ERC/RSC/NAC/ME/80 Cotonou 7-9 Octobre 2008 Original: English

Director-General’s Consultation with National Commissions for UNESCO of Africa Region on the Preparation of the Draft Programme and Budget for 2010-2011 (35 C/5)

Marina Hotel, 7-9 July 2008 Cotonou, Benin

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CONTENTS Page

1. Agenda………….…………………………………………………………………...……….…3 2. List of Participants…………………………………….……………………………...……….6 3. Report…………………………………………………………………………………...…….10 4. Annex - Recommandation 1 …………………………………...…………………………….20 5. Annex - Recommandation 2………………………………………………………………….21 6. Annex - Recommandation 3………………………………………………………………….22 7. Annex - Recommandation 4………………………………………………………………….23

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Director-General’s Consultation with National Commissions for UNESCO of Africa Region on the Preparation of the Draft Programme and Budget for 2010-2011 (35 C/5) Marina Hotel, 7-9 July 2008 Cotonou, Benin

Agenda

Monday 7 July 9 :00- 10 :00

Opening Ceremony Welcoming remarks by :


H.E. Madam Christine Ouinsavi, Minister for Primary Education Literacy and National Languages, and President of the Benin National Commission for UNESCO




Mr Noureini Tidjani-Serpos, Assistant Director-General for Africa Department, UNESCO (ADG/AFR)

Addresses by:


H. E. Mr Olabiyi Babalola Joseph YAI, Chairman of the Executive Board of UNESCO




Mr Marcio Barbosa, Deputy Director-General, of UNESCO

Official Opening of the Consultation by:


10:00-10:40

H. E. Mr Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin

Inauguration of the Exhibitions: “UNESCO and Africa: Memory, Liberation and Human Resources

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Development” and “Cultural and Artistic Heritage of Benin”

10:40-10:45

Departure of H. E. Mr Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin

10 :45-11 :00

Coffee Break

11:00 -11:30

Adoption of the Provisional Rules of Procedures Election of the Bureau Adoption of the Provisional Agenda

11:30-13:00

Thematic session : “UNESCO and Africa”

13:00-14:30

Lunch

14:30-15:15

Overview of the 35 C/5 Planning Process Mr Hans d’Orville, Assistant Director-General for Strategic Planning, UNESCO

15 :15-15 :30

Coffee Break

15 :30-18 :30

Meeting of the African National Commission with the Cluster offices and discussions on the preparation of the Draft 35 C/5 • • • • • • • • • •

18:45 -19:30

Accra Addis Ababa Bamako Dakar Dar es Salaam Harare Libreville Nairobi Windhoek Yaoundé

Meeting of Countries in post-conflict situation with the PEER Programme Coordinator (Côte d’Ivoire, Guinée Bissau, Libéria, Sierra Leone, Burundi, République Centrafricaine, République Démocratique du Congo, Tchad, Somalie, Rwanda, Erétrie) Official Reception of the host country

19 :30-21 :00 Tuesday 8 July 9 :00-11 :00

Plenary session : Presentation of the National Commissions reports with Cluster Offices and discussions on the priorities of the Draft 35 C/5

11 :00-11 :15

Coffee Break

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11 :15-13 :00

Plenary session : discussions on the priorities of the Draft 35 C/5 (cont’d)

13:00-14:30

Lunch

14:30-18:00

Plenary session : discussions (cont’d) Official Reception hosted by UNESCO

20h00

Wednesday 9 July 9 :00-11 :00

Special session on the DRTF and the UN reform process: UN « Delivering as One » Reform process at country level and UNESCO’s Decentralization Strategy: Role of National Commissions Summary of the work of first phase and progress of second phase of UNESCO’s Decentralization Review Task Force (DRTF) Presentations by • Mr Hans d’Orville, Assistant Director-General for Strategic Planning, UNESCO • Mr Bernard Hadjadj, Chargé de mission, Bureau of Field Coordination (BFC), UNESCO • Mr James Kulikowski, Deputy Assistant Director-General and Director, Division of Relations with Member States and National Commissions (ERC), UNESCO • UN Representative in Benin

11:00 - 11:30

Coffee break

11 :30-12:00

Plenary presentations on • •

12:00-13:00

UNESCO’s budget management and cost recovery policy by Ms Yolande Valle, Director of Bureau of Budget Current work of the Coordinating Group of National Commissions by Mr Luis Ramallo, Chairperson of the Group

Adoption of the Final Report and Recommendations Closure

13:00 - 14:30

Lunch

14:30

Cultural visit of the Centre for promotion of Art craft

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Consultation du Directeur général auprès des commissions nationales pour l'UNESCO de la Région Afrique sur la préparation du Projet de programme et de budget pour 2010-2011 (35 C/5) COTONOU : 07 - 08 - 09 Juillet 2008

Director-General’s Consultation with National Commissions for UNESCO of Africa region on the preparation of the Draft programme and budget for 2010-2011 (35 C/5) Cotonou : Benin 07 - 08 - 09 July 2008

Liste des participants/List of Participants N°

PAYS COUNTRY

NOM/ NAME

TITRE/TITLE

CONTACT (E-mail, Fax, Tél,/Phone)

1

Afrique du Sud

FILLIS

Desmond

SG/COMNAT

fillis,[email protected] - +27 12 312 5187 - Fax : +27 12 325 72 84

2

Bénin

AHOUANSOU

René

SG/COMNAT

[email protected], [email protected] -229 20212530-Fax:229 20213164

3

Bénin

MOUDACHIROU

Mansourou

Prdt. Chaires UNESCO Sc.T.Env.

[email protected] - 229 21 32 12 63 - Fax : 229 21 32 36 71

4

Bénin

TEVOEDJRE

Arthur-Michel

Ant./UNESCO Benin

5

Bénin

BAGLO

Ayite Marcel

Conseiller Technique

6

Bénin

GNONLONFOUN

Rick

Sec. Gen. Adj. du MEMP

[email protected]

7

Bénin

FASSASSI

Mousibaou

CTJ

8

Bénin

WANTCHEKON

Michel

DESA

9

Bénin

ADISSODA

Gisèle

Communicatrice

[email protected]

10

Botswana

KELEBEMANG

Muandne Mavis

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - 267 3655439/44 0 - Fax 267 3972531

11

Burkina Faso

SOULAMA

Ahmed Baba

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - (226) 50307215 Fax : (226) 50315614

12

Burkina Faso

OUEDRAOGO

Aminata Elisabeth

Coordonnatrice - CIEFFA

[email protected] - [email protected] - (226) 50 376496 - Fax : (226) 50376498

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13

Burundi

BARUTWANAYO

14

Aaron

Centrafrique

DENAMSEKETE

André

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - 236 75500274 - Fax 236 21614174

15

Congo Brazza

BOKOUMAKA

Gabriel

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - (00242) 55 46 55 8

16

Côte d'Ivoire

BAMBA

Lou Mathieu

SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - (225) 22440536 - Fax:(225) 22 440683

17

Erytrée

GHEBREMEDHIN

Milliete

Programm Specialist

[email protected] - 115726

18

Ethiopia

NURELDIN

Satti

Director - UNESCO Addis-Abeba

[email protected] - 251 911 255069 - Fax : 251 11551414

19

Ethiopia

LEGESSE

Mulu

Deputy SG

[email protected] - 0111565542 - Fax : 0111551655

20

Gabon

ENGO BEKUI

Jean-Claude

SGA/COMNAT

00 241 07513681 - [email protected]

21

Gambie

YAHYA

A. M. Jobe

Prog. Officer. Edu. Sc.

[email protected] - 220 99 18765 - Fax 220 4225297

22

Ghana

AMANOO

Charity

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - (233) 21 66 27 18/ Fax : (233) 21 66 18

23

Guinée Conakry

DIALLO

Aissatou Lamarana

SGA/COMNAT

[email protected] - (224) 64 29 28 58

24

Île Maurice

DOOKHONY

Chandraprabha

SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - 230 259 13 10 - Fax : 230 601 52 00

25

Îles Comores

BOINA

Aboubakari

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - (269) 3335362 Fax:(269) 7730291

26

Îles Seychelles

27

Kenya

NJOKA

Evangeline

Deputy SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - +254 72 28 29 710 - Fax : +254 20 221 30 25

28

Kenya

OLUTE OMONDI

Mary Tella

SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - 254 20 222 90 53 - Fax: 254 20 221 30 25

29

Libéria

CASTON

Bob Harris

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - 231 6 52 21 92

30

Madagascar

RASOLONOMENJANAHARY

Meltine

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - (261) 32 04 82 74 9

31

Malawi

MKANDAWIRE

Francis Robertson

SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - (265) 17 55 194/174 - Fax : (265) 17 55 134

32

Mali

DEMBELE

Youssouf

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - (223) 672 17 34 - Fax : (223) 223 37 67

33

Mali

BAKAYOKO

Oumar

Chef Division Edu. Sc. COMNAT

[email protected] - (223) 6896099 - Fax:(223) 2233767

34

Mozambique

MUTAQUIHA

Januario

SG/COMNAT

[email protected]

35

Naïrobi

DLAMINI

Hezekiel

Adiviser Communication Information

[email protected] - +254 207622346/7-Fax:+254 207622750

36

Namibie

KUDUMO

Marius

Deputy SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - 264 612706302 - Fax:264 612706322

37

Namibie

PROTASIUS

Nghileendele

38

Niger

MADI MAYAKI

Moustapha

Chef Division Education

[email protected] - (227) 20 72 23 65

39

Nigéria

KATAGUM

Mariam Y.

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - (234) 803 786 92 58

40

Nigéria

GADI

Mary I.

Prog. Office Education

[email protected] - (234) 80 36 20 81 31

[email protected] - +264 612706317 - Fax:+264 612706322

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41

Nigéria

ANENE-MAIDOH

Magdalene O.

Secretary C. I. Sector

[email protected] - (234) 80 33 35 85 78

42

Ouganda

OMARE-OKURUT

Augustine

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - 256 414259713-Fax:256 414258405

43

R D Congo

NSAMBI

Joseph Bolaluete

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - 243 818135706 Fax: 243 999903259

44

Rwanda

MUREKUMBANZE

Gratien

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - 250 08 74 98 05

45

Sénégal

MANÉ

Mamadou

SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - 221 338 22 57 30 - Fax : 221 338 21 17 70

46

Tanzanie

KIONDO

Elisabeth

SG/COMNAT

[email protected] - 255 284 30 19 12

47

Tchad

ABDELKERIM

Adoum Babar

SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - 235 2514671 - Fax : 235 2523976

48

Togo

KOUGBLENOU

Ayao Akoété

SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - 8 221 61 54 - Fax : (228)222 57 87

49

Zambie

MBEWE

Monica

Prog. Officer SHS

[email protected] -260 211254340 Fax:260211254340

50

Zimbabwe

MHLANGA

Josiah

SG/NATCOM

[email protected] - 263 472435 - Fax : 263 4732752

51

UNESCO Abuja

SINGH

Abhimanyu

52

UNESCO Accra

COULIBALY

Abdoul Wahab

53

UNESCO Accra

ADJANOHOUN

Justin

54

UNESCO Accra

MOUNDO

Elizabeth

55

AMANI

Abou

[email protected] ; 233 217 40 840;233 21 76 54 98

56

UNESCO Accra UNESCO AddisAbeba

SATTI

Nureldin

[email protected] ; 251 1 51 39 53 ; 251 1 51 14 14

57

UNESCO Bamako

SHABANI

Juma

[email protected] ; 223 223 34 92/93 ; 223 223 34 94

58

UNESCO BREDA

GUISSE

Papa Banga

[email protected] ; 221 338492340 ; 221 338238393

59

UNESCO BREDA

RYMAN

Nilse

60

NDONG-JATTA

Ann-Thérèse

SY CHEIKH

Tidiane

DIARRA

Boubacar

[email protected] ; 243 816 377 265

63

UNESCO BREDA UNESCO Dar-es Salam UNESCO Kinshasa UNESCO Libreville

BACHIRI

Mohamed

[email protected] ; [email protected] ; 241 76 28 79 ; 241 76 28 14

64

UNESCO Maputo

SOSSOU

Bénoît

65

UNESCO Nairobi

MASSAQUOÏ

Joseph

[email protected] ; 254 2 62 12 34 ; 254 2 622 750

66

UNESCO Nairobi

GOMIS

Paul

[email protected] ; 254 2 62 12 34 ; 254 2 622 750

67

UNESCO Paris

YAÏ

O. B. Joseph

68

UNESCO Paris

BARBOSA

Marcio

61 62

[email protected] ; 233 2174 0840;233 2176 5498

Directrice de Bureau

[email protected] ; 233 21 740 840 ; 233 21 76 54 98

[email protected] Directeur de Bureau

Directeur Général Adjoint/UNESCO

[email protected] ; [email protected] ; 255 222666623 ; 255 222666927

[email protected] ; Fax : 33 1 45 68 57 89

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69

UNESCO Paris

KINGL

Oskar

Assit. /Directeur Général Adjoint

[email protected] ; Fax : 33 1 45 68 57 89

70

UNESCO Paris

Hans

ADG / BSP

[email protected]

71

UNESCO Paris

d'ORVILLE SAIDOU DJERMAKOYE

Mariama

72

UNESCO Paris

HASAN

Mary Lyn

73

UNESCO Paris

CURTIS

Timothy

74

UNESCO Paris

SOO

Hyang CHOI

75

UNESCO Paris

DLAMINI

Hezekiel

76

UNESCO Paris

HADJADJ

Bernard

Directeur de Bureau

Tél; 237 222 57 63/99 30 Fax : 237 222 63 89

77

UNESCO Paris

GILLET

Astrid

78

UNESCO Paris

ANGLARIL

Nilda

79

UNESCO Paris

NICHOLLS

C.

80

UNESCO Paris

TOTO

Michel

81

UNESCO Paris

TIDJANI-SERPOS

Noureini

Sous-Dir. Gén. Départ. Afrique

[email protected] ; Fax : 33 1 45 68 55 44

82

UNESCO Paris

RAONIMAHARY

Robertine

83

UNESCO Paris

SANTANA AFONSO

Ana Elisa

[email protected] ; 0033 1456 804 96; 0033 456 85 544

84

UNESCO Paris

BRANET

Marie-Noëlle

[email protected]

85

UNESCO Paris

VALLE-NEFF

Yolande

Directeur Bureau du Budget

[email protected] ; [email protected]; 33 1 45 68 12 62

86

UNESCO Paris

CHENG

Xiaolin

Chef Section COMNAT

[email protected] ; Fax : 33 1 45 68 55 40

87

UNESCO Paris

RAMALLO

Luis

88

UNESCO Paris

KULIKOWSKI

James Michael

D/Div. Relat° Etats Mem. et COMNAT

[email protected] ; 33 1 45 68 55 40

89

UNESCO Paris

WIPPERFÜRTH

Pia

90

UNESCO Paris UNESCO Windhoek

Dr BENCHIKH

Osman

HARVEY

Claudia

Directrice de Bureau

[email protected] ; 264 61 291 7000 ; 264 61 291 7220

91

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FINAL REPORT ON THE CONSULTATION OF THE AFRICA REGION ON THE PREPARATION OF THE DRAFT PROGRAMME AND BUDGET FOR 2010-2011 (35 C/5) Cotonou, Benin, 7-9 July 2008 1. Delegations of 34 National Commissions out of 46 attended the Director-General’s Consultation of National Commissions for UNESCO of the Africa region on the Preparation of the Draft Programme and Budget for 2010-2011 (35 C/5). The Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board, the Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, as well as various officials of the UNESCO Secretariat including Directors and Heads of UNESCO field offices in the region also participated in the meeting. Three representatives of National Commissions and one category 2 centre attended the Consultation as observers. A full list of participants is attached. Opening Ceremony 2. At the beginning of the ceremony, H.E. Madam Christine A. I. Nougbode Ouinsavi, Minister for Maternal and Primary Education and President of the Benin National Commission for UNESCO, made a welcoming address and recalled the noble mission of UNESCO which contributes, through its programmes in education, science and culture, to face the challenges of the world. She highly commended the Education for All programme and congratulated the Organization for the success of the Science Ministers’ Round Table held during the 34th session of the General Conference. 3. Mr Noureini Tidjani-Serpos, Assistant Director-General for Africa, thanked H.E. Mr Issifou Kogui N’Douro, State Minister in Charge of Defense and Representative of the President of the Republic of Benin for his presence, acknowledged the presence of H.E. Mr Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yaï, Chairperson of the Executive Board of UNESCO at the ceremony and welcomed the National Commissions of the Africa region. He overviewed the longstanding relation between UNESCO and the African continent and praised the role of the National Commissions in this respect, namely in translating into concrete activities the priority given to Africa by the Organization. 4. In his opening speech, H.E. Mr Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yaï, Chairperson of the Executive Board, thanked the President of the Republic of Benin and the Government for the generous hospitality and precious contribution to hosting such a regional event of UNESCO. He placed a particular emphasis on the dialogue among cultures and civilizations that UNESCO has been striving to promote for a culture of peace. He went on to highlight the major challenges facing the continent with regard to the achievement of the EFA goals and the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Referring to the designation of Africa as one of the two overall priorities of the Organization during the six-year Medium-Term Strategy he highlighted some cooperation initiatives and praised the efforts made so far in this regard. 5. On behalf of Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Marcio Barbosa, Deputy Director-General, expressed profound gratitude to the President and the Government of Benin for hosting the Consultation and for their warm hospitality. He recalled excellent relations which exist between UNESCO and Benin by mentioning the President of Benin’s visit to UNESCO Headquarters in June 2006 and the Director-General’s visit to Benin in February 2007. He went on to emphasize UNESCO’s fruitful cooperation with the African Union in areas such as science and technology, multilingualism, cultural diversity, gender equality, North-South and South-South cooperation. He expressed the wish that through this regional consultation, the African National Commissions take an active part in UNESCO’s programme planning and implementation.

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6. On behalf of H.E. Mr Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin, Mr Issifou Kogui N’Douro, State Minister in charge of Defense, officially declared open the Director-General’s Consultation with the African National Commissions for UNESCO on the preparation of draft document 35 C/5 and wished it full success. 7. Following the opening ceremony, the Provisional Rules of Procedures together with the Provisional Agenda and Timetable were unanimously adopted. The following countryrepresentatives were elected as members of the Bureau: Chairperson: Mr Marcel Baglo (Benin) Vice Chairs: Mr Ayao Akoete Kouglenou (Togo) Mr Augustine Omare Okurut (Uganda) Rapporteur: Mrs. C. Dookhony (Mauritius) Co-Rapporteurs: Mrs Mapaseka Kolotsane (Lesotho) Mr Lou Mathieu Bamba (Côte d’Ivoire) I. Thematic session: “UNESCO and Africa” 8. During his presentation on “UNESCO and Africa”, Mr Nouréini Tidjani-Serpos, Assistant Director-General for the Africa Department, recalled that Africa was, together with gender, the Organization’s priority in the Medium-Term Strategy for 2008-2013. UNESCO’s action on the continent reflected the priorities defined by Africa itself, in the framework of its regional integration. That was the context in which the sectoral plans of action approved by the African Union were being implemented, including the Plan of Action of the Second Decade of Education for Africa (2006-2015) and the Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action, which the Organization had helped to develop and to which it would ensure the follow up. Reference was also made to recent decisions by the Organization’s governing bodies relating to African issues such as the extension of the African continental shelf and the work being done by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in that context. A specific, intersectoral, crosscutting and regional platform was dedicated to “Priority Africa” in the 2008-2009 Programme and Budget. 9. The subregional aspect of cooperation with Africa, through the regional economic communities and the regional integration organizations, was also underscored, as were the consultation mechanisms established by the Director-General, such as the Forum of the Regional and Sub-Regional African Organizations in support of cooperation between UNESCO and NEPAD and the UNESCO Committee for NEPAD. 10. The National Commissions were invited to reflect, in the course of their work, on the need to take into account priorities expressed at different levels, national, subregional and regional. 11. With regard to action in favour of post-conflict countries, the Organization’s participation in the global response of the United Nations system, in particular in the field, the role of the Programme of Education for Emergencies and Reconstruction (AFR-PEER), and the existence of a platform on post-conflict and post-disaster countries were highlighted.

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12. The meeting was also informed of the various summits between Africa and its partners, and was invited to reflect on ways and means of strengthening strategic partnerships and the opportunities for North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation to which they gave rise: European Union-Africa Summit, India-Africa Summit and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). The possibility of cooperation with the Diaspora, declared by the African Union as the sixth region of Africa, was raised. 13. The Assistant Director-General of the Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP), Mr Hans d’Orville, recalled that Africa had already been chosen as a “Priority” to be mainstreamed for the period of the Medium -Term Strategy for 2001-2007 (31 C/4). Subsequently, it was designated as a “Global Priority” in the Medium-Term Strategy for 2008-2009 (34 C/4). While UNESCO’s cooperation with African Member States, the African Union and the sub-regional organizations and the Organization’s involvement in a number of high level meetings and conferences reflected the priority attached to Africa and involved substantial advocacy, he suggested that beyond there was a need for a more strategic and focused approach to translate this global priority into tangible evidence by focusing on the human and financial resources allocated by UNESCO’s programmes. He suggested that the principal strategic focus of action benefiting Africa throughout all Major Programmes should be, inter alia, on upstream policy advice and development; capacity-building; normative and standard setting activities; disaster prevention and assistance; promotion of international cooperation (such as with TICAD, NEPAD); intellectual and creative activities; and gender equality and gender mainstreaming. As he pointed out, being designated a “global priority” implied three major requirements: (i) a strategic plan, including a strong focus on RBM, monitoring and evaluation; (ii) measurable indicators and (iii) regular monitoring at national, regional and global levels. He further stressed that action must be respectful of national development goals, regional development targets and ensure high quality of delivery by UN system organizations, including UNESCO. As regards the newly established intersectoral platform for Africa, he suggested in conclusion that it should analyse to what extent to sectoral work plans did in fact respond in terms of substance and financial allocations to the expected results for Africa as approved in the relevant resolutions of the General Conference. Should there be insufficient emphasis, Sectors should be asked to redouble there efforts and revise work plans. 14. During the ensuing debate, the participants raised questions about indicators designed to enable Member States to evaluate the scope, efficiency and relevance of cooperation in the framework of the priority accorded to Africa. Their questions concerned, in particular, the portion allocated as Africa’s share of the regular programme and the Organization’s capacity to mobilize extrabudgetary funds and partners on behalf of the continent. 15. In regard to the Organization’s contribution to the regional and subregional integration process, the National Commissions: (i) welcomed UNESCO’s efforts to strengthen its cooperation with the African Union and the regional economic communities (RECs) and to ensure coherence and complementarity in the initiatives taken; (ii) stressed the need to increase coordination among the various actors at the national level and between the national and subregional or regional levels; (iii) called for meetings of Ministers of Education of the RECs to be held in cases, such as in ECOWAS, where they had not been held for a long time, to facilitate the taking of policy decisions required to harmonize education systems, policies and strategies, vectors of regional integration. 16. The link between bilateral and multilateral cooperation was also discussed, with emphasis on the need to adapt general strategies to the specific features of regional, subregional and national cooperation frameworks.

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17. With regard to UNESCO’s strategy for support to countries in post-conflict situations, the National Commissions welcomed the efforts being exerted by UNESCO and urged it to step up its action in those countries. They considered that UNESCO’s presence in countries in post-conflict situations was an important aspect of inter-agency cooperation and a key factor in raising the Organization’s visibility on the ground. 18. Stress was laid on the need to promote a culture of peace in Africa, not only in post-conflict countries, but also as a component of preventive action. Future-oriented research relating to peacemaking and peace-building was seen as a fundamental part of UNESCO’s contribution to the framing and implementation of strategies and projects to promote peace. 19. In the framework of the Year of African Youth the National Commissions unanimously acknowledged the need to promote formal and non formal education for unemployed young people. In that connection, stress was laid on the need to develop technical and vocational education, a key element of inclusive education, and to strengthen the UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) with a view to enable it helping Member States to renew their education systems. 20. With regard to the new partnerships with Africa, and in the light of the results of the summits held on that topic, the National Commissions recommended that the Organization pursue its action to promote North-South and South-South cooperation and, in particular, inter-African cooperation. II. Preparation of the Draft Programme and Budget for 2010-2011 (35 C/5) 21. The Assistant Director-General for Strategic Planning, Mr Hans d’Orville, introduced the item. He pointed out that the regional consultation was an opportunity for National Commissions to identify global challenges and opportunities to define common cluster and regional priorities and to articulate their views concerning appropriate orientations for the future, bearing in mind the global strategic objectives of UNESCO and the ongoing developments, especially concerning United Nations reform. 22. Mr d’Orville referred to the adoption of the new Medium-Term Strategy for 2008-2013 (34 C/4) and the related first biennial Programme and Budget for 2008-2009 (34 C/5) at the 34th session of the General Conference. He highlighted the main features of the new Medium-Term Strategy, articulated around five overarching objectives and fourteen strategic programme objectives and indicated that this document should constitute the overall strategic framework for the preparation of 2010-2011 Programme and Budget (35 C/5). 23. The Assistant Director-General noted some of the main challenges to be addressed by the Consultation: (i) maintaining a seamless transition between documents 34 C/4 and 35 C/5; (ii) ensuring the integration of country-level demands in the context of the United Nations reform; (iii) strengthening intersectoral work as one of UNESCO’s comparative advantages; (iv) developing an effective and results-oriented approach to cooperation with category 2 institutes and centres; (iv) further sharpening UNESCO’s lead roles and core competencies in a competitive multilateral environment. Finally, he recalled the various stages in the preparation of document 35 C/5 which cover almost 18 months and include the involvement of multiple stakeholders. He further stressed the importance of adopting consensus-based recommendations in order to enhance their prospects of being retained. 24. Following this introduction, Secretaries-General of the National Commissions of the countries covered by the ten UNESCO Clusters (Accra, Addis Ababa, Bamako, Dakar, Dar Es Salaam, Harare, Libreville, Nairobi, Windhoek and Yaoundé) and the respective Field Office Directors/Heads held five joint cluster meetings to discuss further programming issues and priorities as well as other

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aspects raised in the questionnaire. The reports of these cluster consultations, which will also serve as a basis for the elaboration of future cluster activities, were presented in plenary and informed the subsequent deliberations. The following sections synthesize the main observations, conclusions and recommendations of the cluster reports and the general debate. Main programming principles and features 25. Overall, there was a general agreement on the policy direction and focus provided by the Medium-Term Strategy, as well as on the need to ensure a seamless transition between the C/4 and the corresponding biennial programme and budget documents. The participants further agreed on the need to maintain the present structure of the C/5 document and its current programming features and principles, including the pursuit of the results-based programming, management, monitoring and reporting (RBM) approach in programme planning and implementation. Some participants called for a greater concentration and focus on priority issues, such as the attainment of EFA goals at all levels. 26. The participants considered that while UNESCO should retain and pursue its current five modalities for programme delivery, special focus and priority should be placed on human and institutional capacity-building, policy advice and support to Member States for the development of strategies and the implementation of operational programmes and activities. Some speakers suggested in this regard that emphasis be placed on strengthening decentralized mechanisms and encouraging open and distance learning. While stressing the need to achieve a balance and complementarity between global-, regional- and country-level activities, some clusters felt that the highest priority should be given to local and regional activities, especially when targeted at LDCs and post-conflict countries. The need to foster South-South as well as triangular North-SouthSouth cooperation was also stressed. 27. The designation of Africa and gender equality as the two global priorities throughout the period of the Medium-Term Strategy was welcomed and confirmed. Concerning Africa, the meeting called for the development of a strategic plan to translate this priority more visibly in terms of the needs of the countries and expected results in all UNESCO’s programme areas. The need to strengthen the capacities of National Commissions to enable them to better assess the impact of the activities was raised. Participants also called for the identification of indicators and the definition of baselines to monitor and measure the progress achieved in addressing the two priorities – Africa and gender equality. Some participants considered that there should be an increase in the provision of financial resources, both regular and extrabudgetary, to the Africa region. It was suggested that 30% of UNESCO’s regular budget should be directed to help Africa and the LDCs. Participants considered that action benefiting Africa should focus more specifically on the promotion of human rights education, democracy and good governance; capacity-building for job creation and poverty reduction. The need to increase human resources at the Cluster and regional office levels was also raised. 28. Some speakers called for increased support to mechanisms and institutions to help development and intensification of gender strategies at the national level. The conduct of a gender audit of UNESCO’s programmes as well as the development of indicators and benchmarks were also deemed appropriate to support gender policy development. 29. The importance of devising strategies and specific and targeted interventions addressing the needs of youth was strongly emphasized during the discussions. In this context, the meeting considered that priority should be given to: creating opportunities for youth to access education and social services; supporting job creating activities/entrepreneurship training for youth; putting in place adequate programmes to address emerging challenges for youth such as migration, drug

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abuse and trafficking; supporting re-entry programmes for school drop-outs; and strengthening ASPNet and UNESCO Clubs. Sectoral programme priorities 30. There was a general agreement to maintain the current biennial sectoral priorities and main lines of action (MLAs) under the respective major programmes in the C/5 document. However, some proposed adjustments and/or specific remarks and considerations were made during both the cluster discussions and the general debate, which are reported below. Major Programme I – Education 31. Overall, participants favoured maintaining the current biennial sectoral priorities and the current four main lines of action. They were unanimous in reaffirming that top priority be accorded to the attainment of EFA goals and MDGs. The following areas were also deemed critical for preparing the future programme and should receive priority attention: quality education/relevance and implementation of EFA National Action Plan; development of UNESCO National Support Strategy (UNESS); educational planning and management, HIV and AIDS education; early childhood education; technical and vocational education (especially of school drop-outs); use of ICTs for education; and greater emphasis on research that would inform policy dialogue as well as on higher education and research. Other priorities were also mentioned including: data collection and analysis for educational statistics (EMIS); teacher education and training; education for sustainable development (including environment, health and human rights education); and assessing educational policies in the framework of current national educational reforms. Some speakers suggested that the Organization should attract and better coordinate the impact of international development partners input and facilitate collaborative linkages between all UNESCO‘s major initiatives such as LIFE and TTISSA to enhance complementarity and synergies, especially at the country level. 32. The need for enhanced gender mainstreaming in education and radical improvements in girl/child education ratios was also stressed, as was the necessity to mobilize greater resources for related priority areas such as science education. Several speakers insisted on the need for continuous monitoring and evidence-based reports, including through the Global Monitoring Report (GMR) to inform policy dialogue and decision-making. Major Programme II – Natural sciences 33. While agreeing to maintain the current biennial sectoral priorities and the current four main lines of action of MP II, participants recommended that special emphasis be placed on the following areas: water resource management (including capacity-building, preserving water against pollution and rationalizing its use); fostering capacities and knowledge in the field of sciences, support for the elaboration of science curricula and public awareness for the development of a “culture of sciences”); capacity development, including in the field of renewable energy; protection of ecosystems; disaster preparedness and mitigation; as well as risk reduction. Several speakers pointed out the importance of protecting the environment and natural resources, promoting the use of renewable energy and solving the problems of pollution. They suggested that special attention be given to the management of biosphere reserves, especially in the context of the follow-up of the Third World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, Madrid (2008). Some considered that priority should also be given to the promotion of indigenous knowledge systems (including research, innovation and commercialization of indigenous knowledge products). Others suggested that particular attention be given to the incorporation (in current MLA 3) of education on climate change and environmental protection and to the strengthening of science and technologies policies, and the development of collaborative linkages among African networks, institutions and teachers, including young female African scientists (in current MLA 4).

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Major Programme III – Social and human sciences 34. Most speakers agreed to maintain the biennial sectoral priorities for MP III and the corresponding MLAs for document 35 C/5 while suggesting that special emphasis be placed on research and capacity-building in the ethics of sciences and bioethics, social development and policies related to youth, physical education and sports. Some proposed adding a new main line of action devoted to the fight against drug abuse by young people. Others highlighted the critical importance of social issues for Africa and recommended an increase in the resources allocated to this major programme. The key role of social and human sciences for the development of preventive programmes against violence and war and the promotion of a culture of non-violence and peace was also raised by a number of speakers. The need to pay particular attention to the needs of marginalized groups was also underlined. Major Programme IV – Culture 35. The participants agreed to maintain the current biennial sectoral priorities for MP IV and the current MLAs. However, they considered that stronger emphasis should be placed on the role and contribution of culture as a source of livelihood. In this context, they underlined the critical importance of museums development, especially for developing countries; institutional capacity building and support to cultural industries as means of contributing to poverty eradication. Participants recommended that continued focus be placed on the safeguarding and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural and natural heritage, including through initiatives and programmes such as the African Liberation Heritage project, to the protection of underwater cultural heritage, and to supporting national cultural policies. They considered that increased attention should be given to the inscription of a larger number of sites from the region on the World Heritage List. It was recommended further that priority be given in document 35 C/5 to advocacy for the ratification of cultural conventions, including through National Commissions, to the development of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue as well as to the promotion of national languages and multilingualism. Major Programme V – Communication and information 36. There was general agreement to maintain the present biennial sectoral priorities for MP V and the MLAs. Participants considered that continued support should be provided for the development of communication and information policies and strategies to ensure freedom of expression, media independence and pluralism; universal access to information and knowledge, including through community media, as well as institutional capacity-building for media professionals. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of supporting the functioning of a responsible and free press, including through the development of media legislation; the reinforcement of freedom of information; as well as enhancing media competence and professionalism, especially during election periods. The role of media in peace-building and national reconciliation processes was also highlighted. Increasing local content and local production and encouraging the use of ICTs for disseminating culture should also continue to be among the priority issues of document 35 C/5 together with the promotion and use of ICTs in all development sectors. Fostering interdisciplinary and intersectoral action 37. There was overall agreement for UNESCO to continue interdisciplinary work through the intersectoral platform modality. Some speakers considered that the present arrangement for the platforms, including the themes selected in document 34 C/5 and the provision of financial resources was appropriate and should be maintained in document 35 C/5. However, some speakers were of the opinion that UNESCO should focus its efforts on a more limited number of platforms to achieve optimal benefits and impact. Others suggested the preservation of documentary heritage and eco-tourism as examples of possible priority topics/themes to be considered for the next biennium.

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Delivering the programme 38. The consultation welcomed the decentralization and “Delivering as one” approach. They considered that the United Nations reform was a collective challenge for all the organizations of the entire system and a critical opportunity for UNESCO. However, they also recognized that this approach poses special challenges to both National Commissions and cluster offices. As they pointed out, for National Commissions the key challenge is to identify new arrangements enabling them to contribute to the country programming exercises. 39. The participants recommended the development of synergies with cluster and regional offices by providing local expertise in UNESCO’s areas of competence. They suggested that UNESCO should work closely with sister United Nations agencies at the country level to recognize and incorporate the National Commissions during the programming discussions and exercises. It was further recommended to reinforce capacity-building in technical and human resources to that end. Some speakers recommended that the possibility for National Commissions to play an increased role in countries where UNESCO is non-resident be pursued. Participants suggested that resources be provided to support National Commissions’ contribution, participation and influence in the preparation of UNDAF and other such national programmes. 40. The development of partnerships and alliances and other cooperative mechanisms were deemed essential to achieve greater impact and results in programme implementation. In this context, several speakers recommended expanding the number of partners and drawing more effectively on the capacities, expertise, work and contributions of bodies such as category 2 institutes and centres, ASPNet, UNESCO Clubs and UNESCO Chairs. 41. It was suggested that the visibility of UNESCO at the country level could be improved by providing capacity-building and support for establishing and implementing a communication strategy including increasing the capacities of National Commissions to enhance their potential to disseminate information. Participants suggested that the Organization’s visibility at the country level could be further strengthened through the work of UNESCO’s programme networks such as the UNESCO Clubs and centres, ASPnet schools and UNESCO Chairs/UNITWIN. Some recommended that UNESCO should continue supporting the observance of international and other national days and events to increase its visibility. Increasing and strengthening partnerships with the print and electronic media for effective coverage and regular reporting of activities was also emphasized. III.

UNESCO’s decentralization strategy and United Nations “Delivering as One” reform at country level: Role and strengthening of National Commissions 42. A special session was devoted to (i) UNESCO’s decentralization strategy and United Nations reform at the country level: the role of National Commissions, and to the Summary of the work of the first phase and progress of the second phase of UNESCO’s Decentralization Review Task Force (DRTF); (ii) UNESCO’s budget management and cost recovery policy; (ii) a Briefing on the work of the Coordinating Group of National Commissions. 43. Mr. Hans d’Orville, Assistant Director-General for Strategic Planning (ADG/BSP), described the current UN reform as a quest for coherence, efficiency and quality of delivery. He recalled recent milestones since October 2006 in “Delivering as One” reform and presented the following 13 guiding principles emerging from the eight “delivering as one” pilots and the 2007 TCPR: 1) Government ownership and leadership, 2) inclusiveness, 3) attainment of and alignment with the international development goals, 4) diversity of approaches, 5) normative-operational linkage, 6) One plan/programme, 7) One budgetary framework, 8) One leader, 9) programming and implementation of the thematic programmes by specialized agencies, 10) One office where

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appropriate, 11) respect for sectoral competences of specialized agencies, 12) technical expertise and relevance, 13) integration of regional and global programmes into national programming documents. He also highlighted on going and future challenges to be addressed in this context . 44. Mr. Jim Kulikowski, Deputy Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Cooperation (ERC) and Mr. Bernard Hadjadj, Chargé de mission, Bureau of Field Coordination (BFC), summarized the first phase and on-going second phase of UNESCO’s Decentralization Review Task Force (DRTF) and its future work schedule as well as its discussions on the possible role of National Commissions in the UN country programming exercises. They referred to the proposed workshop scheduled to take place in September 2008 for National Commissions from the “delivering as one” pilots and 2008-2009 UNDAF roll out countries to review best practices and indicated that the preliminary proposals on UNESCO’s reviewed decentralization strategy will be submitted to the 180th session of the Executive Board in October 2008 for its consideration. 45. Mrs. Yolande Valle, Director, Bureau of Budget explained the main trends in the current funding schemes of UN organizations, including the relative decline of core resources, the increase of extrabudgetary resources and the fact that the Regular programme finances most of the support costs of extrabudgetary projects. She presented the main objectives of UNESCO’s cost recovery policy, namely (i) to allow the Organization to improve results delivery; (ii) to ensure adequate and sustainable funding to implement the programme; and (iii) to enhance results-based management (RBM) and presented the results of the work being carried out both within UNESCO and the UN system towards the harmonization of cost recovery policies of UN organizations. 46. In his presentation on the current work of the Coordinating Group of National Commissions, Mr. Luis Ramallo, Chairperson of the Group explained the informal nature of this body as a forum for advocacy for and follow-up to UNESCO cooperation with National Commissions. Referring to the UN reform process, he emphasized the need for National Commissions to capitalize on their advantages and best practises. He highlighted the importance of their role as “focal points” in mobilizing partners, working with various networks, promoting UNESCO’s ideals, and enhancing the visibility of the Organization. 47. The discussions focused on the challenges posed by the “Delivering as one” approach to National Commissions and cluster and regional offices. The need for governments to associate and involve National Commissions in their discussions with the UN country teams to define the priorities of the One Plan/programme and other country programming exercises was raised by a number of participants. As also mentioned by several speakers, the challenge for UNESCO will be to devise specific approaches and advocate for the participation of National Commissions in technical groups and sectoral studies. Training, capacity-building, information sharing and exchange of best practices, and close cooperation with cluster and regional offices were deemed important for National Commissions to contribute to these processes. IV. Adoption of the Report /Closing ceremony 48. At the end of the meeting, the participants adopted the report and made a number of specific recommendations annexed to this document. 49. The closing ceremony took place in the presence of H.E. Madam Christine A. I. Nougbode Ouinsavi, Minister for Maternal and Primary Education and President of the Benin National Commission for UNESCO.

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Annexe RECOMMANDATION 1 Les Secrétaires généraux réunis lors de la Consultation du Directeur général sur la préparation du Projet de programme et de budget pour 2010-2011 (35 C/5) du 7 au 9 juillet 2008 à Cotonou, au Bénin, recommandent : •

•

aux Etats membres : -

de respecter la lettre et l’esprit des dispositions de l’Acte Constitutif de l’UNESCO relatives aux Commissions nationales, notamment l’article 7,

-

de doter les Commissions nationales des ressources humaines et financières matérielles nécessaires à l’accomplissement de leur mission de veille, de proposition et de suivi des décisions et résolutions de l’Organisation,

-

de consulter autant que de besoin les Commissions nationales dans tous les domaines de compétence de l’Organisation,

-

de les impliquer autant que de besoin dans tous les domaines d’activités relatifs au mandat de l’Organisation ;

à l’UNESCO -

de veiller au renforcement des capacités de Commissions nationales par des formations régulières,

-

de veiller à la continuité dans l’action des Secrétaires généraux,

-

d’assurer la visibilité des Commissions nationales à travers la publication de leurs activités,

-

d’aider les Commissions nationales à promouvoir les idéaux de l’Organisation à travers des émissions et des conférences publiques dans ses domaines de compétence,

-

de favoriser la coopération Sud-Sud, Sud-Nord-Sud,

-

de renforcer les réseaux des Ecoles associées, des Associations, Centres et Clubs UNESCO, dynamiser les Chaires UNESCO et leurs liens avec les Commissions nationales pour induire des transformations sociétales porteuses d’un avenir plus en conformité avec les idéaux de l’Organisation.

Fait à Cotonou, le 9 juillet 2008

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RECOMMANDATION 2 Les Secrétaires généraux des Commissions nationales réunis lors de la Consultation du Directeur général sur la préparation du Projet de programme et de budget 2010-2011 (35 C/5) du 7 au 9 juillet 2008, à Cotonou, au Bénin, recommandent : •

aux Etats membres: -

•

de ratifier les Conventions internationales de l’UNESCO en passant par les voies les plus appropriées et en assurant la mise en place au niveau national de mesures et de législations en vue de leur application;

à l’UNESCO : -

d’appuyer les Commissions nationales dans leur travail de sensibilisation auprès des Ministères pour les amener à ratifier les Conventions , en mettant à la disposition des pays concernés des experts pour expliquer le bien fondé et les résultats attendus en formant les cadres des Ministères concernés aux techniques de mise en œuvre de ces conventions une fois ratifiées.

Fait à Cotonou, le 9 juillet 2008

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RECOMMANDATION 3 Les participants à la Consultation du Directeur général auprès des Commissions nationales, Après avoir entendu le message de Monsieur Henri Djombo, Ministre de l’Economie Forestière de la République du Congo, Président du Comité international de coordination du Programme MAB : •

notant l’importance du programme MAB dans la Stratégie à moyen terme 2008-2013 et dans le 34 C/5, programme axé « sur les dimensions écologiques sociales, économiques et culturelles de la perte de la biodiversité » et donc programme transversal par excellence visant la viabilité environnementale.

•

Notant l’appel contenu dans le message du Président du CIC du MAB, en faveur de la vulgarisation du Plan d’Action de Madrid et de la redynamisation des Comités nationaux du MAB par les Commissions nationales.

Recommandent à l’UNESCO: (i)

de veiller à la prise en compte du Plan d’Action de Madrid dans le 35 C/5 ;

(ii)

d’appuyer les Commissions nationales dans leurs efforts en vue de la redynamisation des différents comités scientifiques nationaux, notamment les Comités MAB.

Fait à Cotonou, le 9 juillet 2008

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RECOMMANDATION 4 •

Considérant le rôle prépondérant des Commissions nationales dans la mise en œuvre des programmes et projets de l’UNESCO.

•

Considérant la nécessité d’une coordination harmonieuse entre l’Organisation et les Etats membres ; -

Nous, Secrétaires généraux des Commissions nationales réunis lors de la Consultation du Directeur général auprès des Commissions nationales Africaines pour la préparation du Projet de programme et de budget 2010-2011 (35 C/5) du 7 au 9 juillet 2008, à Cotonou, au Bénin :

-

Recommandons l’implication effective des Commissions nationales dans l’élaboration, la mise en œuvre, le suivi et l’évaluation des activités des Bureaux hors Siège dans les pays.

Fait à Cotonou, le 9 juillet 2008

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