INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
16.1.1 Since the establishment of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), India has been in the forefront in promoting its ideals and objectives. The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INC) set up in 1949 is the apex advisory, executive liaison, information and coordinating body at the national level. INC has been playing an active role in UNESCO's work particularly in the formulation and execution of its programme in collaboration with National Commissions of Asia and Pacific region.
16.1.2 During the year, India contributed to the activities of UNESCO and its Regional Offices through participation in numerous workshops, symposia and conferences, by assisting in the organisation of national, regional and inter regional activities in india in areas of competence of UNESCO, arranging placement of UNESCO fellows in Indian Institutions, formulating projects under the participation programme of UNESCO and administration of UNESCO Coupons Scheme. Public information activities relating to UNESCO continued to be operated in the form of publication of Hindi and Tamil editions of UNESCO Courier.
Asia-Pacific Programme for Educational Innovations for Development
(APEID) 16.1.3 As one of the promoters of UNESCO's Regional Programme of Educational Innovations for Development for Asia and the Pacific (APEID), India has actively participated in APEID programmes and activities. The National Council of Educational Research and Training, one of the Principal Associate Centres of APEID, acts as the Secretariat of National Development Group (NDG), facilitates dissemination of information about APEID activities, and promotes innovative experiences at the regional level. The second meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Development Group(NDG) for Educational Innovations was held on 9th October, 1992.
Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL) 16.1.4 Another important regional programme of UNESCO in which India has contributed significantly is the Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL) which was launched from New Delhi by UNESCO in 1987. A World Conference on Education for All (WCEFA) was also held in Jomtien, Thailand in March, 1990.
16.1.5 The high level National Coordination Committee, set up by India to coordinate activities under APPEAL and EFA, had its 7th meeting on March 12, 1992 under the Chairmanship of Education Secretary. The meeting took note of the programmes launched in the field of Adult Education and literacy in India, stratagies and achievements in the area of primary education, and universalisation of primary education. The Committee also noted that international efforts in recent years had led to an
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increased awareness of the problem of illiteracy.
Meeting of the Inter-governmental Committee/Council etc. held under
the auspices of UNESCO 16.1.6 Shri Y.N. Chaturvedi, Secretary, University Grants commission and Shri Ifqidar Alam Khan from Aligarh Muslim University participated in the First International Congress on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation in Central Asia held in Tehran from 14-18 November, 1992.
UNESCO's Ad-hoc Forum of Reflection 16.1.7 Dr. (Mrs.), Kapila Vatsyayan, Member Secretary, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts has been elected by the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 140th Session as one of the 21 members of the UNESCO's Ad-hoc Forum of Reflection.
Forty-Third Session of International Conference on Education 16.1.8 The 43rd Session of the International Conference on Education was held in Geneva from 14-19 September, 1992. A six member Indian Delegation led by Shri Arjun Singh, Hon'ble Minister for Human Resource Development participated in the meeting.
16.1.9 The main theme of the Conference was "Education, Culture and Development : Coordinated Policies and Strategies". India was the Chairman of the 42nd Session of the ICE held in 1990. As the outgoing Chairman of the Conference Shri Arjun Singh, Minister for Human Resource Development, made the Inaugural Statement at the 43rd Session of the ICE on 14th September, 1992.
Executive Board of UNESCO 16.1.10 Shri N. Krishnan., Member, Executive Board of UNESCO attended the 139th and 140th Session of the Executive Board of UNESCO held at Paris from 18th to 27th May, 1992 and 12th to 31st October, 1992 respectively.
Contribution to UNESCO's Budget 16.1.11 Each Member State of UNESCO contributes to the UNESCO's Regular Budget for each biennium. India's share of contribution as per approved scale of contribution for 1990-1991 and 1992-1993 was fixed at 0.36% of the total budget of UNESCO. Accordingly, India made a contribution of Rs. 176 lakh for the year 1990 and Rs.198.34 lakh for the year 1991. Another sum of Rs.21.17 lakhs was also paid during December, 1991 to cover the exchange losses pertaining to the. unspent balances upto July, 1991 of the contribution accepted by UNESCO in Indian currency accruing due to currency fluctuations and two official devaluations of the rupee in July, 1991.
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Regional Symposium on UNESCO's Principal Regional Office for Asia
and the Pacific (PROAP) - Action Plan for 1992-93 16.1.12 Shri Anil, Bordia, the then Education Secretary participated in the Regional Symposium on Principal Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (PROAP) Action Plan for 1992-93 held in Bangkok (Thailand) from 20 to 25 February, 1992 to priorities areas of immediate concern in Education in Asia and the Pacific and to review the major developments and the Role of PROAP. The Symposium recommended that PROAP should concentrate on the following priority Areas :
1) Basic Education for All
2) Secondary, Technical and Vocational Higher Education and the World of Work
3) Planning and Management
4) Education for the Quality of Life.
Regional Consultation Meeting on the Asia and the Pacific
Programme of Educational Innovations for Development (APEID) 16.1.13 Shri R.K. Sinha, Additional Secretary, Department of Education attended the thirteenth Regional Consultation Meeting (RCM) on the Asia and Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) held in Jomtien (Thailand) from 22 to 25 June, 1992. The main objective of the Regional Consultation Meeting, among other things, was to make a comprehensive review of APEID including the effects/impact of APEID activities till now.
16.1.14 The most important issue which was discussed in the meeting was the Report of the Programme Preparation Mission on Regional Programme on Basic Education for the Fifth Cycle mounted by the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific of UNDP. A number of observations on specific aspects of the Mission Report were made by the meeting.
Meeting of Preparatory Committee of the Tenth Regional Conference
of National Commission for UNESCO in Asia and the Pacific 16.1.15 Shri S.R. Tayal, Director (UNESCO Division) in the Department of Education, attended the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the 10th Regional Conference of NATCOMS in Asia-Pacific Region, organised by the Australian National Commission for UNESCO from 29th June to 1st July, 1992 in Canberra, Australia. The PREPCOM prepared the draft agenda for the 10th Regional Conference, designated the National Commissions for preparing the working documents of the Conference, finalised the list of participants and the observers at the Conference and adopted its Rule of Procedure.
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Meeting of the Regional Coordination of Asia-Pacific Programme of
Education for All (APPEAL) 16.1.16 Shri R.K. Sinha, Additional Secretary, Department of Education participated in the Third Meeting for Regional Coordination of Asia Pacific Programmes of Education for All (APPEAL) which was held in Bangkok from July 23-27, 1992 to review the programme on Education for All at the Regional and National Level.
Asia and the Pacific Seminar on Educational Technology - 1992
(Tokyo Seminar 92) : New Information Technologies in Formal and Non-
Formal Education - Current Trends and Future Prospects 16.1.17 Shri Priyadarshi Thakur, Joint Secretary Department of Education participated in Asia and the Pacific Seminar on Educational Technology - 1992, New Information Technologies in Formal and Non Formal Education - Current Trends and Future Prospects, which was held in Tokyo from September 29 - October 7, 1992. Shri Priyadarshi Thakur was elected Chairperson for the entire duration of the 1992 Seminar.
Tenth Regional Conference of National commissions for UNESCO in
Asia and the Pacific 16.1.18 Shri S.V. Giri, Secretary, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development participated in the 10th Regional Conference of National Commissions for UNESCO in Asia and the Pacific held in Canberra (Australia) from 30 November to 4 December, 1992, and in the Preparatory Committee Meeting on 27 and 28 November, 1992 in Canberra. The main tasks of the meeting were (i) to discuss the action taken report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Ninth Regional Conference of National Commissions for UNESCO in Asia and the Pacific held in Beijing (China) and sub-Regional meetings of National Commissions for UNESCO held in Tehran (Iran), Auckland (Newzealand) and Kuala Lampur (Malaysia); (ii) to review the Preliminary Proposals by the Director General concerning the Draft Programme and Budget for 1994-1995; (iii) the role of the National Commissions for UNESCO in Asia and the Pacific in the process of Decentralisation and the Development of Regional Cooperation within the framework of UNESCO's activities in the Region; (iv) Contribution of National Commissions to follow-up action to the World Conference on Education for All and to the preparations for MINEDAP VI; and (v) the role of UNESCO and national commissions in the follow-up to UNCED, Rio de Janiero, held in June, 1992 concerning development of Environmental Education and promotion and development of Science-Education, etc.
Meeting of the Bureau of the international Scientific Committee for
the Preparation of the History of Civilisation of Central Asia 16.1.19 On the invitation of the Government of India, UNESCO, in collaboration with Indian Council of Historical Research
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organised a meeting of the Bureau of International Scientific Committee for the preparation of the History of Civilisation of Central Asia in New Delhi from 13-17 April, 1992. This meeting had a special significance for the project since India has contributed greatly in the past to the enrichment of the culture of this region. The meeting formulated recommendations for further implementation of UNESCO's programme on the preparation and publication of the History of civilisation of Central Asia.
Third Regional Advisory Group (RAG) Meeting of Asia and the Pacific
Information Network in Social Sciences (APINESS) 16.1.20 UNESCO's Principal Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Bangkok, in collaboration of Indian council of Social Sciences (APINESS) in New Delhi from 25 to 27 August, 1992. The objectives were to review the activities of APINESS both at the national and regional levels and discuss the ways and means to strengthen and promote the social science information network regionally as well as nationally. The meeting also considered the future programmes of APINESS and gave suggestions on UNESCO's future programmes and activities in the field of information and documentation services and networking.
Regional Seminar on Changing Vocational World : A Challenge to
Education 16.1.21 UNESCO Principal Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (PROAP), organised a Regional Seminar on Changing Vocational World: A Challenge to Education from 9 to 14 December, 1992 at New Delhi in co- operation with Indian National Commission for Co-operation with UNESCO and the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
Participation by India in other Conferences/Meetings/Workshops/
Working Groups sponosored by UNESCO 16.1.22 Indian Experts represented the Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development in the following workshops, training courses, seminars, working group meeting etc. sponsored by UNESCO or its Regional Offices :
1992 Planning meeting on Asian Pacific Joint Production Programme for material for Neo-Literates in Rural Areas held in Tokyo from 19-21 May 1992.
Expert Group Meeting for the Development of EFA monitoring and follow-up system held in Bangkok from 8-- 15 September, 1992.
Technical working Group Meeting on Income-Generating Continuing Education Programme held in Jomtien, Bangkok from 14-23 September, 1992.
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16. 1.23 In addition to the above mentioned meeting the Indian National Commission nominated experts to participate in about 28 national, regional, international meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc., convened by or under the auspices of UNESCO. During the year under review, the Commission also assisted placements of UNESCO's fellows for study visits to various institutions in India. The Commission also recommended the candidatures of eight Indian Nationals for various posts notified to the Commission by UNESCO, Paris.
Participation Programme of UNESCO 16.1.24 Under the participation programme, UNESCO provides financial assistance to various institutions and organisations of member States which are engaged in promotion of programmes and activities of UNESCO, for undertaking innovative projects which would contribute at the national, subregional and international levels to the implementation of the objectives of UNESCO. During the biennium 1992-1993, 27 projects were forwarded to UNESCO under participation programme, out of which 12 projects have been approved by UNESCO with a financial assistance of US $ 1,98,500.
Education for International Understanding, UNESCO Clubs and
Associated Schools 16.1.25 The UNESCO Clubs, constituted mainly in educational institutions, are voluntary bodies engaged in the promotion of aims and objectives of the organisation. The associated schools are educational institutions which are, directly linked with UNESCO secretariat for participation in the Associated Schools Project for undertaking activities relating to education for international understanding, cooperation and peace. On the recommendation of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO, 37 schools and teacher training institutions from India are enlisted with UNESCO under this project.
16.1.26 The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO is the national coordination agency for UNESCO Clubs and Associated Schools. There are about 250 UNESCO Clubs which are registered with INC. UNESCO Clubs and Associated Schools are provided with material and financial support for undertaking activities designed to promote the aims and objects of UNESCO such as celebration of international days and years, organisation of meetings, debates, contests to promote international understanding, cooperation and peace.
17th Photo Contest in Asia and the Pacific 16.1.27 The Indian National Commission for UNESCO has been extending its cooperation to the Asian Cultural Centre for UNESCO, (ACCU) Japan, in annual participation in the photo contests organised by the latter. For the 17th Photo Contest in Asia and the Pacific nine persons from. India have been selected for the award of prizes.
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International Literacy Prizes 16.1.28 UNESCO awarded the King Sejong Literacy Prize for the year 1992 to the Puduvai Arivoli Iyakkam (Movement for Light of Knowledge) of Pondicherry for having meticulously planned and conducted literacy and post-literacy campaigns in Pondicherry. The award ceremony took place at EXPO 92 in Seville (Spain) on 8th September, 1992. The representative of Puduvai Arivoli Iyakkam received the award at the ceremony.
UNESCO Coupons Programme 16.1.29 The Commission continued to operate the UNESCO International Coupons Scheme designed to assist individuals and institutions working in the fields of Education, Science, Culture and Communication to import their bonafide requirements of educational, publications, scientific equipment, educational films, etc., from abroad without undergoing the foreign exchange and import control formalities. The total sale of UNESCO coupons amounted to US $ 13,500.
Publication of Indian Language Editions of UNESCO Courier 16.1.30 Courier is an educational and cultural periodical brought out by UNESCO. The Indian National Commission continued to support publication of its Hindi and Tamil editions with the assistance of UNESCO subvention. The language versions enjoy a wide circulation amongst educational institutions, libraries, UNESCO Clubs, Associated Schools and the Public at large.
scheme of Financial Assistance to Voluntary Bodies, UNESCO Clubs
and Associated Schools 16.1.31 The Commission is operating a scheme of financial assistance to voluntary organisations, UNESCO Clubs and Associated Schools for undertaking activities aimed at the promotion of ideals and objectives of UNESCO. During the year under review, grant-in-aid worth Rs.22,000/- has been sanctioned so far to the different bodies.
UNESCO-UNICEF Initiative to promote Education for All in the
largest developing countries 16.1.32 The Director-General of UNESCO and the Executive Director of UNICEF have taken an inter-agency initiative for EFA focussing on the nine most populous, developing countries which together, account for 75% of the total illiterates in the world. The nine countries are India, China, Egypt, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangaladesh and Pakistan. The objectives of the initiative are:-