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 UNESCO Secretariat as well as the National Commissions of Asia and the Pacific region.
16.1.2 During the year, India contributed to the activities of UNESCO and its Regional Offices through participation in 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 participation of Indian experts in UNESCO's activities 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 publications of Hindi and Tamil editions of UNESCO Courier.
Follow-up of Education For All Summit of Nine High Population 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 in December, 1993 in which the Heads of three U.N. agencies UNESCO, UNICEF and UNFPA also participated as Co-sponsors. As a follow-up of the EFA Summit, the third meeting of the International Consultative Forum of Education for All was held at Amman, Jordan during 16-19 June, 1996. The meeting examined the results of the Mid-decade Review of Progress towards Education for All and drew conclusions for the International Community. The forum discussed action priorities for the remainder of the decade in line with the commitments undertaken in the recent series of major United Nations Conferences on the Environment, Human Rights, Population, Social Development and Women. Shri R.S. Pandey, Joint Secretary, Department Of Education participated in the meeting.
International Commission on Education for 21st Century 16.1.4 UNESCO had constituted an International Commission on Education for the 21st Century to reflect on education and learning for the next century. Mr. Jacques Delors was appointed the Chairman of the Commission and Dr.Karan Singh as one of its 14 members.
213 34-190 16.1.5 On the invitation of Shri Madhavrao Scindia, former Minister of Human Resource Development, the 8th and the Final Plenary Session of this Commission was held at New Delhi on 15-17 January, 1996. The meeting was held to finalise its Report for submission to UNESCO. The Report of the Commission captioned "The Treasure Within" has since been brought out.
The Eleventh Regional Conference of National Commissions of Unesco 16.1.6 The Eleventh Regional Conference of National Commissions of UNESCO in Asia & the Pacific was held from 30th June to 4th July, 1996 at Maldives. The forum discussed various topics in relation to Education in the 21st Century, consultation on Programmes & Budget; ongoing Networking of National Commissions. Dr. [Mrs.] Roopa R. Joshi, Director [UNESCO] in the Ministry of HRD participated in the meeting.
Celebration of 50th Anniversary of Unesco 16.1.7 The Indian National Commission for Co-operation with UNESCO is organising various activities in the current year to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of UNESCO in collaboration with apex institutions under the Department of Education. This includes, inter-alia publication of a book on the different facets of the India-UNESCO relationship.
16.1.8 On November 4, 1996 the Indian National Commission for Co-operation with UNESCO organised a seminar on India-UNESCO Cooperation in the past 50 years which was inaugurated by Shri S.R. Bommai, Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India. Besides, other eminent personalities, experts in the field of UNESCO's competence also participated in the Seminar. On this occasion, a book captioned "Education for International Understanding-The Indian Experience" by Dr.C.L. Sapra and co-sponsored by the Indian National Commission for Unesco and NIEPA was released by Hon'ble Minister of HRD, Shri S.R. Bommai.
International Conference on Education 16.1.9 The 45th Session of the International Conference on Education was held at Geneva from 30th September to 5th October, 1996. The main theme of the Conference was "Strengthening of the Role of Teachers in Changing World".
16.1.10 The Indian Delegation consisting of the following members participated in the Session:
(i) Shri R.S. Pandey, Joint Secretary (DPEP, UNESCO), Department of Education
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(ii) Dr. A.K. Sharma, Director, National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi.
(iii) Prof J.S. Rajput, Chairman, National Council of Teacher Education, New Delhi.
International Bureau Of Education: 16.1.11 The 42nd Session of the Council of the International Bureau of Education was held at Geneva on 2nd and 5th October, 1996. Shri R. S. Pandey, Joint Secretary (DPEP, UNESCO) attended the Session.
Inter-Governmental Regional Committee on Education in Asia and the Pacific
(EDCOM), UNESCO 16.1.12 The First Meeting of the Inter-governmental Regional Committee on Education in Asia and the Pacific (EDCOM) was held at Bangkok from 24-26 June, 1996. Dr. R.V. Vaidyanatha Ayyar, Additional Secretary, Department of Education participated in the meeting.
Asia-Pacific Programme For Educational Innovation For Development [APEID] 16.1.13 India has actively participated in APEID Programmes and activities as one of the Promoters of UNESCO's Regional Programme of Educational Innovations for Development for Asia and the Pacific [APEID]. The National Council of Educational Research and Training, one of the principal associate centres of APEID which acts as the Secretariat of National Development Group [NDG], facilitates dissemination of information about APEID activities and promotes innovative experiences at the regional level.
Participation Programme of UNESCO 16.1.14 Under the Participation Programme, UNESCO provides financial assistance to various institutions of Member States which are engaged in promotion of programmes and activities of UNESCO, for undertaking innovative projects which would contribute at the national, sub-regional and international levels to the implementation of the objectives of UNESCO. For the biennium 1996-97, 23 proposals had been forwarded to UNESCO with a projected demand of US $7,69,202/-. Out of these, 16 projects have been registered by UNESCO. So far, 7 projects have been approved for US $1,12,000/- by UNESCO Secretariat.
Education For International Understanding 16.1.15 The UNESCO Clubs, constituted mainly in educational institutions, are voluntary bodies engaged in the promotion of aims and objectives of the organisation.
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The Associated Schools are educational institutions which are directly linked with UNESCO Secretariat for project activities relating to education for international understanding, co-operation and peace. On the recommendations of the Indian National Commission for UNESCO [INC], 38 Schools and Teacher Training Institutes from India are enlisted with UNESCO under this Project.
16.1.16 The INC is the national co-ordination agency for UNESCO Clubs and Associated Schools. There are about 285 UNESCO Clubs and Associated Schools which are provided with material and financial support for undertaking activities designed to promote the aims and objectives of UNESCO, such as celebration of International Days and Years organisation of meetings, debates, contests to promote international understanding, co-operation and peace.
Photo Contests in Asia and the Pacific 16.1.17 The INC has been coordinating the participation of Indian photographers in photo contests organised by Asia Pacific Cultural Centre for `UNESCO [ACCU], Japan. Thirteen persons from India won prizes in the 19th Photo Contest under the theme "Children at Play".
Unesco Coupons Programme 16.1.18 The INC continued to operate the UNESCO International Coupons Scheme designed to assist individuals and institutions 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 the period from January to November, 1996 amounted to US $6,970/-.
Publication of Unesco Courier 16.1.19 "COURIER" is an educational and Cultural periodical brought out by UNESCO. The Indian National Commission continues to support publications of its Hindi and Tamil editions with the assistance of UNESCO subvention. These editions enjoy wide circulation amongst educational institutions, libraries, UNESCO Clubs, Associated Schools and individuals.
Schemes of Financial Assistance to Voluntary Bodies, Unesco Clubs and
Associated Schools 16.1.20 The INC 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, grant- in-aid of Rs.20,000/- has been sanctioned so far.
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Executive Board Of UNESCO 16.1.21 The 149th Session of the Executive Board of UNESCO was held from 22 April to 3 May, 1996 and the 150th Session was held from 14-31 October, 1996 at Paris. Shri Rain Niwas Mirdha, Indian Member represented on the Executive Board of UNESCO, attended both the Sessions. The Board discussed inter-alia, the implementations of the decisions adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO, took note of the reports by UNESCO, and deliberated upon various other important matters falling within the competence of UNESCO.
Contribution to Unesco 16.1.22 The financial contribution of each Member State of UNESCO is approved by the General Conference of UNESCO for each year based on the scales of assessment adopted by the UN General Assembly. For the biennium 1996-1997, India's share was fixed at 0.3049% for the year 1996 and 0.30% for the year 1997 of the total budget of the Organisation by the 28th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO held during 1995. The Government of India also makes voluntary contributions to UNESCO in response to the appeals by UNESCO to its Member States for contribution for specific purposes. In response to UNESCO's appeal for the purpose, India has also offered to make a contribution of Rs.3,50,000/- approximately equivalent to US $10,000, for the renovation of Headquarters buildings of UNESCO at Paris. India also made a voluntary contribution of Rs.3,50,000/- to the International Institute of Educational Planning (IIEP), (UNESCO), Paris during 1996-97,
16.1.23 India also contributes towards rental for UNESCO's Regional Office in New Delhi at the rate of Rs. 75,000/- per month.
India's Participation in other Conferences/Working Groups Sponsored
by UNESCO 16.1.24 The following officials represented the Department of Education [Ministry of Human Resource Development] in the Workshops, Training Courses, Seminars, Working Group Meetings sponsored by UNESCO, its Regional Offices etc.,:-
i] Smt. Gopa Sen, DS[P] participated in the Reference Group Meeting [ISCED] held in Geneva on 20-21 May, 1996.
ii] Dr. Roopa R. Joshi, Director [UU] participated in the 11th Regional Conference on National Commissions of UNESCO in Asia and the Pacific held in Maldives on 30th June to 4th July, 1996.
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iii] Shri R.S. Pandey, JS participated in the 3rd Meeting of the International Consultative Forum of Education for All held in Amman, Jordan on 16-19 June, 1996.
iv] Shri Naved Masood, Director participated in the First SEAMEO- UNESCO, PROAP Regional Conference on Education for the 21st Century held in Malaysia on 9-12 July, 1996.
v] Ms. Vrinda Sarup, Director, participated in the Asia/Pacific Regional Conference Workshop on Head Teacher Training & Resource Materials Development held in Daruesulamen [Borneo] 8-11 July, 1996.
vi] Ms. Rameshwari Handa, Director, participated in the 1996 meeting on ACCU, Regional Literacy Programme, in Asia and the Pacific held in Tokyo, Japan on 9-15 July, 1996.
vii] Ms. Kusum Vir, Dy. Director, Directorate of Adult Education participated in the Third Regional Workshop on Continuing Education Development in Kualalumpur, Malaysia from 19-28 August, 1996.
viii] Shri Bhaskar Chatterjee, JS participated in Asia-Pacific Regional Committee on Adult Education held in Jomtien, Thailand from 16-18 September, 1996.
ix] Smt. Sibani Swain & Smt. Gopa Sen both Deputy Secretaries participated in the International Workshop on Research Methods for Planning the Quality of Education held in Cyprus on 14th October to 1st November, 1996.
x] Shri Abhimanyu Singh, JS & Shri Satyamurthy JS&FA participated in the Regional Seminar on Capacity Building in Distance Education held at Bangkok, Thailand from 21-25 October, 1996.
xi] Ms. Vinita Agarwal, DS[VE] participated in UNEVOC - Regional Meeting on Development & Implementation of Technical & Vocational Education for Economic Development in Asia & the Pacific RMIT, Melbourne from 11 - 15 November, 1996.
16.1.25 The Indian National Commission also nominated experts to participate in national, regional and international meetings and workshops of UNESCO.
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External Academic Relations (Ear Unit) 16.2.1 The EAR Unit deals with policy matters to promote India's external academic relations with more than 97 countries with whom India has bilateral Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEP) and other collaborative arrangements; monitoring of educational component of the bilateral and collaborative programme with other countries.
16.2.2 Dr. R.V. Vaidyanatha Ayyar, Additional Secretary, Department of Education represented the Ministry of Human Resource Development in the First Session of the Standing Technical Committee for educational personnel of the 254th Session of ILO during April 22-26, 1996 at Geneva.
16.2.3 H.E. Mrs. Genet Zewdie, Minister of Education, Government of Ethiopia alongwith a three member Delegation visited India during 20-26 June, 1996. During their visit the delegation visited NCERT, IIT, Delhi University, AICTE, AIIMS and University of Roorkee. The visiting Minister also met and discussed bilateral issues with Minister for Human Resource Development on 20th June, 1996 at New Delhi.
16.2.4 Prof Kuldeep Mathur, Director, NIEPA represented Department of Education in the Third meeting of the SAARC Technical Committee on Education, Culture and Sports held at Dhaka, Bangladesh during 22-24 June, 1996.
16.2.5 A meeting of the group of experts to review the SAARC Chairs, Fellowships and Scholarships scheme under the aegis of the SAARC Technical Committee on Education, Culture and Sports was hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka at Colombo during 26-29 July, 1996. Mrs. C. Lakshmi Reddy, Director (Scholarships), Department of Education, Prof N.C. Mathur, Vice-Chairman, UGC and Dr.Kheya Bhattacharya, Senior Programmer, Director, ICCR represented India in the above mentioned meeting.