fund raising for extra-budgetary projects Opening session of the Media Workshop Mr. M. Barton, Director -Bureau for Public Information, UNESCO Paris Lunch Break Media Workshop Contd Coffee Break Media Workshop Contd.

5 Wednesday, 11 December, Media Workshop Contd Coffee Break Media Workshop Lunch Conclusion of Media Workshop Coffee Break Concluding session on cluster consultations Adoption of the final report of the meeting Thursday, 12 December, Training in ICTs Coffee Break Training in ICTs Contd Lunch Training in ICTs Contd Coffee Break Training in ICTs Contd. Detailed programme of the Media Workshop and the Training in ICTs will be sent in due course.

6 Este documento sólo existe en inglés. Ce document n existe qu en anglais Name Bhutan Designation Cluster Management Consultation (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka) Media Workshop and ICT Training New Delhi, December 2002 Contact List of Participants 1. Ms. Choden 2. Mr. Kinga SIngye Bangladesh 3. Mr. Syed Jaglul Pasha Ms Suraya Yasmin (wife) 4. Ms. R. K. Chowdhury Asst. Programme Officer Bhutan Natcom for UNESCO Executive Director, Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation Secretary Bangladesh Natcom for UNESCO (Wife of Secretary Bangladesh NATCOM) Director, Campaign For popular Mass Education Tel: /Fax : bncu@druknet.net.bt P.O. Box 101, THIMPU Tel: , Fax: , ks@bbs.com.bt Tel: /69/Fax: bncu@bdcom.com I, Asian Highway, Palsai, Nilkhet, Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh Home : 84/c Azimpur Estate, Dhaka- 1205, Bangladesh Ph: , Fax: , pasha@citechno.net

7 Name Designation Contact India 5. Mr. C. Balakrishnan 6. Ms. Rukmani Banerjee Maldives 7. Ms. Zahiya Zareer 8. Mr. Abdul Raheem Hasan Nepal 9. Mr. Khagendra Basnyat 10. Ms. Sunita Malakar Sri Lanka 11. Mr. Mahinda Abeywardane 12. Prof. Gunapala Nanayakkara Secretary General Indian Natcom for UNESCO Pratham, NBCC Place, Pragati Vihar (mobile: ) Secretary Maldives Natcom for UNESCO Director, Centre of Continuing Education Secretary General Nepal Natcom for UNESCO Deputy Director, Distance Education Centre Secretary General Sri Lanka Natcom for UNESCO Director, Postgraduate Institute of Management Tel: , /Fax: Tel: / Fax: / Tel: Fax: Tel: /Fax: Tel : Fax: sunitaedu@hotmail.com.np/dec@most.gov.np Tel: /Fax: slncu@slt.ik Tel: gnanayak@eureka.lk

8 Name Designation Contact UNESCO Field Offices 13. Mr. W. Vollmann Director/UNESCO Dhaka Tel: /Fax: Ms Ingeborg Breines Director/UNESCO Islamabad E.mail : i.breines@unesco.org 15. Mr. Y. Kitamura Head/UNESCO Kathmandu Tel: /Fax: y.kitamura@unesco.org 16. Ms. H. Gurung UNESCO Kathmandu Tel: /Fax: h.gurung@unesco.org UNESCO Headquarters 17. Mr. J. Parsons IOS/UNESCO/Paris Tel : Fax : j.parsons@unesco.org 18. Mr. W. Mellor BFC/UNESCO Paris Tel : Fax : w.mellor@unesco.org 19. Ms. J. Blinker BFC/UNESCO Paris Tel : Fax : UNESCO New Delhi j.blinker@unesco.org 20. Mr. M. Tawfik DIR/UNESCO New Delhi Tel : Fax : /2 m.tawfik@unesco.org

9 Name Designation Contact 21. Mr. M. S. Alam SC/UNESCO New Delhi Tel : Fax : /2 m.alam@unesco.org 22. Mr. Q. Khan ED/UNESCO New Delhi Tel : Fax : /2 q.khan@unesco.org 23. Mr. R. Perera CLT/UNESCO New Delhi Tel : Fax : /2 r.perera@unesco.org 24. Ms. Tarja Virtanen CI/UNESCO New Delhi Tel : Fax : /2 t.virtanen@unesco.org

10 Ce document est disponible en anglais uniquement. Este documento sólo está disponible en inglés ANNEX I DRAFT REPORT UNESCO Office New Delhi Objectives: Summary : CLUSTER MANAGEMENTCONSULTATION (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka) Hyatt Hotel - New Delhi Office, 9-10 December 2002 Followed by Media Training Workshop and IT training December 2002 New Delhi To discuss management issues pertaining to the cluster with particular regard to policy Implementation, programme planning and delivery. The salient points of the two - day meeting is summarized hereunder, as follows: Opening Session: The Representatives of the six South Asian Member States and the Directors of the Field Offices in the Cluster, discussed the ongoing programme activities with a view to identifying Cluster Priorities and Mechanisms of co-operation/relations between the Field Offices and National Commissions. Representatives from UNESCO Headquarters (Paris) also participated in this cluster consultation management meeting (list of participants attached). The Director of the UNESCO, New Delhi Office, Mr. M. Tawfik welcomed the participants and introduced the Agenda (Annex II). He pointed out very clearly that the Member States needed to deliberate on the management issues of the Cluster Strategy, as well as programme priorities. These introductory remarks were followed by the election of Chairperson - Mr. C. Balakrishnan - Secretary General of Indian National Commission for UNESCO and Rapporteur - Ms. Zahiya Zareer, Secretary of Maldives National Commission for UNESCO and the adoption of the provisional agenda. Country Presentations and discussions on ongoing programme activities: (i) By Representatives of Member States: These presentations by the representatives of the various Member States, mainly highlighted the various activities/projects being

11 carried out in the respective Member States. The following issues/questions were raised during the discussions, notably: Role of the area/national offices Support from the Headquarters for cluster collaborations Potentials and scope for networking within the cluster Proportion of funds allocated by various by funding sources Government/ UNESCO/ Participation Programme (PP)/ Extra budgetary funds Collaborating with, other UN Agencies, Development Banks and other donors Role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil societies Allocation of certain quota of PP for regional projects. (ii) By Representatives of UNESCO: Country Offices, Cluster Office and UNESCO Headquarters: The following summarizes the various presentations by Directors/Heads of UNESCO Field Offices, namely: Mr. T. Tawfik, Director of UNESCO Office New Delhi, Mr. W. Vollmann, Director, UNESCO Office Dhaka, Mr. Kitamura, Head, UNESCO Office Kathmandu and relevant Team Leaders of the UNESCO New Delhi Office, namely: Mr. Khan, Programme Specialist Education Sector, Mr. Alam, Senior Programme Specialist Science Sector, Mr. Perera, Programme Officer - Culture Sector and Ms. Virtanen, Programme Specialist Communication and Information Sector. Also included are presentations and contributions by participating Directors from UNESCO Headquarters, namely Mr. Warren Mellor, Director a.i. Bureau for Field Coordination and Mr. Parsons, Director, Internal Oversight and other staff from UNESCO Headquarters, namely: Ms. J. Blinker, BFC. UNESCO Office Dhaka - an overview of the programme activities implemented in Bangladesh focusing mainly on the National EFA programmes. It was clear from his presentation that the existing relationship between the Bangladesh National Commission and the Field Office is positive. However it was pointed out that good co-operation often depends on human relations and that some difficulties have occasionally arisen due to unclear links of communication. UNESCO Kathmandu Office - UNESCO is not able to everything and hence the main areas of focus/scope of the UNESCO Kathmandu Office are Culture and Education. The effectiveness and success of the Community Learning Centres (CLCs) in Nepal was stressed and the importance of involving the local community for sustainability of any development programme at national level. Also indicated was the fact that since UNESCO is the only international agency that promotes culture, there was a great need for UNESCO to concentrate on this area. The following issues for UNESCO's consideration, were raised: The equity issue prevalent in many countries in the region concealed by national level statistics, The role of sub-regional and inter-governmental organisations in South Asia, UNESCO Office New Delhi Office focused on activities involving 4 programme sectors, crosscutting themes and the flagship programme and can be summarized as follows: Natural Science Sector - As indicated, the Science Programmes cover the countries of New Delhi Cluster although the Division of Water Sciences, and the Division of Earth Sciences run programmes that cover countries in other clusters.

12 Education Sector As indicated the aims were to achieve: Eradication of Illiteracy Universalization of Basic Education Continuing Education. The importance of using different modalities, to achieve the Education for All (EFA) Goals was stressed. More specifically it was stated that Non-Formal Education modality needed to be adopted and strengthened if the "underlying premises of the Education Sector" of Learning, Living and Working were to be achieved. Culture Sector Defined the Conventions, Instruments and Activities under the' 3 main thrusts in. the Culture Programme, namely: Promoting Standard Setting Instruments Promoting Pluralism and dialogue between Culture and Civilization Promoting Culture in Development. A brief description was given of UNESCO New Delhi in its capacity as Regional Bureau of Communication and Information (CI), which covers 43 countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. Participants were enlightened on the flagship programme especially for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). As indicated, they include: Using ICTs to Reach the Un-reached, Help member states to draft National Policies, Human Capacity Building in ICTs, Diversity (mainly linguistic diversity in materials development) Website, which serves as a Knowledge Resource, a window for including information about member states and as a Discussion Forum. Queries were raised with regard to the relationship between Science Sector in New Delhi Office and the UNESCO Jakarta Office (Regional Bureau for Science) and on the modalities for community participation and participation of women. On the issues of Identification of Cluster Priorities for the preparation of 32 C/5, there was unanimous agreement on the need to undertake programme initiatives within the cluster in implementing 32 C/5. There were preliminary discussions on the possible common priorities but it was agreed that further consultations need to be carried out to decide on the priorities. Efficient Governance and Consultation Process: A brief outline was given on the parameters and the structure of the Reform Process, emphasing that each element of the newly expanded field network must work together with a clear understanding of their specific roles. It was further stated that decentralization requires an optimal interaction between the Field Offices and National Commissions. Queries were raised with regard to UNESCO's real capacity for programme delivery, considering the present situation of understaffing both at Headquarters and the Field Offices, to which clarification was given that the Director General is committed to staffing each Cluster Office, with an expert for each sector to ensure that the Cluster Offices are

13 multidisciplinary. It was also indicated that the National Offices carried out more focused programmes for the host country and that they are time bound. Also stressed was the importance of sharing resources and obtaining resources from available sources was stressed. The participants were reminded that UNESCO is a "Resource Sharing Network. The relation between National Commissions and Field Offices was discussed at length. Issues raised in this regard, by the Cluster Office is the lack of information on " who was responsible for doing what" in the member states, in the Cluster. Other issues raised included the existing structure and unclear lines of communication with particular emphasis was placed on the lines of communication between National Offices, Cluster Offices, Regional Bureau vis-a-vis Headquarters and other Field Offices when contacting directly the National Commissions. It was felt that a clear mechanism for facilitating regular and comprehensive information exchange between National Commissions and Field Offices in a given cluster, where there is a National Office on the one hand and no National Office on the other, must be in place, as Field Offices are responsible and accountable for all UNESCO activities in the Member States. On that note, in Member States where National Offices exist, it was reiterated that National Offices were complementary in implementing their programmes, both technically and politically, and should be consulted and involved from the outset when being contacted by other Field Offices or Headquarters with regard to specific needs and activities which fall within the area if competence of the National Office. For communications of a less specific nature, from the various Field Offices or Headquarters for that matter, Member States (National Commissions) generally agreed that they could be contacted directly, but that it was still important to inform these Offices. For all communication to national bodies, National Commissions should be kept informed and where where appropriate be involved. In addressing this issue, the draft document prepared by BFC entitled Guidelines for the Establishment of functional relations between Field Offices and National Commissions was used as a basis for discussion (attached). The document whose objective it is to (i) clarify lines of communication between the different categories of UNESCO Field Offices (cluster/regional/national) and National Commissions particularly in Member States where there are no Field Offices or where Offices have been closed, and (ii) to establish guidelines aimed at ensuring more structured and functional relations between Field Offices and National Commissions in the implementation of decentralization, was reviewed in detail by the participants and suggestions made for its revision particularly with regard to the section related to cooperation modalities:

14 Output/Recommendations for Follow-up actions: 1. There was unanimous agreement of the need to undertake programme initiatives within the cluster in implementing 32 C/5, but further consultations would be needed in this regard to identify areas of common interest. 2. It was agreed that the Cluster Office will undertake a study, in co-operation with the 2 National Offices and the National Commissions, to identify all ongoing projects implemented with different partners, from within or in co-operation with UNESCO. 3. There is the need for National Commissions to ensure that Participation Programme (PP) proposals are consistent with programme priorities identified by the Executive Board. 4. Cluster Management Training Sessions to be held twice a year within the cluster. 5. There is a need to put in place, a clear mechanism for facilitating regular and comprehensive information exchange between National Commissions and Field Offices in a given cluster. 6. It was agreed that BFC would revise the draft document entitled Guidelines for the Establishment of functional relations between Field Offices and National Commissions in light of ensuing discussions and comments made at this cluster meeting (see extracts below from section in document relating to cooperation modalities: lines of communication and who does what), further discuss it with National Commissions Division at Headquarters and transmit it for discussions at other upcoming cluster management meetings, before finalizing the document for submission to the Executive Board as an information document. Lines of Communication: When National Commissions want to seek assistance from UNESCO there is a clearer line of communication that can be followed. Depending on the area of expertise required, the Member State (National Commission) could approach first, the National Office (if it exists). If that Office lacks the technical, human or financial means to assist, together the National Commission and National Office should approach the Cluster Office. If the Cluster Office cannot assist, together the National Commission and the National Office and Cluster Office may approach the relevant regional bureau, or indeed any other UNESCO network of resources wherever they may be. For instance UNESCO institutes, centres, and Headquarters. Cooperation modalites: Who does what? National Commissions could be invited to take responsibility for: 1) Facilitating visits of UNESCO staff in the respective Member State; 2) maintaining a roster of national experts (living within or outside the country) in the areas covered by UNESCO and a list of all governmental agencies, research institutions, funding bodies and non-governmental bodies active in UNESCO s fields of co-operation;

15 3) informing the UNESCO Field Office of any significant statements of national policy made in the fields of UNESCO s competence, including interactions with other entities in UNESCO and other Inter-governmental Organizations to which that member state belongs; 4) maintaining regular contact in cooperation with other relevant UN agencies, with a view to identifying opportunities for UNESCO s co-operation with them; 5) ensuring that they involve all relevant Ministries in UNESCO activities and information dissemination and that the views and interests of relevant Ministries are represented in general; 6) encouraging and ensuring that all other relevant Ministries contribute to the Organization s standard-setting work and to the orientation of its programmes when surveys or inquiries are carried out and when replying to questionnaires; 7) acting as the national point with the principal national bodies (both governmental and non-governmental) interested in matters of interest to the Organization; 7a) developing new partnerships with civil society and the private sector; 8) disseminating UNESCO information, both technical and general, to appropriate audiences; 9) identifying and developing national strategies and priorities for programme and budget in consultation with all relevant Ministries and with inputs from Field Offices as appropriate; 10) implementing, monitoring, evaluating and accounting for specific programme activities (individual contracts, Participation Programme), or parts of activities undertaken directly by National Commissions. UNESCO Field Offices should be responsible for: 1) exploring opportunities for strengthening National Commissions through training and possible attachments to Field Offices; 2) keeping National Commissions fully informed of all UNESCO activities, missions etc. involving their Member States; 3) ensuring that National Commissions have complete and updated information of cluster staff and their contacts and, keeping them informed of all changes of staff in the office; 4) ensuring regular meetings or at least contact/communication between National Commissions and the Cluster or National Office Director and/or other key staff. Organizing regular schedule of contacts/visits/meetings between National Commission and Field Office(s); 5) inviting National Commissions to offer substantive written input to national and cluster offices for the C/5 planning with regard to Member State priorities, and keeping them informed of what is being done and with which sectors.