Interview of the month Professor Andrew Ikupu has devoted his life to keeping Papua New Guinea’s hugely rich linguistic heritage alive. He spoke to EduInfo when he visited UNESCO last month to take part in International Mother Language Day (IMLD) which included the launch of the 3rd edition of UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. More Coming up International Women’s Day celebrations - Women in Niger and Afghanistan speak out on education UNESCO celebrations for International Women’s Day focus on gender equality including equal access to quality education. Third Conference of Ministers of Education in West Africa, March 17-21 UNESCO will participate in the third conference of Ministers of Education of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which takes place in Abuja, Nigeria. United Nations General Assembly debate to highlight Education in Emergencies, March 18 The crucial role of education in emergency and post-crisis situations is the theme of a United Nations General Assembly debate at UN headquarters in New York. Public Consultation summary on the 2010 EFA Global Monitoring Report Public consultation comes to a close for the 2010 edition of the EFA Global Monitoring Report. The theme of the 2010 Report is reaching and teaching the most marginalized. Thailand celebrates teachers and innovative teaching techniques, March 24-26 Hardworking teachers will be honoured and new methods of teaching and learning discussed at the 4th World Teachers' Day in Thailand. Special free access issue of Open University Journal on Open Educational Resources This year’s first Open University Journal of Open and Distance Learning, Open Learning, is a special free access issue. A new prize for effective teachers UNESCO and the United Arab Emirates establish a prize to encourage the performance and effectiveness of teachers towards Education for All. News Roundup International Mother Language Day, February 21 The launch of the third edition of UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger of Disappearing formed part of celebrations for International Mother Language Day at UNESCO, Paris on February 20. Declaration on higher education follows Indian sub-regional conference, February 25-26 Participants in the New Delhi Preparatory Conference on Higher Education have issued a declaration reiterating the link between higher education, nation-building and sustainable development. The Global Financial and Economic Crisis: What Impact on Multilateralism and UNESCO? March 2 This Forum, organized by UNESCO’s Foresight Programme, was held at UNESCO Headquarters on 2 March 2009. Ireland launches UNESCO Chair on Children, Youth and Civic Engagement, March 4 A UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth and Civic Engagement was inaugurated on 4 March at the National University of Ireland, Galway. It is the first UNESCO Chair awarded in the Republic of Ireland. Inter-agency Network on Education Simulation Models website launch A new website has been launched offering a wide range of education simulation models. Mr Gwang-Jo Kim appointed UNESCO Bangkok Regional Director Former Deputy Minister of Education of the Republic of Korea, Mr Gwang-Jo Kim has been appointed new Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok.