UNESCO AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
16.1.1 Since the inception of United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) , India has been in the forefront in promoting the ideal and objectives of the Organisation. The Indian National Commission for cooperation with UNESCO (INC) set up in 1949 in compliance with Article 7 of the Constitution of UNESCO, is the APEX advisory, executive, liaison, information and the 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 collaborating with National Commissions of Asia and Pacific region.
16.1.2 During the year, India extended its cooperation to UNESCO and its Regional Offices through participation in numerous workshops, symposia and conferences, organising national, regional and inter- regional activities in India in areas of competence of UNESCO, arranging placement of UNESCO fellows in Indian Institutions, implementing 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 Innovation for Development
(APEID) 16.2.0 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. At national level, a National Development Group (NDG) for APEID in India has been set up which functions as an identifier, stimulator and coordinator of activities of educational innovations for development within the country. The NDG, which is headed by Secretary, Department of Education, comprises representatives of concerned Ministries and Departments and pioneering institutions engaged in educational research. On the lines of NDG, State Development Groups (SDGs) have also been established in States and Union Territories which function in close collaboration with the NDG. The NCERT, one of the principal associate centres of APEID, acts as the secretariat of NDG and facilitates dissemination of information about APEID activities, innovative experiences at the regional level and making outcomes of the regional cooperation within APEID known widely in the country.
Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL) 16.3.1 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. With an orverriding concern to wipe out illiteracy from the face of the earth by the year 2000, UNESCO
204
designated 1990 as the International Literacy Year (ILY) to focus global attention on the need to initiate, promote and consolidate measures for eradication of illiteracy completely by the year 2000. A World Conference on Education for All was also held in Jomtien, Thailand in March, 1990. The high level National coordination Committee, set up by India to coordinate activities under APPEAL and EFA, met on September 6, 1991 under the Chairmanship of Education Secretary.
16.3.2 The Sixth Meeting of the National Coordination Committee on APPEAL and EFA took note of the programmes launched in the fields of adult education and literacy, elementary education and universalisation of primary education. The Committee was also apprised of the components of strategy for universalisation of primary education which had emerged after an evaluative study of the projects. The Committee made a number of recommendations particularly with regard to universalisation of primary education.
Twenty-first Session of the Indian National Commission for
Cooperation with UNESCO (NC) 16.4.0 The Twenty-first Session of the INC was held on July 22, 1991 under the Chairmanship of Shri Arjun Singh, Minister for Human Resource Development. The Session of the National Commission was preceded by the meetings of the Sub-commissions on Education, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Culture and Communication. The principal matters which were discussed related to the Draft Programme and Budget of the UNESCO for 1992-93. The Session gave a detailed consideration to the recommendations made by the Sub-Commissions on the Draft Programme of UNESCO for evolving a national perspective and strategic approach to the issues which were to come up for consideration at the 26th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO. At the XXI Session, Draft Resolutions to be moved at the General Conference were approved and guidelines were laid down on the national stand which the Indian Delegation should take on matters or issues to be raised in the 26th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO.
Twenty-sixth Session of the General Conference of UNESCO, Paris 16.5.1 Twenty-sixth Session of the General Conference of UNESCO was held at Paris from 15th October to 7th November, 1991. The programme and budget of the UNESCO for the biennium 1992-1993 were approved in this Conference.
16.5.2 The Indian delegation to the conference was led by Shri Arjun Singh, Minister for Human Resource Development and consisted nine other delegates. He delivered a statement in Hindi in the Plenary Session on 18th October, 1991. This was for the first time that the leader of the Indian delegation addressed the General Conference in Hindi.
205
205 A
16.5.3 In his statement the Minister of Human Resource Development (HRM) highlighted the need for the entire UN system, including UNESCO, to equip itself to deal with new challenges ahead. He said that the new era of global interdependence required the culture of multilateralism and democracy. The HRM emphasised that the 26th General Conference was grappling seriously to improve the programme delivery of UNESCO through structural reforms. He welcomed the new Member-States of UNESCOO- Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Tuvalu. He also offered India's full cooperation to the proposed International Commission on Education in the 21st Century.
16.5.4 The Indian delegation played a leading role in the meetings of the various Commissions of the General Conference. HRM had detailed discussions with Dr. Federico Mayor, the Director General of UNESCO and with the leaders of the several other delegations. There was a general desire among other countries to further cement bilateral relations with India and cooperate with India in implementing the policies and programmes of UNESCO.
16.5.5 During the Conference India was also elected/re-elected to the following Inter-governmental bodies of the UNESCO.
1. Inter-governmental Committee (IGC) to the World Decade for Cultural Development (WDCD).
2. IGC for International Programme of Man and Biosphere (MAB)
3. IGC for General Information Programme (GIP)
4. Headquarters Committee of UNESCO.
16.5.6 India was also earlier re-elected to the International Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
Thirty-fourth Session of the Council of the International Bureau of
Education 16.6.0 Thirty-fourth Session of the Council of the International Bureau of Education, Geneva was held on 14-16 January, 1991. This Session was presided by Shri Anil Bordia, Education Secretary as Chairman of the Council.
Sub-Regional Workshop for the Conduct of Skills-based Literacy
Training for women and Girls 16.7.0 UNESCO's Principal Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, in collaboration with Kerala Sakshratha Samithi, Trivandrum and the INC organised a sub-regional workshop for the conduct of Skills-based Literacy Training for Women and Girls in Thiruvananthapuram from 4 to 16 February, 1991., The objectives of the Workshop were (a) to familiarize the participants with the principles of curriculum development based on the ATLP (APPEAL
206
Training Materials for Literacy Personnel) and (b) to provide some hands-on experience in developing curricula for Skills-based Literacy Programme for Women and Girls.
Tenth Meeting of Experts on Regional Cooperation in UNESCO Cultural
Activities in Asia and the Pacific 16.8.0 The Tenth Meeting of Experts of Experts on Regional Cooperation in UNESCO Cultural Activities in Asia and the pacific was held in Tokyo from 15 to 19 March, 1991. This meeting was attended by Dr. R.V. Vaidyanatha Ayyar, Joint Secretary, Department of Education. The meeting discussed the programme and activities of regional cooperation in the fields of culture, book development and literacy in Asia and the Pacific countries.
Sixth Session of the Advisory Committee on Regional Cooperation in
Education in Asia and the Pacific in Chiang Mai, Thailand 16.9.1. The Sixth Session of the Advisory Committee on Regional Cooperation in Education for Asia and the Pacific was held from 6th to 10th May, 1991. Shri R. K. Sinha, Additional Secretary, Department of Education attended the meeting.
16.9.2 The main theme of the Session was to identify priority areas for future action of UNESCO to support Member-States in (i) promoting education in accordance with the World Declaration on Education for All and Framework for Action to Meet Basic Learning Needs adopted by the World Conference on Education to cope up with the needs emerging from social, economic, scientific, to cope up with the needs emerging form social, economic, scientific, technological and cultural changes at the threshold of the 21st century.
Regional Workshop on Evaluation, Review and Improved Interaction
between Education and Productive Work. 16.10.0 A Regional Workshop on Evaluation, Review and Improved Interaction between Education and Productive work was organised by National Council of Educational Research and Training at the Regional College of Education, Mysore from 21 to 29 May, 1991. The objectives of the Workshops were inter alia to formulate organisational modalities for effective curriculum implementation and to develop strategies and methodologies to introduce appropriate educational technologies to teaching and learning process.
Population Education Technical Exchange Programme in South Asian
Countries 16.11.0 UNESCO'S Population Education Technical Exchange Programme in South Asian Countries was organised at the National Council for Educational Research and Training, New Delhi from 25 August to 5 September, 1991. Participants from Bangaladesh, Pakistan,Nepal, Bhutan, Iran, Maldives, Srilanka and India took part in the activity. The participants visited different Organisations engaged in planning and implementing population
207
education programmes as a component of literacy, primary and women education programmes. The visiting experts shared their experiences in respect of development of the Inter-Institutional Inter-country Network Mechanism for Exchange of Materials and Expertise in Population Education.
Training Workshop in Environmental Education for Elementary Teacher
Educators for South Asian Countries 16.12.0 The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi organised a UNESCO sponsored Training Workshop in Environmental Education for Elementary Teacher Educators for South Asian Countries in New Delhi on September 2-13, 1991. The objectives of the Training Workshop were, inter alia, to develop increased awareness and sensitivity to the environment and its associated problems; and develop skills in the modes of integration of environmental education concepts at elementary level.
Group Training Course in Population Education for South Asia Sub-
Region 16.13.0 Rajasthan University, Jaipur, arranged a Group Training Course in Population Education for South Asian Sub-Region from 11 November to 6 December, 1991. The objectives of the training course were, inter alia, to develop appropriate skills in the modes of integration of relevant concepts of population education/family welfare education into literacy, primary education and women education programmes.
Sub-Regional Workshop on the Role of Women Teachers for promotion
of Primary Education for Girls in Bombay on November 25-29, 1991 16.14.0 The Indian Institute of Education, Pune organised a Sub- Regional Workshop on the Role of Women Teachers for Promotion of Primary Education for Girls in Bombay on 25-29 November, 1991. The objectives of the Workshop were to study the effects and impacts of women teachers in the promotion of primary education for girls particularly in rural areas; to identify gaps and deficiencies in the preparation of women teachers for primary schools especially for rural area; and to prepare plans of action on how education and training of women primary school teachers may be improved.
First Meeting of the International Consultative Forum of Education
for All 16.15.0 Shri Anil Bordia, Education Secretary participated in the First Meeting of the International Consultative forum on Education For All which was held on 4-6 December, 1991 at Paris on the invitation of the Director-General of UNESCO. The Forum discussed measures for following up the recommendations of the World Conference on EFA in 1990.
208
Regional Seminar in Asia on Ways to Incorporate Women's Concerns
into Human Resource Development 16.16.0 A Regional Seminar in Asia on Ways to Incorporate women's concerns into Human Resource Development was organised by M.A. Singamma Sreenivasan Foundation, Bangalore on 10-13 December, 1991 in Bangalore. The theme of the Seminar was to discuss the importance of the information sector as crucial economic and scoial contribution of women to develop and to sensitize planners to this issue.
16.17.0 In addition to the above mentioned meetings the Indian National Commission nominated experts to participate in about 24 national, regional, international meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences etc. convened by or under the auspices of UNESCO. During the year under review, the Commission also continued to arrange placements of UNESCO's fellows including study visits to various institutions in India.
Participation by Indian in other Conferences/Meetings/Working Group
sponsored by UNESCO 16.18.0 Indian exports represented the Department of Education, in the following workshops, training courses,, seminars, working group meetings etc. sponsored by UNESCO or its Regional Offices
- Sub-regional Consultation of South and Central Asian Commissions for UNESCO held in Tehran, Iran on 4-8 May, 1991.
- Regional Workshop for the Integration of Population Education in APPEAL held in Islamabad on 13- 31, May 1991.
- Regional Meeting on the, Promotion of Humanistics, Ethical and Cultural Values in Education held in Tokyo, Japan on 12-27 June, 1991.
- Planning Meeting for the Promotion of Primary Education for Girls and Disadvantaged Groups held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 30 July to 8 August, 1991.
- Sub-Regional Meeting of National Commission in the Asia and Pacific held in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia on 23-26 September, 1991.
- Asia and the Pacific Seminar on Educational Technology 1991- Strategies and Issues on Pre-and In- service Training of Teachers and Personnel in Educational Technology.
- 1991 Seminar on Education for All, Enhancing Learning Achievement of Children in Primary schools in Rural Areas and Difficult Education Contexts held in Hiroshima (Japan) on 9-21 September, 1991.
209
- Workshop on Education Facing Crisis of Values held in Budapest, Hungary on 10-13 October, 1991.
- Regional Workshop for the Conduct of Skills Based Literacy Training for Women and Girls held in Thailand on 11-30 November, 1991.
- Regional Experts Workshop on "Development of Strategies and Methods of Teaching values in the context of science and Technology" held in Penang, Malaysia on 18-29 November, 1991.
Contribution to UNESCO's Budget 16.19.0 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 was fixed at 0.36 per cent of the total budget of UNESCO for the biennium. Accordingly, India made a contribution of Rs. 176 lakh to UNESCO for the year 1990 and Rs.198.34 lakh have already been contributed for 1991. Another sum of about Rs.22.00 lakh is likely to be paid to UNESCO which has accrued on account of currency fluctuation and devaluation of Rupee, for the years 1990-1991.
UNESCO Appeals Board 16.20.0 Shri Murlidhar C. Bhandare, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) has been appointed as Chairman of the Appeals Board of UNESCO for a six year term.
Election of the Chairman of the Asia Pacific Group 16.21.0 Ms. Savitri Kunadi, Ambassador/PR of India UNESCO has been elected as Chairman of Asia Pacific Group in UNESCO for the period March, 1991 to February, 1992.
Participation in the `Exhibition on Basketwork throughout the
World' : Tradition and Modernity 16.22.0 India participated in the "Exhibition on Basketwork throughout the World : Tradition and Modernity" organised in Paris during October-November, 1991 on the occassion of the 26th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO held at Paris.