INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Cooperation between India and Unesco 16.1.0 As one of the founding members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, India has consistently endeavoured to promote the aims and objectives of the Organisation. The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco, which was established in 1949 by the Government of India in compliance with Article VII of the Constitution of Unesco, has been playing an effective role as an advisory, executive, information and liaison body at the national level and also collaborating with the National Commissions of Asia and the Pacific Region and with Unesco's Regional Office and Centres for implementation of Unesco's programmes and activities in all the areas of its competence.
16.2.0 As a founder remember of Unesco's major regional programme of Educational Innovation for Development for Asia and the Pacific (APEID), which was launched in 1974, India has actively participated in APEID activities. A National Development Group has been established under this programme which acts as an identifier, stimulator and coordinator at national level of educational innovation for development within the country. The National Council of Educational Research and Training facilitates dissemination of information about activities of APEID, innovative experiences at the regional level and making outcomes of regional cooperation within APEID known widely in the country.
16.3.0 Another significant activity to which India has extended its full support and cooperation to Unesco is the Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL) which was launched from New Delhi by Unesco in 1987. With a view to giving further fillip to this Programme and to work out measures to eradicate illiteracy by the year 2000, a Regional Working Group meeting on International Literacy Year under APPEAL was organised in collaboration with Unesco's Principal Office for Asia and the Pacific, in New Delhi from October 11-14, 1988, which was attended by high level officials and planners from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal and Pakistan. India also organised a Sub-Regional Symposium to promote activities in Unesco's field of competence for Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC) in South Asia which was held in New Delhi from December 5-9, 1988. India participated in the Eleventh Regional Consultation meeting of APEID in August, 1988 in Bangkok and in the Ninth Regional Conference of Unesco National Commissions in Asia and the Pacific held in Beijing from September 22-27, 1988.
16.4.0 India actively collaborated with Unesco and its Regional Offices in the implementation of its activities by arranging participation of Indian experts and institutions in various workshops and symposia, arranging placements of Unesco fellows in Indian Institutions and laboratories and implementing projects under the Participation Programme of Unesco. It also continued to operate Unesco Coupons Scheme and publication of Hindi and Tamil editions of Unesco Courier and the Newsletter. A brief resume of activities undertaken during the year is given below:
Thirty-fourth Session of the Editorial Board of International Review
of Education and Fortieth Session of the Governing Board of Unesco
Institute of Education, Hamburg. 16.5.0 As a member of the Governing Board of the
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Institute, Shri Kireet Joshi, formerly Special Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Education, participated in the 34th Session of the Editorial Board of the International Review of Education (May 2,1988); and the 40th Session of the Editorial Board of the Unesco Institute for Education (May 3-5, 1988) held in Hamburg where Unesco's Third Medium Term Plan was also discussed. In the Consultation meeting held on May 6-7, 1988, the members considered various aspects of the research priorities and action in education that Unesco could undertake during the Third Medium Term Plan.
Regional Consultation on the Third Medium Term Plan of Unesco,
Pattaya, Bangkok, May 12-14,1988 16.6.0 Shri S. Gopalan, Additional Secretary, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, participated in the Regional Consultation on Third Medium Term Plan of Unesco held in Pattaya, Thailand from May 12-14, 1988. During the deliberations of the meeting it was emphasised that the activities relating to reflection on world problems and future-oriented studies should be given adequate importance on account of the intellectual mission of the Organisation and that there should be rational balance between operational and intellectual activities. In the deliberations, India's representative laid considerable stress on the advancement of the cause of peace and human rights through the process of education. It was urged that activities related to peace and human rights should find an important place in the Third Medium Term Plan by undertaking and encouraging activities aimed at eliminating apartheid, all forms of prejudice, intolerance, racism and discrimination as also educational programmes promoting international understanding, human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Meeting of the Sub-Commission on Communication of the Indian National
Commission for Unesco 16.7.0 The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco convened a meeting of its Sub-Commission on Communication on 12th July, 1988 in New Delhi, under the Chairmanship of Shri G. Parthasarthi, to consider the Draft World Communication Report. The Sub-Commission made various recommendations on international com- munication issues.
Meeting of the National Coordination Committee of Asia-Pacific
Programme of Education for All and International Literacy Year 16.8.0 In view of the significance of Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL) and the International Literacy Year (ILY), a National Coordination Committee on APPEAL and ILY has been set up for policy planning, stimulation of public awareness and dissemination of information and experiences including monitoring and evaluation of implementation of these programmes. The first meeting of the National Coordination Committee was held in New Delhi on July 20, 1988 to consider strategies for the International Literacy Year and launching motivational campaigns for literacy programmes especially for women.
Eleventh Regional Consultation Meeting on Asia and Pacific Programme
of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) 16.9.0 Shri Anil Bordia, Education Secretary, participated in the Eleventh Regional Consultation Meeting on Asia and the Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development (APEID) organised by Unesco in Bangkok from August 2-9, 1988. The meeting reviewed the progress of APEID during the period January-June, 1988, studied emerging trends and developments of education and current implications for education's future in the Member States participating in APEID. It also discussed new thrusts for improving and enhancing the quality and efficiency of education through innovation and considered new approaches for strengthening the APEID network and its methods of cooperation.
Ninth Regional Conference of Unesco National Commissions in Asia and
the Pacific 16.10.0 Shri Anil Bordia, Education Secretary, participated in the Ninth Regional Conference of Unesco National Commissions in Asia and the Pacific held in Beijing from September 22-27, 1988. The Conference exchanged views on Unesco's Third Medium Term Plan and on the activities to be undertaken in the World Decade for Cultural Development. It also discussed the measures and activities to be taken in preparing the International Literacy Year, implementing APPEAL programmes and reviewed the role of National Commissions and regional cooperation among them.
Meeting of the Regional Working Group on International Literacy Year 16.11.0 Indian National Commission for Coopera-
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tion with Unesco in collaboration with Unesco's Principal Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok convened a meeting of the Regional Working Group on International Literacy Year in New Delhi from October 11-14, 1988. The working group comprised mainly of high- level officials and policy makers from Asia and the Pacific countries which have substantial problems of illiteracy. Participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal and Pakistan and representatives of international organisations such as UNDP, UNICEF and World Bank attended the meeting which was inaugurated by Shri L.P. Shahi, Minister of State for Education and Culture. The Working Group examined the effectiveness of various approaches and strategies to eradicate illiteracy especially among girls, women and disadvantaged population. The Working Group also considered in detail the measures which should be taken with a view to eradicating illiteracy by the year 2000 and how international organisations could provide help to the countries of the region, individually and collectively, in this direction.
Sub-Regional Symposium to Promote TCDC in South Asia 16.12.0 Unesco Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific, in collaboration with Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco, organised a sub-regional symposium to promote activities for technical cooperation among developing countries in South Asia in Unesco's areas of competence viz., Education, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Culture and Communication. The symposium was hosted in New Delhi from December 5-9, 1988. Delegates from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka attended the symposium. Besides, representatives of Asian Mass Communication Research and Information Centre (AMIC), Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), UNESCO. UNDP and ESCAP also participated as observers. The symposium reviewed activities in member countries of South Asian region with reference to TCDC experience of other regional institutions. It also identified needs, available facilities and areas of possible collaboration with a view to recommending most suitable modalities of execution with identified possible source of funding.
Participation Programme of Unesco 16.13.1 Under the Participation Programme, Unesco provides financial assistance to various institutions and organisations of the Member States who are engaged in the promotion of programmes and activities of Unesco, for undertaking innovative projects which would contribute at the national, subregional, regional and international levels to the implementation of the objectives defined by the General Conference of Unesco. During the biennium 1988-1989, Unesco has approved 13 projects with a financial assistance of US$ 1,12,000.
16.13.2 In order to associate itself with the centenary celebration of Shri Jawaharlal Nehru. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Unesco has approved, under the Participation Programme, the organisation of (i) symposium on `Jawaharlal Nehru Liberation Movement in Asia and Africa and the World' by Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum and Library; (ii) International Seminar on `Dr. S. Radhakrishnan's contribution to Philosophy, a Critical Appraisal' by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research; and (iii) symposium on 'Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and movements of Reforms within Islam in the 20th Century' by Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
Unesco Clubs Movement 16.14.0 The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco is associated with this project right from its inception and has been actively involved in encouraging the establishment and strengthening of the Unesco Clubs in all parts of the country. There are about 250 Unesco Clubs registered with the Commission at present which are being provided with material and financial help in organising activities designed to promote the aims and objects of Unesco.
Education for International Understanding-Unesco Associated Schools
Project 16.15.0 This project aims at promoting the general development of education for international understanding through widespread network of institutions. There are at present 36 institutions in India which are participating in this project and are directly linked with Unesco Secretariat for material and intellectual support required in organising various programmes and activities in furtherance of its objectives. With a view to enabling the Heads and Co-ordinators of Associated Schools in the country to exchange their experiences and to consider measures for more effective implementation of the project, the Indian National Commission in collaboration with the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, New Delhi organised a Workshop of the Co- ordinators of the Associated
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Schools in the Kendriya Vidyalayas at Shimla from May 9-11, 1988. At this Workshop, the participants discussed various aspects of the Associated Schools Project, its objectives, main themes of study, relevant activities and operational mechanism. The Workshop deliberated in detail about the measures which would help in the promotion of international understanding, cooperation and peace.
Unesco Coupons Programme 16.16.0 The Commission continued to operate the Unesco International Coupons Scheme designed to assist Institutions and individuals 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 during 1988-89 amounts to about Rs. 7,35,000/-.
Publication of INC `Newsletter' 16.17.0 For the purpose of dissemination of information about the programmes and activities of Unesco and those of the Indian National Commission, a half-yearly Newsletter is brought out by the National Commission. The Newsletter is widely circulated in India and abroad.
Publication of Indian language editions of Unesco Courier 16.18.0 Courier' is an Outstanding educational and cultural periodical of the world which is brought out by Unesco. The Indian National Commission continued to bring out its Hindi and Tamil editions. 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 16.19.0 The Commission is operating a scheme of financial assistance to voluntary organisations. Unesco Clubs and Associated Schools for undertaking various innovative activities/projects aimed at the promotion of the ideals and objectives of Unesco. During the year under review, grant-in-aid worth Rs. 12,000 were sanctioned to the various organisations, Unesco Clubs, etc.
Participation by India in other conferences/meetings sponsored by
Unesco 16.20.1 Indian experts represented the Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development in the following Workshops, Training Courses and Seminars etc. sponsored by Unesco or its Regional Offices:-
- Regional Workshop on Role of Microcomputers with Educational Management Information System which was held in Bangkok from 22nd June to 1st July, 1988.
- Training Course for Promotion of Reading Habits and Book Development (21st Training Course on Book Produc- tion in Asia and Pacific) which was held in Tokyo from 13th to 31st October, 1988.
- Regional Workshop on Equality of Educational Opportunity for the Disadvantaged Population Groups held in Beijing from 18th to 27th October, 1988.
- First meeting for Regional Coordinators of Asia Pacific Programme of Education 'for All held in Bangkok from 14th to 18th November, 1988.
16.20.2 In addition to the above mentioned meetings, the Indian National Commission nominated experts to participate in about 34 national, regional, international meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. convened by or under the auspices of Unesco. During the year under review, the Commission also arranged the placements of a number of Unesco fellows and organised study visits to various institutions in India.