UNESCO and its initiatives

The preamble to UNESCO's constitution, drawn up on November 16, 1945 by 37 countries in London, lays down the premise for UNESCO's foundation: "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed' and that peace, if it not to fail, must be founded upon the 'intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind."

As outlined in the same constitution, the three pillars upon which UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) rests are education, science and culture "to further the universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms..."

Through its strategies and activities, UNESCO is actively pursuing Millenium Development Goals, especially those aiming to:

¤ halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty in developing countries by 2015
¤ achieve universal primary education in all countries by 2015
¤ eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005
¤ help countries implement a national strategy for sustainable development by 2005 to reverse current trends in the loss of environmental resources by 2015.

Thirteen years had to pass from the birth of UNESCO for its grandiose headquarters to open in Place de Fontenoy in Paris in November 1958, which was designed by three world-renowned architects (Pier Luigi Nervi of Italy, Marcel Breuer of the US and Bernard Zehrfuss of France). Nicknamed the 'three-pointed star' due to its Y-shaped design, the entire edifice stands on 72 columns of concrete piling. It is world-famous not only because it is the home of a well-known organisation but also because of its outstanding architectural qualities.

Today, UNESCO has 190 member states. Its director-general is Koichiro Matsuura.

Shared responsibilities and National Commissions

The creed preached by UNESCO is a very pro-active one, with member states being encouraged to participate at every stage. The issue of shared responsibilities appeared first in 1978, when UNESCO's General Conference approved the Charter of National Commissions at its 20th session.

UNESCO National Commissions are national co-operating bodies set up by the member states to associate governmental and non-governmental activities to the work of UNESCO.

There are 190 National Commissions (i.e. one for every member state). Member sates' representatives to UNESCO's Executive Board and the General Conference are often advised by National Commissions in matters relating to the organisation.

UNESCO institutes

A number of collated institutes make up the UNESCO jigsaw. Although multi-hued in their aims, such institutes still all embrace the safeguard of culture, sciences and education in undermining poverty and social injustice. Such institutes include:

MAB (Man and the Biosphere) grants awards to young scientists to participate in research and development activities, and also involve them in promotional and demonstration activities on appropriate technologies and conservation measures in rural areas.

The International Oceanographic Commission (IOC) offers study grants designed to enhance capacity in developing countries for marine sciences, systematic ocean observations, and marine management.

The UNESCO Institute of Education (UIE) offers short-term fellowship/training programmes for senior officials in the field of education, particularly in literacy, non-formal education and adult learning.

UNESCO Microbial Resources Centres Network (MIRCENs) which offers short-term fellowships in Biotechnology is designed to stimulate and facilitate research and training in microbial biotechnology and related environmental biotechnologies.

UNESCO also offers short-term fellowships in biotechnology, particularly research in plant and aquatic biotechnology.

The Summer School on Solar Electricity for Rural and Isolated Zones is a four-week course in French held every July for professionals working in solar energy in rural and isolated zones.

The UNESCO International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) offers fellowships to developing countries.

Short-term fellowships are also offered in the basic sciences aimed at promoting international co-operation.

The UNESCO-Ashberg bursaries for artists are intended to promote the professional growth of young artists in all art disciplines by providing opportunities for further training or work residency abroad.

The UNESCO/Biotechnology Action Council (BAC) provides the biotechnological community in the least developed countries with research and training opportunities.

UNESCO also sponsors postgraduate courses in hydrology and water resources.

Participation programmes

The UNESCO Participation Programme provides direct assistance to initiatives undertaken by member states in the organisation's fields of competence, in line with the priorities that they themselves determine.

Assistance under the programme is provided upon requests submitted in principle through National Commissions. Single individuals cannot be recipients, with entities like NGOs and educational institutions being given priority.

Last year four Maltese NGOs, out of six applicants, received financial aid from UNESCO, with this year's applications being issued by the National Commission last January. Last year's awarded proposals ranged from the introduction of a practical marine biology course and the safeguarding of sand dune habitats in our islands to working with physically impaired pupils and constructing an educational centre within a bird sanctuary.

UNESCO also offers the UNESCO Fellowships Programme in Support of Priority Programme Areas.

The fellowships offered under this scheme are short-term (six months maximum) and are intended for specialised training at the postgraduate level. Priority targets are promising and qualified specialists who seek to undertake advanced research or to upgrade their skills and knowledge of state-of-the-art developments in their field of study or work.

A number of co-sponsored fellowships are also offered.

Cultural diversity

It is quite a feat to condense all of UNESCO's global initiatives. A theme often harped upon by UNESCO is the safeguard of cultural diversity. Such a theme is recurrent in television spots, sponsored by the organisation, carried on flagship channels such as Discovery, where the limelight is on minority cultural groups around the world - such as the Gaelic-speaking minority in Scotland.

UNESCO's 31st General Conference approved the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity which confirms the view that intercultural dialogue is the best guarantee for peace, rejecting the ideas that conflicts between cultures and civilizations are inevitable.

One of the main aims of this declaration is the strengthening of the links between culture and development - a novel concept in countries where entire cultures are on the brink of extinction due to westernisation or rampant development.

World Heritage Sites are one of the best-known UNESCO initiatives, encompassing such monuments to human civilisation as the Taj Mahal in India, the Acropolis in Greece, the Great Wall of China and Machu Picchu in Peru.

In 1972 UNESCO adopted the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, signed by 163 states which have pledged international co-operation to protect sites on the World Heritage List in 125 countries, including our very own neolithic temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra. To date, 754 sites world-wide have been granted such a status.

UNESCO also strives to promote freedom of expression and strengthening communication capacities. In fact, on April 2, UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) granted over $1.5 million to 62 media projects in developing countries.

In 1986 UNESCO initiated its Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme that encourages division of protected areas into zones with different purposes. Within the central core region, critical ecosystem functions and wildlife are protected and only scientific research is permitted. Ecotourism facilities appear in the relatively pristine buffer zones whilst sustainable resource harvesting and permanent habitations are permitted in the multiple-use peripheral areas.

To date, nearly 300 such biosphere reserves have been designated in 75 countries, with countries like Costa Rica, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Senegal, Bhutan and Switzerland designating 10 per cent or more of their surface area as ecological protectorates.

UNESCO also set the pace in the biological field with the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights, adopted at the General Conference of November 11, 1997, being the first universally-acclaimed document in biology at a time when the ethical aspects of genetic research were still somewhat nebulous.

Local initiatives

On the local scene, UNESCO this year issued an interactive CD-ROM featuring the contents and national treasures at the Bibliotheca - another such project will cover the President's Palace in Valletta.

Another laudable initiative was the digitilisation of all of the works by the National Poet, Dun Karm - a project started two years ago and which has just been completed. "Educational rooms" are to be opened in vintage historical sites, such as the Inquisitor's Palace, where more verve is to be suffused in historical events through re-enactments, etc.

The Maltese National UNESCO Commission, on behalf of GOI Peace Foundation, also invited young people at the beginning of April to participate in an essay competition on the theme "Making the most of my qualities" for children (up to 15) and youths (16-25).

Essays in English, German or French are to be submitted by June 30 to: International Essay Contest, c/o The Goi Peace Foundation 1/4/5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda/ku, Tokyo 102-0093, Japan. For further information visit: www.giopeace.org.jp.

Local contacts

Ambassador Joseph Licari heads the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO while Professor Charles J. Farrugia chairs the UNESCO National Commission, which is based at the Pro-Rector's Office, Administration Building, University of Malta.

UNESCO's headquarters is at 7, Place de Fontenoy, 75352 PARIS 07 SP, France; e-mail: bpiweb@unesco.org. Website: www.unesco.org.

The author wishes to thank Professor Charles Farrugia and Maria Attard for their help in compiling this article.