INDIAN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR COOPERATION WITH UNESCO
Co-operation Between India India is one of the founder members of the United Nations Educational,
and Unesco Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) which was established with
headquarters in Paris in November, 1946. During the period under report,
the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco perform-
ed its role not only as a coordinating agency at the national level but also
collaborated with the other National Commissions of Asia and the Pacific
region and with Unesco's Regional Offices in New Delhi, Bangkok, Jakarta,
Karachi and other places in fostering regional and sub-regional co-
operation and for bringing about better understanding of Unesco projects
and activities.
The following account gives a brief resume of the activities of the
Commission undertaken during 'the period under review.
Fifth Regional Conference of Unesco Regional Office for Education in Asia and the Pacific organised
Ministers of Education the Fifth Regional Conference of Ministers of Education and those, res-
ponsible for Economic Planning in Asia and the Pacific (MINEDAP-V)
at Bangkok in March, 1985. The main objectives of the conference was
to consider the priority goals of educational development in the region, the
ways and means of attaining the goals of literacy for adults and universili-
zation of primary education in the context of the renewal of education in
relation to development needs and education for international understanding.
The Conference was attended by a high-powered six-member delegation
headed by the former Minister of Education, Shri K. C. Pant.
Third Session of the The third session of the Advisory Committee on Regional Cooperation,
Advisory Committee on organised by the Unesco, Regional Office for Education in Asia and the
Regional Cooperation Pacific, Bangkok, immediately following the Regional Conference was
attended from India by Shri Anand Sarup, Education Secretary. The main
purpose of the meeting was to advise the Director-General of Unesco on
Unesco's Programme in Education for the biennium 1986-87 in the
light of the recommendations of MINEDAP-V.
Prime Ministers At the invitation of the Director-General of Unesco, the Prime Minister
Visit to UNESCO of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, paid an official visit to Unesco Headquarters in
Paris on June 7, 1985 and addressed, among others, the members of the
Executive Board of Unesco and officials in its Secretariat. With reference
to actual withdrawal and notice of withdrawal from Unesco, by few Mem-
ber States, the Prime Minister appealed to all nations, who cared for a
saner and equitable world order, to come to the help of Unesco in its
hour of trial.' The assured that India would support any constructive effort
which would resolve Unesco's dilemma. He further stated that to turn
away from Unesco was to turn away from universal cooperation and to
reject the democracy of international relations in world bodies.
Meetings of the Sub- The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco, conven-
commissions and the ed meetings of its five Sub-Commissions in July, 1985. The purpose
Eighteenth Session of of the meetings was to examine Unesco's Draft Programme and Budget
the Indian National (Document 23 C/5) for the biennium 1986-1987 and to formulate India's
Commission stand in respect of this document.
The meetings of the Sub-Commissions were followed by the Eighteenth
Session of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco
which was held in New Delhi on, September 21, 1985, under the
81
chairmanship of the then Union Education Minister and President of the
Commission. The main purpose, of the meeting was to consider Unesco's
Draft Programme and Budget for the biennium 1986-1987- In addition,
it also considered the draft resolutions to be moved by India at the Twenty-
third session of the General Conference of Unesco held in Sofia (Bulgaria)
in October-November, 1985. The Conference was attended by 50 eminent
personalities and experts in the fields of education, social sciences, natural
sciences, culture, and communication who are members of the Indian
National Commission.
Twenty-third Session of A high-powered delegation led by Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao, Minister
the General Conference for Human Resource Development, attended the, 23rd session of the
of UNESCO General Conference of Unesco, held at Sofia (Bulgaria) from 8th October
to 9th November, 1985. The delegation included Sardar Swaran Singh as
the alternate, leader, Smt, Sushila Rohatgi, Minister of State for Education
and Culture, Smt. Margaret Alva, Minister of State for Youth Affairs,
Sports and Women's Welfare, Shri T. N. Kaul, Member, Executive Board
of Unesco, Shri Anand Sarup, Secretary Department of Education, Ministry
Of Human Resource Development, Dr. Karan Singh, Prof. N.C. Prashar,
Member of Parliament Shri Kireet Joshi, Special Secretary, Department of
Education, Shri Inam Rahman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative
of India to Unesco and the Indian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Shri Sham
Sunder Nath. The main agenda of the Conference was to consider and
adopt the Draft Programme and Budget of Unesco for 1986-1987. The
leader of the delegation was elected as one of the Vice-Presidents of the,
General Conference. India was, also elected as Chairman of the Drafting
and Negotiating Group of the Conference. In addition, India was elected
as member of the following committees/intergovernmental bodies
1. Legal Commit tee.
2. Headquarters Committee.
3. intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for
the Development of Communication (IPDC).
4. Committee responsible for coordinating the Intergovernmental
Informatics Programme.
Besides, India was elected as a member of the World Heritage Com-
mittee at the Fifth General Assembly of State Parties to the Convention
concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which
took place on 4th November, 1985.
Apart from the active participation of the Indian delegation in the dis-
cussions held in the plenary sessions, Programme Commissions and Adminis-
trative Commission, the Indian delegation submitted eight Draft Amend-
ments and Resolutions to emphasise the point of view of developing countries
and to highlight certain priorities and programmes for Unesco's work.
Executive Board of Shri T. N. Kaul, India's representative on Unesco's Executive Board,
Unesco participated in its 121st, 122nd and 123rd Sessions held during the year.
Shri Kaul was also elected a member of the Temporary Committee
constituted to advise the Director-General on the ways and means for
improving the functioning of the Organisation. The term of Shri T. N. Kaul
as member of the, Executive Board of UNESCO expired at the close of the
23rd Session of General Conference of Unesco.
India's candidate, Sardar Swaran Singh was elected as member of the
Executive Board of Unesco in the election held on October 19, 1985, in
Sofia. He attended the, first meeting of the reconstituted Executive Board
of Unesco held in Sofia from November 13-14, 1985.
Contribution to As one of the Member-States of Unesco, India has been contributing
Unesco's Budget regularly towards its budget. The share of contribution of each member
State is-fixed by the General Conference of Unesco which is normally held
every alternate year. For the years 1984-1985, the Twenty-second Session
of the, General Conference of Unesco held in October-November, 1983,
82
fixed India's share of contribution as 0.36% of Unesco's over-all budget.
At this rate, India's contribution for 1984 and 1985 amounted to US
$ 6,20,460 per annum. which is equivalent to Rs. 78,80,000/- approx. This
amount has already been paid.
In view of the financial constraints encountered by the Organisation due
to withdrawal of a Member-State and as a token of its support, India also
surrendered an amount of US, $ 407,245 which had accrued as surplus
from India's contribution to Unesco budget for the triennium 1981-1983,
due to fluctuation in value of US dollar.
Unesco Participation Under its Participation Programme, Unesco authorises, the Director-
Programme General to participate in the activities of the Member States at national level
and at the sub-regional, regional or inter-regional level. The Participa-
tion Programme enables Member States to benefit from Unesco's assis-
tance for activities undertaken on their own initiative within the fields
specified, by the General Conference with a view to attaining the objective
it has laid down. Out of 20 projects submitted by India under the Parti-
cipation Programme for the 1984-85 biennium, 12 projects have been
approved for Unesco assistance during the period. The total quantum of
financial assistance received from Unesco for these projects comes to US
$ 1,42,000. Five projects have been implemented during 1985.
Unesco Clubs Since the inception of Unesco Clubs Movement, India has been taking
great interest in it. After Japan, India is having the largest number of
Unesco Clubs in Asia. The Indian National Commission continued to
supply publication and other materials of interest to these clubs, special
kits are being sent to enable them to celebrate such events as UN Day,
Human Rights Day, etc.
Unesco coupons In order to ensure free flow of information, Unesco has devised Inter-
national Coupons Scheme to assist individuals and institutions working in
the fields of education, science and culture, to import their bonafide re-
quirements of books, educational materials, scientific equipment and
educational films from abroad without undergoing foreign exchange and
import control procedures. The Indian National Commission for Co-
operation with Unesco has been functioning as the distributing agency for
the, sale of Unesco coupons in India. The total sale of Unesco Coupons
during 1985-86 will amount to Rs. 1,50,000 approximately.
Unesco Courier The Indian National Commission, in collaboration with Unesco, is
bringing out Hindi and Tamil editions of Unesco monthly magazine
entitled 'Courier' which, is the most outstanding educational and cultural
periodical of the world. The present number of each language issue is
3,000, copies which are distributed widely amongst school and college
students and teachers in, India and other interested in Unesco's activities.
Newsletter The Indian National Commission has been bringing out regularly, the
quarterly journal 'Newsletter' in English. Since 1984, the Commission
has also started the publication of this bulletin in Hindi version. About
2000 copies in each version are produced which are distributed to various
non-governmental organisations in India and abroad who are connected
with the programmes and activities of Unesco. Tis journal contains in-
formation about the activities and programmes of Unesco as well as activi-
ties of the Commission undertaken during the quarter.
Associated Schools Project The Indian National Commission participates in Unesco's Associated
Schools Project which promotes understanding of the aims and activities
of Unesco among the people, of India. The Secretariat of the Commission
continued to sanction grant-in-aid to voluntary organisations in spreading
the message of Unesco.
Indian National Commission's The Indian National Commission has prepared an expanded pro-
Expanded Programme under gramme in India as distinct from the programme operated by Unesco but
the Associated Projects based on similar lines, to cover a large number of schools and teacher
training institutions in the country. The number of institutions at present
is 738. Since the programme is of vital importance for India and the
world, more schools are being brought within its fold.
83
Strengthening of the In order to enable the Indian National Commission for Unesco, to dis-
Indian National Commission charge its functions and responsibilities in an adequate manner, a plan
scheme for strengthening the activities of the Commission has been
approved by the Planning Commission. A provision of Rs. 5 lakhs has
been included in the budget estimates 1985-86.
Participation in other Seventh Meeting of Experts on Regional Cooperation in Unesco Cul-
Conferences/Meetings tural Activities in Asia and the Pacific was held at Tokyo, Japan from
Sponsored by Unesco March 14-18, 1985. Shri D. S. Misra, Joint Secretary, Department of
Education, was deputed to attend the meeting. He was elected Vice-
Chairman of the. meeting.
Mr. John Joshua, Assistant Educational Advisor, Department of
Education, was deputed to participate in Unesco's Sub-regional Seminar
on Book Design held in Karachi, Pakistan, from April 29 to May 5, 1985.
Shri Kireet Joshi, Special Secretary, Department of Education, parti-
cipated in the 31st Session of the, Editorial Board of the International
Review of Education and 37th Session of the Governing Board of the
Unesco Institute for Education held in Hamburg on May 20, 1985 and
on May 21-23, 1985, respectively.
In addition to the above-mentioned meetings, the Indian National
Commission nominated experts to participate in about 52 national, regio-
nal, international meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences etc., con-
vened by or under the auspices of Unesco.
Visitors from Abroad A number of visitors from various countries, Unesco Regional Offices,
National Commissions, visited India during 1985-86. The important
visitors included Mr. Armoogum Parsuraman, Mauritius Minister of Art
and Culture who paid a visit to India, from September 19-25, 1985 and
Mr. Wim J. Deetman, Netherlands Minister of Education and Science
from November 3-9, 1985.
The World Heritage Under the provision of the convention concerning the protection of
Committee the, World Cultural and Natural Heritage, a committee called the World
Heritage Committee, comprising 21 state parties to the convention has
been constituted. The main responsibilities of the Committee are to identify
those natural and cultural sites which are protected under the World Heri-
tage Convention by inscribing them on the World Heritage, list to make
the sites known throughout the world and to provide technical cooperation
to states for safe-guarding of World Heritage sites from the World Heritage
Fund.
The election to the World Heritage Committee was held during the fifth
Session of the General Assembly of the State parties in November, 1985.
India has been elected as one of the members of the Committee.
Following six cultural monuments from India have so far been approved
for inscription on the World Heritage list :
(1) Taj Mahal
(2) Ajanta Caves
(3) Ellora Caves
(4) Agra Fort
(5) Sun Temple at Konarak
(6) Monuments of Mahabalipuram.
Following three natural sites have also been considered by the World
Heritage Committee for inscription on the list :
(1) Kaziranga National Park
(2) Keoladeo, National Park
(3) Manas Wild Life Sanctuary.