Preamble. Peter Gresiczki Secretary-General Hungarian Commission for UNESCO

Transcription

1 Preamble I have the pleasure to present you herewith the documents of the 15 th Meeting of the Secretaries-General of the National Commissions for UNESCO of the Europe Region as well as the final paper of the Director-General s Consultation of National Commissions for UNESCO of the Europe Region on the Preparation of the Draft Programme and Budget for (32C/5). These documents are reflecting the views and suggestions put forward by the National Commissions of the Europe Region and have been designed to serve as a matrix for further reflection on UNESCO s mission, objectives and priority tasks to be entrusted to the Organisation. As far as the role and missions of UNESCO are concerned proposals have been made to - clarify the principles and key functions for improving UNESCO s efficiency; - identify the priority fields of action on which the Organisation and the National Commissions of the Europe Region should concentrate; - specify the most appropriate practical forms of action. I do hope that these documents accepted by the participants of the above-mentioned meetings will help you to manage your respective National Commission and will contribute to reinforce the widespread esteem of UNESCO in the Europe Region I take the opportunity to express my sincere thanks for the excellent work carried out by our rapporteurs as well as the participants taking an active part in the discussions and everybody helping to make the meeting a success. Peter Gresiczki Secretary-General Hungarian Commission for UNESCO 1

2 15 th Regional Meeting of Secretaries-General of National Commissions for UNESCO in the Europe Region (Budapest, Hungary, June 2002) Report (as approved 18 June 2002) 1. Opening of the Session Mr. Peter Medgyes, Assistant State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Education, and Mr. Jozsef Hamori, President of the Hungarian National Comission for UNESCO, Vice- President of the Hungarian Acedemy of Sciences and former Minister of Culture, opened the meeting on behalf of the the government of the host country and its National Commission. Representing the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Ahmed Sayyad, Assistant Director- General for External Relations and Cooperation, addressed the participants representing the National Commissions of UNESCO s Europe Region. With regard to the reference made to National Commissions as constituent elements of UNESCO in UNESCO s Medium Term Strategy (document 31C/4 approved, para 37), Mr. Sayyad called upon the Commissions as being crucial in associating all the expertise and skills available in their countries in the process of elaboration, implementation and evaluation of the Organization s programmes. The Provisional Agenda and the Provisonal Rules of Procedure (the latter for the Meeting of Secretaries General as well as for the subsequent Consultation Meeting convened by the Director-General of UNESCO) were approved. 2. Election of the Bureau Mr. Peter Gresiczki, Secretary-General of the Hungarian National Commission, was elected as Chairperson of the Meeting. The Secretaries-General of the Slovenian, the French and the Canadian National Commissions, Ms Zofija Klemen-Krek, Mr David Walden and Mr. Jean- Pierre Boyer, were elected Vice-Chairpersons. The Secretary-General of the German Commission for UNESCO, Mr.Traugott Schőfthaler, was elected Rapporteur, the Secretaries- General of the Andorran, the Slovakian and the Austrian National Commissions, Mr. Jean- Michel Armengol, Mr. Miroslav Musil and Ms Gabriele Eschig, were elected Co- Rapporteurs. 3. Follow-up to the 14 th Meeting of Sectretaries-General (Bled, Slovenia, June 2000) and to the 13 th Quadrennial and Statutory Regional Conference of the National Commissions for UNESCO of the Europe Region (Montreal, Canada, July 2001) The Secretaries-General of the host National Commissions of the two last meetings, Ms Zofija Klemen-Krek and Mr. David Walden, gave general reports on the results and their follow-up of these meetings. In the light of their evaluation made, they stressed the need to maintain but improve the present pattern and structure of such meetings, considered invaluable for the Commissions and as indispensable feedback for the Secretariat. Specific aspects were dealt with in the light of additional presentations. 3.1 Relations between National Commissions and European Organizations (Council of Europe, European Union/Commission, etc.) Zabrina Holmstrőm, Secretary-General of the Finnish National Commission, outlined the context-map of UNESCO s action in the Europe region, as far as activities and programmes of regional intergovernmental organizations active in UNESCO s fields of competence are concerned, in particular EU and the Council of Europe. She reaffirmed the relevant statements made in this regard at the Montreal meeting and recommended that UNESCO should express interest in updating the 1952 Memorandum of Co-operation with the Council of Europe, with 2

3 a view to adapt its action to the new role the Council has assumed since 1989, when it was gradually transformed into a Pan-European intergovernmental Organization for regional Cooperation in all of UNESCO s fields of competence. At the level of each Member state, it would be indispensable to coordinate closely the participation in activities of UNESCO and the CoE. Concerning the European Commission, Ms Geneviève Rouget, Chief of the UN and EC Funds and Programmes Section in the UNESCO-ERC Division of Cooperation with Extrabudgetary Funding Sources, reported about new openings of the European Commission towards the UN system, including UNESCO. UNESCO is particularly well placed, being the only UN Organization having signed an agreement on fnancial and technical co-operation with EU (1996). She qualified National Commissions, being national institutions, as being eligible for a large number of EU programmes from which UNESCO would not be able to benefit directly, given its status as intergovernmental organization. She encouraged NCs and their national partners to explore further the possiblity of submitting applications for programmes such as CARDS (South-East Europe) and MEDA (e.g. for the Euro-Arab Dialogue). It was suggested to establish an informal contact group for further developing the relations between National Commissions for UNESCO and the Council of Europe. Decisions and recommendations: The subject relations between UNESCO and its National Commissions and European intergovernmental Organizations will be an item of the agenda of forthcomig meetings such as the informal meeting during the 32 nd session of the General Conference, the 16 th meeting of Secretaries-General and the 14 th Regional Conference. (on the basis of the working document on the subject prepared for the Montreal meeting and the presentations by Zabrina Holmstrőm and Geneviève Rouget to the Budapest meeting) All National Commissions of the Europe Region are invited to seek regular exchange of information and close collaboration with existing focal points in their countries for EU and the CoE In reaction to the interest expressed by the CoE in direct collaboration with National Commissions for UNESCO, it is recommended that such co-operation be developed as appropriate It is also recommended to all National Commissions of the Europe region to study the website of the European Commission in order to identify relevant programmes (and their tenders for applications, appels d offre ). The Bureau for External Resources (BER) in UNESCO S ERC Sector could be asked to assist, as appropriate, in preparing applications for funding The Secretaries-General of the National Commissions of the Europe region invite the Director-General to express to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe UNESCO s interest in updating the 1952 memorandum of co-operation with the CoE, thus replying to relevant decisons of the CoE governing bodies since December The participants invite the President of the meeting to inform the Secreary-General of the CoE of the positive reaction of the NCs to the interest expressed by the CoE in direct cooperation with National Commissions for UNESCO. 3.2: <evaluation of the three Bled ideas > was not discussed 3

4 3.3 Synthesis of the one-page reports prepared by NCs on their activities Peter Gresiczki presented a summary of the 19 entries he has received before the meeting. (see Annex VII). 3.4 Consideration of Working Methods of the regional and consultative meetings of National Commissions David Walden, Secretary-General of the Canadian National Commission, presented a working document prepared jointly with the former President of the Canadian NC, Michel Agnaieff. The following recommendations resulted from Plenary and Working Group discussions: The phasing of regional consultations of National Commissions on the preparation of the C/4 and C/5 documents preceding the deadline for submission of written replies by Governments of Member States to the questionnaire sent out by the DG should remain intact and in conformity with 29 C/Res. 87. The participants invite the Director of BPS to send out a correction letter to Member States, postponing the deadline for submission of Member States replies from 30 June to 31 July 2002, i.e. two weeks after termination of the ongoing cycle of regional consultations The schedule of regular Secretaries-General meetings and the Statutory Regional Conferences should be harmonized with ( rolled into ) the cycle of biennial consultation meetings, thus allowing combination of regional meetings other than the informal meetings organized in the framework of the General Conference into only one such meeting per biennium Savings realized this way in UNESCO s Regular Budget, including the provision made initially for a Standing Committee of National Commissions (which was finally not created by the General Conference at ist 31 st session), should be used for cooperation between NCs, in particular in relation with cluster offices Regional meetings should consider regularly matters of common interest such as division of labour between NCs and cooperation and cordination with the Secretariat at Headquarters and in the field. It was also suggested that meetings be organised around a priority UNESCO theme. Several participants suggested that the quadrennial and statutory regional conferences should become sixennial, in harmony with the six years cycle of medium term strategies. It was pointed out that there was a low rate of implementation of SG meetings recommendations. A monitoring mechanism was suggested within UNESCO s Secretariat in this regard. 3.5 Collection of information from Member States by UNESCO Traugott Schőfthaler, Secretary-General of the German Commission for UNESCO, presented conclusions from his assessment of the number (73) and the nature of requests for information by UNESCO received at governments and National Commissions of Member States during the biennium. The following decision resulted from the discussion: The SecGen of the NC of the Europe region invite the German NC to submit the list of 73 requests for information received during the biennium to the ADG ERC together with following recommendations and suggestions: To ensure better in-house coordination (e.g. with Executive Offices of the Sectors) Circular letters on UNESCO prizes (at present: 31 per biennium) should be combined into one document per biennium All correspondence should be simultaneously sent out on paper and through , thus allowing recipients to click through to backgroud information such as relevant GC 4

5 Resolutions and EXB decisions, and to pass it on to national partners, and allowing the Secretariat to focus accompanying letters on action to be taken Deadlines should be, as a rule, not shorter than 3 months. In addition, an annual calendar of forthcoming deadlines, in addition to the questionnaire and statistics plan and calendar of events, would be helpful All copies for information should clearly indicate the addressee of the original Similar to established practice in compiling education statistics, co-ordination with other intergovernmental organisations in the collection of statistical as well as non-statistical data from Member states should be significantly improved. Concerning the Europe region, availability of required data at EuroStat, CoE, UN-ECE, OECD and OSCE should be checked, as a rule, before requesting such information from Member States and their National Commissions. 3.6 Reform of the Working Methods of the Executive Board The Nordic NCs presented a non-paper on the subject for consideration. It was qualified timely in the context of the relevant decision adopted by the 164 th session of the EXB, inviting the EXB Chairperson to submit to its 165 th session concrete proposals. The meeting was informed that the EXB Chairperson is interested to receive suggestions from Member States in relation with the relevant 164 EXB decision. 4. Status and functioning of National Commissions The Director of the Division of National Commissions and New Partnerships (ERC/NCP), Ms Marylou Kearney, presented working documents on the following subjects: 4.1 Enhancing the Status and operational capacities of National Commissions (document 164EX/39) 4.2 Operational Capacities of National Commissions for UNESCO Europe region 4.3 Summary of the progress made in the implementation of guidelines for selecting partners in the Member States, including the rules and regulations governing the use of UNESCO s name and logo by these partners (document under preparation for the 165th session of the EXB) - all three documents available at the website of ad 4.1 and 4.2 The participants underlined the responsibility of Member States for enhancing the status and operational capacity of NCs, so as to enabling them to discharge the functions assigned to them in the Charter of NCs and subsequent decisions by the governing bodies of UNESCO. NCs should become more involved into the national planning process. In view of the global changes, it was suggested to elaborate a workable definition of civil society, in relation with the liaison functions of NCs. In particular with a view to the new decentralization policy and the creation of cluster offices by UNESCO, it was recalled that ensuring operational capacities and enhancing the status of NCs was also a responsiblity of UNESCO s Secretariat. Participants welcomed the information provided by ADG ERC that the DG, on the basis of briefing by ERC, is recalling the need to ensure proper functioning of NCs whenever meeting Heads of State or Government or Ministers from Member States. It was proposed to highlight in such occasions also the statutory role of NCs in contributing to the preparation, implementation and evaluation of UNESCO s programme. It was suggested that UNESCO Hqs should assist in electronic networking between NCs and send, as a rule, all communication simultaneously in electronic and paper form. 5

6 All speakers on the issue welcomed the new modality of an electronic discussion forum, coordinated by the Division NCP, and expressed willingness of National Commissions to participate in ad hoc virtual discussions. It is recommended to Hqs to further increase the resources earmarked in the Regular Budget for raising the operational capacities of NCs, while welcoming the measures already being taken in regard to information and communication tools. The Secretariat is encouraged to disseminate good practices among NCs. The forthcoming publications on improving the functioning of NCs are appreciated. It was recommended that SG Training at Hqs be combined with practical training at NCs in the field. ad 4.3 It was recalled that the GC Resolution governing the use of the ame and logo of UNESCO (1951 ) assigns the task to protect name ad logo of the Organization to both the Director-General and the Governments of Member States. The meeting encourages the Secretariat to further elaborate and update the guidelines on the issue, including proposals for the involvement of NCs. 5. Inter-Cultural Dialogue between National Commissions, in particular the strategy for an Euro-Arab Dialogue Learning to Live Together. The President of the General Conference, H.E. Ahmad Jalali, presented to the meeting an address outlining an intercultural perspective on dialogue in the 21 st Century. The Co-ordinator of the Task Force established by the NCs of the Europe and the Arab States regions in the framework of the 31 st session of the General Conference, presented the Working document prepared by the Task Force for this meeting and for the Regional Conference of NCs of the Arab States region (Rabat, 4-8 June 2002). The Task Force co-ordinator for the Arab States region, Ms Fatma Tarhouni, Secretary- General of the Tunisian National Comission, informed the meeting of the approval of the strategy by the Rabat Conference. The strategy was included as an interregional element into the UNESCO Regional Strategy for the Arab States region and recommended to the DG for inclusion into the 32 C/5. Ms Tarhouni informed the meeting also of the recent approval of the strategy by the Governing Board of ALECSO and transmitted the cordial greetings of the Arab NCs to the Budapest meeting. Mr. Schőfthaler informed the meeting of the fact the the Council of Europe has listed the project in his recent overview of the Council's new activities in In the light of additional information provided, inter alia on the fact that the strategy would not involve obligations for NCs since it is based on voluntary commitment, the meeting adopted te following decision: Arab-Europe Dialogue inter-regional strategy Learning to Live Together (Delors Report and Follow-up to the 46 th International Conference on Education) Resolution adopted by t he National Commissions of the Arab States (Rabat, 4-8 June 2OO2.) andand the Secretaries- General of the National Commissions of the Europe Region (Budapest, June 2OO2.) 6

7 Take note of the antecedents of the Arab-Europe Dialogue project proposal, submitted by the Task Force Learning to Live together of National Commissions of both regions; Note the relevance of its aims and modalities; Approve the Strategy Outline attached to this resolution Invite all National Commissions of the two regions to consider the Strategy Outline in further elaborating their work plans in , and to indicate their commitments and proposals to the Task Force, in particular through completing the forms attached to the Strategy Outline; Invite the Euro-Arab Task Force of National Commissions to follow up the issue and to submit their final Report to the regional meetings of National Commissions to be convened during the 32 nd General Conference in October-November Strategy Outlines for Arab-Europe Inter-regional Project Learning to Live Together Framework: UNESCO s Medium Term Strategy (31 C/4 approved), in particular the following strategic objectives: 1 promoting education as a fundamental right... 2 improving the quality of education... 3 promoting experimentation, innovation and the diffusion and sharing of information... and 8 safeguarding cultural diversity and encouraging dialogue among cultures and civilizations and relevant strategic sub-objectives, and, within cross-cutting theme ICT, strategic objective 2 enhancing learning opportunities through access to diversified contents and delivery systems. The Arab-Europe inter-regional strategy includes the following elements: (i) inter-agency co-operation with regional intergovernmental organizations active in this field, such as ALECSO, the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Council of Europe, the European Union and OSCE. (ii) mobilization of civil society through National Commissions and International or regional NGOs mechanism for the implementation of priority projects, including the establishment of in-house as well as interagency co-ordination and provision of matching funds. Expected outcomes include: (iii) Wide dissemination and promotion of the Delors Report and the results of the 46 th session of the ICE within Ministries of Education, teacher training institutions and curriculum development centres, and organization of exchanges between practitioners and policy-makers; networking of teachertraining institutions of both regions (iv) Support to Member States and their National Commissions for youth exchange, notably through twinning arrangements between schools from both regions participating in the ASP; 7

8 (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) (x) (xi) Comparative analysis of curricula and school textbooks in several countries of both regions, and publication of a special issue of the Journal Prospects on the Euro-Arab dialogue; Preparation of a revised version of the Practical Guide for human rights education and education for tolerance and dialogue among cultures and civilizations, complemented by a selection of best practices for Learning to Live Together and Education for Citizenship in co-operation with the Council of Europe and ALECSO; In support of the Plan Arabia, establishment of a network of higher education institutions specializing in teaching and research on the cultural diversity of the Arab World (including those from other than the Arab States and the Europe regions); Encouraging inter-university co-operation between the two regions, notably through joint research projects (e.g. in the field of image studies) and participation in the UNESCO Chairs network (in all Major programmes); Support to cultural festivals, exhibition and cultural information seminars that develop and foster the Arab-Europe Dialogue; Demonstration of the impact of ICT-based alternative delivery systems through pilot projects such as multilingual UNESCO Education Servers for Human Rights and Democracy; making use of the evaluation of the existing server in the Europe region (Sarajevo) for the establishment of similar services for the Arab States region. Collection of best practices for dissemination of knowledge on the other region in the media through workshops organized in collaboration with journalists and their professional associations, contests and encouraging cooperation and exchange between media of the two regions. ***************************** 6. Update of the Communication Capacities of National Commissions and Visibility of UNESCO in Member States through National Commissions action The Director of the Division of Relations with National Commissions and New Partnerships, Marylou Kearney, presented a working document on the subject. It was recommended to the Secretariat, in particular to the Bureau for Public Information, that it provides resource materials to NCs so as to enable them to increase the visibility of UNESCO in the Member States. Such materials should include: - a CD ROM with all relevant logos and actual pictures concerning UNESCO s action; - DVD with relevant moving images; - resource materials on important issues such as underwater cultural heritage (with illustrations/media packages). Furthermore, an interactive website which would be attractive to youth should be created. 7. World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, Johannesburg ) An information document was provided by the UNESCO Secretariat. All NCs are invited to contact the focal point in their governments for the preparation of the national WSSD delegation, in order to draw the attention of those in charge of WSSD to issues of particular relevance for UNESCO such as cultural diversity, culture and sustainable development, cultural heritage in the context of the International Year 2002, Culture and Ecotourism, Ethics and the Environment, Science and Economy. 8

9 All represetatives of NCs taking part in the WSSD are invited to inform the Division ERC/NCP in advance of their participation (including local coordiates in Johannesburg such as phone, fax and ). 8. Preparation for the World Summit on the Information Society (Geneva, December 2003, and Tunis, 2005) The UNESCO Secretariat presented an information document. The German National Commission had invited all NCs to participate in the UNESCO regional Pre-Conference (Europe Region), Mainz, Germany, June It is recommended to all participants to prepare short written proposals on the three themes of the Mainz Conference (Copyright in Cyberspace, protection of privacy, children and youth; bridging the digital divide through Regional Research and Education Information Networks) that could be handed over to the Rapporteurs (short means: similar to the format of three ideas submitted to the Bled meeting). 9. Other Business On proposal by its Chairperson, the meeting considered also the following subjects: The proposal to UNESCO concerning an International Year of Physics was welcomed by the meeting. It was also suggested that, while preparing for such a Year, UNESCO should indicate clearly results expected from the undertaking. It was also suggested to identfy one or more Member States which would be willing to prendre en charge cette année. Concerning the proposal for establishing an International Day of Folklore, a number of participants welcomed the idea, other would not see any inconvenience, whereas others expressed reservations in the light of the ongoing debate on a normative instrument for the protection of intangible heritage (which would include possibly Folklore, without, however, using the traditional terminology). Concerning the proposal to consider participation in the improvement of the new system for financial and administrative management at UNESCO (FABS), several participants expressed their regret of not being sufficiently informed about the establishment of this programme. Reform dividend resulting from the new decentralisation policy? The general feeling that the closing down of some field offices did not generate savings, since resources were needed for upgrading other offices to cluster offices, was confirmed by the Secretariat. National Plans for Development: the meeting was informed of the fact that the EU requests such plans from candidate countries. Options and possibilities for NCs to get involved in such plans should be studied case by case, and information on such involvement should be passed on to other NCs. Participation Programme: The PP was referred to by many participants as a key factor for enhancing visibility of UNESCO in its Member States. The need was underlined that the Secretariat respects fully the relevant Resolutions adopted by the General Conference, in particular concerning communicating in this regard with Member States through their National Commissions. The wish was expressed that the new FABS system would lead to more efficiency in the transfer of funds. There should be a clear timetable establised for informing NCs about approval of their PP requests. 11. Place and date of the 16 th Meeting of the Secretaries-General of the National Commissions for UNESCO in the Europe Region (2004) The Secretary-General of the Romanian National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Alexander Mironov, invited the participants to consider convening the meeting in Bucarest. This proposal was approved with appreciation. 9

10 The meeting noted with appreciation that the Ukrainian National Commission would be willing to organize the 14 th Quadrennial and Statutory Regional Conference of National Commissions of the Europe Region. The issue will be taken up by the Regional meeting of National Commissions in the context of the 32 nd session of the General Conference. 12. Adoption of the Report The Report was approved on 18 June, as amended, on the basis of presentation of its English version being available in writing, and being read out with simultaneous interpretation in French. (The decision on item 5 was made available in both English and French versions.) 10

11 Annex Dialogue euro-arabe Strategie inter-régionale Apprendre à vivre ensemble (Suivi du Rapport Delors et de la 46ème Conférence internationale de l Education) aprouve par lato be submitted Conférence régionale des Commissions nationales, Etats arabes (Rabat, 3 au 8 juin 2002) et la 14ème réunion des Secrétaires généraux des Commissions nationales, région Europe (Budapest, 14 au 18 juin 2002) 3. Recent Developments including relevant Inter-Agency co-operation on the reinforcement of multicultural and interreligious dialogue since September 2001 Mediterranean meetings such as A new Mediterranean Cultural Policy in the Making: Towards Multicultural Dialogue, Coherence and Accountability (6-7 September, Turkey) or Identity and Otherness in the Mediterranean World (20-21 December, Turkey) Establishment of a Council of Europe Ad Hoc Working Party on the reinforcement of multicultural and interreligious dialogue (Strasbourg 6 December) Tripartite Meeting Council of Europe (Strasbourg 8 February 2002): inter-agency coooperation envisaged with, EU, UNESCO, OSCE, OIC, Arab League OIC-EU Joint Forum on Civilization and Harmony (Istanbul, February 2002) 4. Forthcoming events October 2002: Conference on Education for Democratic Citizenship (organized by the National Commissions of France and Morocco) Autumn 2002: Armenia: International Conference on the Dialogue of Covilizations Late 2002: Eisenstadt, Austria: Forum on European Identities Early 2003: Vienna: Conference on Human Rights and Major Religions 5. Proposed Recommendation or ConclusionRésolution adoptée Les Commissions nationales pour l UNESCO des Etats arabes / lesand (Secrétaires généraux des) Commissions nationales, région Europe 11

12 notant les antécédents du projet du Dialogue euro-arabe, soumis par l équipe spéciale «Apprendre à vivre ensemble» des Commissions nationales de deux régions; soulignant l importance des objectifs et modalités proposés; approuvent la stratégie inter-régionale présenté ci-dessus Invitent les Commissions nationales de deux régions à considérer ladite stratégie dans le contexte de l élaboration de leurs plans de travail pour le biennium, à exprimer leurs engagements et à transmettre leurs commentaires, suggestions et idées aux membres de l équipe spéciale, notamment en remplissant les formulaires rattachés au document de travail intitulé «Dialogue euro-arabe» présenté par ce groupe ; Invitent l équipe spéciale euro-arabe des Commissions nationales à donner suite à cette résolution et à soumettre son Rapport final aux réunions régionales des Commissions nationales qui seront organisées dans le cadre de la 32e session de la Conférence générale en octobre - novembre Stratégie inter-régionale euro-arabe Apprendre à vivre ensemble Cadre: Stratégie au moyen terme de l UNESCO (31 C/4 approuvé), en particulier les objectifs stratégiques suivants: 1 promouvoir l éducation en tant que droit fondamental... 2 améliorer la qualité de l éducation... 3 promouvoir l expérimentation, l innovation ainsi que la diffusion et le partage de l information... et 8 protéger la diversité culturelle et encourager le dialogue entre les cultures et les civilisations ainsi que les sous-objectifs stratégiques concernés, et, à l intérieur de la stratégie concernant le thème transversal TIC, objectif stratégique 2 accroître les possibilités d apprendre en donnant l accès à des contenus et systèmes de prestation des services éducatifs diversifiés. La réalisation de la stratégie sur le plan arabo-européen comprend les éléments suivants: (xii) coopération inter-agences de l UNESCO avec des organisations intergouvernementales régionales intéressées et actives en ce domaine, telles que l ALECSO, la Ligue arabe, l Organisation de la Conférence islamique (OIC), le Conseil de l Europe, Union européenne and OSCE. (xiii) mobilisation de la société civile à travers les Commissions nationales ainsi que des ONG internationales ou régionales (xiv) mécanisme pour la réalisation des projets prioritaires, comprenant l établissement de la coordination à l intérieur de l UNESCO ainsi qu interagences et la provision des modalités de financement (sources diverses). Les résultats escomptés seront, en outre: 12

13 (xv) (xvi) la dissémination à grande échelle et la promotion du Rapport Delors ainsi que des résultats de la 46 ème session de la CIE parmi les ministères de l Education, les établissements pour la formation des enseignants et les centres de planification du programme scolaire, et l organisation des échanges du personnel enseignant et des responsables pour la politique éducative; création des réseaux des établissements de la formation des enseignants des deux régions Soutien aux Etats membres et leur Commissions nationales en domaine des échanges des jeunes, notamment par des jumelages des écoles des deux régions participant au SEA; (xvii) Analyse comparative des programmes et des manuels scolaires d un nombre des pays des deux régions, et publication d un numéro spécial de la revue Perspectives (BIE) sur le dialogue euro-arabe; (xviii) Préparation d une version améliorée du Guide pratique pour l éducation aux droits de l homme et l éducation à la tolérance et au dialogue entre les cultures et les civilisations, avec un supplément sur les meilleures pratiques pour Apprendre à vivre ensemble et l éducation à la citoyenneté préparé en coopération avec le Conseil de l Europe et l ALECSO; (xix) (xx) (xxi) Afin de contribuer à la réalisation du Plan Arabia, création d un réseau des institutions universitaires et de recherche spécialisées en domaine de la diversité culturelle du Monde arabe (y compris des institutions spécialisées des régions autres que Etats arabes et Europe); Promotion de la coopération inter-universitaire entre les deux régions, notamment par le biais des projets de recherche conjoints (p.ex. en domaine de l imagologie) et participation au réseau des chaires UNESCO (dans tous les Grands programmes); Soutien des festivals culturels, des expositions et des séminaires d information culturelle dessinés pour le développement et la promotion du dialogue araboeuropéen; (xxii) Démonstration, grâce à des projets pilotes, de l impact des systèmes novateurs de prestation des services éducatifs fondés sur les TIC, tels qu un Serveur multilingue de l UNESCO pour l éducation aux droits de l homme et à la démocratie, en utilisant les expériences acquises dans le projet du serveur existant dans la région Europe (à Sarajevo) pour la création des services similaires pour la région Etats arabes. (xxiii) Collection des meilleures pratiques pour la dissémination des connaissances de l autre région à travers les médias sous forme des ateliers organisés conjointement avec des journalistes et leurs associations professionnelles, compétitions et l encouragement de la coopération et des échanges entre les médias des deux régions. Conférence régionale de Rabat : point no. 11, Conférence de Budapest : point no. 5 Dialogue euro-arabe Straegie inter-régionale Apprendre à vivre ensemble (Suivi du Rapport Delors et de la 46ème Conférence internationale de l Education) aprouve par lato be submitted Conférence régionale des Commissions nationales, Etats arabes (Rabat, 3 au 8 juin 2002) et la 14ème réunion des Secrétaires généraux des Commissions nationales, région Europe (Budapest, 14 au 18 juin 2002) 13

14 3. Recent Developments including relevant Inter-Agency co-operation on the reinforcement of multicultural and interreligious dialogue since September 2001 Mediterranean meetings such as A new Mediterranean Cultural Policy in the Making: Towards Multicultural Dialogue, Coherence and Accountability (6-7 September, Turkey) or Identity and Otherness in the Mediterranean World (20-21 December, Turkey) Establishment of a Council of Europe Ad Hoc Working Party on the reinforcement of multicultural and interreligious dialogue (Strasbourg 6 December) Tripartite Meeting Council of Europe (Strasbourg 8 February 2002): inter-agency coooperation envisaged with, EU, UNESCO, OSCE, OIC, Arab League OIC-EU Joint Forum on Civilization and Harmony (Istanbul, February 2002) 4. Forthcoming events October 2002: Conference on Education for Democratic Citizenship (organized by the National Commissions of France and Morocco) Autumn 2002: Armenia: International Conference on the Dialogue of Covilizations Late 2002: Eisenstadt, Austria: Forum on European Identities Early 2003: Vienna: Conference on Human Rights and Major Religions 5. Proposed Recommendation or ConclusionRésolution adoptée Les Commissions nationales pour l UNESCO des Etats arabes / lesand (Secrétaires généraux des) Commissions nationales, région Europe notant les antécédents du projet du Dialogue euro-arabe, soumis par l équipe spéciale «Apprendre à vivre ensemble» des Commissions nationales de deux régions; soulignant l importance des objectifs et modalités proposés; approuvent la stratégie inter-régionale présenté ci-dessus Invitent les Commissions nationales de deux régions à considérer ladite stratégie dans le contexte de l élaboration de leurs plans de travail pour le biennium, à exprimer leurs engagements et à transmettre leurs commentaires, suggestions et idées aux membres de l équipe spéciale, notamment en remplissant les formulaires rattachés au document de travail intitulé «Dialogue euro-arabe» présenté par ce groupe ; Invitent l équipe spéciale euro-arabe des Commissions nationales à donner suite à cette résolution et à soumettre son Rapport final aux réunions régionales des Commissions nationales qui seront organisées dans le cadre de la 32e session de la Conférence générale en octobre - novembre

15 Stratégie inter-régionale euro-arabe Apprendre à vivre ensemble Cadre: Stratégie au moyen terme de l UNESCO (31 C/4 approuvé), en particulier les objectifs stratégiques suivants: 1 promouvoir l éducation en tant que droit fondamental... 2 améliorer la qualité de l éducation... 3 promouvoir l expérimentation, l innovation ainsi que la diffusion et le partage de l information... et 8 protéger la diversité culturelle et encourager le dialogue entre les cultures et les civilisations ainsi que les sous-objectifs stratégiques concernés, et, à l intérieur de la stratégie concernant le thème transversal TIC, objectif stratégique 2 accroître les possibilités d apprendre en donnant l accès à des contenus et systèmes de prestation des services éducatifs diversifiés. La réalisation de la stratégie sur le plan arabo-européen comprend les éléments suivants: (xxiv) coopération inter-agences de l UNESCO avec des organisations intergouvernementales régionales intéressées et actives en ce domaine, telles que l ALECSO, la Ligue arabe, l Organisation de la Conférence islamique (OIC), le Conseil de l Europe, Union européenne and OSCE. (xxv) mobilisation de la société civile à travers les Commissions nationales ainsi que des ONG internationales ou régionales (xxvi) mécanisme pour la réalisation des projets prioritaires, comprenant l établissement de la coordination à l intérieur de l UNESCO ainsi qu interagences et la provision des modalités de financement (sources diverses). Les résultats escomptés seront, en outre: (xxvii) la dissémination à grande échelle et la promotion du Rapport Delors ainsi que des résultats de la 46 ème session de la CIE parmi les ministères de l Education, les établissements pour la formation des enseignants et les centres de planification du programme scolaire, et l organisation des échanges du personnel enseignant et des responsables pour la politique éducative; création des réseaux des établissements de la formation des enseignants des deux régions (xxviii)soutien aux Etats membres et leur Commissions nationales en domaine des échanges des jeunes, notamment par des jumelages des écoles des deux régions participant au SEA; (xxix) Analyse comparative des programmes et des manuels scolaires d un nombre des pays des deux régions, et publication d un numéro spécial de la revue Perspectives (BIE) sur le dialogue euro-arabe; (xxx) Préparation d une version améliorée du Guide pratique pour l éducation aux droits de l homme et l éducation à la tolérance et au dialogue entre les cultures et les civilisations, avec un supplément sur les meilleures pratiques pour Apprendre à 15

16 vivre ensemble et l éducation à la citoyenneté préparé en coopération avec le Conseil de l Europe et l ALECSO; (xxxi) Afin de contribuer à la réalisation du Plan Arabia, création d un réseau des institutions universitaires et de recherche spécialisées en domaine de la diversité culturelle du Monde arabe (y compris des institutions spécialisées des régions autres que Etats arabes et Europe); (xxxii) Promotion de la coopération inter-universitaire entre les deux régions, notamment par le biais des projets de recherche conjoints (p.ex. en domaine de l imagologie) et participation au réseau des chaires UNESCO (dans tous les Grands programmes); (xxxiii)soutien des festivals culturels, des expositions et des séminaires d information culturelle dessinés pour le développement et la promotion du dialogue araboeuropéen; (xxxiv) Démonstration, grâce à des projets pilotes, de l impact des systèmes novateurs de prestation des services éducatifs fondés sur les TIC, tels qu un Serveur multilingue de l UNESCO pour l éducation aux droits de l homme et à la démocratie, en utilisant les expériences acquises dans le projet du serveur existant dans la région Europe (à Sarajevo) pour la création des services similaires pour la région Etats arabes. (xxxv) Collection des meilleures pratiques pour la dissémination des connaissances de l autre région à travers les médias sous forme des ateliers organisés conjointement avec des journalistes et leurs associations professionnelles, compétitions et l encouragement de la coopération et des échanges entre les médias des deux régions. 16

17 Este documento está disponible únicamente en inglés. Ce document est uniquement disponible en anglais Director-General s consultation of the National Commissions for UNESCO of the Europe region on the Medium-term Strategy for (C/4) Draft Medium-term Strategy for the Europe region, (revised version September 2002) 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 UNESCO's medium-term strategy provides for the formulation of regional and sub-regional strategies (31 C/4, para. 32). In approving the document, the 31st. General Conference also called for the early preparation of regional and sub-regional strategies (31 Resolution III/1, para. 10). 1.2 An initial draft of the strategy for the Europe region was discussed by National Commission representatives meeting in Budapest, June It was agreed that the strategy should be based on the following questions:- - what can UNESCO do in Europe? - what can UNESCO do with Europe? - what can UNESCO do for Europe? and vice versa, - what can Europe do in UNESCO? - what can Europe do with UNESCO? - what can Europe do for UNESCO? 2. SETTING: DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES IN THE EUROPE REGION 2.1 UNESCO's Europe region includes North America and the European landmass enclosed by the Atlantic and the Urals, including Israel. Countries of the Europe region share in a broadly similar democratic framework. Many have been strong advocates of the market economy - often in combination with social security and other protection mechanisms. The world's highest average rates of literacy are found in the Europe region and the quality of education overall is high. Countries of the Europe region are considered to be among the primary contributors to and beneficiaries from the processes of globalization. 2.2 Nevertheless, circumstances across the Europe region show significant variation. The defining characteristic of the period since World War II has been the successful process of European integration. This is now set to expand to the Eastern part of region. 2.3 A large part of the Europe region faces a dual challenge: confronting the changes induced by globalization and technological advances, while also moving away from centrally planned systems to a more market oriented approach. Many countries are undergoing profound social transformation, with the greater part of the population seeing a decline in livelihoods and an increase in differentiation and social instability. 17

18 2.4 Wealthier countries of the Europe region also face new challenges. Social exclusion and environmental degradation are areas of widespread concern. 2.5 Countries of the Europe region have a well established role in international development co-operation. The region provides the largest proportion of official development assistance worldwide, and is the source of much private-sector foreign direct investment. Through collaboration with UNESCO and other multi-lateral organizations, countries of the Europe region have entered into wide-ranging partnerships with less developed countries. 2.6 UNESCO's technical and financial resources tend to be much less than those of other multi-lateral organizations - such as, the Council of Europe, European Union, OECD, OSCE - although it is considerably advantaged by its impartial status and global coverage. There is a pressing need for improved co-operation between these different agencies - based on clarification and acknowledgement of their respective strengths. 2.7 A function of UNESCO's medium-term strategy - in Europe as in other regions - is to encourage co-operation at both inter- and intra-regional levels. The project for an Arab-Euro Dialogue, Learning to Live Together, as agreed at the most recent meetings of National Commissions from both of these regions (and summarized as an Annex to this document), is an example of inter-regional co-operation. It also provides for linkage to other regional bodies, such as ALECSO and the Council of Europe. 2.8 European partners in many countries continue to expect a unique contribution from UNESCO for example, in cultural diversity; the ethical dimension of science; human rights (especially with regard to minorities and other disadvantaged groups or sub-regions); conflict prevention and conflict resolution. 2.9 The UNESCO Medium-term Strategy, 31 C/4 - the framework for the present document - gives overall objectives covering education, science, culture and communication, aswell as two cross-cutting themes: poverty eradication, and the role of information and communication technologies in supporting social and cultural development. UNESCO's pursuit of these objectives - in the Europe region and with the Europe region - will require and increased emphasis on:- - inter- and intra-regional networking - partnership with Member States (and with empowered National Commissions) - partnership with international organizations (especially with other UN agencies) - partnership with regional organizations (including Council of Europe, European Union, OSCE, Stability Pact for South-east Europe) - partnership with nationally and regionally-based NGOs - partnership with nationally and regionally-based private-sector organizations - cross-sectoral working among UNESCO headquarters departments - effective co-ordination between UNESCO headquarters, field offices, institutes and centres - decentralization of UNESCO s programmes - monitoring and evaluation of UNESCO s programmes 3. EDUCATION 3.1 UNESCO s three strategic objectives in education form the point of departure for planning at the regional level:- 18

19 - promoting education as a universal right - improving the quality of education - promoting innovation and knowledge-sharing 3.2 Education for All: EfA is a priority for Europe aswell as for other regions. UNESCO will continue to encourage Member States to ensure timely completion of National EfA Plans and creation of national fora bringing together parliamentarians, policy-makers, practitioners and other civil society stakeholders. UNESCO will also make use of extra-budgetary resources provided by European countries to assist developing countries in preparing their EfA Plans, and will build on work carried out by the International Institute of Educational Planning (Paris) in this context. Expected outcomes:- - EfA Plans prepared for countries of the Europe region (in the context of existing sectoral plans/strategies) - Education committees of parliaments committed to EfA - National EfA fora operational 3.3 Primary and secondary education: The Europe and North America Regional Framework for Action (Warsaw, 2000) confirmed the need for, - re-definition of basic education (to include the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary for personal development and responsible citizenship) - support to groups excluded from basic education (including learners with special needs) - science and technology education 3.4 Countries of the Balkan and Caucasian sub-regions are particularly in need of assistance in building strategies to address the consequences for education of recent conflicts and economic decline including the departure of skilled specialists, inadequacy of teacher training, ethnicization of curricula, lack of flexibility and relevance in provision for technical and vocational education. 3.5 In countries of Western Europe, where universal education is generally assumed, there is concern at the quality of education available to large numbers of children in particular, children of immigrants and minority groups. Truancy and violence are common problems, with many young people entering the labour market without appropriate skills. How to prevent the exclusion of young people from education and training with the associated problems of alienation and violent behaviour is a preoccupation for education authorities throughout the region. 3.6 The thematic projects devised for UNESCO s network of Associated Schools, and the research into curriculum content carried out by the International Bureau of Education (Geneva), will play an increasing important role in supporting young people s inter-cultural awareness and understanding of development issues. Expected outcomes:- - Recommendations of Europe and North America Regional Framework for Action implemented (and reviewed positively in Dakar Monitoring Report) - Education for democratic citizenship and human rights established 19