UNESCO implementing Mauritius Strategy

In January 2005, a high-level United Nations (UN) meeting was convened in Mauritius to review the implementation of and refine the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA) for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The principal negotiated outputs of the meeting are a strategy document and a political declaration. The Mauritius Strategy builds on and reassesses the original BPoA areas. But it also highlights several new priorities and emerging issues now considered important dimensions of sustainable development in SIDS. The twenty chapters of the Mauritius Strategy call for action in many fields related to UNESCO’s concerns, programmes and priorities. Particular attention is being given to often marginalized dimensions such as culture, youth and outer islands. In 2008, to ensure that UNESCO’s unique multi-disciplinary expertise – in science, culture, climate change, education, biodiversity resource preservation, knowledge management and information for decision-making – are productively used in addressing the multiplicity of challenges facing SIDS, a UNESCO intersectoral platform has been established. The aim of this website is to provide information on UNESCO’s intersectoral response to the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, encapsulated in the Mauritius Strategy and the Mauritius Declaration. NEWS/EVENTS/ACTIVITIES_________________ 2009 Calls for New Nominations for Memory of the World International Register (Deadline: 31 March 2010) UNESCO is inviting new nomination proposals for inscription on its Memory of the World International Register, a list of library collections and archive holdings of world significance, which was established in 1997 to promote documentary heritage of universal value. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Human security in schools in Asia and the Pacific (10-11 December 2009) In view of the publication in 2010 of a textbook on peace and human security, to mark the end of International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, several training workshops have been organized by UNESCO’s Office in Bangkok. A regional "Dialogue" and a workshop on peace and human security in Asia and the Pacific will be held in China, on 10 and 11 December 2009, under the responsibility of the College of Arts and Sciences of the Yunnan University and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. [More (page 11)] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XVII (Health). First World Conference "Volcanoes, Landscapes and Cultures" (11-14 November 2009) Insula, the International Scientific Council for Island Development, is pleased to announce the World Conference on "Volcanoes, Landscapes and Cultures", organized from 11-14 November 2009 (Catania, Italy) under the auspices of UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the Italian government, and in partnership with UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme (MaB), the Sicilian Regional Government, the University of Catania, the Etna Regional Park Authority, and other relevant organizations, such as LAVE, the European Association of Volcanology. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters II (Natural Hazards and Disasters) and XIX (Culture). 2008 education data now available (05 November 2009) The UIS data new release includes new figures for the year 2008 on primary education for some 70 countries. The update includes secondary and tertiary education data for 57 countries and 34 countries respectively. In addition, 2008 education finance data are available for 34 countries. The UIS Data Centre provides the timeliest education data available. Further 2008 data for more countries will be available in subsequent releases in January or May 2010. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments). Selection of the best youth policies in Latin America and the Caribbean (4-6 November 2009) From 4 to 6 November 2009, a High-Level Forum on Youth Policies and Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean will be held in Mexico, during which best practices selected from 400 experiments conducted in 31 countries will be made public. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XIX (Culture). Commonwealth Secretariat and UNESCO work together towards education goals (30 October 2009) The Commonwealth Secretariat and UNESCO have signed a Cooperation Agreement to boost the education sector and progress towards major global targets, most specifically the Millennium Development Goals and Education for All. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development). Nominations are sought for UNESCO-IPDC Prize for Rural Communication (Deadline: 30 October 2009) UNESCO has launched a call for nominations for the 2009 UNESCO-IPDC Prize for Rural Communication. Potential submitters (including from SIDS) are invited to propose nominations in consultation with the National Commissions for UNESCO or with relevant non-governmental organizations maintaining consultative relations with UNESCO. The deadline for submitting nominations is 30 October 2009. Established in 1985, the UNESCO-IPDC Prize for Rural Communication aims to reward a pioneering activity which contributes to improving communication in rural communities, in particular in developing countries. Awarded on a biennial basis, it consists of a sum of US$ 20,000 and a diploma. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. Accession by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (25 October – 25 December 2009) On 25 September 2009, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines deposited with the Director-General its instrument of accession to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In accordance with the terms of its Article 29, the aforementioned Convention will enter into force with respect to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines three months after the date of the deposit of its instrument, that is to say on 25 December 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XIX (Culture). A Conference at UNESCO to examine future of fight against doping (26-28 October 2009) The Conference of States Parties to the International Convention against Doping in Sport took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 26 to 28 October. Unanimously adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference on 19 October 2005, the Convention has already been ratified by 127 States, including SIDS. Approximately 250 government representatives discussed the future of the fight against doping in sport at the conference. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVII (Health) and XIX (Culture). Healthy Oceans New Key to Combating Climate Change (25 October 2009) "Because the ocean has already absorbed 82 percent of the total additional energy accumulated in the planet due to global warming, it is fair to say that the ocean has already spared us from dangerous climate change," says Patricio Bernal, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO, IOC Executive Secretary. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter I (Climate change and sea level rise). Accession by Dominican Republic to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (24 October – 24 December 2009) On 24 September 2009, the Dominican Republic deposited with the Director-General its instrument of accession to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In accordance with the terms of its Article 29, the aforementioned Convention will enter into force with respect to the Dominican Republic three months after the date of the deposit of its instrument, that is to say on 24 December 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XIX (Culture). Launch of the UNESCO World Report on Cultural Diversity (20 October 2009) At the crossroads of intellectual, scientific and political thinking, this 2nd UNESCO World Report aims to take stock of all that is being said, thought and done in the name of cultural diversity, and tease out the necessary conditions for diversity to become an asset and not a threat, a source of renewal for public policies in service to development, social cohesion and peace. This Report is based on the combined activities of an Advisory Committee of 15 experts (including from Tuvalu), consultations with civil society and academic communities, as well as internal and interdisciplinary consultations. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). UNESCO signs a cooperation agreement with the FUNGLODE foundation from Dominican Republic (16 October 2009) On 16 October 2009, UNESCO's Director-General, M. Koïchiro Matsuura, signed a cooperation agreement with the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), represented by its executive Director, M. Marco Herrera. [More - in French only] Mauritius Strategy: General. Global Ocean Observing System: Call for proposals (15 October 2009 – 2359 Eastern Daylight Time) The IOC encourages submissions from scientists with new and exciting results derived from observations made in the context of the Global Ocean Observing System for a session on “Science in Support of Operational Oceanography.” [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), IV (Coastal and marine resources) and XI (Science and technology). Kirsty Sword Gusmão, Chairperson of the Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO, pays an official visit to UNESCO (14 October 2009) On 14 October 2009, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, received Ms Kirsty Sword Gusmão at UNESCO Headquarters. Ms Kirsty Sword Gusmão is the wife of the first President of Timor-Leste, Mr Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and current Prime Minister of the country. She established the Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO, which she also chairs. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. Success for first ocean-wide simulation exercise to test tsunami warning systems in Indian Ocean (14 October 2009) The first life-sized tsunami simulation exercise in the Indian Ocean was carried out successfully on 14 October, coinciding with World Disaster Reduction Day. The exercise aimed to test and evaluate the effectiveness of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWS), established in response to the tsunami of 26 December 2004, and to increase preparedness in the region. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), x (Transport and communication), XI (Science and technology), XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments), and XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). Veronica Campbell-Brown, Jamaican track and field star, named UNESCO Champion for Sport (13 October 2009) Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown, winner of five Olympic medals, was designated as a UNESCO Champion for Sport on 13 October at the Organization’s Headquarters. The ceremony was held in the presence of Olivia Grange, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture of Jamaica, Mr Davidson Hepburn, President of the 35th session of UNESCO’s General Conference, and several Ambassadors. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVII (Health) and XIX (Culture). Ministerial Round Table focuses on Ocean Governance (12-13 October 2009) Good governance of the oceans will be discussed at the Ministerial Round Table which will take place on 12 - 13 October 2009, during the 35th UNESCO General Conference in Paris. The Round Table entitled ‘Building stewardship for the Ocean: the contribution of UNESCO to responsible ocean governance’ aims to highlight the vital role of the ocean sciences in understanding climate change, ecological services and human well-being, in particular of coastal communities. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise) and XI (Science and technology). Prime Minister of Bahrain and President of Seychelles plead for education and respect for diversity at UNESCO (12 October 2009) Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and James Alix Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles, spoke of their commitment to the ideals of UNESCO, notably regarding education and cultural diversity, during a visit to the Organization and its General Conference. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. UNESCO pays tribute and awards Avicenna Medal to Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain (12 October 2009) On 12 October 2009, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Davidson Hepburn, President of the 35th session of the General Conference, and Mr Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yaï, Chairman of the Executive Board, received the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, on the occasion of the 35th session of UNESCO’s General Conference. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. President of Seychelles pays an official visit to UNESCO and addresses the 35th session of the General Conference (12 October 2009) On 12 October 2009, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Davidson Hepburn, President of the 35th session of the General Conference, and Mr Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yaï, Chairman of the Executive Board, received Mr James A. Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles, at UNESCO. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. UNESCO Director-General meets with representatives of the Pacific Member States (10 October 2009) On 10 October 2009, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, met with representatives of Pacific Member States within the context of the 35th session of UNESCO’s General Conference. The meeting was attended by Dr Tevita Palefou, Minister of Education from Tonga, and Secretaries-General from the various Pacific National Commissions, as well as representatives from the Pacific Permanent Delegations. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. Director-General meets with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries (09 October 2009) On 9 October 2009, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, met with ministers and delegates from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries attending the 35th session of UNESCO’s General Conference. The group was led by Mr Ronald Jones, the Barbados Minister of Education and Human Resources Development. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. UNESCO Director-General meets with Small Island Developing State (07 October 2009) On 7 October 2009, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura met with representatives of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within the context of the 35th session of UNESCO’s General Conference. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. UNESCO Book Project for 2010 on Migration, Environment and Climate Change (10 October 2009) Climate change is one of the major concerns for the international community. Among its consequences, its impact on migration is the object of increasing attention from both policy-makers and researchers. As the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change put it, "greater resource scarcity, desertification, risks of droughts and floods, and rising sea levels could drive many millions of people to migrate." [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XIX (Culture). The Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius visits UNESCO (21 September 2009) The Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, received an official visit from the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, at UNESCO Headquarters on 21st September 2009. During the visit, the Director General presented the Prime Minister with the official UNESCO medal to commemorate the 110th birthday anniversary in 2010 of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolan. The Director General also stressed the progress accomplished by the Republic of Mauritius through the implementation of its policies on sustainable development, education, environment and democracy. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. Anti-doping: A meeting in the Cook Islands (20 September-02 October 2009) A meeting of Ministers of Sport from the Pacific was held on 20 September 2009, in Rarotonga (Cook Islands) on the eve of the opening of the Pacific Mini-Games which bring together participants from the 21 States or territories of the region. The Mini Games took place from 21 September to 2 October. Organized in collaboration with UNESCO by the first Pacific country to have ratified the International Convention against Doping in Sport, the ministerial meeting was the opportunity for UNESCO to invite other countries in the region to adhere to the Convention and to apply for assistance from the Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport. [More (page 18)] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVII (Health) and XIX (Culture). Ratification by Haiti of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (17 September-17 December 2009) On 17 September 2009, Haiti deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. In accordance with the terms of its Article 34, the aforementioned Convention will enter into force with respect to Haiti three months after the date of the deposit of this instrument, that is to say on 17 December 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Ratification by Haiti of the International Convention against Doping in Sport (17 September-1 November 2009) On 17 September 2009, Haiti deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the International Convention against Doping in Sport. In accordance with Article 37, the Convention will enter into force with respect to Haiti on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of one month after the date of deposit of this instrument of ratification, that is to say on 1 November 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVII (Health) and XIX (Culture). Release of the brochure "Islands in a Sea of Change" (September 2009) A booklet highlighting some of the many UNESCO activities implemented on the SIDS Intersectoral Platform has been released in English and French. More and more interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on expertise in both UNESCO Headquarters and Field Offices, UNESCO’s support to its SIDS member countries strives to match the inventiveness and determination of island societies themselves. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. Second Iberoamerican Graduate School of Astrobiology: from the Big Bang to Civilisations (07-12 Septembre 2009) The graduate school will provide Latin American and Caribbean students the possibility to contact different regional and international experts in cutting-edge research related with Astrobiology: the search for life in the universe. This is an interdisciplinary and intersectoral research activity that combines knowledge of physics, astronomy, biology, geology, atmospheric sciences, hydrology, electronic engineering, ecology, cognitive sciences, sociology and philosophy. This Second Graduate School of Astrobiology will be held in Montevideo, Uruguay and will host 60 national and regional graduate students and about 15 different professors from Latin American & Caribbean countries as well as from Europe and USA. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. UNESCO Organizes International Conference on Broadcast Media and Climate Change (4-5 September 2009) A high-level International Conference on "Broadcast Media and Climate Change: A Public Service Remit" will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, 4 - 5 September 2009, to consider a global consensus to raise public awareness on the challenges of climate change. It will focus on the role and needs of national broadcasters, particularly in least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), exploring their capacities to report on climate change issues, and discussing access to relevant information, reference material and the possible exchange of broadcast material. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), X (Transport and communication), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). "Gender and Climate Change" conference Forum organized by UNESCO at World Climate Conference-3 (31 August – 4 Septembre 2009) UNESCO is organizing, in collaboration with partners FAO, GGCA, IUCN, UNDP, UNEP and WMO, a forum on Gender and Climate Change to inform participants at the largest gathering of scientists interested in climate change prior to UNFCCC’s COP 15. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter I (Climate change). Accession by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the International Convention against Doping in Sport (25 August – 1 October 2009) On 25 August 2009, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines deposited with the Director-General its instrument of accession to the International Convention against Doping in Sport. In accordance with Article 37, the Convention will enter into force with respect to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of one month after the date of deposit of this instrument of accession, that is to say on 1 October 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVII (Health) and XIX (Culture). West African Sandwatch Workshop Held on Cape Verde Islands (25-28 August 2009) On August 25-28th, 2009, twenty three (23) educators from The Cape Verde Islands, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania and The Gambia met on Santiago Island, in the capital city of the Cape Verde Islands, Praia. Over the course of four (4) days, teachers were shown the back ground behind Sandwatch, as well as its tools and methods, and several ways of utilizing the internet and other tools to network and expand their projects when they returned home. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), IV (Coastal and marine resources) and XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development). International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and of its Abolition (23 August 2009) The night of 22 to 23 August 1791, in Santo Domingo (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The Director-General of UNESCO invites the Ministers of Culture of all Member States to organize events every year on that date, involving the entire population of their country and in particular young people, educators, artists and intellectuals. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). International Conference on the Haitian Revolution and the Universality of Human Rights (21st – 23rd August 2009) International Symposium on “The Haitian Revolution and the Universality of Human Rights” organized by UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, in partnerships with the Haitian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO and the country’s organization office in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This event, placed under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti and the auspices of UNESCO, is organized in line with the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Over 200 years after, "the global objective of this symposium is to reflect on the Haitian Revolution, both cause and integral part of the transformations experienced in the Atlantic world in a broad sense" underlined Pierre Sané, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences who will open the debates with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti, Michèle Pierre-Louis, and the Chairman of UNESCO’s Executive Board, Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yai. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIX (Culture). International Youth Day - 130 million young people still illiterate (12th August 2009) Young people offer a “demographic window of opportunity” to help solve world crises yet they are still held back by lack of education and poverty. Sustainability: "our challenge, our future". This is the theme of the International Youth Day. A message from UNESCO Director-General Mr Koïchiro Matsuura draws attention to the fact that youth make up more than 18 per cent of the world’s population and with their ambition, energy and improving levels of education have strong potential to address environmental, societal and economic challenges.[More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVII (Health) and XVIII (Knowledge Management). Anne Frank’s Diaries, Royal Archives of Thailand and Madagascar among 35 documentary properties added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register (31 July 2009) Thirty-five items of documentary heritage of exceptional value have been added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. This brings the total number of inscriptions since 1997 to 193. The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, announced the inscription of these items on the recommendation of experts during a 3-day meeting of the International Advisory Committee (IAC) of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme which continues to 31 July in Bridgetown, Barbados. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). 9th Meeting of the IAC and Memory of the World Sub-Regional Workshop (27-31 July 2009) The main purpose of the IAC and Memory of the World Sub-Regional meeting (Bridgetown, Barbados, 27-31 July 2009) is to review the progress achieved by the Memory of the World Programme and make recommendations to the Director-General concerning the inscription of documentary heritage on the Memory of the World Register, as well as raising funds for the Programme. The IAC meeting will be preceded by a two-day sub-regional workshop to promote and strengthen MoW in the region and to develop a CARICOM/MoW action plan for 2009-2011. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). UNESCO International Seminar on Climate Change Education (27-29 July 2009) Recognizing the increasing rate of climate change and the severity of its impacts, and in advance of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 15) to be held in Copenhagen (7-18 December 2009), UNESCO will - with financial support from Denmark - organize a three day international seminar on climate change education from 27 to 29 July 2009 in Paris. The Seminar will focus on the role of education in addressing climate change, linking the local, regional and global contexts with particular emphasis on the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise) and XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development). Pacific Youth Council: Advancing Youth Development (20th-24th July 2009) The 4th Pacific Youth Council General Assembly held in Suva, Fiji concluded with a solid action plan to strengthen youth development needs in the region. The eleven Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICT) present at the General Assembly made resolutions supporting the theme “Strengthening National Youth Councils to Advance Youth Development in the Pacific”. Country representatives had the opportunity to present their issues to key regional partners including AusAid, SPC, ILO and UNESCO Apia Office amongst others, and these organizations were also able present their proposed youth activities for the Pacific. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XIX (Culture). Latin America and the Caribbean Education Ministers met in Trinidad and Tobago to study education development (21-22 July 2009) The impact of the financial crisis on education will be discussed by education ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean at a meeting in Trinidad and Tobago on July 21 and 22. The Board of the Intergovernmental Committee of the Regional Education Project for Latin America and the Caribbean (PRELAC) which is made up of Ministers of Education from Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Dominica will also review Education for All/PRELAC achievements and establish an agenda for a further ministers’ meeting scheduled for 2011. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development). Pacific Youth Action Their Youth Agenda (11th-18th July 2009) Young people from 14 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) recently gathered in Suva, Fiji for the second Pacific Youth Festival. The festival was attended by almost 300 young people. The theme of the week long Pacific Youth Festival was “Actioning the Youth Agenda”. The discussions focused on four thematic areas; Promoting Healthy Living, Pacific Identity, Climate Change and Adaptation, and Governance, Peace and Security. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), XVII (Health) and IX (Culture). The Right to Information in Latin America: A Comparative Legal Survey just published (16 July 2009) UNESCO’s Office in Quito releases a legal survey on the right to information in Latin America, comparing the currently existing laws in 11 Latin American countries: Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Uruguay. Conducted by Toby Mendel, this study confirms UNESCO’s commitment to promote the right to information, in line with its strategic objective of enhancing universal access to information and knowledge. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS - On the Frontlines of Climate Change: A forum for indigenous peoples, small islands and vulnerable communities (Deadline: 15 July 2009) the Frontlines Forum is now calling for community-level projects focusing on local experiences with climate change impacts and adaptation. These could involve field research, interviews with community members, workshops, photo projects, film projects etc. Proposals can be made by interested groups or individuals, for example, local and indigenous organisations, research centres, researchers, graduate students with interdisciplinary training, community members (youth groups, women, elders) etc. Proposals should reach UNESCO on or before 15 July 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), II (Natural and environmental disasters) and XIX (Culture). Director-General signs a letter of intent with President of Dominican Republic (11 July 2009) On 11 July 2009, UNESCO's Director-General, M. Koïchiro Matsuura, and President of Dominican Republic, M. Leonel Fernandez Reyna, met to discuss UNESCO's cooperation with Dominican Republic. The meeting was concluded with the signing of a letter of intent concerning the establishment of cooperation with the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE). The Foundation, whose honorary head, President Fernandez Reyna, is the founder, is conducting many activities in areas of competence of UNESCO to promote the economic and social development and strengthening of democracy, both at national and regional level. [More - in French only] Mauritius Strategy: General. Tertiary education in small states. Planning in the context of globalization. (2-3 July 2009) The overall objective of the Policy Forum on Tertiary Education in Small States (from 2-3 July 2009 in Paris, France) is to take stock of recent changes and reform experiences in order to gain insights on policy options for planners and policy-makers in small states. The Policy Forum will bring together policy-makers and planners from some 60 small states (including SIDS), and several speakers have been invited to present a paper to aid discussions. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development) and XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). International Literacy Prizes: nominations close June 30th 2009 (30 June 2009) On the theme Literacy and Empowerment, the 2009 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes will reward well-established and innovative practices documenting how literacy skills (basic skills in reading, writing and numeracy) contribute to empowerment, enabling people to better direct and control their lives. UNESCO invites Governments and International Non-Governmental Organizations maintaining formal consultative relations with the Organization to solicit and submit applications by programmes that promote literacy as a means for nurturing inclusive societies. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development) and XVI (National and regional enabling environments). Journalism teachers from Southeast Asia review UNESCO Model Curricula for Journalism Education (25-26 June 2009) Journalism educators from Southeast Asia welcomed the UNESCO Model Curricula for Journalism Education as a benchmark in preparing or revising journalism programmes in the region. This was one of the agreements arrived at by some 30 journalism teachers from the region who attended the two-day ASEAN Orientation Workshop on the UNESCO Model Curricula for Journalism Education, held on 25 and 26 June 2009 in Pasig City, Philippines. Many of the journalism educators from the ASEAN countries said they were not aware of UNESCO’s Model Curricula. The workshop provided an opportunity to learn about this publication and to plan its use as bases for reviewing existing curricula. In countries where there are no existing journalism schools, such as Myanmar and Timor Leste, the Model Curricula can serve as inputs in planning formal journalism programmes. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). UNESCO helps draft democratic legislation in the Maldives (25 June 2009) UNESCO, in collaboration with ARTICLE 19, is providing technical assistance to the Maldivian People’s Majlis (Parliament) to draft legislation to create an enabling environment for freedom of expression. Two draft laws – on broadcasting and freedom of expression – were provided to the Social Affairs Committee of the outgoing Parliament in April 2009. The draft bills have been forwarded to the new Majlis, elected on 8 May, with the recommendation of the outgoing Social Affairs Committee. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). Cape Verde added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List (22-30 June 2009) The World Heritage Committee holding its 33rd session (22-30 June 2009, Sevilla, Spain) chaired by María Jesús San Segundo, the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Spain to UNESCO, has inscribed two new natural sites and 11 cultural sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Since it also withdrew one site - from the List, Dresden Elbe Valley (Germany), the List now numbers a total of 890 properties. During the session, ended on 30 June, three countries had their first World Heritage sites inscribed on UNESCO’s List of properties recognized as having outstanding universal value. They are, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and Kyrgyzstan. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). The State of Higher Education in the World Today (24 June 2009) Around the world higher education is being shaken by profound changes. Exploding enrollments over the last decade are putting severe financial strains on tertiary systems. At the same time, computers and the internet have allowed previously unimaginable forms of global knowledge transfer. Institutions are becoming increasingly competitive, vying for scarce resources at home and for the rapidly growing numbers of students studying outside their own countries. Universities, including a rapidly growing number of private universities, are making international partnerships, and opening academic programs and even branches in other countries as never before. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development) and XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). Sixth Ordinary Session of the World Commission of the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) (16-19 June 2009) The sixth ordinary session of the World Commission of the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) will be held in Kuala Lumpur, from 16 to 19 June 2009. Discussions will focus mainly on the two COMEST reports foreseen for 2009: on science ethics, and on the ethical implications of climate change. Discussions will also be scheduled on environmental ethics, with particular reference to teaching, and on the ethical issues of nanotechnologies. The session will be an excellent opportunity to extend discussions through the UNESCO Asia-Pacific School of Ethics and gathered experts from around the globe on the ethical issues concerning science and technology in Asia and the Pacific, enlarge the framework of the debate, and reinforce future activities throughout the region and beyond. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), XI (Science and technology), XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments), XVII (Health), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making) and XIX (Culture). Cuba inaugurates Slave Route Museum (16 June 2009) The Cuban Slave Route Museum is inaugurated on 16 June 2009 in the former San Severino Castle, a Spanish fortress built by slaves in the 18 th Century and made into a prison for freedom fighters in the 19th Century. The idea of turning the fortress into a Slave Route Museum was proposed by Cuba’s Ministry of Culture with the support of Dr. Miguel Barnet, Cuban writer and anthropologist, member of the International Slave Route Project Scientific Committee, and Chairperson of the Fernando Ortiz Foundation and of the Cuban Committee of the Slave Route project. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (15-17 June 2009) The Second Ordinary Session of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions took place at UNESCO Headquarters from 15 to 16 June 2009. This meeting launched the operational phase in the life of the Convention and its International Fund for Cultural Diversity. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). The Director-General Opens Asia/Pacific Forum on Fostering International Cooperation in Culture and Sustainable Development (11 June 2009) On 11 June 2009, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, opened an Asia/Pacific Forum entitled ‘Fostering International Cooperation in Culture and Sustainable Development’ at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris. The Forum brought together experts from governments and inter-governmental agencies, as well as ASPAC group members to discuss strategies and experiences relating to international cooperation in culture and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific region, where the development cooperation environment is rapidly changing through South-South cooperation. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Media and heritage (9-11 June 2009) Heritage experts and cultural journalists discussed issues related to media coverage of heritage during an interdisciplinary workshop in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 9 to 11 June 2009. The meeting gathered 35 heritage experts and cultural journalists from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Paraguay and Uruguay. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making) and XIX (Culture). Vanuatu moves to enhance its efforts to safeguard its communities (3-5 June 2009) UNESCO in collaboration with the Vanuatu Kalkoral Senta (Cultural Centre) has been involved in running a three day Vanuatu National Intangible Heritage Convention Workshop, for government ministries, Kostom leaders, practitioners and bodies, in Port Vila, 3rd -5th June 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Latin America and the Caribbean youth project (26 May 2009) UNESCO has been coordinating, since January 2008, a major initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean, aimed at identifying best current policy practices and programmes that have had a real impact on youth development. It is to be disseminated widely for consideration by all governments and civil society organizations in the region. By 26 May 2009, a large number of policies and projects that have been of benefit to Latin American and Caribbean youth in the fields of education, employment, poverty reduction, sexual health and reproduction, the prevention of juvenile delinquency, voluntary participation, or their participation in decisions affecting them, should have been identified using a website. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments), XVII (Health), and(Culture). High level Conference on Teaching of Philosophy in Asia and the Pacific (25-26 May 2009) UNESCO organized from 25-26 May 2009 (Manila, Philippines) a regional high-level meeting on the teaching of philosophy in Asia and the Pacific. Government officials, curriculum experts, and philosophy teachers were invited. The objective of this regional meeting was to discuss the formulation of policies in the field of the teaching of philosophy at national and regional levels, in view of the full attainment of quality education. To this end, this meeting addressed the main challenges that the teaching of philosophy in Asia and the Pacific is facing today, such as - the place that should be given to philosophy in primary and secondary education curricula - the added value of philosophical inquiry to moral education - the crucial issue of philosophy teacher training - the development of culturally appropriate content and methods drawing from the rich traditions of philosophy in Asia and the Pacific - and the question of the necessary interactions between the teaching of philosophy in secondary and higher education. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments), and XIX (Culture). World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21-22 May 2009) World Day of Cultural Diversity, 21st May 2009 (Niue, Nauru, New Zealand), provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of Cultural Diversity and to learn to “live together” better. The need for people to live and work together peacefully should result in respect for all cultures. We need to do more than tolerate other cultures On this occasion UNESCO Apia Office is supporting two Pacific islands countries in their celebrations and promotion activities. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Asia-Pacific Migration Research Network meet in Suva, Fiji (14-15 May 2009) On May 14th to 15th, the Asia-Pacific Migration Research Network (APMRN), with the support of UNESCO and the University of the South Pacific, hosted the Pacific’s (and one of the world’s) first workshops on climate change related migration. Using most recent population estimates, there are about 8.6 million people living in the Pacific, with strong growth due to the persistently high fertility rates. Some 250,000 Pacific people live on atolls, some of which are already experiencing environmental changes that threaten health, food security and the habitability of their islands. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XIX (Culture). UNESCO hosts Caribbean Media and Communication Conference in Grenada (13-14 May 2009) UNESCO’s Office in Kingston, in collaboration with the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG) and the Grenada National Commission for UNESCO, organized the 12th Annual Caribbean Media and Communication Conference (CMCC) in St. Georges, Grenada, on 13 and 14 May 2009. The Conference saw over 53 participants from 10 countries in the region, ranging from policy makers, journalists, media entrepreneurs, educators and media managers, who gathered to formally celebrate World Press Freedom Day 2009 (observed on 3 May). The theme of the Conference was "Media and Dialogue". [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XVII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). Pacific education officials focus on evidenced based policy and planning (11-12 May 2009) Education officials from throughout the Pacific recently gathered in Nadi, Fiji for the Pacific Policy and Planning workshop from May 11th to 22nd, 2009. The workshop was jointly organised by UNESCO and the Fiji Ministry of Education, with additional financial support from the European Union (EU). The two week workshop focused on building the capacity of education ministry staff to conduct evidence based policy and planning in their countries. The opening days of the workshop focused on developing their technical knowledge of planning cycles and processes, education financing options and education indicators. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development) and XVI (National and regional enabling environments). 1st World Social Sciences Forum (10-12 May 2009) The 1st World Social Science Forum, organized by the International Social Science Council (ISSC) in cooperation with the University of Bergen and the Stein Rokkan Centre and supported by more than 30 partners including UNESCO, will meet in Bergen (Norway) from 10 to 12 May 2009, with more than 800 participants from some 40 countries, including Cuba. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XI (Science and technology), XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments), XVII (Health), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making) and XIX (Culture). Joint Action for Capacity-building in Bioethics (04-09 May 2009) As part of UNESCO’s work to strengthen the national bioethics infrastructure of its Member States, and in particular to assist in the establishment and capacity-building of independent, multidisciplinary and pluralist ethics committees, a European Commission–UNESCO Joint Conference on Bioethics Capacity-Building (JACOB), will bring together, in Mexico City (from 7 to 9 May 2009), experts and members of the newly established, currently forming and long-standing National Bioethics Committees (NBCs) from various parts of the world, including Cap Verde, Jamaica and Mauritius. This conference will be preceded by UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee (IBC) meeting from 4 to 6 May, organized in cooperation with the Consejo Consultivo de Ciencias of the Presidency of Mexico. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XI (Science and technology), XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments), XVII (Health), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making) and XIX (Culture). UNESCO celebrates World Press Freedom Day in Jamaica (4 May 2009) The UNESCO Kingston Office celebrated World Press Freedom Day 2009 by a public forum under the theme ‘Media and Dialogue’. It was held on 4 May at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston, under the patronage of Marc-Olivier Gendry, Ambassador of France to Jamaica. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XIX (Culture). Vanuatu inter-departmental meeting on the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (03 May 2009) The inter-departmental meeting, which took place on 3 May 2009 in Port Vila (Vanuatu) is aimed at providing Vanuatu governmental officers in different departments with information and assistance that might contribute to the ratification and implementation of the 2003 Convention. Legislation programmes and activities related to the safeguarding of Vanuatu’s intangible heritage, including Vanuatu Sand Drawings on the Representative List, were shared among the participants. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Momentous Inauguration Week of UNESCO Timor-Leste’s National Commission (23 April 2009) After five years becoming the 189th Member State of UNESCO, in December 2008 Timor-Leste became the 20th member of the National Commission. The inauguration ceremony will take place at Dili’s Mercado Lama, Timor-Leste, on 23 April. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. South Asian journalists commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2009 (3-4 May 2009) UNESCO, jointly with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Federation of Nepali Journalists, convened a regional conference in Kathmandu (Nepal) on 3 and 4 May to observe World Press Freedom Day. Participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka focused on this year's theme “The Potential of Media in Fostering Dialogue, Mutual Understanding and Reconciliation”. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication) and XIX (Culture). New posting on the Frontlines of Climate Change: A forum for indigenous peoples, small islands and vulnerable communities (21 April 2009) The current online article for discussion on the Frontlines Forum is: "The Complexities of Deforestation and Indigenous Rights: perspectives from Central Africa", under the new topic 'REDD'. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), II (Natural and environmental disasters) and XIX (Culture). World Digital Library launched (21 April 2009) UNESCO and 32 partner institutions launched on the 21 April 2009 the World Digital Library, a web site that features unique cultural materials from libraries and archives from around the world, including from SIDS. The site – located at www.wdl.org – includes manuscripts, maps, rare books, films, sound recordings, prints and photographs. It provides unrestricted public access, free of charge, to this material. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XVI (National and regional enabling environments), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making) and XIX (Culture). UNESCO Director-General concerned about media crackdown in Fiji (17 April 2009) The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today voiced grave concern about the suspension of press freedom in Fiji under thirty-day Public Emergency Regulations that came into force on 10 April. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter Chapters X (Transport and communication). International Training Seminar on Caribbean Biosphere Reserves (05-09 April 2009) This training seminar, held from 5-9 April 2009, Montego Bay, Jamaica, was addressed to biosphere reserve managers form the Caribbean region. During this one-week training, case studies from different countries were used as tools to exchange experience and improve the biosphere reserve managers’ work. This also provided the opportunity to have discussions on the implementation of the Madrid Action Plan in the Caribbean Region. After the closing session, a field trip was organized. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters VI (Land resources) and XVI (National and regional enabling environments). UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development - Moving into the Second Half of the UN Decade (31 March-02 April 2009) The UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development – Moving into the Second Half of the UN Decade was held in Bonn, Germany, from 31 March to 2 April 2009. Organizers of the conference are UNESCO and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, in cooperation with the German Commission for UNESCO. The conference aimed to highlight the relevance of ESD to all of education; promote international exchange on ESD, especially between countries of the North and the South; carry out a stock-taking of the implementation of the UN Decade, and develop strategies for the way ahead. Over 700 participants, representing all world regions, including SIDS (Cap Verde, Comoros, Cook Islands, Fiji, Jamaica, Mauritius, Seychelles, St. Kitts and Nevis) took part in the conference. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development). Call for Candidates for the UNESCO International José Martí Prize (27 March-10 April 2009) UNESCO calls for nominations for the José Martí International Prize for which the deadline is 10 April 2009 at midnight. Established in 1994 by the Executive Board of UNESCO at the initiative of Cuba, José Martí International Prize is endowed with a sum of 5,000 U.S. dollars financed by the Cuban Government. Member States or Associate Members of UNESCO, as well as international governmental and non governmental organizations and foundations that maintain official relations with UNESCO and whose activities fall within the scope of the Award are invited to propose a nomination of one person or entity. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Bridging the gap between research and policy for sustainable development in Caribbean small island developing states (27-28 March 2009) Organized by the Sustainable Economic Development Unit (SEDU) of the University of the West Indies St. Augustine, the Annual Conference of the Sustainable Economic Development will take place in Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), from 27 to 28 March 2009. Under the leadership of UNESCO, Latin American and the Caribbean countries are determined to continue their efforts towards enhancing the role of social sciences in developing their local and regional social policies, especially through establishing linkages between research and policy. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVI (National and regional enabling environments), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). New posting on the Frontlines of Climate Change: A forum for indigenous peoples, small islands and vulnerable communities (27 March 2009) The current online article for discussion on the Frontlines Forum is: "REDD governance and effective local participation", under the new topic 'REDD'. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), II (Natural and environmental disasters) and XIX (Culture). VI Ibero American Colloquium "From Papyrus to Virtual Library" (23-27 March 2009) The 'Casa de las Americas' invited in La Habana , Cuba (from 23-27 March 2009), librarians, museologists, archivists, and in general, all the information professionals to discuss about subjects such as: professionals of information regional's organisations; nets and collaboration projects of information services; libraries, archives and museum’s role within their communities; implementation of Information technology; regional standardisation alternatives, representation languages development, and saving information’s tools, collaboration for the preservation of the libraries, archives and museums' heritage. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making) and XIX Culture). Accession by the Dominican Republic to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (03 March-03 June 2009) On 3 March 2009, the Dominican Republic deposited with the Director-General its instrument of accession to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. In accordance with the terms of its Article 43.2, the Protocol will enter into force with respect to the Dominican Republic three months after the deposit of the instrument of accession, that is to say on 3 June 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVI (National and regional enabling environments) and XIX (Culture). Women Make the News 2009 (March-April 2009) Launched annually on the occasion of International Women’s Day (8 March), Women Make the News is a global initiative aimed at promoting gender equality in the media. The 2009 theme - “Gender Equality Policies in Media Organizations” – will seek to highlight best practices in this area and remind media managers and journalists’ unions of the importance of developing policies that prevent all forms of discrimination based on gender. Pacific women media managers or journalists are encouraged to submit their stories before 15th April, 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making) and XIX (Culture). UN World Water Development Report 3 (16-22 March 2009) Demand for water has never been as greater, due to population growth and mobility, rising living standards, changes in food consumption, and increased energy production, especially biofuels. These are among the conclusions of the United Nations World Water Development Report 3, an assessment of water resources, presented at the Fifth World Water Forum in Istanbul (Turkey, 16-22 March 2009), in conjunction with a companion volume of case studies, titled "Facing the Challenges. This first stand-alone volume includes 20 studies from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin America, where conditions of water-related stress and socio-economic settings vary widely. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), II (Natural and environmental disasters), III (Waste management), V (Freshwater resources), VII (Energy resources), XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVII (Health) and XIX (Culture). Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (17-19 March 2009) The IOC Twenty-third Assembly decided, by Resolution XXIII-13, to create the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (CARIBE EWS) and to establish an Intergovernmental Coordination Group for CARIBE EWS (ICG/CARIBE EWS). In this connection, the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE EWS-IV) is being hosted by the Government of France in Fort de France, Martinique, 17 – 19 March 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise) and II (Natural hazards and disasters). Assisting Bioethics Committees (ABC): Training Session on Working Methods in Jamaica (09-11 March 2009) Training in working methods is the first activity in the Assisting Bioethics Committees (ABC) project as soon as the national (bio)ethics committee has been established. Each committee has to develop its working methods and procedures, which will imply further specifications and applications of its mandate as formulated in its terms of reference. However, practical experiences and best practices of committees that are operational for a much longer time can be shared and discussed, so that the recently established committees can learn from the successes and failures of other committees. In Jamaica, training on working methods coupled with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding will take place from 09-11 March 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVI (National and regional enabling environments), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making) and XIX (Culture). New posting on the Frontlines of Climate Change: A forum for indigenous peoples, small islands and vulnerable communities (6 March 2009) The current online article for discussion on the Frontlines Forum is: "REDD: fast track to benefits or to conflicts?", under the new topic 'REDD'. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), II (Natural and environmental disasters) and XIX (Culture). 2009 UNESCO-L'OREAL Fellowships for Young women in Life Sciences (02 March 2009) 15 young women researchers in the life sciences, from 15 different countries across the world, will receive the 2009 UNESCO-L’ORÉAL Fellowships For Women in Science at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Awarded annually since 1999, the Fellowships permit doctoral and post-doctoral women to pursue their research in host laboratories outside their home countries. Since 2006, they receive a maximum of US $40,000 over a period of two years. Among these 15 fellows, one is from Mauritius, Fina KURREEMAN, whose research project concerns Functional characterization & potential application of the novel genetic risk factor TRAF1/C5 in Rheumatoid Arthritis. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XI (Science and technology) and XVII (Health). XVI Forum of Ministers of Culture and Officials in Charge of Cultural Policies of Latin America and the Caribbean (26-27 February 2009) The central theme of this meeting which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 26-27 February 2009 is “Culture within the context of the current world crisis: Challenges and Opportunities”. The participants will discuss Cultural Diversity, intercultural dialogue and regional integration; the role of cultural industries, opportunities for a sustainable development; Cultural rights; and institutional strengthening of culture. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). UNESCO Director-General visits the Kingdom of Bahrain (25-27 February 2009) Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, paid his second official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain from 25 to 27 February 2009. On 26 February, the Director-General was received in audience by His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain. During their meeting, held in the presence of Mr Majed Al Noaimi, Minister of Education, and Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Culture and Information, they discussed the fruitful cooperation that exists between Bahrain and the Organization. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. Eleven New Media Projects in 9 SIDS Approved by IPDC Bureau (23-25 February 2009) At its 53rd annual meeting, the Bureau of the International Programme for the Development of Communication approved 63 national and regional media sector evaluation projects for financing, 11 national projects were approved in 9 SIDS (Comoros, Haiti, Jamaica, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, St Lucia, Timor-Leste, and Trinidad & Tobago). Areas addressed include media capacity-building in modern news, media technology, community television, participatory video-making, communication arts, programme scheduling, radio programme production techniques, community radio, independent printing process, and prison community television network (rehabilitation television). Approved regional projects include climate change reporting, training on digital broadcasting, raising gender awareness, media laboratory, radio journalism, in the Caribbean; and strengthening awareness and monitoring of press freedom in the Pacifica. Over 95 million US dollars will be channelled to these projects. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters II (Natural and environmental disasters), X (Transport and communication) and XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development). Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger of Disappearing – Third Edition (19 February 2009) The goal of UNESCO's Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger of Disappearing is to raise awareness on language endangerment and the need to safeguard the world’s linguistic diversity. The atlas gives a comprehensive list of languages in danger and a concise summary of the worldwide language endangerment situation, including in SIDS (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Micronesia). The electornic version of the new (third) edition was launched on 19 February, on the eve of International Mother Language Day (21 February). [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme announces Young Scientist award winners (19 February 2009) Winners of the 2009 MAB Young Scientists Awards and the Michel Batisse Award for Biosphere Reserve Management have been announced by the Bureau of the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, following its meeting February 12 and 13 in Paris. Surima Orto Pozo, from Cuba, is among the winners. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters VI (Land resources) and IX (Biodiversity resources). Memory of the World Training Workshop for Asia and Pacific (18-20 February 2009) A workshop to increase awareness of the Memory of the World Programme as well as the existence and significance of the Asia-Pacific documentary heritage will be organized in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 18-20 February. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Regional seminars on Quality Education in Dominican Republic (17-20 February 2009) The Regional Seminar on Quality Education and the XXIV Meeting of Coordinators of the Laboratoria Latinoamericano de Evaluación de la Calidad took place from 17-20 February 2009 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The seminar, which included 5 months of work, discussed such topics as the theoretical and methodological conceptions of quality of education and its assessment, the care and early childhood education, the role of research in improving the quality of education, education for the management of risks from natural disasters and education for prevention of HIV and AIDS, as well as inputs for the evaluation of the learning curriculum areas. [More (Spanish only)] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters II (Natural hazards and disasters). XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVII (Health), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). Record participation for the Mondialogo Engineering Award (17 February 2009) Daimler and UNESCO invited engineering students to enter Mondialogo Contest Project proposals, endowed with a total of €300,000 in prize money, to improve living conditions in developing countries (including SIDS); address poverty; sustainable development; and climate change. The number of project ideas registered at the deadline date was 932, among which eight from Cuba, five from Dominican Republic and one from Haiti. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters III (Waste management), VII (Energy resources) and XI (Science and technology). Caribbean information literacy programmes discussed at international conference (17 February 2009) The impact of information literacy programmes on educational development in Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago was explored on 17 February 2009 in a panel discussion sponsored by UNESCO at the Jamaica Library Service 60th Anniversary International Conference. The Conference was held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, under the theme 'Public and School Libraries: Your Partners in National Development'. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters X (Transport and communication), XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), and XVII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). Eighteen countries review measures to improve tsunami preparedness in the Pacific (16-18 February 2009) Following several tsunamis and large earthquakes that have recently affected the South Pacific, 50 representatives from 18 of the region’s countries and many observer organizations are examining ways to improve protective measures against the threat of tsunamis. The meeting is taking place in Apia, Samoa, from 16 to 18 February. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise) and II (Natural hazards and disasters). New posting on the Frontlines of Climate Change: A forum for indigenous peoples, small islands and vulnerable communities (13 February 2009) The current online article for discussion is: "REDD - hot topic for climate change", under the new topic 'REDD'. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise) and II (Natural and environmental disasters). Pacific broadcasters tuning into climate change (09-10 February 2009) UNESCO and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) organize a 2nd Pacific Media & Climate Change Workshop in Tonga from 9 – 10 February, 2009. The Workshop is part of the 2009 CBA Pacific and is intended for the front-line journalists and several CEOs from Australia, Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Kiribati. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters I (Climate change and sea-level rise), X (Transport and communication), XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making). Education Department and UNESCO work to improve teacher quality in The Federated States of Micronesia (February-April 2009) The Federated States of Micronesia and UNESO have begun a series of workshops to improve teacher quality. The workshops are funded by the Japanese Funds in Trust (JFIT) and will involve over 50 participants from Chuuk state. The first workshop was held last week in Chuuk from Monday February 2nd to Friday 6th. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development). Renewal of bilateral cooperation between UNESCO and 'Union latine' (04 February 2009) UNESCO Director General, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, met with the new Secretary General of the "Union latine", Mr José Luis Dicenta, on 4 February 2009 at UNESCO-HQ. Among the issues discussed was the update of the cooperation agreement signed by the two organizations in 1985. The organization "Union latine" was founded in 1954 by the Madrid Convention. It has now 37 Member States (including SIDS: Cap Verde, Cuba, Dominican Republic, São Tomé & Príncipe, Timor-Leste, Haiti) and three Associate Members. It aims to promote Latin cultures and languages. [More (French only)] Mauritius Strategy: General. Human Rights Day Poster Competition - Closing date extended to February 28 2009 (02 November 2008 - 01 March 2009) To celebrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights' (UDHR) 60th Anniversary, the United Nations through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) - Regional Office for the Pacific and the United Nations United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is holding a poster competition, under the theme “Dignity and Justice for All in the Pacific”. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. Education Minister urges engagement in the literacy challenge in PNG (31 January 2009) The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Ministry of Education and UNESCO jointly launched on 31 January 2009 the “Achieving Education for All in PNG through Literacy Initiative for Empowerment” project. In his opening address at the launch, the Minister for Education Honourable James Marabe highlighted the huge challenge facing PNG in the area of literacy. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments). “Pedagogy 2009” Congress will place emphasis on the Regional Education Project for Latin America and the Caribbean“ (26-30 January 2009) With the aim of stimulating regional integration, the exchange of experiences and joint co-operation on the subject of education, next 26 January will mark the beginning of the XI edition of the Pedagogy Congress to be held in Havana, Cuba. Within the objectives of the event are to strengthen the goals of the Regional Education Project for Latin American and the Caribbean (PRELAC), agreed by the ministers of education at previous meetings held in Havana and Buenos Aires. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XIV (Sustainable capacity development and education for sustainable development), XVI (National and regional enabling environments), XVIII (Knowledge management and information for decision-making) and XIX (Culture). Koïchiro Matsuura pays first official visit of a UNESCO Director-General to Grenada (21-23 January 2009) The Director-General, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, paid his first official visit to Grenada from 21 and 23 January 2009. It was the first official visit of a UNESCO Director-General to the country, which has been a UNESCO Member State since February 1975. The Director-General had a bilateral meeting with the Honourable Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada and with the key ministers in his Cabinet. Mr Matsuura began by expressing his deep satisfaction with the positive attitude of the new Government in Grenada towards UNESCO, and its increased engagement with the United Nations system more generally. The discussions went on to cover a wide range of subjects. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. Koïchiro Matsuura pays first official visit of a UNESCO Director-General to Antigua and Barbuda (20-21 January 2009) The Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, paid his first official visit to Antigua and Barbuda on 20 and 21 January 2009. It was the first official visit of a UNESCO Director-General to the country, which has been a UNESCO Member State since July 1982. In particular, Mr Matsuura and the Prime Minister, Mr Baldwin Spencer, discussed the state of the cooperation between UNESCO and Antigua and Barbuda, and the ways and means the profile of UNESCO could be further enhanced in the country. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. UNESCO Director-General pays first official visit to Cuba (18-19 January 2009) Following an invitation from Mr Felipe Pérez Roque, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, paid his first official visit to Cuba on 18 and 19 January 2009. They had a fruitful meeting during which they jointly reviewed the collaboration between UNESCO and Cuba. [More] Mauritius Strategy: General. Acceptance by Cook Islands of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (16 January 2009) On 16 January 2009, Cook Islands deposited with the Director-General its instrument of acceptance of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. In conformity with its Article 33, the Convention will enter into force, with respect to Cook Islands, three months after the deposit of this instrument of acceptance, that is to say on 16 April 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Ratification by Grenada of the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (15 January 2009) On 15 January 2009, Grenada deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. In accordance with the terms of its Article 27, the aforementioned Convention will enter into force with respect to Grenada three months after the date of the deposit of this instrument, that is to say on 15 April 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Ratification by Grenada of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (15 January 2009) On 15 January 2009, Grenada deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In accordance with the terms of its Article 29, the aforementioned Convention will enter into force with respect to Grenada three months after the date of the deposit of its instrument, that is to say on 15 April 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Ratification by Grenada of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (15 January 2009) On 15 January 2009, Grenada deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. In accordance with the terms of its Article 34, the aforementioned Convention will enter into force with respect to Grenada three months after the date of the deposit of this instrument, that is to say on 15 April 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapter XIX (Culture). Accession by Palau to the International Convention against Doping in Sport (12 January 2009) On 12 January 2009, Grenada deposited with the UNESCO Director-General its instrument of accession to the International Convention against Doping in Sport. In accordance with Article 37, the Convention will enter into force with respect to Grenada on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of one month after the date of deposit of this instrument of accession, that is to say on 1 March 2009. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVII (Health) and XIX (Culture). New HIV/AIDS projects accepted by Youth Visioning for Island Living (January-December 2009) Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are highly vulnerable to the devastating economic and social impacts of HIV and AIDS due to the limited resources they have available to combat the pandemic. Youth, in particular, are among the most affected. 50% of new HIV infections are among persons between the ages of 15 and 25. The behaviour of this key age group greatly influences the future course of the epidemic, and for this reason, efforts are largely focused on this important demographic/group. [More] Mauritius Strategy: Chapters XVII (Health) and XIX (Culture). 2008 2005-2007