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 the 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 India 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.

UNESCO-UNICEF initiative to Promote Education For All in the largest developing countries

16.1.3 The Department of Education was privileged to host the Education For All SUMMIT of Nine High Population Countries in New Delhi on 16 December, 1993. The Summit was attended by the President of Indonesia, Prime Minister of India, Deputy Prime Minister of China and the Education Ministers as special representatives of the Heads of State or Government of six other countries Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan. These countries account for more than half the world's population and 70 percent of the world's illiterates. The Head of three U.N. Agencies UNESCO, UNICEF & UNFPA also participated in the Summit as Co-sponsors.

16.1.4 The Summit was preceded by Minister level Pre-Summit discussions on 13-15 December, 1993. In a series of panel discussions held over three days, distinguished educationists and Ministers reflected upon key issues and challenges facing education for all in each of the countries and in the world community at large. The deliberation focussed on specific themes like "Mobilization, People's Participation and Decentralization for EFA", "External and Internal Financial Resources for EFA", "Girls and Women's Education, Women's Empowerment and Population Issues" and "Education and Society". A major and tangible out come of Pre-Summit meetings has been the decision to have a nine country collaborative effort on distance education to reach out to population not served by the formal school system.

16.1.5 The discussions at the Pre-Summit and the Summit were extremely useful and would help in focussing world's attention on

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the goal of Education for All and the policy issues involved in achievement of this goal. The sharing of experiences and the common endeavour will provide a fresh impetus to the attainment of EFA goal.

16.1.6 The Nine High Population Countries adopted the Delhi Declaration and a Frame Work of Action to implement the pledge and identify possible priority areas of co-operation.

16.1.7 Shri Arjun Singh, Minister of Human Resource Development participated in a working session and consultations in Paris on 2-4th June, 1993 for preparation of the EFA-9 Summit meeting of the Nine High Population Countries. Shri Y.N. Chaturvedi, Additional Secretary, Department of Education was the other member of the delegation.

16.1.8 A preparatory Meeting-for the Education For All Summit of the Nine High Population Countries was held in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Shri S.V. Giri, Education Secretary, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development on September 11-12, 1993. The representatives of Nine countries viz., Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan and the host country India, besides the representatives of the Sponsors viz., UNESCO, UNICEF & UNFPA attended the Meeting.

Asia-Pacific Programme for Educational Innovation for Development (APEID)

16.1.9 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 NDG, facilitates dissemination of information about APEID activities, and promotes innovative experiences at the regional level. A meeting of the General Body of the National Development Group (NDG) for Educational Innovations was held at NCERT, New Delhi on 26th May, 1993.

27th Session of the General Conference of Unesco, Paris held from 25th October to 16th November 1993

16.1.10 A 11-member Indian Delegation Led by Kumari Selja, Deputy Minister for Education and Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development participated in the 27th General Conference of Unesco at Paris. In addition to the other items of agenda, the Draft Programme and Budget of UNESCO for the Biennium 1994-1995 was considered and approved.

16.1.11 During the Conference, India was elected as one of the Vice- Presidents of the Conference. India has also been elected to be a member of the Executive Board of UNESCO and other Intergovernmental bodies of UNESCO Viz., (1) IGC for International Informatics Programme (IIP) (2) IGC for Development

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of Communication (IPDC) (3) IGC for the Management of Social Transformation (MOST).

16.1.12 Draft Resolutions were introduced by the Indian delegation which were adopted or noted by the Conference. India took major initiatives in securing allocation of funds for development of vocational education in the region. At the initiative of India, the Conference approved giving special priority to large countries with high rates of illiteracy. The Indian delegation played an active role in all the Commissions and Drafting Groups.

Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL)

16.1.13 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 high level National Coordination Committee, set up by India to coordinate activities under APPEAL and EFA, had its 8th meeting on November 19, 1993 under the Chairmanship of Education Secretary. Shri S.V.Giri, Education Secretary apprised the Committee of the preparation for the Summit meeting of the Head of Governments of 9 high Population Countries which was held from December, 12-16th, 1993 in New Delhi. The meeting also took note of the programmes launched in the field of Adult Education and the strategies and the achievements in the area of primary education. The Committee noted international efforts in recent years that led to an increased awareness of the problem of illiteracy.

Sub Regional Meeting of National Commissions for Unesco of South and. Central Asia held in New Delhi from 8-12 Feb., 1993

16.1.14 The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco organised a Sub-Regional Meeting of National Commissions of South and Central Asia in New Delhi from 8-12 February, 1993. The Meeting was attended by National Commissions of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Iran, Kyrghyzstan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The representatives of the Director General, Unesco and Director of Unesco Regional Office in New Delhi also participated in the Meeting alongwith the experts of Unesco Regional Office in New Delhi. Eight representatives of active Unesco Clubs functioning in India also attended the Meeting. The meeting deliberated upon a number of projects in the areas of competence of UNESCO which could be initiated by the countries of the Sub-region.

VIth Regional Conference of Ministers of Education & Those Responsible for Economic Planning in Asia and the Pacific (MINEDAP-VI) 21-24th June, 1993, Kaulalumpur, Malaysia

16.1.15 A delegation led by Kumari Selja, Deputy Minister of Education & Culture attended the Sixth Regional Conference of Ministers of Education & Those Responsible for Economic Planning in Asia & the Pacific (MINEDAP-VI) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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from 21-24th June 1993. The items discussed were overview of Educational Development in Asia and Pacific since the last meeting in 1985, Education For All, Changing Demands on Education on the threshold of the 21st Century and Promotion of Regional and International Co-operation in education. The Indian delegation made a major contribution to the drafting of the Kualalumpur Declaration particularly with regard to emphasis on Vocational Education. The Deputy Minister was elected as Chairperson of Commission I and a member of the Bureau, the most important body of Conference which finalised the draft report and recommendations. The Conference also decided that UNESCO should pay special attention to nine most populous countries with high rates of illiteracy.

Dr. Karan Singh's appointment as member of Unesco's body

16.1.16 Dr. Karan Singh, former Union Minister and presently Chairman of the Governing Board of the Auroville Foundation has been appointed as a Member of the 15-Member UNESCO's International Commission on Education for the 21st Century. Dr. Karan Singh attended the first meeting of the Commission held in Paris from 2-4 March, 1993.

Executive Board of UNESCO

16.1.17 Shri N. Krishnan, Member, Executive Board of UNESCO attended the 141st and 142nd Sessions of the Executive Board of UNESCO held in Paris from 10-28 May, 1993 and 11-22 October, 1993 respectively.

Nomination of Shri R.N. Mirdha, M.P. as India's Representative on the

Executive Board of UNESCO

16.1.18 Consequent upon the election of India as one of the members of the Executive Board of UNESCO, Shri R.N. Mirdha, Member of Parliament has been nominated to represent India on the Executive Board of UNESCO.

143rd Session of Executive Board of UNESCO

16.1.19 The 143rd Session of the Executive Board was held in Paris on 17-18 November, 1993. During this session, India has been elected one of the Vice-Chairpersons of the Executive Board.

Contribution to UNESCO's Budget

16.1.20 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 1992-1993 was fixed at 0.36% of the total budget of UNESCO. Accordingly, India made a contribution for Rs.3,49,22,000/- (An amount of Rs.54,22,000/was released during 1991-1992 and Rs. 2.95 crore released during 1992-93) for the year 1992 and Rs. 3,55,21,000/- (An amount of Rs.75,000/- released during 1992-93 and Rs. 2,80,21,000/released during 1993-1994) for the year 1993.

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Contribution by India on account of rent of accommodation of ROSTSCA (UNESCO's Regional Office in New Delhi)

16.1.21 Regional Office of Science and Technology for South and Central Asia (ROSTSCA), UNESCO is presently housed in private building in Vasant Vihar. India is paying rent for this accommodation in accordance with an understanding with UNESCO when the Regional Office was set up in the 1950's.

International Institute for Educational Planning, Paris

16.1.22 India has voluntarily contributed an amount of Rs.6,00,000/- (Equivalent to US $20,000) to the International Institute for Educational Planning, Paris for the years 1992 and 1993 during 1993- 1994.

1992 UNESCO Peace Education Prize

16.1.23 Mother Teresa was conferred with the 1992 UNESCO Peace Education Prize by Director General, UNESCO Mr. Federico Mayor at Calcutta in the month of December, 1993.

Kalinga Prize

16.1.24 Kalinga Prize for 1992 was awarded to Dr. Jorge Flores Valdez (Mexico) and to Dr. Peter Okebukola (Nigeria) for the popularization of Science. The award ceremony was held in "India International Centre" on February 8, 1993 attended by the Minister of Human Resource Development (Govt. of India) and also by the Education Secretary (Dept. of Education).

Jan Amos Comenius Medal

16.1.25 JAN AMOS COMENIUS Medal 1993 was given to Dr. Chitra Naik, Member (Education), Planning Commission in the month of December, 1993 in New Delhi during the course of the Education For All Summit of the Nine High Population Countries.

Doctor Honoris Causa to DG UNESCO

16.1.26 Director General, UNESCO Mr. Federico Mayor was conferred with Doctor Honoris Causa at Vishwabharti University at Calcutta in the month of December 1993 in the presence of Shri Arjun Singh, Minister for Human Resource Development (Govt. of India).

International Literacy Prizes 1993

16.1.27 The highly prestigious NOMA Prize, of the three International Literacy Prizes awarded by UNESCO annually has been awarded for 1993 to the Indian National Federation of UNESCO clubs and Associations (INFUCA), Bangalore for raising literacy awareness among under privileged groups in particular Koragas of Southern India.

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16.1.28 Each Literacy Prize also carry two Honourable mentions. The Honourable mention attached to the NOMA Prize has been awarded to "Bhav-Nagar Jilla Saksharata Samiti for having planned, monitored and executed the total literacy campaigns in Bhav Nagar district in Gujarat. These prestigious awards were given on 8th September, 1993 at New Delhi on the International Literacy Day by Dr. Federico Mayor, Director General, UNESCO.

Chinese National Conference on Education for All

16.1.29 Ms. Selja, Deputy Minister of Education and' Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development participated in the China National Conference on Education For All held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from 1-4 March, 1993, organised by the State Education Commission of the People's Republic of China. the China National Conference on Educational for All provided a good opportunity to sum up and exchange the experiences in developing basic education and literacy.

Second Meeting of the International Consultative Forum on Education For All

16.1.30 The World Conference on Education For All in Jomtien, in March 1990 had adopted a historic Declaration and Plan of Action to achieve Education For All in the World by 2000 AD. The Sponsors of the Jomtien Conference - UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF and World bank established an International Consultative Forum on Education For All to periodically review the progress towards the global objectives of EFA by 2000. The second meeting of the International Consultative Forum on Education For All was hosted by the Government of India in New Delhi from 8-10 September, 1993.

16.1.31 The Central theme of the Meeting, quality of education for All, which concerns developed and developing countries alike, was elaborated around four broad topics as under :-

1. Early childhood development

2. Improving schooling

3. Improving non formal education programmes.

4. Financing quality basic education.

16.1.32 The Forum was attended by some 80 principal invitees comprising a mix of policy makers, development practitioners, educators, and other professionals together representing various partners in EFA - i.e. developing countries, inter-governmental agencies, non-governmental organisations, the business community, the media. Besides, several Senior Officers of the Government of India, State Governments and Autonomous organisations attended the Forum as Observers.

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VII Session of the Advisory Committee on Regional Cooperation in Education in Asia and the Pacific

16.1.33 Dr. R.V. Vaidyanatha Ayyar, Joint Secretary, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development participated in the VII Session of the Advisory Committee on Regional Cooperation in Education in Asia & the Pacific held in Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia from 14-17th June, 1993.

Regional Consultation Meeting of National Commissions of Unesco

16.1.34 Shri S.R. Tayal, Director, Department of Education attended the Regional Consultation Meeting of the National Commissions for Unesco in Asia and the Pacific held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from 28th June to 2nd July, 1993.

Information Seminar for the New Officials of the National commissions for Unesco in Asia and the Pacific

16.1.35 Ms. Sujaya Krishnan, Under Secretary, Department of Education attended the Information Seminar for the New Officials of the National Commissions for Unesco in Asia and the Pacific held in Bangkok, Thailand from 15-19 February, 1993.

Participation by India in other Conference/Meetings/Workshops/ Working Groups sponsored by UNESCO

16.1.36 Indian Experts represented the Deptt. of Education, ministry of Human Resource Development in the following Workshops, Training courses, Seminars, Working Group Meetings etc. sponsored by UNESCO or its Regional Offices :

- Sub-Regional Workshop on Research Design on Functional Literacy Level held in Seoul, Korea from 26the April to 1st May, 1993.

- Sub-Regional Workshop on Education, Employment and Human Resource Development held in Taskhent, Republic of Uzbekistan from 3-14 August, 1993.

- Regional Workshop for Training of Continuing Education Personnel held in Chiangmai, Thailand from 13- 23 August, 1993.

- International Symposium on Technical & Vocational Education held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from 13-18 September, 1993.