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PACIFIC LINK - Issue 19 3/2005
Australian Permanent Delegation Newsletter to the Pacific Community of UNESCO 
Part 1/3

Editorial
The final issue for 2005 of the Pacific Link, the newsletter for Pacific Island Members of UNESCO focuses on the 33rd session of the General Conference of UNESCO. It was great to catch up once again with old friends from the region and to welcome new ones. There were some useful outcomes for the Pacific in a variety of areas as set out below.

Congratulations go to Fiji in its successful election – we wish them well in the coming biennium and look forward to working closely with them. Happy 60th Anniversary to all members of UNESCO’s family. As this is the last issue for 2005, we would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. We would also like to thank Mark Wayland, who has been with the Australian Delegation throughout the Executive Board and General Conference, in assisting with the preparation of this edition.

General Conference of UNESCO
The General Conference, UNESCO’s supreme decision-making body, brings together every two years representatives from all Member States which, with the recent accession of Brunei Darussalam, number 191. Eight Heads of State and more than 200 Ministers were among the 3,733 participants at the 33rd session, held at UNESCO Headquarters from 3-21 October 2005.

The main focus of the General Conference was the adoption of the Programme and Budget for 2006-2007, which sets out the following five priorities: basic Education For All; water and associated ecosystems; ethics of science and technology, with emphasis on bioethics; promotion of cultural diversity, with special emphasis on tangible and intangible heritage; empowering people through access to information and knowledge, with special emphasis on freedom of expression.

The General Conference adopted a budget ceiling of US$610 million for 2006-2007 biennium. It also accepted the programme package submitted by the Director-General designed to reinforce the principle priorities in document 33 C/5, in the amount of US$25 million to be funded on an exceptional basis from voluntary contributions.

The preparation of the Draft Programme and Budget for 2008-2009 (34 C/5) and the Draft Medium-Term Strategy 2008-2013 (34 C/4) were also on the agenda of each of the four programme sector commissions.

The opening event of the Conference was the fourth and largest UNESCO Youth Forum (30 September - 2 October). This year's theme was 'Young People and the Dialogue among Civilisations, Cultures and Peoples - Ideas for action in education, the sciences, culture and communication'. The Youth Forum report made concrete recommendations on issues across the UNESCO programme areas including ones on cultural diversity, dialogue among civilisations through youth activities, the effective use of cyberspace, and education for sustainable development, peace and reconciliation.

‘Commission I’, addressed general questions and programme support. The reports of the Working Group on reform of UNESCO governance were approved and the Draft Resolution to examine rotation policy was passed. Progress was also made on the use by National Commissions of the UNESCO logo and the accountability requirements for National Commissions in spending UNESCO funds including ‘Participation Programme’ money.

‘Commission II’ dealt with the policies and main lines of work in UNESCO’s Education sector. It examined and took decisions on a number of specific items. Notably, the draft guidelines on "Quality Provision in Cross-Border Higher Education" (a cooperative endeavour between UNESCO and OECD) were approved by the Commission.

In addition, the Commission assessed UNESCO’s flagship programme ‘Education for All’ and discussed its future prospects. The communiqué of the Ministerial round table on Education For All was endorsed and recommended as a guiding principle in UNESCO’s support to the EFA process.

Importantly, the international Convention against Doping in Sport was also adopted, with strong support across the membership, including from sports-loving Pacific nations.

‘Commission III’ considered issues related to Social and Human Sciences and Natural Sciences. In particular, the Commission adopted a Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights and advanced the strategy for establishing a global tsunami warning system.

‘Commission IV’ discussed and adopted the UNESCO’s Culture Sector programme and budget. Of particular interest was the debate and subsequent adoption of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

In the area of Communication and information, ‘Commission V’ of the General Conference reiterated its support of the concept of building knowledge societies and the four principles on which they are founded: freedom of expression, quality education for all, universal access to information and knowledge, and respect of cultural and linguistic diversity. It also endorsed the principles of the declarations on “Assistance to Media in Conflict Areas and Countries in Transition” and “Media and Good Governance”, adopted by media professionals at World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Belgrade, in 2004 and Dakar, in 2005.

Two high-level round tables were convened. The Ministerial Round Table on 'Education For All' offered a timely opportunity for dialogue among and with the world’s Ministers of Education as a review of progress has revealed that the world is not on track to achieve the EFA goals unless significant efforts are made to dramatically improve the current trends. The round table explored practical ways to address the EFA challenges, building on positive examples in different parts of the world. Sessions dealt with an overview of progress and challenges; resource mobilization and aid effectiveness; strengthening partnerships at country level and UNESCO’s role and future strategy in EFA.

At the second round table, on the Basic Sciences: ‘The Science Lever for Development’, Ministers and policy-makers in charge of science stressed the need to build capacities in the basic sciences in Member States and the ways to achieve this, “as the platform for knowledge-based development”, and to reinforce capacities in the information and communication technologies (ICT) in developing countries to reduce the digital divide.

A special session was held on the afternoon of 5 October 2005 to commemorate UNESCO’s 60th Anniversary.

Director-General re-elected - The General Conference re-elected Mr Koïchiro Matsuura for a second term (2005-2009) as the Director-General of UNESCO.
Executive Board elections - The General Conference also elected 29 new representatives to the 58-member Executive Board of UNESCO.

Though both Fiji and Palau stood for election to the Executive Board, only Fiji was elected. Fiji will be represented by the Honourable Ro Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa, Minister for Education and Chairperson of Fiji’s National Commission for UNESCO

Chair of the Executive Board - Zhang Xinsheng, Vice Minister of Education of China and the country’s representative to UNESCO’s Executive Board, was elected Chairman of the Organization’s Executive Board for a period of two years.

Elections to the World Heritage Committee - At the 15th session of the General Assembly of the World Heritage Committee on 11 October, twelve new members were elected to the Committee: Canada, Cuba, Israel, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Peru, Spain, Tunisia, and the United States of America.

Pacific-related outcomes and activity at the Conference
The adoption, in all Commissions, of the Draft Resolution calling for the UNESCO programme for Small Island Developing States to continue, was a welcome development. The programme will continue into the next Medium-Term Strategy 34C/4 and Budget, to follow-up to the Barbados Plan of Action for Small Islands.

Draft Resolutions on Intercultural and Interfaith understanding were passed in every Commission. Many of the Pacific countries attended and spoke in the sessions, and were on the steering committee for this issue. Furthermore, the book publishing the work of the Adelaide Conference on Intercultural and Interfaith understanding was launched and well received at the Conference.

Pacific countries were clear in their continued support of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD). Mr Michael Laimo, Minister of State, Department of Education, Papua New Guinea, indicated that Papua New Guinea is committed to promoting education for sustainable development. Ms Margaret Austin, Chairperson, National Commission for UNESCO, New Zealand, echoed this sentiment in saying that, as the lead agency for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, UNESCO has a unique opportunity to provide leadership for young people and communities. Similarly, Mr Rod Kemp, Minister for the Arts and Sports Australia affirmed that UNESCO is making a major contribution to the pursuit of a sustainable planet for future generations.

A Pacific initiated meeting with Director-General was coordinated by Mr Pongi. The meeting was an opportunity to thank the Director-General for his three visits to the Pacific. Positively, he agreed to address all of the issues raised by the pacific counties.

In addition to its election to the Executive Board, Fiji was elected to the Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

Australia was elected to the Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and the Headquarters Committee.

The launch of a CD-Rom on Canoe Culture was a key Pacific initiative at the Conference. The reception and screening of the CD was a success and great opportunity to promote Pacific culture and increase its visibility at UNESCO.

The ‘Asia and Pacific Film and Television Screen Awards’ project, now endorsed by the Director General, was promoted during the Conference and various meetings were held with countries in the region.

Message from Professor Kenneth Wiltshire AO
It was good to be with all the Pacific Delegates to the recent 33rd General Conference of UNESCO and see almost all of the resolutions from the Nadi Consultation achieved. The highlight was the passing, in all Commissions, of our Draft Resolution calling for the UNESCO programme for Small Island Developing States to continue into the next Medium-Term Strategy 34C/4 and Budget, as a follow-up to the successful Conference in Mauritius on the Barbados Plan of Action.

We also had a successful meeting with the Director-General Mr Matsuura and I was proud of the coordinated and effective presentations from Pacific countries on the many aspects of UNESCO’s programme in the Pacific. Two initiatives which are of particular long term importance are the Pacific Statistics project and the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development. We need much better statistics to reveal the many needs of the Pacific, and Sustainable Development lies at the heart of the challenges for all pacific countries.

The disappointment, of course, was that we only managed to have one Pacific country, Fiji, elected to the Executive Board to replace Australia and Vanuatu. This means that the whole of the Pacific sub-region of 16 Member States is now represented by only one country, which is a very disturbing situation. The lessons from this event are clear. Pacific campaigning is going to have to begin much earlier and include strong bilateral approaches with candidates being identified much earlier and present at the General Conference. Clarification from New Zealand where it stands on its future role in UNESCO representation would be helpful.

Mr Visesio Pongi, the new Director of the UNESCO Apia Office, gave excellent leadership to the Pacific countries at the General Conference and I was most impressed by his early grasp of the potential for UNESCO to make a significant contribution in the Pacific in all its fields of endeavour.

This will be my last message in “Pacific Link” as Executive Board member so may I thank you all for your co-operation and support during Australia’s term on the Executive Board as we have endeavoured to make sure the voice of the Pacific is heard in loud, but melodious, harmony.

With best wishes to you all, Ken 
Contact: email: k.wiltshire@business.uq.edu.au
Tel: (61 7) 3365 2733, Fax: (61 7) 3365 6988

Extracts of the Intervention by the Honourable Senator Rod Kemp, Head of the Australian Delegation to the 33rd UNESCO General Conference
“… This session has special significance as we consider UNESCO’s future programmes and priorities on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Organization. As a founding Member of UNESCO, Australia considers that it is imperative that Member States embrace this opportunity, during the 60th anniversary, to closely scrutinise the Organization’s priorities, objectives, programmes and future direction, to ensure that its focus remains relevant.

Finding ways to address persistent and pervasive challenges remains at the heart of UNESCO’s mandate be it developing an Indian Ocean Early Warning System in the wake of the terrible tsunami in our region; or addressing poverty and literacy, including through the revitalisation of UNESCO’s flagship programme Education for All; or promoting intercultural and interfaith understanding; or fighting drugs in sport.

It is fitting that the Youth Forum was the opening event of this Conference. We need to ensure continued focus on empowering our youth to build momentum for the objectives of UNESCO. Of course one of the key activities for young people is physical activity and sport. Australia is a sporting nation. We believe that the universal sporting values of teamwork, fair play, opportunity for all, pursuit of excellence, and learning to win and lose with dignity and grace, contribute to a successful society.

The International Convention against Doping in Sport, to be discussed and voted on at this General Conference, is fundamental to the protection of values in sport and is a key interest to Australia. As the Australian Minister for Sport, I was keen to ensure that Australia played a leading role in the drafting of this Convention. The International Convention against Doping in Sport provides a framework for a comprehensive and consistent international anti-doping regime. It also provides a foundation for best practice anti-doping programmes to be employed throughout the world. Accordingly, we support the adoption of the Convention at this Conference and will immediately commence its ratification process once the Convention is adopted. The importance of this convention in protecting the value of sport requires that it have the resources it needs to be effective. Many will see this Convention as a means of creating a level playing field for elite athletes. That is true – but this convention is about much more. It is about imparting values to our athletes and children that cheating is unacceptable and that sporting success must come from dedication and hard work.

 

Australia is grateful for the commitment of the Director-General of UNESCO to support the Convention from within the General Budget. Australia supports this proposition. The Convention establishes a Voluntary Fund. Australia would like to see the Voluntary Fund used to assist developing countries to participate in the international fight against doping in sport. We believe the general operation of the convention should be funded from the UNESCO General budget.

Sport, arts, and culture play an important social and economic role in Australia, and are vital for the health and prosperity of diverse communities, especially Indigenous Australians.

Australia’s enthusiasm for cultural diversity is well-established by our support for an extensive and effective domestic cultural industry, and our active involvement in debate on culture in the international community. This includes active participation in negotiations on the draft Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Contents and Artistic Expressions. Australia would sincerely hope for complete consensus on a quality international instrument that enforces the standing of UNESCO by genuinely protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions in a manner consistent with other international obligations. The current draft Convention does not appear to meet this objective.

Within the UN system, UNESCO has special responsibility for promoting interfaith and intercultural understanding through education in order to combat terrorism. Australia was one of the first UNESCO Member States to take the initiative in this field. We convened the highly successful Conference on Education for Intercultural and Interfaith Understanding in Adelaide in November 2004 and we will be looking to UNESCO to advance this important work.

Education, particularly higher education, is becoming an international issue. Australia, as one of the largest providers of education to overseas students, takes its responsibilities in this area seriously. For this reason, it supports the Director-General’s plans to issue guidelines on Quality Provision in Cross-Border Higher Education.

UNESCO is also making a major contribution to the pursuit of a sustainable planet for future generations through its implementation of the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development.

The Pacific Cluster with its 16 Member States has significant challenges in all aspects of sustainable development. A strong UNESCO sub-regional strategy is needed for the Decade to have an effective impact in the Pacific.

Another important theme for consideration by this Conference is the relevance of the UNESCO mandate in the light of rapid scientific and technological change, including specific consideration of the draft Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. We support the provision of a set of voluntary, non-binding guiding principles to assist policy and legal formulation in the field of bioethics. read more

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