INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
16.1.0 Since the inception of United' Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), India has been in the forefront in promoting the ideals and objectives of the Organisation. The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco (INC) set up in 1949 in compliance with Article VII 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 ever increasing role in Unesco's work particularly in the formulation and execution of its programmes not only by collaborating with the National Commissions of Asia and Pacific region but also extending effective cooperation to Unesco's Regional Offices and Centres in all its areas of competence, namely, education, Science, culture and communication.
Asia-Pacific Programme for Educational Innovations for Development
(APEID) 16.2.1 As one of the promoters of Unesco's major regional programme of Educational Innovations for Development for Asia and the Pacific (APEID), India has consistently supported this programme and has actively participated in APEID programmes and activities. At national level, a National Development
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Group (NDG) for APEID in India has been set up which functions as an identifier, stimulator and coordinator of activities of educational innovation for development within the country. The NDG, which is headed by Secretary, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India, 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 National Development Group. The National Council of Educational Research and Training, one of the principal Associated Centres of APEID, which, inter alia acts as the Secretariat of NDG, facilitates dissemination of information about APEID activities and innovative experiences at the regional level. it also makes regional cooperation within APEID widely known in the country.
Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL) 16.2.2 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 overriding concern to wipe out illiteracy from the face of the earth by the year 2000, Unesco has 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. India, under APPEAL and ILY, has set up a high level National Coordination Committee and has designated the Directorate of Adult Education, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, and the NCERT as the national focal points in relation to these programmes.
Education for International Understanding: Unesco Clubs and
Associated Schools 16.3.1 While the Unesco Clubs 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. The educational institutions under the Associated Schools Project are selected by Unesco on the recommendation of the Indian National Commission. Thirty-seven Schools and Teacher Training Institutes from India are enlisted with Unesco under this project.
16.3.2 The Indian National Commission is the national Coordinating agency for Unesco Clubs and Associated Schools. There are 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 projects of Unesco such as celebration of international days and years, organisation of meetings, debates, contests to promote international understanding, cooperation and peace.
Seminar on the Role of Unesco in constructing Defences of Peace in
the Minds of Men 16.3.3 Indian National Commission organised this seminar in collabortion with Unesco Club, Osmania University, Hyderabad from April 28-30, 1989. The Seminar highlighted the contribution which Unesco had made to promote intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind through its programmes and activities. The Seminar also brought into limelight the significance of the thought and philosophy of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru which influenced the course of international understanding.
16.3.4 The participants who attended the Seminar were Principals, Directors and Coordinators of Unesco Clubs and Associated Schools. Distinguished scholars from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Osmania University, Hyderabad University, NCERT, and NIEPA attended as Resource persons.
Unesco Coupons Programme 16.4.0 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
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import control formalities. The total sale of Unesco Coupons during 1989 amounted to US $ 17,000/-.
Publication of INC Newsletter 16.5.0 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. A special issue of the Newsletter was brought out on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Publication of Indian Language editions of Unesco Courier 16.6.0 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 16.7.0 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. 15000/- was sanctioned to the different bodies.
Forty-first Session of the International Conference on Education,
Geneva,January 917, 1989 16.8.1 An Indian Delegation led by Shri P. Shiv Shanker, the Minister for Human Resource Development, attended the 41st Session of the International Conference on Education held at Geneva from January 9-17, 1989.
16.8.2 The principal theme of the Conference was "Diversification of Post-Secondary Education in relation to Employment" with particular reference to qualitative and quantitative, matching of secondary training to employment.
Twentieth Session of the Indian National commission for
Cooperation with Unesco 16.9.0 The XX Session of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco was held at New De. hi on July 26, 1989. The Session of the National Commission was preceded by meetings of the Sub-Commissions on Education, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Culture and Communication. The principal matters which were discussed related to the Draft Third Medium Term Plan of Unesco (1990-1995) and the Draft Programme and Budget of Unesco for 1990-1991. In this session, the stand to be taken by India on matters scheduled for deliberations in the 25th General Conference of Unesco was formulated. Draft resolutions to be moved at the General Conference were also approved.
Fifth Session of the Advisory Committee on. Regional Cooperation in
Education in Asia and the Pacific 16.10.0 Shri Anil Bordia, Education Secretary, participated in the fifth Session of the Advisory Committee on Regional Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific, held at Yogyakarta (Indonesia) from September 11-15, 1989. The Advisory Committee considered the priority areas of future Unesco action in Education in the Region and complementarity between regular and extra-budgetary sources, in the light of the Draft Medium-Term Plan (1990-1995). The Committee also made suggestions for Unesco policy orientations required to augment effective cooperation between Asia Pacific Member States in the light of the World Conference on Education for All scheduled to be held in Jomtien (Thailand) in March, 1990.
Twenty-fifth Session of the General Conference of Unesco 16.11.1 A high level Delegation led by Shri P. Shiv Shanker, Minister for Human Resource Development, attended the 25th Session of the General Conference of Unesco held in Paris from October 17 to November 16, 1989. The principal agenda of the Conference related to the consideration of third Medium Term Plan of Unesco for the period 1990- 1995 and Draft Programme and Budget of Unesco for the Biennium 1990- 1991.
16.11.2 During the Conference elections were also held for the Membership of the Executive Board and various other Inter-governmental Committees. Shri N. Krishnan, Dean, School of International Studies Pondicherry University and
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former Special Envoy of Prime Minister to Africa Fund was elected as India's member of the Executive Board of Unesco. India was also elected on the following Inter-governmental bodies of Unesco during this Conference:-
- Inter-governmental Council for the International Programme for the Development of Communication.
- Inter-governmental Committee for Physical Education and Sports.
- inter-governmental Committee for promoting the return of Cultural property to its countries of Origin or its restitution in case of illicit appropriations
Sub-Regional Workshop for Training of Literacy Personnel 16.12.0 Under contract with Unesco and in collaboration with the Bureau of Adult Education, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco arranged for the organisation of this Sub-regional Workshop from November 15-29, 1989, at New Delhi.
Sub-Regional Training Workshop on preparation of Teachers and
Teaching materials for UPE for girls. 16.13.0 The Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco, Under contract with Unesco, arranged for the organisation of this Sub- Regional Training Work-shop in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Education, Pune, from November 23-25, 1989, at Pune.
National workshops 16.14.0 The Indian National Commission, in collaboration with Unesco Regional Office organised the following national workshops with the active cooperation of NCERT, New Delhi and the Technical Teacher Training Institute, Madras :-
- Multi-grade teaching in primary schools.
- Universal primary education for girls.
- Education Research.
- Reorientation and reform of secondary Education.
- Reform of Teacher Education.
- Testing of instructional modules, on Educational Technology.
Participation by India in Conferences/meetings sponsored by
Unesco,16.15.1 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 Achievement of Children in Primary Schools with focus on Effective Development held at Tokyo, January 23 to February 10, 1989.
- Ninth Meeting of Experts on Regional Cooperation in Unesco Cultural Activities in Asia and the Pacific held at New Delhi, February 16-20, 1989.
- Meeting of Experts on Educational and Vocational Guidance for Girls and Women held at Paris, February 20-24, 1989.
- Meeting of Governmental Experts to examine and finalise draft convention on technical and vocational education organised by Unesco at Paris, April 3-7, 1989.
- International Congress on Education and Informatics, April 12-21, 1989, held at Paris.
- Regional Training Workshop on popularisation of science and technology held in Bangkok, April 17-24,1989.
- Regional Seminar on implementation of Educational Policy and Reforms held in Bangkok, April 25-May 31, 1989.
- Regional Seminar on School Resources: the elimination of sex stereotypes held in Australia, May 4-11, 1989.
- Regional Expert Group meeting on material development for Computer educational software held in Bangkok, May 8-12,1989.
- Asia and Pacific Seminar on Education Technology held in Tokyo, October 1620, 1989.
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- Inter-Regional Seminar on post literacy and continuing education held at International Institute of Education, Hamburg, October 30 November 11, 1989.
- APEID planning meeting for joint Innovative Project on Continuing Education focussing on development of entrepreneurship among primary school leavers held at Bangkok, December 11-15, 1989.
16.15.2 In addition to the above mentioned meetings, the Indian National Commission nominated experts to participate in about 40 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 fellows including their study visits to various institutions in India.
Visit of Indian Teams to developing countries for orientation in
key areas of education 16.16.0 Within the framework of Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries (TCDC) and with financial support from UNDP, four separate teams of specialists were organised to be sent to different developing countries for training/orientation in the fields of vocational education, universalisation and improvement of primary education, adult literacy and women's, development and education for women's equality. Under this programme, a team comprising six key persons from different States and NCERT was deputed to Thailand and Malaysia for orientation in the field of vocational education from August 25 to September 7, 1989. Another team comprising five experts selected from different States working in the area of adult education visited Ethiopia and Tanzania for training and orientation in the field of adult literacy from November 13-15, 1989. An eight member team of experts from States and Central Governments visited Bangladesh, Thailand and Indonesia from January 14-28 to study universalisation and improvement of Primary Education. Yet another team consisting of eight experts from the States and Central Governments left for Philippines and China on March 22, for studying Women Education in those countries.
Participation Programme of Unesco 16.17.0 Under the Participation Programme, Unesco provides financial assistance to various institutions and organisations of the Member States who are engaged in promotion of programmes and activities of Unesco. During the biennium 1988-1989, action was taken to implement 13 projects from India which were approved by Unesco with a financial assistance of US $ 1,12,000/-. For the biennium 1990-1991, the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with Unesco has recommended 20 projects to Unesco for its consideration under its Participation Programme.
Fourteenth Photo Contest in Asia and the Pacific 16.18.1 The Asian Cultural Centre for Unesco, Tokyo, Japan, organised the 14th Photo Contest in Asia and the Pacific with the aim of promoting mutual understanding and friendship as well as photographic activities among peoples in the region. The theme of the contest was "Traditional Life Cycle Ceremonies".
16.18.2 Nine contestants from India were awarded different prizes of which Shri Tushar Kanti Datta's entry "Workshop to the Sun" and Shri Mehboobkhan's entry "Khatna" were awarded "The Prize of the Chairman of the Japanese National Commission for Unesco and the Nikon Prize" and "The Special Prize for the 14th Photo Contest" respectively.
Javed Hussain prize for young Scientists 16.19.0 Shri D.D. Sarma, Asstt. Professor in Solid State Physics and Structural Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, was the Co-winner of the 1989 Javed Hussain Prize for young scientists awarded by die Unesco. This prize was created in, pursuance of a decision by the Executive Board at its 120th Session in 1984 on the basis of a donation by Dr. Javed Hussain. Its purpose is to afford recognition to outstanding pure or applied research carried out by young scientists in the natural or social sciences or technology. It is awarded every two years along with the Unesco Science Prize.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary Celebration under the aegis of
Unesco 16.20.1 The Department. of Education, Govt. of India, and Unesco jointly organised an International Seminar on September 27-29, 1989, at Paris. The theme of the Seminar was 'Nehru, the Man and His Vision'. The Seminar was part of centenary celebrations of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru organised in pursuance of the resolution adopted by the 24th