Hundred and sixty-fifth Session APPLICATION OF 164 EX/DECISION 8.2 CONCERNING EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES

Transcription

1 ex United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Executive Board Hundred and sixty-fifth Session 165 EX/43 PARIS, 6 September 2002 Original: English Item 10.2 of the provisional agenda APPLICATION OF 164 EX/DECISION 8.2 CONCERNING EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES SUMMARY This document is presented in compliance with 164 EX/Decision 8.2. It also makes reference to 164 EX/Decision 6.2 and 164 EX/Decision 3.1.1(III), adopted by the Executive Board at its 164th session, which requested the Director-General to pursue and develop the preparation of projects intended for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and re-establishment of the educational, cultural and information systems in the Palestinian Territories and for the promotion of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.

2 165 EX/43 INTRODUCTION 1. The grave situation in the Middle East, the security conditions as well as the difficulty of access to the Palestinian Territories by UNESCO staff during the period covered by this document, from April to mid-august 2002, have prevented UNESCO from obtaining the necessary data and information to prepare a full and detailed report on the current situation of the Palestinian educational and cultural institutions. Due to the circumstances, missions of international staff and experts to the Palestinian Territories have been mostly postponed or cancelled. Therefore, this document is based on the limited sources of information available at present such as the findings of a short mission of UNESCO s International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) carried out from 25 to 27 May 2002 and those of the UNESCO Office in Ramallah. 2. The UNESCO mission last May, carried out by the Director of the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) and other senior staff from IIEP, consulted the Ministers of Education and Higher Education of the Palestinian Authority concerning the impact of the present situation on the education system and looked into real opportunities for cooperation. The mission also met with representatives of other United Nations agencies and the donor community to discuss the challenges that are to be faced at present and to reconfirm UNESCO s interest in cooperating with and participating in existing coordination mechanisms. 3. The UNESCO Ramallah Office participated in the preparation of a Damage Assessment Report undertaken during April and May 2002 by the Local Aid Coordination Committee (LACC) on the impact of the events of April This initiative was carried out under the auspices and guidance of the World Bank, UNESCO and Norway. While the exercise was primarily focused on the damage to infrastructure (water networks, electricity, housing, equipment and others), UNESCO was called upon to contribute to the assessment relating to the cultural component. This involvement resulted in the production of three preliminary reports assessing the damage to the cultural heritage in the towns of Nablus, Bethlehem and Jenin, which were drawn up in close coordination with Palestinian institutions. I. IMMEDIATE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE 164TH SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD 4. At the urging of the Board and within the framework of the United Nations system s concerted efforts in the region, the Director-General took immediate measures concerning UNESCO s assistance for reconstruction and reconciliation in the Middle East, as follows: (a) Elaboration of a strategic approach: As a first step, the Director-General established on 31 May 2002 an intersectoral high-level Task Force on Reconstruction and Reconciliation in the Middle East, which he chairs himself (cf. DG/Note/02/13 of 31 May 2002). Aimed in particular at meeting urgent needs in the Palestinian Territories and helping to advance both reconstruction and reconciliation in the Middle East, the Task Force, which held its first meeting on 4 June 2002 is expected to propose a strategic approach based on a coherent vision of UNESCO s role in the region, in close collaboration with the United Nations system and other partners. Such a vision has been enunciated in the Director-General s public declaration of 4 June 2002 entitled For a Renewed and Enhanced Commitment of UNESCO in the Middle East. Highest priority has been given to the pursuit of activities planned under the UNESCO/Palestinian Authority agreement, the re-evaluation of the third phase of UNESCO s assistance, and the preparation and implementation of projects for the

3 165 EX/43 page 2 strengthening of Palestinian educational, scientific and cultural institutions to be financed under carry-over funds. The Director-General gave instructions concerning a high-level intersectoral mission to the Palestinian Territories and Israel and independent technical missions to the Palestinian Territories as soon as the situation on the ground permits. (b) (c) (d) UNESCO presence in the Palestinian Territories: Despite the difficult security situation, UNESCO has maintained a regular institutional presence in the Palestinian Territories through its Office in Ramallah. This Office has succeeded in maintaining a positive dialogue with the Palestinian partners, particularly the Palestinian Committee for UNESCO and the concerned line ministries, with the aim of providing follow-up to the UNESCO-related projects. It participates in the United Nations and donor coordination mechanisms as well as initiating and developing contacts with various interested donors for fund-raising purposes. Diplomatic and public relations activities: The Director-General has been in constant contact with the United Nations Secretary-General and with senior officials and representatives of the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. The Director- General, in his public statements, has expressed deep concern about the escalation of violence, the loss of human life and destruction of educational establishments and cultural sites. Coordination with the United Nations system: Although UNESCO is not included in the coordination efforts being undertaken by the humanitarian agencies, the Secretariat nevertheless follows closely the action of these agencies in order to provide appropriate assistance for the reconstruction efforts. The UNESCO Liaison Offices in New York and Geneva are providing proper liaison with the United Nations system to this end. The Director-General has held consultations with the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the situation in the Middle East and during the heads of agencies meeting in Rome last April, the Secretary-General provided an in-depth briefing on the political situation. It is expected that the next meeting of heads of agencies in November will focus on efforts for reconstruction. UNESCO s contribution is part of a broader United Nations effort to help the Palestinian people: the Organization is working very closely with the United Nations Special Coordinator s Office in the Middle East and other United Nations agencies, in particular UNDP and UNICEF. Furthermore, within the Local Aid Coordination Committee, UNESCO has the responsibility for the sector working group in education. (e) Mobilization of extrabudgetary resources: As the Executive Board has already been informed, the Government of Japan, under a funds-in-trust arrangement, is prepared to support a UNESCO project for the benefit of Palestinians studying abroad (Arab countries, Europe and USA). The project amounting to US $220,000, by helping some 40 Palestinian students to pursue their studies in , aims at promoting human resources and strengthening international understanding and friendship by intercultural exchanges. The project is at the stage of final negotiations. The Director-General encourages the Member States to support other projects to enable Palestinian students to pursue their studies despite the lack of financial resources either through UNESCO structures and programmes (such as IIEP training courses or the PEACE Programme) or through separate projects.

4 165 EX/43 page 3 II. CURRENT UNESCO ACTION IN THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES 5. During the period under consideration, UNESCO s assistance in the Palestinian Territories focused on the implementation, through its Office in Ramallah, of a series of previously launched extrabudgetary projects. Although progress has been made (a large number of these projects are nearing completion), for the reasons mentioned above, it proved difficult to implement some of their components. 6. However, it should be mentioned that corrective measures have been taken to adapt these projects to the needs of the new situation and the Office has succeeded to mobilize new extrabudgetary resources, in particular in the field of cultural heritage. 7. Finally, the UNESCO Office in Ramallah prepared the work plans for the activities planned within the Programme and Budget for (31 C/5). Due to the situation, it was not able to start their implementation. Should the situation improve and stabilize, as is hoped, then a rapid review of the work plans will take place at the field level in coordination with the relevant units and a new schedule of activities will be prepared. Ongoing projects funded from extrabudgetary resources 8. In the field of education: (a) The IIEP mission mentioned above concentrated on the review of two ongoing projects and the next steps planned. Strengthening the Ministry of Education to Improve Basic Education, funded by Italy. The remaining items of equipment for the project have been delivered. Policy Analysis and Formulation for the Development of the Palestinian Ministry of Education, funded by Italy. The main objective of this project is to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Education for the formulation of a five-year education development plan. The project, which began in 1998, is currently being finalized. (b) (c) (d) Early Childhood Resource and Training Centre in Bethlehem. The bidding process was launched in March 2002, and a consultant was fielded to review with the municipality the necessary procedures and outcomes. The bid analysis had to be delayed owing to the security situation prevailing at that time. UNDP/UNESCO joint project for a model kindergarten in Nablus, funded by Japan. Although construction is almost completed, no mission was fielded to review with the Ministry of Education policy and management arrangements for this project. Support to the Children s Centre Assad at Tofula in Gaza, funded by San Marino. The activities have been almost entirely completed and the centre is fully operational. (e) Elaboration of a Strategy for Rationalizing the Development of Higher Education, funded by NORAD. Two additional contracts covering the technical assistance component and the training activities for new staff of the Commission on Higher Education have been issued.

5 165 EX/43 page 4 9. In the field of culture: (a) (b) (c) Hosh Al-Syrian Project, funded by the Flemish Community of Belgium. The furniture, office equipment and books for the library have been procured and delivered. The renovation has been completed, including the repair of the latest damage. An opening ceremony is planned for September Qasr Hisham Project in Jericho, funded by Italy. Under phase two of the project, a technical meeting at UNESCO Headquarters took place on 28 March, when the final proposal with details on the mosaic shelter was presented to the experts as well as to the Palestinian Authority representative. The architecture consultant and his team were provided with comments and the executive plans are now being finalized and will be presented for final approval shortly. Technical assistance project for the restoration of the Khan Al-Wakalat in Nablus, funded by the European Commission. In April 2002, a mission took place to review the work plan and its timing in the light of the damage to the caravanserai which is being restored. An agreement was also reached with the Nablus municipality and the EC on increasing the contribution to UNESCO by some 80,000 euro for the preparation of technical designs, tables and plans. New extrabudgetary resources mobilized by the UNESCO Office in Ramallah 10. During the period under consideration, the UNESCO Office in Ramallah, supported by the Culture Sector at Headquarters, was able to finalize preliminary contacts with various donors concerning a number of cultural heritage projects. Related project documents were also produced by the Office and the following agreements were reached: (a) a project for a Conservation Master Plan in Bethlehem has been finalized through an agreement with the World Bank ($174,000); (b) a project document for restoration work in the Nablus Old City has been finalized ($100,000) and submitted to a donor from the private sector; (c) a project for the revitalization plan in Nablus funded by UNDP is now in the last stage of negotiations ($200,000). III. THE WAY AHEAD 11. In an addendum to this document, Executive Board Members will be informed of the followup on some of the issues listed below. The course of action outlined herein may be re-adjusted in the light of the Executive Board s deliberations and decisions on this matter during its 165th session. Activities to be financed from the unspent balance of the preceding biennium (carry-over) (164 EX/Decision 6.2) 12. The Executive Board by 164 EX/Decision 6.2, reiterated by 164 EX/Decision (III), endorsed the Director-General s proposal to allocate from the unspent balance of the preceding biennium (carry-over), as a confidence-building measure in the region, the sum of $1,135,000 for the reconstruction of Palestinian educational and cultural systems and the promotion of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.

6 165 EX/43 page Approximately 20% of the funds were immediately made available to the sectors to facilitate the start of work. During June and July, under the overall coordination of the Bureau for Strategic Planning, the sectors drew up the corresponding work plans. 14. The UNESCO Office in Ramallah undertook preliminary discussions with the Palestinian authorities and provided the necessary information to assist in the identification of the most suitable proposals. Discussions were also held with the Israeli authorities. 15. As presented in document 165 EX/27, the amount of $1,135,000 is planned to be used for activities aimed at reaching the following results: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) In education: Building of capacity in policy planning and partnership strategies pertaining to early childhood education; empowerment of children and raising of awareness regarding environment and health through support of summer camps in some 200 school locations, especially in most affected areas (with opportunities for activities to ensure basic skills, interactive counselling and other extra-curricular activities); preparation of the school opening through support for improved physical learning environment, an overall more enabling educational environment and a reinforcement of school and local community relationships; and activities promoting education as a focus for a people-to-people peace process, aimed at improved understanding and trust as well as the training of teachers and educators as a force for peace, within schools and communities ($300,000). In education: Completion of a skills-training development study, in the context of the national TVET strategy, focusing on better linkage between reconstruction programmes and training interventions through labour market survey; measures to improve relevance and quality of TVET provision; identification of skills requirements and gaps; adaptation of resource materials in learning about small business and entrepreneurship to needs of secondary-level learners; and preparation of materials on education in emergencies and reconstruction; and development of proposals for reorientation of management of education by Ministry of Education ($100,000). In culture: the implementation of an emergency programme for the consolidation, restoration or rehabilitation of cultural monuments and sites; strengthening of local capacities for the management of cultural heritage; and contributions to international efforts, in particular those by organizations of the United Nations, in the area of saving and rehabilitating cultural institutions ($220,000). In natural sciences: Support extended to the scientific community, including assistance in assessing the further feasibility of the Dead Sea Science Lab initiative, and support to universities in the West Bank and Gaza as well as a Science for Peace conference ($100,000). In social and human sciences: promoting a better understanding of the views held by civil society; undertaking sensitization efforts with a view to promoting mutual respect, tolerance and peace; engaging actors of civil society in dialogue; assessing needs for further dialogue through participatory processes; and reinforcing networks between members of civil society, inter alia, through the creation of a Forum for Peace at UNESCO Headquarters, a programme for training leaders of the next generation in coexistence and a seminar on social accord.

7 165 EX/43 page 6 Furthermore, supporting Palestinian women through the creation of an observatory concerning their situation, including research activities, information and networking activities and the promotion of intellectual partnership ($335,000). (f) In communication and information: Support to initiatives aimed at strengthening development of democratic and independent media; support of exchanges in the region and with other regions of information/television programmes/articles promoting dialogue and tolerance; support to the creation of conditions for free and pluralistic media; peace-building activities through support to dialogue between media professionals in the region and other regions, including the preparation of a bilingual newspaper supplement, as well as ICT-based dialogue between young people ($80,000). World heritage support 16. The World Heritage Committee, at its 26th session (Budapest, June 2002), decided to allocate a sum of $150,000, as emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund, to establish an inventory of the Palestinian cultural and natural heritage, assess its state of conservation and define measures for its preservation and rehabilitation. 17. The World Heritage Centre will prepare as soon as possible the necessary technical assistance projects. To this end, a mission is due to be sent to the Palestinian Territories in the coming weeks. Exploring needs and opportunities 18. A UNESCO mission led by the Deputy Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Cooperation will be dispatched to the Palestinian Territories and Israel in order to explore with Palestinian and Israeli constituencies the opportunities for dialogue and action. In this context, the mission will inform both parties of the UNESCO-planned programmes and projects for the region and discuss facilities for UNESCO staff and consultants to implement activities in the region. 19. It is hoped that this mission will pave the way for the high-level UNESCO intersectoral mission, which will reassess existing programmes in the light of the new situation and will define the priorities resulting from the present crisis. An overall strategy 20. Preliminary sectoral strategy proposals, including a timetable and detailed information on the projects to be funded with carry-over funds and extrabudgetary resources were discussed during the second meeting of the Task Force on Reconstruction and Reconciliation in the Middle East, under the chairmanship of the Director-General, held on 29 August These sectoral strategies will be included in a comprehensive overall strategy for the Organization on the Middle East in November Meeting of the joint UNESCO/Palestinian Authority Coordination Committee 21. During this meeting, scheduled for November 2002, specific topics should be worked out based on the overall strategy of the Organization. Reinforcement of the UNESCO Ramallah Office 22. The Director-General will strengthen the capacity of this Office with existing staff resources within the Secretariat as soon as possible. Sectors have been invited to make proposals for the transfer of staff members with their posts in order to provide appropriate professional expertise on

8 165 EX/43 page 7 the ground with a view to speedy implementation of action. This reinforced presence on the ground will help the Palestinian Authority, in these very difficult circumstances, in its work for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure and the pursuit of educational reform. IV. CONCLUSION 23. At the time of writing, the Israeli and Palestinian authorities are undertaking initiatives to restore dialogue. UNESCO will continue to support through its activities all signs of hope for an improved situation in the Middle East. 24. An essential aspect of UNESCO s action in the Middle East has been, and continues to be, the promotion of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians by re-establishing and strengthening links among intellectuals, representatives of civil society, and youth from both sides, with a view to helping to break the cycle of conflict and achieving peace. In this regard, activities bringing together representatives of Palestinian and Israeli civil society and establishing networks of youth that contribute, in spite of the difficulties and tensions, to modify attitudes should be further encouraged. 25. Flagship projects such as the revision of textbooks, SESAME, the safeguarding of the heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, represent concrete assistance while bringing people together. Such projects should be seen as important tools for communication, mutual enrichment and bridgebuilding between Israeli and Palestinian intellectual and academic communities. 26. UNESCO has a significant contribution to make towards reconciliation between the two peoples. This remains the deepest hope of the large majority of Palestinians and Israelis. UNESCO will spare no effort to work with the international community to ensure that the solution called for by the Security Council, of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in secure and recognized borders, becomes a reality. 27. Finally, in order to provide a briefing on the Organization s strategy and the United Nations action in the Middle East, and to offer an opportunity for dialogue in this connection, the Director- General will organize an information meeting with representatives of Member States on 26 September (tentative date), with the participation of Mr Terje Roed-Larsen, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Peace Process in the Middle East.

9 ex United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Executive Board Hundred and sixty-fifth Session 165 EX/43 Add. PARIS, 7 October 2002 Original: English Item 10.2 of the agenda APPLICATION OF 164 EX/DECISION 8.2 CONCERNING EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES ADDENDUM SUMMARY In this addendum to document 165 EX/43 and in pursuance of 164 EX/Decision 8.2 concerning educational and cultural institutions in the occupied Arab territories, the Director-General provides information herein on this matter, and others, further to three UNESCO missions carried out in the region in September and early October 2002.

10 165 EX/43 Add. 1. This document consists of three parts, dealing respectively with the conclusions of a mission carried out by the Sector for External Relations and Cooperation, the results of a mission fielded by the Communication and Information Sector and initial information received from a mission in the field of cultural heritage which is in progress at the time of writing. The Director-General greatly appreciates the invaluable assistance received from the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian and Israeli representatives of civil society and members of the United Nations system in the region in facilitating UNESCO s work. He submits this addendum to document 165 EX/43 which focuses mainly on past, ongoing and planned activities, in order to provide fresh information on the situation of education, culture and the media in the Palestinian Territories and on the role that UNESCO is called on to play in the region. I. Mission fielded by the Sector for External Relations and Cooperation 2. As announced in document 165 EX/43 (paras. 18 and 19), the Director-General dispatched a mission to the Palestinian Territories and Israel from 9 to 14 September 2002 in order to explore with Palestinian and Israeli constituencies the opportunities for dialogue and common action. This mission was led by the Deputy Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Cooperation. 3. The objectives of the mission were to: Obtain first-hand information on education, science, culture and communication in the region; Inform the authorities of both the Palestinian Authority and Israel of the projects foreseen by UNESCO under its regular programme ( carry-over funds) and extrabudgetary funds and explore those they may wish to pursue and/or initiate in partnership with the Organization; Discuss with the appropriate authorities the facilities for UNESCO staff and consultants to carry out technical and professional missions and implement activities/programmes in the region; Establish links with civil society and identify projects which could be sponsored and/or funded in a small steps approach to reconciliation; Reinforce UNESCO s working partnership with the United Nations agencies in the region and seek their counsel and advice on UNESCO s current and forthcoming action there. 4. As a result of close collaboration established with the Permanent Delegate of Israel to UNESCO and the Permanent Observer of Palestine to UNESCO, the mission was able to hold consultations with the Ministers of Education and Higher Education, Tourism and Antiquities, and Culture and Information of the Palestinian Authority as well as with high officials of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Deputy Minister, and of the Ministry of Education. 5. Meetings and discussions were also held with the Israel National Commission for UNESCO and with the Palestinian Committee for Education, Culture and Science headquartered in Ramallah. Meetings also took place with representatives of civil society and visits were organized in Ramallah, to Bir Zeit University and the Al Am ari Refugee Camp and in Tel Aviv, to the Shevach Moffet Municipal High School for Science and Culture. 6. Finally, briefing sessions were organized with senior members of the following United Nations agencies operating in the region: the Office of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East

11 165 EX/43 Add. page 2 Peace Process (UNSCO); the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); the Special Representative in the Palestinian Territories of the United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF); and the West Bank and Gaza Office of the World Bank. 7. On the basis of these contacts, the mission was able to assess some essential needs and identify a number of areas for UNESCO assistance in the Palestinian Territories as well as establish good working relations with Israeli officials. The mission was also able to meet with representatives of Palestinian and Israeli civil society in order to initiate reconciliatory projects. The main findings of the mission are as follows: (a) In the Palestinian Territories: (i) in the field of education: At the present situation, what is needed, in addition to funds and projects, is the assistance of UNESCO in advocating the right to education for the Palestinian children. According to the Minister of Education and Higher Education, since the beginning of the events in September 2000 and the imposition of closures and mobility restrictions by Israeli forces, the Ministry has established new management systems to try to maintain schooling: 16 emergency committees have been established and new counselling programmes have been opened. Examples given of problems that had been faced due to mobility restrictions were that the opening of schools in Nablus for the new school year had been prohibited, high school exams had had to be repeated three times and it had been difficult to provide school materials to Bethlehem and Nablus. The representatives of Bir Zeit University, one of the important higher education institutions visited by the mission, described the difficulties that the University is facing, such as mobility restrictions on professors and students and lack of funds. For the past 10 months, the teachers have been receiving half pay and students are having difficulties in paying their tuition fees; 65% of the University s budget is funded by donors and at present financial assistance is being focused on humanitarian assistance. In cooperation with the UNESCO Office in Ramallah, this institution will prepare proposals for cooperation, prior to a mission in education the Director-General wishes to field in November It was also emphasized that, in order to tackle the brain drain issue, some of the fellowship funds to be provided by UNESCO should be attributed to students who study in the Palestinian Territories, and not only to those studying abroad. (ii) in the field of culture (some of the issues raised under this rubric are addressed in Part III of this report): The urgency of conducting an assessment of the situation of the Palestinian cultural sites was stressed, as was the need for reconstruction programmes, in particular in Nablus. Substantial funding by different sources was provided for the preservation and reconstruction of cultural sites but there was a real need to receive technical assistance from UNESCO. With regard to the present reform of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the mission was informed of the major programmes planned and the activities being implemented to restructure the Ministry. UNESCO assistance was requested to strengthen the new Unit for Museums and the new National Register Department. Furthermore, within the work for the preparation of the first-ever Palestinian legislation for cultural and natural heritage, UNESCO assistance was requested on

12 165 EX/43 Add. page 3 how to involve the private sector and other stakeholders in policy formulation and protection of cultural heritage sites. (iii) in the field of communication (more information in the field of communication and information is provided in Part II of this report); the mission met with the Minister of Culture and Information and visited Gaza where meetings were held with representatives of WAFA News Agency and the national information service. (b) In Israel: (i) strengthening UNESCO activities in Israel and in the Palestinian Territories: meetings were held with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Director-General with responsibility for relations with the United Nations and International Organizations, and the Director of the International Organizations Department. During these discussions agreement emerged on the conditions for improved future cooperation, including facilities for professional and technical UNESCO staff either posted in or visiting the region. The mission also discussed a series of issues related to UNESCO/Israeli cooperation. (c) In both Israel and the Palestinian Territories activities towards reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians were discussed: (i) (ii) in Israel, meetings took place with the Director of the Center for Conflict Research, Management and Resolution at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as well as with four ground-breaking NGOs: the Jerusalem Association of Community Councils and Centres; the Jewish-Arab Center For Peace of Givat Haviva which was awarded the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education 2001; the Yitzak Rabin Center; and the Peres Center for Peace. All the organizations met have gained considerable experience and are dedicated to facilitating dialogue and reconciliation and to promoting co-existence at grassroots level. They were invited to submit project proposals to UNESCO that could be considered for future cooperation. During these meetings, moving examples were given of the impact that the population s profound fear of terrorist attacks is having on their daily life. The meetings with Rabbi Melchior, Deputy Foreign Minister and the Israel National Commission were of the highest importance. During these meetings stress was placed on the need to work with civil society on initiatives for reconciliation. UNESCO was also urged to initiate a conference on science for peace in line with the initiatives taken under the Granada II programme (launched in 1996) that would bring scientists of the two peoples together. during several meetings with the representatives of the Palestinian Authority, while it was stated that during the present crisis the best way to serve reconciliation is through programmes of reconstruction, the need for initiatives towards reconciliation was also recognized. The frustration felt by Palestinians as a result of the combination of military action, closures, restriction on mobility and unemployment was stressed during these meetings. It was noted in particular that initiatives for reconciliation should be specific and that working with both the Israeli and Palestinian media is essential. Culture and science could be two other areas for possible joint programmes between Palestinian and Israeli organizations. The Chairperson of the Palestinian Committee for Education, Culture and Science supported the idea of a joint meeting between the Palestinian Committee and the

13 165 EX/43 Add. page 4 Israel National Commission for UNESCO where concrete reconciliatory hands-on initiatives originating from their respective constituencies could be explored. II. Mission by the Communication and Information Sector 8. From 9 to 14 September 2002, the Communication and Information Sector carried out a mission to the region to evaluate needs of media and ICTs in the Palestinian Territories and elaborate relevant projects in this domain, aiming to strengthen the development of independent and pluralistic media, and also to look into possibilities for promoting a dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian media professionals. 9. During its stay in Jerusalem and Ramallah, the UNESCO mission had the opportunity to meet with Israeli and Palestinian journalists, media professionals, researchers and government officials, as well as representatives of the international community. 10. On the basis of the mission s recommendations, UNESCO is prepared to elaborate an action plan to strengthen the development of independent media in the Palestinian Territories, which will also include dialogue between media professionals, training components and expertise. 11. With regard to the dialogue dimension in the field of media, journalists in both the Palestinian Territories and Israel expressed the wish to renew those discussions with their colleagues which were interrupted with the beginning of the events two years ago. Most of them are ready to attend an informal meeting of journalists under the aegis of UNESCO to be held outside of the region. Both the Israeli authorities and Palestinian authorities welcomed the idea of UNESCO convening such a gathering. 12. In this regard some concrete steps are already under preparation: (i) (ii) Representatives from the Palestinian and Israeli print media are interested in exchanging and publishing newspaper articles. The News Director of the private TV Channel 2 in Israel proposed a co-production of his media with the Palestinian TVs, which would be broadcast in both Israel and the Palestinian Territories. 13. This first initiative to launch anew the dialogue between media professionals will be funded under the carry-over funds. Additional extrabudgetary funding will be necessary to respond to the urgent needs in the field of media and ICTs that have a direct impact on the population in the Palestinian Territories and the peace process in the Middle East. 14. The findings of the mission show a genuine willingness for an opening on the media situation in this conflict area, and the international community should seize this opportunity without delay. UNESCO is willing to play a key role in the field of media and ICTs in this region. III. World Heritage Centre Mission 15. Since the mission is still in the region at the time of writing, the Director-General will report more extensively to the Executive Board at a later stage. This mission, led by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, held consultations on 5 October with the Palestinian Committee, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, the Minister of Culture and Information and their staff, to define the modalities for the implementation of activities aimed at the establishment of an inventory

14 165 EX/43 Add. page 5 of Palestinian cultural and natural heritage, and capacity-building for Palestinian specialists in heritage conservation. A work plan was outlined and agreed upon by the parties. 16. From 1 to 5 October 2002, the mission visited the sites of Hebron, Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah, while security reasons prevented it from going to Nablus. 17. Overall, the Director-General is happy to note that some progress has been made over a short period of time and looks forward to positive and concrete developments in the near future.