Informal Meeting of Presidents and Secretaries-General of National

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ERC/NAC/ME/1-10-006

Paris 04 janvier 2010

Original: English

Informal Meeting of Presidents and Secretaries-General

of National Commissions for UNESCO

organised during the 35th Session of the General Conference

Wednesday 14 October 2009,

13 p.m. to 15 p.m.

Room IX (Fontenoy).

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CONTENT

Page

Agenda ………………………………………………………………………………………..3

List of Participants..………………………………………………………………………….5

Summary Report ……………………...…………………………………………………….11

Pictures… …………………………………………………………………………………....16

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Informal Meeting of Presidents and Secretaries-General

of National Commissions for UNESCO

(Wednesday 14 October at 13:00 – 15:00 in Room IX)

AGENDA

_________________________________________________

13:00 Lunch (snacks and drinks will be offered) 13:30 Opening

- Welcome - Opening remarks by the President of the 35th General Conference

- Appointment of Minute taker - Call for items of General Business - Agreement on the Agenda

Minutes of meetings held since 2007 – circulated and adopted

Report from the Chairperson

Mr L. Ramallo, Chairperson of the Coordinating Group of National Commissions

Report from ERC on activities relating to NatCom meetings, capacity-building, publications, e-communication

Mr J. Rao, Dir. ERC/RSC and Mr X. Cheng, Chief, ERC/RSC/NAC

The positioning of National Commissions in the context of Decentralization and UN Reform Process

Mr R. Bernecker, Secretary-General of the German Commission for UNESCO Report of the UNESCO Youth Forum

Mr P. Sané, ADG/SHS

Discussion of General Business

Election of Officers for the Coordinating Group of National Commissions - Chairperson - Members (2 per region)

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35th Session of the General Conference (Paris, 6-23 October 2009)

Interregional Informal Meeting of Presidents and Secretaries-General of National Commissions for UNESCO /

Réunion interrégionale informelle des Présidents et Secrétaires généraux des commissions nationales pour l’UNESCO

14 October 2009, 1:30-3 pm, Room IX / 14 octobre 2009, 13h30-15h00, Salle IX

Participants list / Liste des participants

N° Name / Nom Title / Titre Country / Pays E-mail, phone and Fax / Courriel, téléphone et fax

1 Mr Sidi Mohamed BRAHIM-OTSMANE Secretary-General Algeria e-mail: brahim.otsmane@yahoo.fr

2 Ms Maria Teresa CAIRAT President Andorra e-mail: mtcairat@hotmail.com

3 Mr Jean Michel ARMENGOL Secretary-General Andorra e-mail: jmarmengol@andorra.ad

4 Mr Manuel T. QUARTA Permanent Secretary Angola e-mail: mtquarta@gmail.com

5 Ms Anthea TINNEY Chair Australia e-mail: antheatinney@hotmail.com

6 Ms Lalita KAPUR Secretary-General Australia e-mail: lalita.kapur@dfat.gov.au

7 Mr Matthias ECK Programme Specialist for Education, Science and Youth

Austria e-mail: eck@unesco.at

8 Mr Igor MITSCHKA Chairman Youth Panel Austria e-mail: igor.mitschka@chello.at

9 Ms Gunay EFENDIYEVA Secretary-General (a.i.) Azerbaijan e-mail: unesco@mfa.gov.az

10 Mr Isa Abdullah AL NASHEET Secretary-General Bahrain e-mail: Isaalnasheet@gmail.com Isaalnasheet@hotmail.com

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11 Ms Harriett DAISLEY Secretary-General Barbados e-mail: barbnatcom.unesco@gmail.com Tel: +1 246 430 2719

12 Mr Walter LEROUGE President Belgium

Flemish Natcom e-mail: walter.lerouge@iv.vlaanderen.be

13 Mr Jan De BISSCHOP Secretary-General Belgium

Flemish Natcom e-mail: jan.debisschop@iv.vlaanderen.be

14 Ms Jamyang CHOEDEN Secretary-General Bhutan e-mail: jamyangc@druknet.bt

15 Ms Mmanane Mavis KELEBEMANG Secretary-General Botswana

e-mail: mkelebemang@gov.bw Tel: +267 3655 440 Fax: +267 3972 531

16 Ms Allison FLAX-ARCHER Secretary-General British Virgin

Islands e-mail: scherzo@surfbvi.com

17 Ms Michèle STANTON JEAN President Canada e-mail: michele.stanton-jean@umontreal.ca

18 Ms Gloria RIBEIRO Secretary-General Cape Verde e-mail: Gloria.ribeiro@govcv.gov.cv

19 Mr Abderamane KOKO President Chad e-mail: kokoabderamane@yahoo.fr

20 Mr Abdelkérim ADOUM BAHAR Secretary-General Chad e-mail: abdelkerim_adoum@yahoo.fr Tel: +235 626 9834

21 Mr Ali Adam ABIAD Enseignements et la Formation du

MEN Chad e-mail: m.abdarrahman@yahoo.fr

22 Ms Victoria GONZALEZ Secretary-General Colombia e-mail: comisionunesco@cancilleria.gov.co

23 Mr Aboubakari BOINA Secretary-General Comoros e-mail: aboubakariboina@yahoo.fr

24 Mr Sonny WILLIAMS Secretary-General Cook Islands e-mail: sonny@oyster.net.ck Tel: +682 20725

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25 Ms María Elena CARBALLO Minister of Culture and Youth Costa Rica e-mail: mcarballo@mcj.go.cr

26 Ms Ivannia MONTOYA Ministry of Culture and Youth Costa Rica e-mail: imontoya@mcj.go.cr

27 Mr Lou Mathieu BAMBA Secretary-General Côte d’Ivoire e-mail: loumathieub@yahoo.fr

28 Ms Helena ILLNEROVA President Czech Republic e-mail: illner@kav.cas.cz Tel: +420 602 220 705

29 Mr Milan KUNA Secretary-General Czech Republic e-mail: milan_kuna@mzv.cz

30 Ms Linda NIELSEN Chair Denmark e-mail: linda.nielsen@jur.ku.dk

31 Ms Bodil Mørkøv ULLERUP Secretary-General Denmark e-mail: boull2@uvm.dk

32 Ms Nikauly VARGAS Secretary-General Dominican Republic

e-mail: cnu_rd@yahoo.com comisionunescord@gmail.com Tel: +1 809 687 3885

33 Mr Safwat SALEM Secretary-general Egypt e-mail: safwat_m_salem@yahoo.com

34 Ms Mehret IYOB Secretary-General Eritrea e-mail: natcomeri@yahoo.com

35 Ms Marika Valk Secretary-General Estonia e-mail: marika.valk@unesco.ee Tel: +372 50 28 475

36 Mr Jean Pierre BOYER Secretary-General France e-mail: jean-pierre.boyer@diplomatie.gouv.fr

37 Ms Sukai BOJANG Secretary-General Gambia

e-mail: admin@unescogambia.gm s.bojang@unescogambia.gm s.bojang@gmail.com Tel: +220 442 52 14/442 52 75/442 58 48 Fax: +220 442 52 97

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38 Mr Roland BERNECKER Secretary-General Germany e-mail: bernecker@unesco.de

39 Ms Sylvia LUTTERODT Secretary-General Ghana e-mail: salutter@yahoo.co.uk

40 Ms Maria Ekaterini PAPACHRISTOPOULOU-TZITZIKOSTA

President Greece e-mail: unescogr@mfa.gr

41 Mr Eugene GITTENS Secretary-General Grenada e-mail: eugenegittens@hotmail.com

42 Mr Thomas KEITA Secretary-General Guinea-Bissau e-mail: ibtomkeita@yahoo.fr

43 Ms Inge NATHOO Secretary-General Guyana

e-mail: unesco@gol.net.gy Tel: +592 223 7955 Fax: +592 226 0645

44 Mr Jean COULANGES Permanent Secretary Haiti

e-mail: natcomunescohaiti@yahoo.fr jeancoulanges@hotmail.com Tel: +509 2244 8081 (Sec.) +509 2244 8055 (Direct) +509 3455 3024 (Mobile)

45 Ms Ágnes KOVÁCSNÉ BÍRÓ Secretary-General Hungary e-mail: agnes.biro@unesco.hu

46 Mr Einar HREINSSON Secretary-General Iceland

e-mail: einar.hreinsson@mrn.stjr.is Tel: +354 5459567 Fax: +354 5623068

47 Mr Arief RACHMAN Executive Chairperson Indonesia e-mail: aspnetind@cbn.net.id

48 Mr. Sri Hargyanto SURYOPRAYUDO

Natcom Head of Division Indonesia e-mail: suryo@indonatcom.org

49 Ms Hasnah GASIM ASPnet National Coordinator Indonesia e-mail: aspnetind@cbn.net.id;

50 Ms Angga Nugraha HAFIIZ Intern Indonesia e-mail: anggahafiiz@gmail.com

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51 Mr Muhsin Abed Ali SHLAGA AL-FURAJY

Advisor to the Minister of Education

Iraq

52 Mr Hasanain Fadhil MUALLA Secretary-General Iraq e-mail: hfmualla@yahoo.com

53 Ms Asmaa FAKHRI Natcom Iraq e-mail: irnecs@iraqinatcom.org

54 Mr Sinan TARIQ Natcom Head of UNESCO

Division Iraq e-mail: irnecs@iraqinatcom.org

55 Mr Everton HANNAM Secretary-General Jamaica e-mail: ehannam@hotmail.com

56 Mr Isao KISO Secretary-General Japan e-mail: jpnatcom@mext.go.jp Tel: +81 3 6734 2603

57 Mr. Norihiko SHIMIZU Deputy Secretary-General Japan e-mail: nshimizu@mext.go.jp

58 Mr Takashi ASAI Deputy Secretary-General Japan e-mail: takasai@mext.go.jp

59 Ms Assel UTEGENOVA Secretary-General Kazakhstan e-mail: utegenova_a@mid.kz natcom@mid.kz

60 Mr Mohammed M. MWINYIPEMBE Secretary-General Kenya

e-mail: mwinyipembe55@yahoo.com Tel: +254 733 765 747 Fax: +254 202 213 025

61 Mr Abdullatif ALBAIJAN Secretary-General Kuwait e-mail: knc@kwtnatcom.org

62 Mr Andris VILKS President Latvia e-mail: andris.vilks@lnb.lv Tel: +371 6 736 5250

63 Ms Dagnija BALTINA Secretary-General Latvia e-mail: Dagnija@unesco.lv Tel: +371 2 613 7626

64 Mr James Emmanuel ROBERTS Vice-Chair Liberia

e-mail: rojames1662@yahoo.com Tel: +231 6 551 564

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65 Mr Caston BOB HARRIS Secretary-General Liberia e-mail: castonharris@yahoo.com

66 Ms Asta DIRMAITÉ Secretary-General Lithuania e-mail: adirmaite@unesco.lt

67 Mr Paul KLEIN Secretary-General Luxembourg e-mail: klein.paul@education.lu

68 Mr Francis R. MKANDAWIRE Secretary-General Malawi e-mail: mnatcom@broadbandmw.com fmkandawire@yahoo.co.uk

69 Mr Norov URTNASAN Secretary-General Mongolia e-mail: mon.unesco@mongol.net

70 Ms Mina EL MGHARI Secretary-General Morocco e-mail: cmaroc@enssup.gov.ma comnatmaroc@yahoo.fr

71 Mr Paulino RICARDO Deputy Secretary-General Mozambique

e-mail: moznatcom@tvcabo.co.mz pricardo.natcom@tvcabo.co.mz Tel: +258 21 49 33 85 Fax: +258 21 49 17 66

72 Mr Marius KUDUMO Secretary-General a.i. Namibia e-mail: mkudumo@mec.gov.na

73 Ms Els JACOBS Secretary-General Netherlands e-mail: ejacobs@unesco.ne

74 Ms Marva C. BROWNE Secretary-General Netherlands

Antilles e-mail: marvabrowne@yahoo.com

75 Mr Bryan GOULD President New Zealand e-mail: bgould@paradise.net.nz

76 Ms Elizabeth ROSE Secretary-General New Zealand e-mail: Elizabeth.rose@minedu.govt.nz

77 Mr Mamoudou KIMBA Executive Secretary Niger e-mail: comnat@intnet.ne

78 Ms Magdalene ANENE-MAIDOH Secretary-General Nigeria e-mail: mamaidoh@yahoo.com Tel: +234 80 33 35 85 78

79 Mr Jostein OSNES Secretary-General (a.i.) Norway e-mail: jo@kd.dep.no

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80 Ms Madiha AL-SHAIBANI Secretary-General Oman e-mail: shaibaniya@moe.om

81 Mr Mohammed AL YAQOUBI Deputy Secretary-General Oman e-mail: malyaqoubi@moe.om

82 Mr Saqib ALEEM Secretary-General Pakistan

e-mail: saqibaleem3@gmail.com Tel: +92-51-9257225 Fax: +92-51-9257519

83 Ms María Isabel MIYÁN de CHIABRA Secretary-General Peru e-mail: mmiyan@minedu.gob.pe

84 Ms Preciosa SOLIVEN Secretary-General Philippines e-mail: pssoliven@yahoo.com

85 Mr Slawomir RATAJSKI Secretary-general Poland e-mail: komitet@unesco.pl

86 Ms Manuela GALHARDO Secretary-General Portugal e-mail: Manuela.galhardo@unesco.pt

87 Mr Jinsung JEON Programme Specialist Republic of

Korea e-mail: jjs112@unesco.or.kr

88 Mr Constantin RUSNAC Secretary-General Republic of

Moldova

e-mail: c.rusnac@unesco.md Tel: +373 2223 5355/5205

89 Mr Serban URSU Secretary-General Romania e-mail: sg@cnr-unesco.ro

90 Ms Lucretia BALUTA Education Expert Romania e-mail: lucretia@cnr-unesco.ro Tel: +402 1231 1333

91 Mr Amir BILYALITDINOV Deputy Secretary-General Russian

Federation e-mail: rusnatcom@mail.ru

92 Mr Moustapha TAMBADOU Secretary-General Senegal e-mail: comnatunesco@orange.sn mtambadou32@yahoo.fr

93 Mr Aliou LY Deputy Secretary-General Senegal e-mail: lybou5@yahoo.com Tel: +221 33 822 57 30

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94 Mr Maki DIALLO Chef, CI Division Senegal e-mail: makidiallo@yahoo.fr Tel: +221 773 12 99 13

95 Mr Ludovit MOLNAR President Slovakia e-mail: ludovit.molnar@stuba.sk

96 Ms Marjutka HAFNER Secretary-General Slovenia e-mail: marjutka.hafner@gov.si

97 Mr Luis RAMALLO President Spain e-mail: liramallo@telefonica.net

98 Ms Hazel ZUNGU Secretary-General Swaziland

e-mail: tinkasha@yahoo.co.uk Tel: +268 404 2129 Fax: +268 404 5448

99 Mrs Görel THURDIN President Sweden e-mail: gorel.thurdin@kramnet.se

100 Ms Ulrika KORNELL Secretary-General Sweden e-mail: ulrika.kornell@education.ministry.se

101 Ms Madeleine VIVIANI Secretary-General Switzerland e-mail: info@unesco.ch madeleine.viviani-schaerer@eda.admin.ch

102 Mr Nidal HASSAN Secretary-General Syria e-mail: 7110846@mail.ru 7110846@gmail.com

103 Mr Messanvi GBEASSOR President Togo

104 Mr Akoété a. KOUGBLENOU Secretary-General Togo

e-mail: akougble55@yahoo.fr Tel: +228 221 61 54 Fax: +228 222 57 87

105 Ms Fatma TARHOUNI Secretary-General Tunisia e-mail: tarhouni.fatma@minedu.edunet.tn

106 Mr Nihat ZAL Secretary-General Turkey e-mail: zal@unesco.org.tr

107 Mr Eriabu LUGUJJO Vice-Chair Uganda e-mail: elugujjo@tech.mak.ac.ug

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108 Mr Augustine OMARE-OKURUT Secretary-General Uganda e-mail: aomare@unesco-uganda.ug

109 Ms Khawla AL MUALLA Secretary-General United Arab

Emirates e-mail: khawla.almualla@moe.gov.ae

110 Ms Alba de Souza Secretary-General a.i. United Kingdom e-mail: adesouza@unesco.org.uk

111 Mr Ian WHITE Programme Specialist United Kingdom e-mail: iwhite@unesco.org.uk

112 Mrs Elizabeth KIONDO Secretary-General United Rep. of

Tanzania e-mail: eilkiondo@yahoo.com

113 Ms Christina MUSAROCHE CI Programme Officer United Republic

of Tanzania e-mail: musaroche@yahoo.com

114 Ms Liz KANICK Executive Director United States of

America e-mail: kanickel@state.gov

115 Mr Alisher IKRAMOV Secretary-General Uzbekistan e-mail: unesco@natcom.ccc.uz

116 Mr Sanh Chau PHAM Secretary-General Viet Nam e-mail: unescochau@yahoo.com

117 Mr Ronald Siame KAULULE Secretary-General Zambia e-mail: ronaldkaulule@yahoo.com

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UNESCO Secretariat:

N° Name / Nom Title / Titre Sector/Division/Section E-mail / Courriel

1 Mr Davidson L. HEPBURN President of the General

Conference GBS/SCG e-mail: d.hepburn@unesco.org

2 Mr Jacques RAO Director of Division ERC/RSC e-mail: j.rao@unesco.org

3 Mr Xiaolin CHENG Chief of Section ERC/RSC/NAC e-mail: x.cheng@unesco.org

4 Ms Yousser MRAD Assistant Executive Officer ERC/EO e-mail: y.mrad@unesco.org

5 Mr Bobir TUKHTABAYEV Programme Specialist ERC/RSC/NAC e-mail: b.tukhtabayev@unesco.org

6 Ms Vida HABASH Programme Specialist ERC/RSC/NAC e-mail: v.habash@unesco.org

7 Ms Reem SALEH Assistant Programme Specialist ERC/RSC/NAC e-mail: r.saleh@unesco.org

8 Ms Marie-Noëlle BRANET Senior Administrative Assistant ERC/RSC/NAC e-mail: mn.branet@unesco.org

9 Ms Lydie NDOBO-MACKONGO Administrative Assistant ERC/RSC/NAC e-mail: l.ndobo@unesco.org

10 Ms Lamya CABANILLAS Assistant to Chief of Section ERC/RSC/NAC e-mail: l.cabanillas@unesco.org

11 Mr Kijoon SOH

Assistant Programme Specialist from Korean NatCom,

currently at UNESCO HQ under a secondment programme

ERC/RSC/NAC e-mail: kijoon@unesco.or.kr k.soh@unesco.org

12 Ms Katherine MULLER-MARIN Head of Office UNESCO Office in Hanoi e-mail: k.muller-marin@unesco.org

13 Ms Golda EL-KHOURY Chief of Section SHS/SRP/YSPE e-mail: g.elkhoury@unesco.org

14 Ms Yolanda BERENGUER Assistant Programme Specialist SC/EES/GEO e-mail: Y.Berenguer@unesco.org

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15 Mr Eliot MINCHENBERG Executive Assistant (President) GBS/SCG e-mail: e.minchenberg@unesco.org

16 Mr Onno SEROO Programme Coordinator UNESCO Centre of

Catalonia e-mail: o.seroo@unescocat.org

17 Ms Margaret AUSTIN Consultant UNESCO e-mail: austinme@xtra.co.nz

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Informal Meeting of the National Commissions for UNESCO in the Europe and North America Region (Thursday 8 October at 15:00 – 18:00 in Room IX)

SUMMARY REPORTSUMMARY REPORTSUMMARY REPORTSUMMARY REPORT

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1. Following recent practice, an interregional informal meeting of Presidents and Secretaries-General of National Commissions was held on 14 October 2009, during the current 35th session of the General Conference. The meeting, which aimed to cover issues of a general nature and interest to National Commissions (Annex I: The Final Agenda of the meeting), was chaired by Mr Luis Ramallo, Chair of the Coordinating Group of National Commissions and President of the Spanish National Commission of Cooperation with UNESCO . Representatives of around 90 National Commissions across all regions as well as several members of the UNESCO Secretariat took part in the meeting (Annex II: List of participants).

Opening of the meeting and report of the Chair

2. Mr Ramallo opened the meeting at 1:30 pm and welcomed the participants of the National Commissions coming from different regions. He emphasized the unique role of National Commissions in the UNESCO arena and was pleased to see a better understanding and a greater recognition of that role over recent years. He emphasized the importance to clarify the meaning and role of National Commissions, which should be regarded as ‘part’, rather than ‘partners’ of UNESCO. He went on to recall that National Commissions, as mentioned in the Charter of National Commissions for UNESCO, cooperate with the international community in the fields of education, science and culture. As for cooperation among National Commissions, he highlighted the case of the German Commission working with African National Commissions, adding that partnership must be strengthened with focuses ranging from general management to programme implementation. 3. In his opening remarks, Mr Davidson L. Hepburn, President of the 35th General Conference expressed the great pleasure to address the audience of National Commissions and congratulated the latter’s valuable work and contributions. He recalled that he was the Chairman of the Bahamas National Commission, and agreed that National Commissions should be part of, instead of partners of UNESCO. He attached importance to the informal meetings National Commissions on the occasion of the General Conference and emphasized that they should maintain a bold stand and further succeed in their actions. 4. While the proposed meeting agenda was adopted, the Secretariat ensured that minutes of all meetings of the Coordinating Group held since the 34th General Conference, including those with the Director-General during the sessions of the Executive Board, were circulated to all Commissions and posted on UNESCO website for information.

Report from ERC on activities relating to NatCom meetings, capacity-building, publications, e-communication

5. On behalf of Mr Ahmed Sayyad, ADG/ERC, Mr Jacques Rao, Director of the Division of Relations with Member States and National Commissions (ERC/RSC) expressed gratitude to the presence of the President of the General Conference, and thanked the National Commissions for their attendance and cooperation. He also paid tribute to Mr Ramallo for his efficient chairmanship over the past two years,

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giving the Steering Committee more visibility and transparency and by ensuring that its membership encompasses now all officials of National Commissions (whether Chairs or Secretaries-General). 6. Mr Jacques Rao (ERC/RSC) reminded us that the new Director-General will be appointed next month, who will certainly attach the importance of National Commissions to UNESCO networks. He stressed the participation of National Commissions in the One UN process following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UNESCO and UNDP, and expected the continuous interest and contribution from the Commissions. He stated that cooperation among National Commissions has considerably grown in the current biennium, and believed that National Commissions could constitute a formal platform within the existing mechanisms of UNESCO. 7. Mr Rao went on to confirm that the total budget for National Commissions is not expected to decrease, despite of the Zero Real Growth policy, and assured that both Mr Sayyad and himself are making their utmost efforts to ensure this. He also stressed that training of staff and capacity-building for National Commissions will continue through the Participation Programme funding and the Regular Budget. He also stated that new partners, to be worked out by the Secretariat and National Commissions, will help to raise new funds as well as to develop advocacy, visibility and new ideas to UNESCO’s intellectual work. 8. Mr Xiaolin Cheng, Chief of the National Commissions Section (ERC/RSC/NAC) recalled that 5 regional informal meetings were held during the 35th General Conference and a presentation of the NAC Section’s activities was given on these occasions. He added that after the General Conference his Section will be finalizing the workplan for the next biennium, taking into account the discussions during the current General Conference. He stated that they will work with National Commissions for the goals of UNESCO and that cooperation with the ‘Larger Family of UNESCO’ is needed. He further noted the need of more partnerships, especially North-South, and North-South-South cooperation among the National Commissions, of renovating the organization of meetings and trainings, as well as sharing best practices and promoting the advocacy of status and role of National Commissions to Member States’ governments and UNESCO staff members. 9. Ms Margaret Austin (consultant, former Chair of New Zealand NatCom) thanked ERC for the great progress made since the launching of the Coordinating Group 8 years ago, recalling that there were only 38 participants in the meeting held in October 2001. She welcomed that all regions are now included in the coordinating group. With the new Director-General, she wishes a harmonious transition in the work of that group. Ms Austin also praised that Mr Matsuura gave voice to Article 7 of the UNESCO Constitution, and reiterated that National Commissions are a significant part of UNESCO. She stated that the consultation meetings to be held in 2010 are important, and that the coordinating group should ensure that the comments mentioned in those meetings be included in future C/4 and C/5 documents. Ms Austin also called for more intersectorial activities and project development be carried out, and finally mentioned that National Commissions have a responsibility to work with civil society partners within each country.

The positioning of National Commissions in the context of Decentralization and UN Reform Process

10. Mr Roland Bernecker (Germany) introduced the question of how to position National Commissions in the decentralization process, either as part of the Government (part of the Permanent Delegation), or as independent entities. He said that during the past 2 years he observed a big change in Field Offices’ attitude towards the National Commissions: Field Offices moved from strong reservations to a more cooperative approach. Now National Commissions are more participative in this process. He continued that there is a need to better understand who we are and how to interact with partners, since National Commissions have an unique position, as they are neither UNESCO, nor governmental, nor NGO. However it is believed that they are forming a very modern and timely structure and are becoming a think tank for the UNESCO family and even beyond. 11. Regarding UN reform, Mr Bernecker continuously pointed out it is more complex, as National Commissions must work with various governmental and inter-governmental entities. He argued that

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National Commissions should continue to inflect on the input that they can give and should take their own responsibility, with strong support from the Secretariat.

Report of the UNESCO Youth Forum 12. Mr Pierre Sané, ADG/SHS, introduced the 6th Youth Forum held from 1 to 3 October, before the General Conference, and the discussions held and recommendations adopted on that occasion. He highlighted that youth asked for expanded cooperation and representation in the activities and decisions of National Commissions, such as increased programmes and establishment of youth desks. He also introduced that the Youth Forum welcomed the action and support of the National Commissions in implementing recommendations of the Forum. Finally, he thanked National Commissions for their contributions and hoped there would be future contributions for LDCs. 13. Mr Igor Mitschka (Austria) and Mr Justin Adriel Ordoyo (Philippines), two youth delegates of the Youth Forum commented on the event. They proposed that National Commissions establish a youth desk and encouraged them to follow up on the recommendations made during the Forum. 14. A number of participants stated they already have active youth desks within their Commission. Mr David A. Walden, (Canada) added that youth works exist within the General Assembly of the Canadian National Commission and it is important to have them integrated in the efforts of UNESCO. 15. Mr Mohammed M. Mwinyipembe (Kenya) highlighted the ambiguity as the age of youth can be defined differently at the national and global level. Also he questioned how to see their future role once they have become adults. 16. Mr Aboubakari Boina, (Comoros) stated that youth is important, although showed concern that the capacities of National Commissions are not large enough to cover all youth issues, and proposed that UNESCO takes the initiative on youth issues first. 17. Mr Akoété A. Kougblenou (Togo) argued that UNESCO needs to support National Commissions in youth programmes and that broader action for youth is needed. 18. Mr Walter Lerouge (Belgium) suggested that youth also be invited to the consultation meetings. 19. A number of participants were thanked for the support in sending their youth to attend the youth fora.

Discussion of General Business 20. Mr Walter Lerouge (Belgium) introduced the ‘New Approach’ used for the regional consultation of ENA National Commissions on the preparation of the Draft 35 C/5, and emphasized that the essence of good practice is democratic discussion. He added that with this ‘New Approach’, National Commissions could be a good example for UNESCO in this line of cooperation. He also appealed to other regions that it is good practice to prepare their regional consultation meeting years ahead. 21. Mr Arief Rachman (Indonesia) agreed that there is improvement and progress in recognizing the role of National Commissions. However he added that a clear agenda and strategy will be needed to demonstrate their strength and power. Diverse in their status and structure, National Commissions share the same ideals and work for the same goals. 22. Mr Grigory Ordzhonikidze (Russian Federation) raised the issue of e-communication and networking. Noting that National Commissions are diverse, he insisted on the needs of different National Commissions and stated his interest in support of this. 23. Mr Pham Sanh Chau (Viet Nam) argued that this inter-regional meeting should have less talk, but more action, as there was already an abundance of meetings in the same direction. He thought that the

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meeting should aim at sharing experience and defining the position of National Commissions, including how to enhance the Government’s or the Permanent Delegation’s views on them. He added that National Commissions do not disseminate enough information that they possess and such resources should be shared with other National Commissions. 24. Regarding the relationship between National Commissions and the Secretariat, Mr Pham asked the Secretariat not to call National Commissions ‘partners’ (so as to be on the same level as ASPnet or UNESCO Chairs), as they are in the same boat, and documents should fully recognize them as UNESCO. He further stated that Viet Nam was proud to be an UNDAF pilot country, but showed his concern for other Member States, as they have to first strengthen their structure before any other process can be introduced. 25. Mr Augustine Omare-Okurut, (Uganda) stated that sometimes the Secretariat does not have a warm view towards National Commissions and that he wants more support from ERC to claim their position. He proposed that National Commissions be recognized as a formal group and the informal meetings have a formal status. He also mentioned that there are ways for National Commissions to help each other on regional and local levels. 26. Regarding the status of National Commissions, Mr Lou Mathieu Bamba (Côte d'Ivoire) said that the work was difficult to be understood due to the unique status and expressed hope that the new Director-General would renew the previous circulation letter and highlight the work of National Commissions. He seconded the comment on having formal meetings of National Commissions. 27. While welcoming the MOU signed with UNDP and their contribution to the UN reform, Mr Saqib Aleem (Pakistan) argued that National Commissions sometimes were marginalized in the UN programme. He wanted to share the experience of being one of the pilot countries for UN reform and stated that more work should be done in this regard. He further proposed that fora for National Commissions be a regular part of the General Conference, so that recommendations can be formally introduced in the session. 28. Ms Preciosa Soliven (Philippines) confirmed the good working relation existing between her National Commission and the Permanent Delegation, who intervene jointly during the Executive Board and the General Conference. 29. Ms Elizabeth Kiondo (Tanzania) stated that National Commissions should reposition themselves within the Member State and the Secretariat. She said she is willing to work with other National Commissions to enhance networking and partnership for their capacity-building. 30. Ms Görel Thurdin (Sweden) suggested that the ‘World Café’ format should be adopted during meetings held during the General Conference, as there was lack of conversation. 31. In response to the request for formalizing the informal meetings, Mr Arief Rachman (Indonesia) underlined the advantage of informality and wished it would continue, as administration can be taken care of by the Secretariat and he would have to consult his ministry regarding the discussions if the meeting became formal. 32. Mr Luis Ramallo (Chair) concluded that meetings will be informal for the time being.

Election of Officers for the Coordinating Group of National Commissions 33. Mr Walter Lerouge (Belgium) questioned the current status of the inter-regional coordinating group, and argued it would be most practical if the organizers of the consultation meetings of each region be automatically the members of the coordinating group, as the hosts of the meetings rotate every biennium. 34. Mrs Maria Ekaterini Papachristopoulou-Tzitzikosta (Greece) underlined the need to ensure proper geographical balance.

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35. Ms Marjutka Hafner (Slovenia) added that the hosts of the previous and next regional consultations can form the coordinating group, to ensure the contents being included in the C/4 and C/5 documents. However she argued that it would be inappropriate to make a decision during the meeting, as some participants have already left the room and suggested to appoint an informal group to propose how to work on future issues, and entrust the informal group to discuss this with ERC. She also suggested that regional meetings of National Commissions during the General Conference session be held after, rather than before, the inter-regional one. 36. Mr Luis Ramallo (Chair) reminded the participants that it was decided 2 years ago to restructure the group with the nomination of 2 members of each region, and proposed that each region prepare a related item when holding the consultation meetings to come to a conclusion that two National Commissions be members of the inter-regional coordinating group. At the request of several participants, he agreed to continue chairing the informal group. Finally, he asked the participants to agree on his proposal, and to keep focus on the contents, rather than being trapped by the formality of the meetings. The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 pm.

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Interregional Informal Meeting of Presidents and Secretaries-General of National Commissions for UNESCO / Réunion interrégionale informelle des Présidents et Secrétaires généraux des commissions nationales pour l’UNESCO

14 October 2009, 1:30-3 pm, Room IX / 14 octobre 2009, 13h30-15h00, Salle IX PicturesPicturesPicturesPictures

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