Programme (New Partnerships)

PROGRAMME 2004-2005 (32 C/5)

Part III. Support for Programme Execution

B. External relation and cooperation
Cooperation with international organizations and new partnerships

Cooperation with Clubs for UNESCO and new partnerships

Parliamentarians

The establishment of partnerships and the more systematic involvement of elected representatives in the United Nations system is a necessity and not a choice. Parliamentarians determine and apply the political and legislative choices of the nation, they must be encouraged to take account of UNESCO’s strategic objectives in their agenda. The partnership with parliamentarians will therefore be continued in conjunction with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and regional and thematic parliamentary organizations.
The parliamentarians designated focal points for UNESCO in their assemblies at the request of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the parliamentary groups for cooperation with UNESCO will be incorporated in networks and systematically involved in the Organization’s activities so as to foster their implementation at the national level, in association with National Commissions. UNESCO will provide parliamentarians with relevant expertise in the development of national legislation. The programme sectors will be invited to propose a more strategic role to parliamentarians in their activities. The training programme on parliamentary practice for all those involved in this partnership will be continued, with IPU, on specific priority themes.
Cooperation with regional parliamentary organizations and associations will be strengthened through the establishment of closer links, inter alia in support of a regional priority in the fields of education, science, culture or communication.

Expected results at the end of the biennium
- Parliamentarians better informed about and more aware of UNESCO programmes.
- Parliamentarians involved in activities and programme implementation, including joint projects and consultant services.
- Cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union intensified and networks established of parliamentary focal points for UNESCO and with regional parliamentary associations.
- Legislative and financial support for UNESCO programmes increased at the national level and ratification of conventions elaborated by UNESCO accelerated and increased.