Sunday, May 31, 2009

Biodiversity

UNESCO: A key actor in the fulfilment of the global biodiversity agenda

©Ventoux BR

Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is disappearing at an unprecedented and most likely increasing rate. This situation contradicts the international "2010 Biodiversity Target", which aims at significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Science and governance for conserving and sustainably and equitably using biodiversity are key elements to decrease the rate of its loss. Since its early days, UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme has initiated programmes and activities focusing on the diversity and the resources provided by nature, humans' impacts on biodiversity, as well as how biodiversity affects human activities. These initiatives are intended to contribute to the fulfillment of a global biodiversity agenda

Friday, May 29, 2009

Special Rapporteur focuses on the right to education of persons in detention

Kenitra Penitentiary, Morocco

27-05-2009
People in detention constitute a highly marginalized group that faces endemic violations of its right to education, according to a report recently presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The annual report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education notes that a disproportionate number of persons in prison come from poor, discriminated and marginalized groups.

An estimated 30 percent have learning disabilities. Global statistics suggest that at least 1 million children are detained, of which many have a history of school failure. There is no guarantee, according to the report, of access to education for all children in detention. The report also assesses education programmes for children living in prison with their mothers and draws attention to the status of women in prisons. It details complex educational challenges faced by prisoners, including the absence of educational materials, waiting lists of up to three years for courses, staff shortages, the absence of learning spaces and the withdrawal of educational “privileges” as a punitive measure.

Learning in prison through educational programmes is generally considered a tool of change. Their value can be judged by the impact on recidivism, reintegration and employment outcomes upon release. The report demonstrates an urgent need to redouble efforts to respect, protect and fulfill the right to education. It recommends that public education be made available to all detainees to at least cover the compulsory education curriculum.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

22 New Sites Join the UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves

Have a look at the photo gallery below

©UNESCO-MAB
Geres /Xures BR

The 21st session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) is held from 25 to 29 May 2009 on the Island of Jeju, Republic of Korea. Today the MAB-ICC decided to add 22 new sites from 17 countries to the UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) which now counts 553 sites in 107 countries. The new sites include:

Lagunas de Montebello, Mexico, is set in a hydrological region of high biological diversity. Its location - in the area that connects the Highland region of Chiapas and the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico, which corresponds to the central massif - makes it particularly important. The karst landscape and more than 50 lagoons of varying sizes give the area its scenic beauty. The site is critically important for water harvesting and climate regulation. Local communities are involved in the management of the site's ecological resources. They practice a range of agricultural activities increasingly focusing on practices compatible with conservation function. For example the traditional coffee production has shifted to organic production with organic conversion of the grain which, together with reforestation and tourism activities have emerged as alternatives which support the sustainable development of the area.

Fuerteventura, Spain, is the second biggest island of the Canaries archipelago, close to the West African Coast. It includes a wide range of ecosystems from desert or semi-desert areas to coastal and marine habitats. While the island is characterized by a rich diversity of marine species, including dolphins and cachalots, as well as marine turtles that reproduce on its beaches, the biosphere reserve also represents one of the world’s major geopalentological observatories. Development of sustainable ecotourism practices is the major focus of the population living on the island. The island is also investing in the increase of its renewable energy capacity, mainly through wind-based and solar energy production and is representing itself as one of the models for the implementation of the European Union's Directive on Renewable Energy.

Flores Island, Portugal, part of the western group of the Azores archipelago, represents the surface part of a seamount close to the Mid Atlantic Riff. It was created by volcanic activity which started less than 10 million years ago. The biosphere reserve includes the whole emerged area of Flores Island and some adjacent marine areas with significant landscape, geological, environmental and cultural assets. High cliffs dominate most of the coastline, which is dotted with islets. The area supports traditional fishing and attracts valuable tourism, specifically for diving, whale and dolphin watching and shore walking.

Delta del Orinoco, Venezuela, is characterized by great biological diversity in its terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, home to more than 2,000 plant species and a wide array of land and water fauna. The biosphere reserve’s biodiversity is complemented by the cultural wealth of the Warao people. Promoting productive activities within the site creates opportunities to strengthen the Warao communities, secure their settlements and improve their living conditions.

Mount Myohyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a sacred site as, according to legend, it was the home of King Tangun, forefather of the Korean people. The scenic mountainous area rises nearly 2,000 metres above sea level. Its spectacular rocks and cliffs provide a habitat for 30 endemic plant species; 16 plant species that are globally threatened and 12 animal species that are also endangered. A wide variety of medicinal herbs also grows in the site.

Shinan Dadohae, Republic of Korea, comprises an island archipelago in the southwest of the country. It includes terrestrial and marine areas as well as large tidal flats, which are home to a great diversity of species and serve as resting places for rare migratory birds. Traditional forms of fishing (e.g. hand-fishing) and salt production are still practiced in this area.

Great Sandy, Australia, a terrestrial, coastal, marine area, features the largest rainforest stand on sand in the world. It includes the natural site of Fraser Island with its freshwater dune lakes, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1992. The local community Burnett Mary Regional Group for Nature Resources Management has promoted the designation of the area as a biosphere reserve fostering ecotourism and niche organic agriculture.

Nokrek, India, is a biological hotspot in the state of Meghalaya featuring undisturbed natural ecosystems and landscapes. Besides harbouring elephants, tigers, leopards and hollock gibbons, the area is also noted for its wild varieties of citrus fruit which may come to serve as a genepool for commercially produced citrus.

Pachmarhi, India, is located in the heart of India, in Madya Pradesh State, and includes tiger and other wildlife reserves. At the interface of several types of forest - tropical, moist and dry as well as sub-tropical hill forests - the area is considered a botanist’s paradise. Through their social and cultural traditions, local tribes contribute to conservation of the forest while drawing on a variety of resources for nutrition, agriculture and income generation.

Similipal, India, is a tiger reserve in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, which used to be the hunting ground of the Maharajah of Mayurbhanj. This tropical environment abounds with tigers, elephants, panthers, deer and numerous plant species, making it a living laboratory for environmental scientists. The area’s tribal inhabitants depend on agriculture, hunting and collection of forest products for their livelihoods but additional sources of income are badly needed to alleviate their poverty.

Giam Siak Kecil – Bukit Batu, Indonesia, is a peatland area in Sumatra featuring sustainable timber production and two wildlife reserves, which are home to the Sumatran tiger, elephant, tapir, and sun bear. Research activities in the biosphere include the monitoring of flagship species and in-depth study on peatland ecology. Initial studies indicate good potential for sustainable economic development using flora and fauna for the inhabitants’ economic welfare. The site is also an interesting experimental area regarding carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the context of carbon trade mechanisms.

Mui Ca Mau, Viet Nam, on the southern tip of the country, demonstrates ecological succession systems on new alluvial lands. Its conservation value is further marked by its role as the boundary between mangrove and Melaleuca forests, and as a reproduction and breeding area of marine species. Plans for the sustainable development of the site focus on ecotourism and cultural tourism to showcase the inhabitants’ rich heritage. Training is also planned to improve agriculture and fishing.

Jabal Moussa, Lebanon, is located on the shoulders of the western slopes of the northern Mount Lebanon Chain facing the Mediterranean Sea to the west. It is a relatively large (6,500 ha), wild and unspoiled area protected by municipal laws that aim to conserve its ecological integrity, natural systems and species. Jabal Moussa is renowned for the unspoiled historic Adonis Valley with its ancient agricultural terraces and trails that date back to Roman times. The valley features rivers and streams, rangeland with landraces, mixed forests with oak, pine and olive groves and many economically important plant species, as well as undisturbed wildlife habitats that are home to wolves, hyenas, hyraxes, birds and reptiles.

Lajat, Syria, is located in the southernmost point of Syria on the border with Jordan. The site, known for its extremely diverse biological richness, encompasses some of the most striking landscapes in the region. It offers significant opportunities for developing ecologically sustainable human activity, through existing rotation grazing schemes, landscape restoration and excavations, and development of the Lajat archaeological ruins. Lajat also provides educational opportunities to illustrate the importance of fauna and flora in local life and economy as well as the interdependence of cultural and biological diversity.

Biosphäre Bliesgau, Germany, is applying the concept of the “in-between-city” approach to link two very contrasting landscapes, densely populated and urbanized in the north in the town of St Ingbert, and sparsely populated and rural in the south. It supports extensive ongoing research on ecological changes in its urban, suburban and rural areas in the context of global climate change. The range of activities demonstrating sustainable development, including educational and environmental awareness initiatives, is a source of inspiration for the region. A special Biosphere Association has been established for the site.

Swabian Alb, Germany, is located in the European Jura, with beech forests and extensive orchards as well as pine and spruce forest, grassland and extensive meadows. Close to Stuttgart, it covers a total area of 84,500 ha and has a population of 150,000. Programmes for sustainable development for the biosphere include agriculture and forestry, green businesses and ecotourism, as well as the promotion of local products and cottage industries and there are plans to bolster renewable energy use, notably for transportation. The biosphere includes the Münsingen Military Training Area in the Hilly Alb, an area that was closed to the public during 110 years, until 2005. It remained undisturbed; retaining the characteristics of 18th and 19th century cultural landscapes and is one of the largest noise-free areas in Baden-Württemberg.

Altaisky, Russian Federation, is located in the North-Eastern and Eastern Altaï along major mountain ranges. Noteworthy for its biodiversity and cultural heritage, it covers 3,532,234 ha and is home to 15,000 inhabitants. The core area is a part of the Golden Mountains of the natural UNESCO World Heritage site of Altaï. The site, which cooperates with Ubsunurskaya Kotlovina Biosphere Reserve and the Khakassky national reserve, is important for tourism, including the development of green tourism. Established as a reserve in 1932, it is among the areas of the world least affected by human intervention and has rich flora and fauna. Indigenous populations living in the biosphere’s transitional area include Tubalars, Chelkants, Telengits, Kumandins, Telengits, Kumandins, and Teleuts.

Vhembe, South Afica is world renowned for its rich cultural and biological diversity. It includes northern part of the Kruger National Park, Makuleke Wetlands Ramsar Site, the Soutpansberg and Blouberg bio-diversity hot spots, as well as the Mapungube Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site and the Makgabeng Plateau with more than 1000 rock art sites. Human activities in the site are predominately agricultural, including production of subtropical fruits and vegetables, cattle and game farming and hunting. The Venda, Shangaan and Sepedi people, who are the main population group in the area, have a rich history of traditional indigenous knowledge ranging from wood carving and drum making to traditional healing.

Desnianskyi, Ukraine is located in Eastern Polesie, along the Desna River. With a total surface of 58,000 ha, the site covers a mosaic of ecosystems, including forests, rivers, lakes, flood plains, bogs. It is an important site for environmental research, including monitoring of rare species such as bears and lynx. The main human activities focus on agriculture, forestry, fishery and sport hunting. Main sustainable development activities include organic agriculture and green tourism on the Desna river as well educational activities developed in the context of the ‘Desnianski Zori”ecological camp for schoolchildren. Tranfrontier sustainable tourism is being developed in collaboration with the Russian Federation with efforts to establish a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve between the two countries.

Geres /Xures is a transboundary biosphere reserve situated between Portugal and Spain and established on the basis of the biogeographical continuity of the Sierras Galaico-Miñotas and associated valleys shared by both countries. The importance of the site from an ecological standpoint is due to the richness of forest and peatland ecosystems and a high level of endemic species which had developed under both oceanic and Mediterranean climatic influences. With local communities forming an integral part of the regional landscape, sustainable development centres have been established in the biosphere reserve to support municipalities in their efforts to strengthen the environmental sustainability criteria in local development. With a joint management plan both countries will be able to benefit from each other’s experience and cooperate in the sustainable management of ecosystems and related services of shared characteristics for the benefits of local communities.

Cu Lao Cham – Hoi An,Viet Nam, is a coastal/island/marine site in the central part of the country, which is particularly known for its marine species such as corals, molluscs, crustaceans and seaweed. The biosphere reserve also contains Hoi An, a cultural world heritage site, which is an ancient trading port evidencing the fusion of Vietnamese and European cultures. The linking of cultural assets and natural values in terms of biodiversity, Cu Lao Cham – Hoi An is well poised in promoting sustainable ecotourism.

Tasik Chini, Malaysia, is the country’s first site as a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve. Located in the southern part of the Malaysian peninsula, the site is the water catchment area of Tasik Chini Lake situated in the centre of the biosphere reserve. The lake is a sanctuary for many endemic freshwater species on which intensive research and monitoring is carried out by various research institutions. Handicraft production (such as textiles) around the lake and its tributary rivers are seen to have great development potential for the larger area.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

World Heritage Committee to meet in Seville to inscribe new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List

Photo © UNESCO/Renato Valterza
Seville Cathedral

The World Heritage Committee will consider requests for the inscription of new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List when it meets for its 33rd session in Seville, Spain, from 22 to 30 June.

During this year’s session - to be chaired by María Jesús San Segundo, the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Spain to UNESCO - 35 States Parties to the World Heritage Convention will present properties for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Three of those countries - Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and Kyrgyzstan - have no properties inscribed on the World Heritage List to date.

Thirty new properties in total were submitted for inscription on the World Heritage List this year: 4 natural, 23 cultural and 3 mixed (i.e. both natural and cultural) properties, including 4 transnational nominations. In addition, 7 extensions to properties already listed have been proposed (see list below).
The Committee will also review the state of conservation of the 30 World Heritage properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger and may decide to add to that list new properties whose preservation requires special attention. The List in Danger features sites which are threatened by a variety of problems such as pollution, urban development, poorly managed mass tourism, wars, and natural disasters, which have a negative impact on the outstanding values for which the sites were inscribed on the World Heritage List.

One of the properties on the List in Danger, the cultural landscape of Germany’s Dresden Elbe Valley, will come under particular scrutiny as the Committee will decide whether to remove the property from the World Heritage List because of the building of a bridge in the heart of the landscape.

To date, the World Heritage List recognizes 878 properties of “outstanding universal value,” including 679 cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed properties in 145 States Parties.

The Convention encourages international cooperation to safeguard the common heritage of humanity. With 186 States Parties, it is one of the most widely ratified international legal instruments. When signing the Convention, States Parties commit to identifying sites for potential inscription and to preserving sites on the World Heritage List, as well as sites of national and regional importance, notably by providing an appropriate legal and regulatory framework.

The World Heritage Committee, responsible for the implementation of the 1972 Convention, comprises representatives of 21 countries, elected by the States Parties for up to six years. Each year, the Committee adds new sites to the List. The sites are proposed by the States Parties. Applications are then reviewed by two advisory bodies: cultural sites by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and natural sites by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which inform the Committee of their recommendations. The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM) provides expert advice on conservation and training in restoration techniques.

The World Heritage Committee also examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and asks States Parties to take appropriate conservation and preservation measures when necessary. The Committee supervises the disbursement of over $4 million annually from the World Heritage Fund, aimed, among other purposes, at emergency action, training of experts and encouraging technical cooperation. UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre is the Secretariat of the World Heritage Committee.

Accredited journalists will be able to attend the opening ceremony of the 33rd session (22 June), which will include the participation of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, representatives of the government of Spain, the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, the President of UNESCO’s General Conference, George N. Anastassopoulos (Greece), and the Chairman of UNESCO’s Executive Board, Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yaï (Benin). They will be informed of the work and decisions of the Committee in regular press conferences during the Committee session.

Natural properties submitted for inscription to the World Heritage List:
The Wadden Sea (Germany and the Netherlands);
The Dolomites (Italy);
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (extension to the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, the Philippines);
Korean Cretaceous Dinosaur Coast (Republic of Korea);
Lena Pillars Nature Park (Russian Federation).

Cultural properties submitted for inscription to the World Heritage List:
The Architectural and Urban Work of Le Corbusier (Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland);
City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg (Extension to the City of Graz Historic Centre, Austria);
Tangible Spiritual Heritage of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk (Belarus);
Stoclet House (Belgium);
Cultural property of the historic town of Jajce (Bosnia and Herzegovina);
Gold Route in Paraty and its Landscape (Brazil);
The Ruins of Loropéni (Burkina Faso);
Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande (Cape Verde);
Historic monuments of Mount Songshan (China);
Historic town of Grand-Bassam (Côte d’Ivoire);
Sites of Great Moravia: Slavonic Fortified Settlement at Mikulčice – Church of St Margaret of Antioch at Kopčany (Czech Republic and Slovakia);
The Causses and the Cévennes (France);
From the Great Saltworks of Salins-les-Bains to the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, the production of open-pan salt (Extension to the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, France);
Schwetzingen – A Prince Elector’s Summer Residence – Garden Design and Freemasonic Allusions (Germany);
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System - Bridges, dams, canals, buildings and watermills from ancient time to present (Iran);
The Triple-arch Gate at Dan (Israel);
Italia Langobardorum. Places of power and worship (568-774 A.D., Italy);
Sulamain-Too Sacred Mountain (Kyrgyzstan);
The Mercury and Silver Binomial on the Intercontinental Camino Real. Almadén, Idrija and San Luis Potosí (Mexico, Slovenia and Spain);
Mehrgarh, Rehman Dheri and Harappa as an extension to the Indus Valley Civilization Sites (Extension to the Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro, Pakistan);
Sacred City of Caral-Supe (Peru);
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (Republic of Korea);
Church of the Resurrection of Suceviţa Monastery (Extension to the Churches of Moldavia, Romania);
Levoča and the Work of Master Paul in Spiš (Extension to Spišský Hrad and its Associated Cultural Monuments, Slovakia);
Tower of Hercules (Spain);
Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Viharaya (Extension of the Sacred City of Kandy, Sri Lanka);
Farms and Villages in Hälsingland (Sweden);
La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Clock-making town planning (Switzerland);
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal (United Kingdom).

Mixed properties submitted for inscription to the World Heritage List:
Mount Wutai (China);
Lonjsko Polje Nature Park - A Living Landscape and the Floodplain Ecosystem of the Central Sava Basin (Croatia);
The Cultural Landscape Orheuil Vechi (Republic of Moldova).

Please note that States Parties can withdraw a nomination request before the start of the Committee meeting.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Jean Michel Jarre acts as Master of Ceremonies for the Global Launch of the International Year of Astronomy (2009)

Mr Jean Michel Jarre during the ceremony.jpg

10-05-2009 2:25 pm Mr Jean Michel Jarre, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, served as Master of Ceremonies the Global Launch ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy(2009), which took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 15 and 16 January.Mr Jean Michel Jarre during the ceremony.jpg

The Year, a joint initiative of UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union (IAU), which was proclaimed through Resolution 62/200 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2007, has the ultimate aim of encouraging citizens of the world, especially young people, to rediscover the universe in which we live and to promote widespread access to the basic sciences and to increase scientific literacy, especially among youth. The Year also aims to promote the role of women in astronomy and the sciences and help developing countries strengthen their capacity in the astronomical sciences.

Also participating in the Global launch opening ceremony were Mrs Catherine Cesarsky, President of the IAU, Mr Reynald Seznec President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space, and Mr Giuseppe Pizza, Vice-Minister for Education, Universities and Scientific Research of Italy.

In his opening address, Mr Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, began by noting that “the celebration of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) is the culmination of the vision and hard work of many partners.” He continued by paying tribute to the IAU, whose leadership had been instrumental in making this vision a reality.

He highlighted that the Year provides us with a fantastic opportunity to expand the knowledge and understanding of the universe, its stars and planets, and their link to and impact on our daily life, and enable all people to explore the wonders of the universe and appreciate the benefits of its study for society

There are quite a few events taking place throughout the Year, notably the eleven cornerstone projects. These projects are comprised by such events as the worldwide observation of “100 Hours of Astronomy”, a round-the-clock awareness-raising event spanning all the continents and scheduled to take place from 2 to 5 April, and the “Dark Skies Awareness” project, which aims to preserve and protect dark night skies in places such as urban cultural landscapes, national parks and sites connected with astronomical observations.

Mr Matsuura highlighted UNESCO's thematic initiative, “Astronomy and World Heritage”, whose main objective is to establish a link between science and culture and acknowledging the cultural and scientific values of properties connected with astronomy. The Director-General ended his intervention by underscoring that the sky belonged to all of mankind, regardless of beliefs and religions and was therefore a tool for peace and understanding among the peoples of the Earth.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

NESCO Publications

UNESCO publications consist of substantive material published for external audiences. They concern a variety of media, including print, electronic and multimedia, and include both free
Publications and Distribution Plan – overview 2008 and 2009

The following resources provide easy to consult information on UNESCO publications issued in 2008 and planned for 2009:

Publication and Distribution Plan – Titles published in 2008 (PDF, 25 p): key information about publications issued in 2008

Publication & Distribution Plan – Titles to be Published in 2009 (PDF, 25 p): key information about publications planned for 2009

UNESDOC@lerts Publication: on this page, you can subscribe to the UNESDOC Publication Plan alert, which gives you personalized access to information on new UNESCO publications.

New biosphere reserves to be announced

The 21st session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) will be held from 25 to 29 May on the Island of Jeju, Republic of Korea. The MAB-ICC will review progress made since the Madrid Action Plan (MAP) for Biosphere Reserves was adopted at its 20th session in Madrid, Spain in February 2008 and decide on proposals for the future of the Programme. Among the decisions, new sites will be added to the UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).

Thirty-six proposals from 25 countries* will be examined by the MAB-ICC. Selected sites will join the Network that currently comprises 531 sites in 105 countries.

Biosphere Reserves are areas designated by local and national authorities to serve as places to test different approaches to integrated management of land, water and biodiversity. As such, Biosphere Reserves are being promoted as working models for sustainable development, as a specific MAB contribution to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).

The award ceremony for the winners of the US$6,000 2009 Michel Batisse Award for Biosphere Reserve Management - Boshra Salem (Egypt) and Gorshkov Yu (Russian Federation) – will also take place during the MAB Council meeting.

Launched in the early 1970s, the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) develops the basis and proposes an interdisciplinary research agenda, within the natural and the social sciences, for the sustainable use and conservation of biological diversity, and for the improvement of the relationship between people and their environment globally. It uses its World Network of Biosphere Reserves as a vehicle for knowledge-sharing, research and monitoring, education and training, and participatory decision-making.

***

* Australia, Brazil, Chile, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Finland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Syria, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe

Saturday, May 23, 2009

MedLiHer, Mediterranean Living Heritage

* Meetings
* 25/26-05-2009, Paris: Opening seminar of the Mediterranean Living Heritage project (MEDLIHER)

Contribution to implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Mediterranean partner countries

With the support of the European Union, UNESCO has launched the Mediterranean Living Heritage Project (MEDLIHER) to support the implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic, with the participation of the Maison des Cultures du Monde (France).
Location of Mediterranean MedLiHer partners
©UNESCO

The project’s overall objective is long-term capacity-building for implementation of the Convention in the Mediterranean countries, in particular by developing national safeguarding projects and supporting the participation of States Parties in international mechanisms. The action is also intended to improve regional cooperation and exchange of skills/experience by establishing a network of institutions and developing a web portal with a database.

MEDLIHER is co-funded by the European Union through its Euromed Heritage Programme, which aims at contributing to mutual understanding and dialogue between cultures through the Mediterranean region by the valorization of cultural heritage. Euromed Heritage 4 (2008-2012) creates new opportunities for people’s awareness and appropriation of their extraordinary common cultural heritage.

Following a selection process led by the European Commission’s Co-operation Office and the delegations to Morocco and Syria with the support of the RMSU, MEDLIHER was selected together with other 11 projects within Euromed Heritage 4.

* Project description
* Partners and contacts
* Opening seminar : 25/26-05-2009, UNESCO Headquarters (room IV)

MedLiHer, Mediterranean Living Heritage

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Africa Week at UNESCO from 25 to 29 May

“Africa Within its Cultural and Sports Dynamics” is the theme this year for Africa Week, organized at UNESCO headquarters from 25 to 29 May. Several events organized by the Africa Group of member states to mark Africa Day (25 May) will highlight the continent’s wealth in these domains. Also in the context of Africa Week, the President of the Republic of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré, will present a lecture on 29 May entitled “Conflict management: the example of Mali”.

For the whole week an exhibition (in Miró hall and the Salle des Pas Perdus) will present individual stands (African arts and crafts, sports and traditional games), multimedia stands including one for the African Nations Cup (CAN) to be held in 2010 in Angola, and other special stands devoted to the 2010 soccer World Cup (South Africa), the “Arts Nègres” world festival (Senegal), and the reinstallation of the Aksum Obelisk (Ethiopia).

Four films will be screened during the week: Le Ballon d’or, by Cheik Doucouré, with Salif Keita (25 May, 6 p.m.); Endurance, a tribute by British director Leslie Woodhead to Haile Gebreselassie, young Ethiopian who won the 10.000 metres at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 (26 May, 6 p.m.); Destiny, by Youssef Chahine (27 May, 6 p.m.); and La rivale by Edouard Carrion from France (28 May, 6 p.m.).

Lectures and debates (Room IV) will address the following topics: Africa-Caribbean: cultural identity and development issues (26 May, 4 p.m.); Sport and development in Africa: challenges (27 May, 4 p.m.); and Cultural diversity assets…in the context of the global crisis (28 May, 4 p.m.).

On 29 May, the President of the Republic of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré, will make an official visit to UNESCO. After a meeting with Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, he will give a lecture (Room I, 10.35 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.) entitled “Conflict management: the example of Mali” to the Ambassadors and Permanent Delegates.

On the same day, an Anti-Doping Forum will be held, with athletes from Africa and the diaspora, including: Zinedine Zidane, Hadhari Djaffar (Comoros), Sergado (Côte d’Ivoire), Sammy Traoré (Mali) and Simão Mate (Mozambique).

Africa Week will end on 29 May with a cultural and artistic evening (6 p.m., Room I, by invitation).

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

21st Session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme

25-29 May 2009
Jeju KAL Hotel,
Jeju City,
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province,
Republic of Korea

The 21st session of the MAB-ICC will be held from 25 to 29 May 2009 in the Island of Jeju, Republic of Korea. The MAB-ICC will review progress made in the implementation of the Madrid Action Plan adopted at its 20th session and decide on proposals for the future of the Programme. Among the decisions, new sites will be added to the UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Education and culture top priorities for UNESCO Director-General’s first visit to Iraq

Literacy, higher education and the restoration of a World Heritage site were top priorities when Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met in Baghdad on 7 May. Following their meeting the Director General signed three memoranda of understanding with the Government of Iraq.

“UNESCO’s leadership in education and cultural heritage builds on our existing work and notable successes in Iraq since we started here more than six years ago,” the Director General said. “We are adding to our activities now with the support of the Government of Iraq and we appreciate this vote of confidence.”

The memoranda of understanding focus on two critical areas for the Iraqi government, education and the preservation of historical sites. The Iraqi government will co-finance the following activities:

• A National Literacy Campaign: Designed to reduce illiteracy by 50% in the next five years. Illiteracy is currently pegged at about 5 million people.

• Establishing the College of Archaeology: To be located at the universities of Samara and Kofa for the purposes of developing a national capacity to maintain and protect the heritage of the country for future generations.

• Restoration of the Al-Malawyah Minaret, the Great Mosque, Samara: Part of the Samara Archaeological City, which was placed on the list of World Heritage Sites in danger. UNESCO has been actively involved in restoration of historical sites in Iraq, including the Great Mosque of Samara, as well as protecting Iraqi antiquities.

The Director General’s delegation included Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned in her capacity as both First Lady of Qatar and UNESCO Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education. Her Highness confirmed that Qatar will fund three UNESCO education projects in Iraq focusing on Curriculum Review, Support to Higher Education and Support for Iraqi Academics.

In addition to his meetings with the Prime Minister, the Director General spoke by telephone with President Jalal Talabani and with the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masoud Barzani. The Director General also visited the Iraq National Museum, which will soon reopen to the public following a UNESCO supported restoration that included capacity building and equipment for the museum’s laboratories, which were looted and destroyed in March 2003.

The Director General thanked the Special Representative of the Secretary General and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, Staffan de Mistura, and the UNAMI staff for their assistance in making this important visit possible. UNESCO’s office for Iraq prepared the visit in close cooperation with UN SGSR and Mr de Mistura accompanied Mr Matsuura throughout his visit.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Focus

Saving our nearest relatives

Humanity’s closest relative, the gorilla, is in danger. Development, poaching and war have been decimating one of the only animal species which, like us, can use tools. Nevertheless, UNESCO’s gorilla preservation projects have begun to bear fruit on this International Year of the Gorilla, 2009.

Protecting
gorillas begins
with education

The main objective of the International Year of the Gorilla is to mobilize decision-makers and the public to save this great ape species, a species capable of intelligent thinking, 95% of whose DNA is identical to ours. This is of vital importance as populations have been declining in recent decades..

Every animal species is valuable and has a part to play in maintaining the ecological balance of its natural habitat, but the cause of the gorilla elicits particular sympathy because they are so similar to us. So much so that their name, has its root the Greek word gorillai, meaning tribe of hairy women, used by the Carthaginian, Hanno the Navigator, who sailed along the coast of West Africa in the 5th century B.C. and spotted hirsute creatures, some kind of ape if not actual gorillas, on his voyage

In the absence of visual evidence from Hanno’s journey, it is impossible to tell whether gorillas are indeed the “hairy women” he named. Up to date complete data about the gorillas is still not always available, but modern science divides them into two species - Eastern and Western gorillas - and four subspecies

Social organization

Each subspecies has feeding, physiological and life style differences. But all gorillas are migratory and live in groups of five to 30 individuals dominated by one silverback adult male, typically 12 years of age or older. The silverback is the strong, dominant leader who is the centre of attention, makes all decisions, mediates conflicts, determines the movements of the group, leads the others to feeding sites and takes responsibility for the safety and well-being of all.

Younger males, called blackbacks, may serve as backup protection. Males will slowly begin to leave their original troop when they are about 11 years old, travelling alone or with a group of other males for 2–5 years before they attract females to form a new group and start breeding. Gorillas are vegetarian but silverbacks have been known to kill the young child of their predecessor. They will then mate with the female whose child they killed.
Gorillas only breed every three or four years. Because of their migratory lifestyle, they require a lot of space, which is why UNESCO favours the definition of large landscapes for their preservation, areas that include a wide buffer zone with biosphere reserves where people can find sustainable livelihoods. Education projects to help the inhabitants understand, respect and maximize the benefits of sustainable resource management are essential for the success of these preservation projects.

All species are important

Mambaele Mankoto of UNESCO’s Natural Science Sector is heartened by the recent increase observed in gorilla populations in the Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This improvement can be attributed to ambitious programmes for conservation of biodiversity in regions of armed conflict launched by UNESCO in 2000 with the United Nations Foundation and the European Union. The projects have focused heavily on helping forest guards carry out their all-important work. “But conflicts are still latent and we must not lower our guard,” cautions Mankoto, who highlights the need to convince donors to provide funds for projects that specifically target gorilla preservation.

One way to reduce hunting for bushmeat and traditional medicine is to convince local populations that gorillas are worth more alive than dead. Conservation institutions in the RDC and the Rwandan National Parks Office have concluded an accord whereby gorillas that come from RDC to Rwanda are visited by tourists there and Rwanda pays a share of the profit, US$ 30,000 dollars per annum on average, back to the RDC. Mankoto welcomes this as a fine example of transboundary cooperation within UNESCO’s mandate of peace-building with the gorillas as ambassadors.

Nevertheless, gorilla tourism must be managed with care, as contact with humans can have a negative impact on these great apes whose immune systems are unprepared for some of the diseases we carry. Humans also continue killing gorillas not just for bushmeat but also for cultural reasons. While some people still believe that placing a gorilla bone in a baby’s bathwater will fortify the child, the major threats facing our closest animal cousins remain deforestation, road-building, traps laid for other animals and mining.

Mankoto for his part hopes that the International Year of the Gorilla - launched by the United Nations Environment Programme’s Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the UNEP/UNESCO Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) - will serve as a plea for this animal which, in captivity, has proven it can acquire an impressive mastery of human sign language.

In their natural habitat, gorillas provide valuable services in forest husbandry as they make clearings along their migratory path, allowing the sun to reach the underbrush, and digest seeds of species which they disseminate in their feces. Mankoto reminds us of the need to resist anthropocentrism: “All species are important; the loss of any species represents and impoverishment of the environment, physical, cultural and spiritual.”

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Member States

With the entry of the Republic of Singapore to UNESCO in October 2007, the Organization has now 193 Member States and 6 Associate Members.

The Sector for External Relations and Cooperation (ERC) and the Africa Department (AFR) ensure liaison with Member States. While AFR covers the Member States from the Africa region, ERC is responsible for relations with the Member States from the four other regions and with Associate Members.

Relations with Member States are also ensured by the Directors and Heads of the UNESCO Regional, Cluster and National Offices.

Most Member States have established Permanent Delegations to UNESCO which, headed by Ambassadors, undertake liaison between the Organization and their governments.

Almost all Member States have established a National Commission for UNESCO. The UNESCO National Commissions are national cooperating bodies set up by the Member States for the purpose of associating their governmental and non-governmental bodies with the work of the Organization.

Member States and Associate Members designate one or several Ministries responsible for relations with UNESCO and/or Ministries in UNESCO's fields of competence.

UNESCO emphasizes its efforts to involve nationally (Parliamentarians) and locally elected representatives (Cities and Local Authorities) in its action.

2008 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize is awarded to President of Brazil Lula da Silva

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was chosen today as the laureate of UNESCO’s 2008 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize. The award ceremony will take place in July.

Announcing the jury’s decision, former President of Portugal Mario Soares declared: “The jury has decided to give the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize to Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Federal Republic of Brazil, for his actions in pursuit of peace, dialogue, democracy, social justice and equal rights, as well as for his valuable contribution to the eradication of poverty and the protection of minorities’ rights.”

The Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize - created in 1989 and awarded by UNESCO annually – honours people, organizations and institutions that have contributed significantly to the promotion, research, preservation or maintaining of peace, mindful of the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitution of UNESCO.
Previous laureates of the Prize include Nelson Mandela and Frederik W. De Klerk; Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Pérès and Yasser Arafat; King Juan Carlos of Spain and former US President Jimmy Carter; Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari. Several of them have later been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was chosen today as the laureate of UNESCO’s 2008 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize. The award ce

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

UNESCO opens its doors for “European Night of Museums”

For the first time, UNESCO will participate this year in the European Night of Museums and open its doors* to the public on 16 May. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the premises free of charge and view some of the art objects on display.

From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (last entry at midnight), visitors can admire works including “The Fall of Icarus” by Pablo Picasso; the “Spiral” mobile by Alexander Calder; Isamu Noguchi’s “Peace Fountain” and “Japanese Garden”; the “Wall of the Sun” and “The Wall of the Moon” by Joan Miró and Josep Llorens Artigas; “Walking Man” by Alberto Giacometti; an untitled tapestry by Le Corbusier; and a mural by Rufino Tamayo, “Prometheus Bringing Fire to Mankind”.

Thanks to the generosity of artists and Member States, UNESCO’s artistic heritage is the largest within the United Nations system. The collection was started more than 50 years ago, coinciding with the construction of Headquarters.

UNESCO thus extends its patronage to the European Night of Museums, an initiative by the Council of Europe linked to celebrations for "International Museum Day" on 18 May, launched by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). UNESCO aims to highlight the role of museums in promoting cultural exchange, education, development of mutual understanding and peace among peoples.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Development of Nanotechnologies: a Key Debate in the Arab States

An important meeting on nanotechnologies and development in the Arab States, to take place from 18 to 19 May 2009, in Doha (Qatar), will provide an opportunity for participants to consider the modalities of implementation of the ethical guidelines and policies which COMEST addressed to UNESCO Member States in 2007.

Development of Nanotechnologies: a Key Debate in the Arab StatesDuring the meeting in Doha, UNESCO will continue its reflection that it began on nanotechnologies in an effort to study and formulate ethical principles and guide their development.

The phenomenal advancements in nanotechnologies raise key questions for the scientific community and public opinion: What are the issues at stake related to health and the environment? What are the risks of military and biomedical applications? How can universal access to new discoveries and state-of-the-art technologies be ensured?

The forty participants, from different regions of the world, will be invited to provide answers and to exchange views on the conditions of implementation of the recommendations and strategies on ethics in the Arab region. These were developed and addressed to UNESCO Member States in 2007, by the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST).

At the crossroads of several scientific disciplines – such as electronics, mechanics, chemistry, optics, and biology – which manipulate objects the size of a nanometer (one billionth of a meter), there is potential for nanotechnologies to affect all facets of human activity: information and communications technologies, materials, energy, water, space, medicine etc.

Furthermore, nanotechnologies are a major challenge to scientific policy. Nanotechnologies have essentially evolved in a field where the traditional distinction between science and technology is difficult to maintain, due to scientists and engineers having to work together, breaking down the boundaries between disciplines and allowing approaches and technologies to converge. The study of nanotechnologies therefore requires a holistic approach based on a true interdisciplinary dialogue.

Aware of all these issues, UNESCO has taken various initiatives to develop a global overview of the ethical dimensions of nanotechnologies and to examine the implications of these initiatives on its Member States, as well as the measures that can be taken.

One expected outcome at the close of the doha meeting is that the Arab region, which has experienced first-hand the rapid development of this new technology, will take heed of all these issues – in particular, the ethical dimension – and will therefore be capable of implementing the recommendations formulated by COMEST, which essentially consist of three maxims: establishment of an ethical framework, raising public awareness and promoting debate on nanotechnology, and the need for ethics education.

Education and culture top priorities for UNESCO Director-General’s first visit to Iraq

Literacy, higher education and the restoration of a World Heritage site were top priorities when Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met in Baghdad on 7 May. Following their meeting the Director General signed three memoranda of understanding with the Government of Iraq.

Monday, May 11, 2009

School for sustainability

What are the implications of ESD for the Arab region?

ESD is an imperative in Jordan, and across the whole Arab world, because although sustainability is more than a concept, it’s not yet a culture. Raising awareness in schools, universities, the public sector, and private companies is crucial if we are to make the most of our precious resources, and provide opportunities for our youthful population.

The Arab world faces serious development challenges: 5.7 million of our children are not enrolled in school, almost three and a half million of them are girls; 8.9 million of our young people are illiterate; and only one in four young people has a job. We must put young people at the top of our local, regional, and global agendas.

60% of our region is under the age of 30, that’s 70 million young people in the Arab world. They need our help in order to become all they can be. And that means that we need to create jobs, urgently. We need to be graduating young people with the skills and the tools they need to participate competitively in the global and regional job market. ESD is a key foundation block for us.

I am pleased that there have been some significant strides in this field. Last year, a group of dynamic business leaders established the Arab Sustainability Leadership Group, which I am proud to chair. Not only are members publishing sustainability reports and engaging civil society and business leaders, they are practicing their businesses in ways that support economic vitality, ecological integrity, and social equity. And that’s a smart start; they are great role models, but there’s still a long way for us to go.

What aspects of Education for Sustainable Development are particularly important to you and your country?

We recognize that all aspects of ESD are important for Jordan to prosper now and in the future. But given our water scarcity issues, water education and management are very important to us, as well as caring for, and making the most of, all our natural resources – our beautiful nature reserves, for example.

Additionally, ESD is important for us from a gender perspective. I’m proud that we’ve achieved gender parity at all levels of education in Jordan; in fact we have more girls at university than boys. But that doesn’t translate into workforce figures yet. Traditional mindsets still result in girls getting married and having children early, not joining the labour market – although, I’m pleased to say that this is changing. ESD is important to teach children and parents how girls can play a crucial and productive role in Jordan’s development.

Can you mention some specific projects?

To be honest, it’s still a fledgling concept, but we’re working very hard to increase awareness and visibility of ESD. For example, Jordan established a national ESD working group with members from government, universities, NGOs, and the private sector to promote ESD across all sectors; and ESD has been included in legislation to protect the environment.

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), with the Ministry of Education, has been integrating environmental concerns into the Jordanian curricula to ensure that environmental awareness is developed at an early stage. The RSCN organizes nature teams at schools, has founded over 1000 conservation clubs at local schools, and has prepared ESD manuals.

Several NGOs are active in providing non formal education and informal education opportunities for youth and women all over the country. These initiatives are conducted in places, and at times, to suit the rhythm of women who have to balance caring for their families with learning new skills.

We are also one of four countries in the Arab region (the others being Lebanon, Oman and Tunisia) with clear public budgets for ESD – proof of our commitment to creating lasting change.
Not many people know this, but Jordan is blessed with stunning nature reserves. They have enabled us to develop several award-winning sustainable tourism and eco-tourism projects, which help us both protect and promote the things that are most precious to us. Together with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, and several other NGOs, we’re working hard to strike a balance between developing these areas, and encouraging people to visit, which generates income for local communities.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

World Heritage

IN FOCUS
Earth heritage: A common past... and future
The history of Earth spans some 3.5 billion years. In recognition of the 2008 International Year of Planet Earth, this issue will focus on the world’s geological heritage and help us understand the key events in the history of life on our planet, beginning with an overview of the primary World Heritage sites that display geological values.

Treasures and challenges of World Heritage volcanoes
Volcanoes have played an important role in the geological history of the Earth, and they still modify and transform the landscape. Many natural sites inscribed on the World Heritage List include active or dormant volcanoes.

Eons of erosion: Karst landscapes on the World Heritage List
The word karst stems from karra or gara, meaning stone. The karst landscapes of the Škocjan Caves (Slovenia) and South China Karst (China) World Heritage sites are both characterized by caves, dry valleys, gorges, natural bridges, fluted rock outcrops and large springs.

Icons of the record of life: Fossil World Heritage sites
Fossils are evidence of ancient life in the form of bones, shells tracks, trails, carbonized impressions, moulds or casts. World Heritage fossil sites have played a significant role in reconstructing and demonstrating this history.

CLOSE-UP
Global Network of National Geoparks
Geoparks use a holistic approach to conservation where all aspects of the natural and cultural heritage are valued, conserved and promoted under the geopark label.

FORUM
Interview
Peter Bobrowsky, Secretary General of the International Union of Geological Sciences, and Andrew Goudie, President of the International Association of Geomorphologists

Advisory Bodies
World Heritage at IUCN's World Conservation Congress

Conventions
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity comes into being; Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage enters into force

Profile
Preserving Petra: Dr Talal Akasheh and the Geographic Information System

NEWS
Preservation
Rehabilitation of San Sebastian Fortress; Disaster Risk Reduction Programme developed for World Heritage sites; Altai Mountains Workshop; Australian Funds-in-Trust support activities in Asia-Pacific; Lalibela Conservation Action Plan implemented; Reactive monitoring mission to Edinburgh; Workshop on birthplace of the Lord Buddha; Aksum Obelisk restored following reinstallation; Indian mayors visit five French cities; World Heritage Cities Act; Riga and Lyons cooperate; Periodic reporting: what have we learned?

In Danger
Consolidation of the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works; Mining incompatible with World Heritage status of Mount Nimba; New crisis at Virunga National Park; LRA Rebels attack Garamba National Park Headquarters.

Outreach
Patrimonito Volunteer Camps a success; Fellowships awarded for World Heritage; Sacred Mountains; European Commission contributes €2.5 million to Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative; Tides of Time; 'Alliance of World Heritage Cultural Landscapes' formed; Spain honours the UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Launch of 2009 International Year of Astronomy; World Heritage Centre receives World Tourism Award; UNESCO signs partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); Ashok Khosla new President of IUCN; Joining of volcanic forces; ICOMOS elects new leadership; 2008-2009 World Heritage map available; Sky race for heritage; Jim Charleton.

IN PRINT AND ONLINE

Saturday, May 9, 2009

World Heritage Scholarships in U.S. National Parks

As part of a commitment to sharing its expertise, the US National Park Service (NPS) is offering training opportunities to qualified candidates who wish to learn from the US experience in managing and protecting World Heritage Sites. All expenses paid extended residencies in US parks designated as World Heritage Sites will be available to site managers and staff of World Heritage Sites in developing nations.

The training opportunity will allow selected individuals to work alongside NPS professionals in a variety of areas including resource management, concessions, interpretation and education, planning, and law enforcement. The NPS Office of International Affairs, in cooperation with park partners, will pay for and arrange for travel to the US, while individual host parks will provide housing and a modest living stipend.

Candidates should be English speakers willing to spend a minimum of 6 weeks in the US. Residencies of up to 4 months can be arranged. The Office of International Affairs will assist each selected individual in securing the appropriate visa to allow entry to the United States.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Introducing Democracy

Introducing Democracy

80 Questions and Answers

By David Beetham and Kevin Boyle with cartoons by Plantu

Democracy and Power series

Ce titre est disponible.

15,00 € €

Livre, 134 pages, figures, 2nd revised edition, first published in 1995

Format: 21 x 14.5 cm

2009, 978-92-3-104087-0
What is democracy? What is the relation between democracy and individual rights? Is majority rule always democratic? How can democracy be maintained and improved?

This book tackles these and other questions about democracy, covering six broad areas:
- basic concepts and principles,
- free and fair elections,
- open and accountable government,
- individual rights and their defence,
- democratic or civil society,
- the future of democracy.

This revised edition also takes into account new challenges facing our societies, from international terrorism to the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Its clear exposition of democratic theory and practice will be of value to students, activists, civil servants and interested citizens across the world.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

For Journalists * Press Releases * Media Advisories * Director-General * Contacts News Features * Interviews * In Focus

UNESCO Future Forum will discuss prospects of knowledge acquisition

Entitled “The Future of Knowledge Acquisition and Sharing”, the forum will take place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 11 May from 10.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. (Room IV). It will bring together international experts, decision-makers and private sector representatives to address three main questions: How will we acquire and share knowledge in 2025? How will technology shape lifelong learning in 2025? How will knowledge acquisition and sharing change in higher education and research?

The Forum will be opened by the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura. Roberto Carneiro, Former Minister of Education of Portugal and now Dean of the Institute for Distance Learning at the Portuguese Catholic University, will give the keynote address.

Speakers will include:
Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of the Talal-Ghazalah Organization;
Lidia Brito, Former Minister of Science and Technology of Mozambique;
Brenda Gourley, Vice Chancellor of the Open University of the United Kingdom; Thierry Karsenti, Canada Research Chair on Information and Communication Technologies in Education;
Bruno Lanvin, Executive Director of INSEAD eLab;
Gillian M. Marcelle, Wits Business School, South Africa;
Jai Menon, Vice-President of the Technical Strategy and Global University Programmes of IBM;
Claudia Morrell, Founder and CEO of the Multinational Development of Women in Technology (MDWIT);
Rinalia Abdul Rahim, Former Executive Director of the Global Knowledge Partnership, Malaysia;
Francisco Sagasti, former World Bank Director of Strategic Planning and current Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board to the Prime Minister of Peru;
Michelle Sellinger, of Cisco's Internet Business Solutions Group, Asia-Pacific.

UNESCO’s Future Forum series aims to contribute to the understanding of global trends and related societal challenges, to assess their impact and to determine UNESCO’s response.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Nollywood rivals Bollywood in film/video production

India remains the world’s leading film producer but Nigeria is closing the gap after overtaking the United States for second place, according to a global cinema survey conducted by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS).

According to the survey, Bollywood produced 1,091 feature-length films in 2006 compared to 872 productions (in video format) from Nigeria’s film industry, which is commonly referred to as Nollywood. In contrast, the United States produced 485 major films.

The three heavyweights were followed by eight countries that produced more than 100 films: Japan (417), China (330), France (203), Germany (174), Spain (150), Italy (116), South Korea (110) and the United Kingdom (104).

These and other findings were collected through a new international survey launched by the UIS in 2007 with financing from the Government of Québec.

“Film and video production are shining examples of how cultural industries – as vehicles of identity, values and meanings – can open the door to dialogue and understanding between peoples, but also to economic growth and development. This conviction underpins the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity” said Koïchiro Matsuura, the Director-General of UNESCO. “And this new data on film and video production provides yet more proof of the need to rethink the place of culture on the international political agenda.”

Overall, the survey yielded data from 99 countries. It is important to note that response rates were limited especially among African countries where there is a general lack of statistical information on cultural issues.

Despite its limited coverage, the survey provides a unique perspective on how different countries and regions are transforming traditional approaches to the art and industry of filmmaking especially in video and digital formats.

In particular, the explosive growth of Nollywood attracts considerable attention, especially in developing countries looking for alternatives to the U.S. or European models of film production and distribution, which require considerable investment. To begin with, Nigerian filmmakers rely on video instead of film to reduce production costs. And as the survey points out, Nigeria has virtually no formal cinemas. About 99% of screenings occur in informal settings, such as “home theatre.”

Finally, the UIS survey reveals another key element of the Nigerian success story: multilingualism. About 56% of Nollywood films are produced in Nigeria’s local languages, namely Yoruba (31%), Hausa (24%) and Igbo (1%). English remains a prominent language, accounting for 44%, which may contribute to Nigeria’s success in exporting its films.

The survey also revealed considerable linguistic diversity in film production in Spain and Canada. In Spain, almost 69% of films were produced in Spanish, 12% in Catalan, about 9% in English, 4% in Basque, almost 3% in French and 4% in other languages. In Canada, 67% of films were produced in English and 31% in French in 2006.

Despite these results, English remains the dominant language in filmmaking globally. In total, 36% of films produced in 2006 were shot in English, according to the survey.

U.S. films continue to dominate admissions globally. Although the survey is not exhaustive, a clear trend emerges when considering the provenance of the top ten films viewed in diverse countries (see Figure 1 below).

All of the top ten films seen in Australia, Bulgaria Canada, Costa Rica, Namibia, Romania, and Slovenia were made in the U.S., according to the survey. There were however some notable exceptions.

Bollywood productions were the obvious favourite in India. In France, seven out of the top ten films were French. And in Japan and Morocco, domestic productions accounted for five out of the ten most widely viewed films.

The survey also addressed additional issues related to the digitalization of films, the types of cinemas available in selected countries and information concerning co-productions and distribution networks. The UIS has prepared a short analytical paper on these data (available in English and French). All of the results can also be accessed at the UIS Data Centre.

Monday, May 4, 2009

International media professionals adopt Doha Declaration

Some 250 media professionals from around the world adopted a declaration emphasizing the importance of media in communicating across cultural differences at the close of a two-day international conference entitled “Potential of Media: Dialogue, Mutual Understanding and Reconciliation” in Doha (Qatar).

The “Doha Declaration on the Potential of Media: Dialogue, Mutual Understanding and Reconciliation”, was one of the major outcomes of the conference on press freedom organized by UNESCO and the Doha Center for Media Freedom in the Qatar city on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2009.

The Declaration stresses that independent and pluralistic media are essential for ensuring transparency, accountability and participation as fundamental elements of good governance and human rights-based development. It furthermore notes that freedom of opinion and expression are essential for free and democratic societies and contribute to a better understanding of and a dialogue among cultures.

The Doha Declaration urges media and professional associations to commit themselves to improving the professional qualifications of journalists, and to exercise the highest ethical and professional standards in their work.

It calls on States to provide the conditions that will enable journalists and media professionals to do their work freely and safely without intimidation, such as the establishment of legal frameworks that guarantee freedoms of expression, thought, conscience and religion. The Declaration furthermore calls on States to ensure rigorous and independent investigations and prosecutions in cases of harassment and violence against journalists and bloggers, and to put an end to impunity.

UNESCO is called upon to use the Declaration as a reference for the Organization’s activities in the area of freedom of expression.

World Press Freedom Day (2-3 May) celebrations and the award ceremony of the 2009 UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize were held in Doha to mark the 12th anniversary of the creation of the Prize.

The late Lasantha Wickrematunge was awarded this year’s Press Freedom Prize posthumously. Mr Wickrematunge was assassinated on 8 January this year. His niece, Ms Natalie Samarasinghe was at the ceremony to receive the award. “By recognizing Lasantha’s achievement, we are sending the message to the perpetrators that killing the messenger is not the solution,” Ms Samarasinghe said. The award is supported by the Cano and Ottaway family foundations and by JP/Politiken Newspaper LTD.

In his award presentation speech, the Director-General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura stated that the Prize “seeks to draw attention to the importance of press freedom and the danger media professionals face in many parts of the world.” He furthermore added that by challenging attitudes and stereotypes, “the media can help strip away the prejudices and ignorance that breed suspicion. It can promote an acceptance of difference that values diversity as an opportunity for learning and understanding.”

As he handed over the award, Mr Matsuura declared that “today we pay tribute to Lasantha Wickrematunge’s struggle for freedom of expression and give thanks for the life of this remarkable journalist.”

H.E. Dr Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage of Qatar welcomed and addressed the participants at the start of the ceremony.

Also in attendance at the award ceremony were Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned and H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Thamer Al Thani, Chairman of the Board, Doha Center for Media Freedom.

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned later took the floor. In her closing remarks, Her Highness spoke of the essential role of responsible and professional press in bridging cultural divides. “This, in my view, is the path towards achieving reconciliation among people and cultures,” she said.

The Conference was co-organized by UNESCO with the Doha Centre for Media Freedom.

Global Action Week 2009: Open Books, Open Doors – How to Promote Reading

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29-04-2009
“Unless an entire family or community becomes literate, a literate environment cannot exist”, said Indian linguist and professor Chander J. Daswani during a round table discussion focused on building, maintaining and promoting literate environments held on 23 April 2009 as part of UNESCO’s activities for Global Action Week.

The theme of this year’s annual advocacy campaign, held from 20 to 26 April 2009, was “Youth and adult literacy and lifelong learning.”

Moderated by Mr Saturnino Muñoz Gomez, Director of UNESCO’s Bureau of Public Information, the round table discussions centred on how to encourage newly literate learners to maintain reading and numeracy skills, a difficult prospect in many isolated areas of the world which face a lack of access to books, newspapers, libraries, teachers and basic infrastructures. "The main obstacle we face is the lack of literacy materials in Zulu” said Ms Itumeleng Hilarih Lebajoa, Programme Director for Operation Upgrade, an NGO based in South Africa that has promoted the autonomy of women for more than 40 years, and was a recipient of the 2008 UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy. “We have no local newspaper and no library, so there is little social incentive to maintain literacy skills. People want to read about solutions to their lives: how to run a successful small business, how to earn a living from livestock.”

The importance of holistically addressing lives through literacy programmes was echoed by Mr Gerard Bureau of ATD Quart Monde, an NGO based in France that received an Honourable Mention from the UNESCO-Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human rights in 2008. “When we live in extreme poverty, we live in a world of illiteracy”, he said. “We lose housing, resources and our desire and ability to maintain literacy skills.” Mr Björn Larsson, an award-winning Swedish author, echoed this sentiment, going further to say that “You also have to learn how to write to learn how to read. We have to encourage youth and adults to tell stories using their imagination, otherwise they will remain locked in daily reality.”

Panellists agreed that the widespread use of television has had a negative impact on reading and decreased the motivation to acquire literacy skills. "The problem is that the education system is rigid and based on rote learning. People don't learn critical thinking and free expression and give up reading when they leave school” said Ms Maud Stéphan-Hachem, Professor of Information and Communication at the University of Lebanon in Beirut, referring to the Arab region. “Lack of new titles, small print runs and the difference between spoken and written language are additional obstacles. There is demand in the Arab States for religious books,” she said, “but these again encourage rote learning rather than discovery.”

The need for books that speak to the imagination was stressed by Mr Larsson. "I often go to schools where I meet young people, especially boys, who say they don't like to read. We have to find the right kind of texts that encourage them to read… When well done, a literature of imagination encompasses the whole of a person and has a profound influence.”

Broadening the concept of literacy for different populations was another subject addressed by Mr Kenneth Eklindh, acting Chief of the Section for Inclusion and Quality Leaning Enhancement at UNESCO, who spoke about the urgent need to promote alternative ways of communicating. In particular, he addressed the necessity to recognize the communication needs of the visually impaired and widening their access to Braille, stating that 85 per cent of those who have learned Braille are employed and contributing to the larger society, but a staggering 80 million blind persons still do not have access to Braille.

Several panellists insisted on the importance of learning literacy in a mother tongue before going onto a second language, stating nonetheless that multilingual literacy is way of the future. Positive changes towards increasing motivation of literacy were also discussed, mainly due to new technology trends. Professor Daswani drew attention to the advent of subtitles in mother tongue languages on television programmes and the use of mobile phone text messaging in several of the nine Indian scripts. Furthermore, Ms Stéphan-Hachem informed participants that in Lebanon, more than 80 public libraries now exist in isolated areas that offer a wide variety of reading materials and have turned into lively places for discussing local issues. Similarly, Mr Bureau described a real thirst for learning how to read in the poorest environments, citing his experience in setting up makeshift mobile libraries in Burkina Faso, Haiti and Guatemala.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

The role of Media in Intercultural Dialogue

Cultural references determine our identity and the ways in which we construct reality; they affect the perception of ourselves, the way we encounter others, and the way we interact with the world. The media greatly influences not only what we think, but also how we act.
Globalization is not only an economic and technological process. Increased interaction among people, the free flow of information, and cultural interdependence are also consequences of our globalizing world. Communicating across cultural differences is a central challenge of the contemporary world. The media, then, has a true “mediating” role to play in encouraging global awareness.
The role of Media in Intercultural Dialogue

The emergence of a new paradigm in international relations – in part through the launching of the Dialogue Among Civilizations in 2001 – introduced a global agenda in which the concept of dialogue became a priority principle in the relations between civilizations, cultures and peoples. The global agenda sought to elaborate common ethical standards as a means for addressing threats to peace and security . This commitment underlined that intercultural dialogue and respect for diversity are necessary for the advancement of human rights .

The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity was adopted in 2001, recognizing cultural diversity as a common heritage of humanity as well as the potential of intercultural dialogue. The Convention states in its preamble that: “culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group, and that it encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs”.

This was complemented in 2005 by the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Article 2 stresses the interdependence of diversity and the respect for fundamental freedoms: “Cultural diversity can be protected and promoted only if human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, information and communication, as well as the ability of individuals to choose cultural expressions, are guaranteed.”

With these frameworks in mind, it is important to emphasize that the use of information and communication to ensure that different cultures have the space to freely express themselves – on their own terms – is vital to advancing mutual understanding among peoples and between cultures. The media has the ability to facilitate this intercultural dialogue. By challenging prevailing attitudes and assumptions concerning the many “others” in our world, the media can move beyond scripted stereotypes, stripping away the ignorance that breeds mistrust and suspicion, thus promoting a tolerance and acceptance of difference that values diversity as an opportunity for understanding.

One of the main challenges when advocating for freedom of expression –and a frequent road block in the way of tolerance and understanding – arises from the tension when expression offends or confronts another’s culture or identity. A well-debated recent example of this tension is what has been referred to as the “Danish Cartoons Affair” (2005).

UNESCO gave place for a debate during the 174 Executive Board in which the interrelation and inseparable connection between freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs and symbols was underscored. UNESCO’s Executive Board on that occasion adopted a unanimous decision, “upholding the exercise of freedom of expression in a spirit of mutual respect and mutual understanding” and urged “mutual respect for cultural diversity religious beliefs and religious symbols.” The debate highlighted the role media can play to deepen differences or to create knowledge about others and their history in order to enhance better inter-cultural understanding.

Respecting cultural difference while preserving freedom of expression will always appear as a tension to be debated and negotiated in any democratic society. Frank, even harsh speech is our right unless given with the intention of inciting discrimination, hostility or violence. Any attempt to restrict the right to freedom of expression must be balanced against this criterion. And yet, our rights concerning religion and culture must also be respected. There is no hierarchy between the various human rights. They exist in a nexus relationship and it is exactly this mutual respect for all rights that ensure the single human individual her dignity.

It is crucial to recognize that cultural diversity is enriched by the experience and contributions of all nations, cultures and peoples . Cultural diversity promotes universal values and establishes a common ground where no single culture can claim a monopoly. While it is true that diversity can cause division, intolerance and even violence, a media that is free, pluralistic and professional provides a forum for the non-violent negotiation of differences.

World Press Freedom Day 2009

The potential of media in fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation will be the topic of UNESCO World Press Freedom Day 2009 to be celebrated on 2-3 May 2009. As the only UN agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom, UNESCO has placed mutual understanding, and dialogue through media at the core of its mission.

Indeed, UNESCO’s Constitution, adopted in November 1945, states that the Organization will “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of all peoples, through all means of mass communication” and “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”.

At this year’s conference and celebrations, UNESCO invites participants to explore the enormous potential of media to serve as a platform for dialogue and a vehicle for understanding.

Find the investors ?

Sunday, May 31, 2009

UNESCO: A key actor in the fulfilment of the global biodiversity agenda

Friday, May 29, 2009

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Have a look at the photo gallery below

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The World Heritage Committee will consider requests for the inscription of new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List when it meets for its 33rd session in Seville, Spain, from 22 to 30 June.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

25-29 May 2009Jeju KAL Hotel,Jeju City,Jeju Special Self-Governing Province,Republic of Korea

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Social organization

All species are important

Saturday, May 16, 2009

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was chosen today as the laureate of UNESCO’s 2008 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize. The award ceremony will take place in July.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

For the first time, UNESCO will participate this year in the European Night of Museums and open its doors* to the public on 16 May. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the premises free of charge and view some of the art objects on display.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Monday, May 11, 2009

What aspects of Education for Sustainable Development are particularly important to you and your country?

Can you mention some specific projects?

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

India remains the world’s leading film producer but Nigeria is closing the gap after overtaking the United States for second place, according to a global cinema survey conducted by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS).

Monday, May 4, 2009

Sunday, May 3, 2009

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25-29 May 2009
Jeju KAL Hotel,
Jeju City,
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province,
Republic of Korea