BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
IN/2018/PI/79
New Delhi Office
Cluster Office for Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Maldives,
United Nations Nepal and Sri Lanka
(GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿FDQG
&XOWXUDO2UJDQL]DWLRQ
BIENNIUM REPORT
2016-2017
UNESCO BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 Published by the UNESCO New Delhi Cluster Office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka 1 San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri New Delhi - 110021 Phone: +91 26111875/26111877 Email: newdelhi@unescco.org Website: www.unesco.org/new/en/newdelhi © UNESCO New Delhi, 2018 This publication is available in Open Access under the Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/). By using the content of this publication, the users accept to be bound by the terms of use of the UNESCO Open Access Repository (http://www.unesco.org/open-access/terms-useccbysa-en). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Photo credits: ©UNESCO; A. Marwah; R. Ghosh; A.B. Singh; R. Ghosh; S. Gayen; D. Bhar; P. Parmar; J. Zaman; R. Chakabarti; V. Parakkal (Wikimedia); SERNAP; M. Hainry; M. Faetanini; S. Pradhan; Sushil; V. Raghavan; Department of Culture, Bhutan; P. Arora. Designed and printed by: Colorcom Advertising
BIENNIUM REPORT
2016-2017
New Delhi Office
Cluster Office for Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Maldives,
United Nations Nepal and Sri Lanka
(GXFDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿FDQG
&XOWXUDO2UJDQL]DWLRQ
For more information on UNESCO New Delhi Cluster Office,
please visit our website at:
www.unesco.org/new/en/newdelhi
@
Retweet
post up load
share LIKE
@unesconewdelhi @UNESCO_NDL
@unesconewdelhi UNESCO New Delhi
C O N T E N T S
4 10 12
Director-
UNESCO in Foreword
Numbers General’s Visit
to India
16
Consultation
18
Education
Meeting of
the National
Commissions
24
Natural Sciences
32 36
Social and Culture
Human Sciences
41
Communication
48
UNESCO Institute
and Information for Statistics
50 53
UN
56
Division Annexures
of Public Development
Information Framework
UNESCO IN NUMBERS
C
urrently there are 1,073 World Heritage The eleventh session of the Intergovernmental
sites, of which 832 are classified as Committee for the Safeguarding of the
cultural, 206 as natural and 35 as mixed Intangible Cultural Heritage took place in the
property. To be included in the World Heritage United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
List, these sites must be of outstanding universal Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, in December
value and must contribute to the cultural or natural 2016.
landscape. Recent inscriptions include the Historic
City of Ahmedabad in India, the English Lake A group of more than 55 eminent personalities
District and the archaeological site of Aphrodisias – Goodwill Ambassadors – are advocates of
in Turkey. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/ UNESCO. They use their prestige and talent to
increase the world’s awareness of UNESCO’s
As of January 2017, 193 state parties were work and commitments.
adherents of the World Heritage Convention,
South Sudan and Timor-Leste being the most UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme
recent. The Convention facilitates discussion involves over 700 institutions in 116 countries.
regarding protection and management of It promotes international inter-university
nominated properties. networking to enhance institutional capacities
4 BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017
through knowledge sharing and collaborative
work. Through this network, higher education
GET INVOLVED
and research institutions all over the globe pool Join one of 4,000 UNESCO clubs, centres and
their resources, both human and material, to associations in 100 countries:
address pressing challenges and contribute www.unesco.org/en/clubs
to the development of their societies. The
programme celebrated its 25th anniversary in Contact one of the associated schools:
November 2017 and looks to the future for the www.unesco.org/education/asp
further promotion of peace and sustainable
development. https://en.unesco.org/unitwin- UNESCO accepts a limited number of national
unesco-chairs-programme officials, researchers and university students
as interns to work in the organization’s fields
UNESCO Associated Schools began in 1953 of interest for one to three months. Several
and runs a worldwide network of over 8,500 fellowships and student grants are also
schools in 178 countries. Its ambition is to available
implement sustainable development, peace and www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/join-us
human rights, and intercultural learning within
curriculums so as to enrich young people’s
understanding of tolerance and internationality.
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 5
UNESCO NEW DELHI CLUSTER OFFICE
UNESCO IN www.unesco.o
6 BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017
2016 - 2017 | PAGES 2 | NEW DELHI
N THE NEWS
org/e
org/en/newdelhi
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 7
UNESCO presents
70 YEARS OF U
It all began with a dream.
A dream for harmony
and peace! The year was
1945 and countries UNESCO’s first
across the world This dream resonated
decentralized Office
got together r to form with the same ideals
in Asia was established
establishe
an organizationn that voiced by great leaders
in New Delhi in1948.
in19
would embody a genuine from India and led to a
Initially, it looked
loo after
culture of peace e and longstanding friendship.
its science and technology
prevent the outbreakeak This friendship started
programmes
progra in 11
of another world war. way back in 1945, when
countries of South and
UNESCO was founded on India became one of the
Central Asia. In 2001, the
this very belief! founding members of
Office was designated as
UNESCO, along with 36
the Cluster Office for six
other countries.
countries - Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Maldives,
Nepal and Sri Lanka.
In this new role, it is
responsible for delivery
of programmes in all its
fields of competence,
namely education, natural
sciences, social and
human sciences, Culture,
Communication and
Information.NESCO IN INDIA
Living in Harmony and Peace
GOVERNMENT
CIVIL SOCIETY
ACADEMIA
NGOs
ASPnet
PRIVATE IGOs
SECTOR
In 2015, the Partnerships are
Prime Minister firmly embedded in
of India, Hon’ble UNESCO’s way of
Narendra Modi, working. These
As a symbol of the value that
visited UNESCO include the
India attaches to its relationship
headquarters to government, civil
with UNESCO, the Government
mark UNESCO’s society, NGOs, IGOs,
of India has presented the
70th anniversary, private sector,
organization with a new building,
once again ASPnet and academia.
situated at the heart of the
reinforcing In fact UNESCO
capital’s prestigious diplomatic
the important is the only UN
area. Designed by famed architect
relationship Agency to have a
Satish Gujral, the building is
UNESCO shares system of National
a beautiful medley of creative
with India. Commissions, which
artworks and functionality.
form a vital link
between civil society
and the organization.FOREWORD
T
he 2016-17 biennium was a period of
developments both at the UNESCO
New Delhi Office and at UNESCO at the
international level. It was a proud moment for us
in the Delhi Office when Shri Prakash Javadekar,
Union Minister of Human Resource Development
in the Indian government inaugurated our
new building in the presence of then UNESCO
Director-General Ms. Irina Bokova and a host of
luminaries from diverse fields in India.
Another high point was the Delhi Office holding
the Consultation Meeting of the National
Commissions (NatComs) of the UNESCO New
Delhi Cluster Office. The consultation meeting Human Sciences, Culture, Communication and
deliberated on the state and challenges faced Information.
by NatComs of the New Delhi Cluster Office’s
The biennium, however, provides us signals
Countries. At the end of the deliberations
that the New Delhi Office is moving in the right
the meeting came up with a Delhi Statement
direction as its sectors achieved a lot which paves
which listed the NatCom’s areas of priorities
the way for the tasks that lie ahead.
and suggestions for
improvements.
On its part the Education
Sector actively supported the
At the international level, the
th The biennium, however, Member States to implement
39 session of UNESCO’s
the SDG4/Education 2030
General Conference elected
Ms. Audrey Azoulay as
provides us signals that Agenda (ensure inclusive and
quality education for all and
UNESCO’s new Director- the New Delhi Office promote lifelong learning). It
General. She took office on
15 November 2017 for a four- is moving in the right also worked closely with the
SAARC Secretariat to develop
year term as the 11th UNESCO direction as its sectors the SAARC Framework
Director-General; she is the
achieved a lot which for Action for Education
second woman to occupy this
2030 and was engaged
post.
paves the way for the in enhancing equity and
quality of education in the
However, in a not so tasks that lie ahead.
positive though expected Cluster Countries. Its focus
development, UNESCO felt for this was on crucial issues
the beginnings of a resource like inclusive education,
crunch during this biennium adolescence education and
with countries led by America stopping funding out-of-school children. And the second was the
for the work that UNESCO does. This makes New Delhi Offi ce’s Education Sector organizing
the new biennium a big challenge as UNESCO the Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop on the Global
offices and NatComs will now need to focus Action Programme on Education for Sustainable
equally on forging partnerships so that they can Development (ESD) and Cities which brought
raise money for the important work that they are together 65 participants and representatives
doing in the fields of UNESCO’s competence: from 15 countries.
Education, Natural Sciences, Social and
10 BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017The Natural Sciences Sector’s Man and the Equality (SDG 5), and the promotion of National
Biosphere Programme (MAB) has been its Digital libraries for providing citizens’ greater
flagship programme which provides scientific access to information in line with SDGs, 9c
basis for the management of natural resources. and 16.10. The Sector’s project, ‘Building a
Those Biosphere Reserves which are designated Gendered Media in South Asia,’ enabled it to
under the programme are internationally adopt and customize the UNESCO Gender
recognized sites for reconciling biodiversity Sensitive Indicators for Media into actionable
conservation with socioeconomic development guidelines for the media in South Asia. These
of the local communities. These sites are ‘Science Gender Sensitive Guidelines for the Media have
for Sustainability support sites’ for experimenting been validated in seven of the nine countries
with the initiatives linked to the achievements participating in this project: Afghanistan,
of the sustainable development goals. India Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal,
currently has 18 Biosphere Reserves, 10 of which Myanmar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
are designated under the world network of
biosphere reserves covering most of the nation’s Given that there is little doubt that mobile
biogeographic regions. technology has become the most empowering
tool and social media has become an integral
The Social and Human Sciences Sector’s Gender part of our lives, the Department of Public
Youth Migration (GYM) continued to function Information connected and engaged its
effectively as a one-stop ‘research and policy audiences on a number of platforms through
hub,’ with over 500 resources on migration. This sharing audiovisuals and infographics and
online initiative launched in 2013 links migration providing regular updates on UNESCO New
researchers, practitioners, students, journalists Delhi Office’s various activities and programmes.
and others interested in the topic of migration, It also engaged in live streaming and social
allowing them to deepen their knowledge and polling to maximize its reach, raise awareness
expertise in this area. and reach more followers.
The Culture Sector too achieved some All this would not have been possible without
important goals during the biennium. The first the active support and participation of all
of these was the expansion and consolidation staff members at the New Delhi Office and
of its partnerships with several government all UNESCO’s partners and their invaluable
departments in India including the Ministry contributions. I would like to thank all of them for
of Railways, the Directorate of Film Festivals their support and hard work and look forward
and the state governments of West Bengal, to working with them and also forging new
Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa. This Sector also partnerships so that besides continuing on the
shifted the focus on raising awareness and work that the Office has been doing we can also
effective implementation of the lesser known look at including more areas where the UNESCO
UNESCO 2005 Convention for the Protection New Delhi Office can contribute.
and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural
Expressions.
Two significant achievements of the
Communication and Information Sector during Shigeru Aoyagi
this period were the strengthening of the role Director and UNESCO Representative to
of the media in South Asia to promote Gender Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 11DIRECTOR-GENERAL, AUDREY AZOULAY
The 39th session of UNESCO’s General positions in France’s public broadcasting sector
Conference elected Audrey Azoulay as Director- and then served as rapporteur to France’s public
General of UNESCO, succeeding Irina Bokova. auditing authority, the Cour des comptes, and
She took office on 15 November for a four-year as a European Commission legislative expert on
term. issues of culture and the media.
Ms Azoulay is the 11th Director-General of With a longstanding commitment in favour of
UNESCO and the second woman to occupy this intercultural and intergenerational dialogue to
position. advance education for all and the dissemination
of scientific and cultural knowledge, she is
Born in 1972, Ms Azoulay was France’s Minister determined to maintain this commitment as the
of Culture and Communication from February head of UNESCO.
2016 to May 2017. She has occupied senior
Maria Vaz from Director Office being honoured with a medal Shalini Kohly from Finance and Administration being
for completing 20 years of service in the organization (2016) honoured with a medal for her 20 years of service in the
organization (2017)
12 BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017....From the Experts
During this biennium, UNESCO UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere
supported the Member States in Programme (MAB) provides a
implementing SDG4/Education 2030 scientific basis for the management
Agenda. We worked closely with the of natural resources. Biosphere
SAARC Secretariat to develop the Reserves designated under the
SAARC Framework for Action for programme are internationally
Education 2030 and we were also recognized sites for reconciling
engaged in enhancing the equity biodiversity conservation with
and quality of education in the Cluster Countries through socioeconomic development of
policy and research work focusing on crucial issues like the local communities through a unique partnership
inclusive education, adolescence education and out-of- between people and nature.
school children.
– Ram Boojh
– Satoko Yano
Natural Sciences
Education
Strengthening SHS UIS was active
the role of expanded on supporting
the media in its online cluster countries
to enhance
South Asia initiative
capacity on SDG4
to promote Gender Youth
indicators, in lining
gender Migration SDG4 indicators
equality (SDG (GYM) by to national and
5) and the adding a regional monitoring
promotion of new focus mechanism. It
National Digital libraries for the area – Youth Corner- which was equally active on supporting
enhancement of citizens’ access provides information on academic cluster countries on Statistical Capacity
to information in line with SDGs 9c programmes on migration to Building activities and standardizing
methodological aspects of statistics
and 16.10 was a big achievement students interested in this area.
in UNESCO mandated areas and
of this biennium. A partnership with SHS also produced a series of
supporting to develop national SDGs
the Ministry of Human Resource community radio programmes indicator frameworks. It was represented
Development, Government of which focus on creating inclusive in many high level technical task forces
India, under the coordination of IIT urban spaces for migrants and formed by the cluster countries to
Kharagpur also helped UNESCO are designed to build a collective promote evidence based planning
support the government’s initiatives understanding around their and monitoring and dissemination
of setting-up the National Digital experiences and rights. of indicators. At the same time, it was
Library of India. – Marina Faetanini active on implementing CapED project
in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
– Al Amin Yusuf Social Human Sciences
– Shailendra Sigdel
Communication and Information
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
This biennium DPI connected This biennium
was marked by and engaged was full of
the expansion its audiences on many notable
and consolidation multiple platforms achievements as
of our partnership through sharing my Administrative
with government of audiovisuals, team continued
departments in infographics providing support
India including and with regular in the pursuit
the Ministry updates on of improved
of Railways, Directorate of Film its programmes. Services like live programmes, research and
Festivals and the governments of streaming and social polling provided knowledge creation for UNECSO’s
West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala an opportunity to maximize our reach, mandate. 2017, in particular, was
and Goa. We also initiated activities
raise awareness and substantially a very active year as with support
for raising awareness and effective
increase the number of followers. from our Director Mr Aoyagi, we got
implementation of the lesser known
– Rekha Beri our new office premises to become
UNESCO 2005 Convention for the
Division of Public Information functional, and for which we are also
Protection and Promotion of the
grateful to the Indian government, Mr
Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
Satish Gujral and other partners.”
– Moe Chiba – Nusrat Jahan
Culture Finance and AdministrationDIRECTOR-GENERAL INAUGURATES THE
NEW UNESCO HOUSE IN INDIA
O
n 30 August 2017, UNESCO and India and information, as foundations for sustainable
celebrated a new chapter in their 70- development and a more just and peaceful
year partnership with the inauguration world,” Ms. Bokova said.
of premises designed by one of the country’s
renowned artists and architects of the post- “This building cements the relations between
independence era in the presence of Director- India and UNESCO,” said H.E. Shri Prakash
General Ms. Irina Bokova, H.E. Shri Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Human Resource
Javadekar, Union Minister of Human Resource Development.
Development, Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Rajya
Sabha and Member of the UNESCO Executive Dr. Karan Singh added, “The founding of
Board and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mr. Kailash UNESCO in 1945 was an act of faith,” adding,
Satyarthi. “This building reflects the significance that India,
a founding member of the Organization, places
“This is a special moment for UNESCO, and I wish on education, culture and science. It will be a
to express deep gratitude to the Government tremendous asset for us all.”
of India for providing this wonderful space at
the heart of this outstanding city,” the Director- Thanking UNESCO for its efforts over the past
General said, also thanking Mr. Satish Gujral who decade to build bridges with civil society and
was present at the ceremony, for designing the mobilizing a wide range of partners around
building. education, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash
Satyarthi called for a bolder stance and a
“Today we do not just inaugurate a building, more coordinated approach to advance the
we celebrate the values shared by India and Sustainable Development Goals. “The measure
UNESCO, we celebrate our belief in the power of of any progress is how we are reaching out
education, the sciences, culture, communication to the last child in our society, and my dream
14 BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017is that the poorest of the poorest children cluster Member States, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
looking for freedom and education, of youth India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
desperate to live in peace, come to your door
and be welcomed with respect, and take back “National Commissions are powerful advocates,
confidence and hope.” raising the UNESCO flag, reaching out to new
audiences. They are key actors, helping to take
In an earlier meeting with the Director-General, forward UNESCO’s values and priorities in ways
Human Resource Development Minister Prakash that are meaningful to each society,” the Director-
Javadekar outlined new initiatives to promote General said.
open source learning, training teachers,
improving learning outcomes, increasing literacy
and fostering cooperation through academic
networks.
UNESCO’s contribution to India was also
highlighted by the Minister of State for Culture
and Tourism, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, who drew
attention to celebrations around the nomination
of the historic city of Ahmedabad as a World
Heritage Site and Varanasi and Jaipur as Creative
Cities and Yoga as an intangible heritage of
humanity.
“Our richest strength is our culture, and we need
to showcase it to the world and our country, to
preserve, protect and promote it,” the Minister
said.
On the day that UNESCO House was
inaugurated, the Director-General also addressed
the closing session of the Regional Consultation
of UNESCO National Commissions in South Asia.
The meeting aimed at enhancing cooperation
with the UNESCO National Commissions in the
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 15CONSULTATION MEETING OF THE
NATIONAL COMMISSIONS OF UNESCO
NEW DELHI CLUSTER OFFICE, 28-30
AUGUST 2017
A
consultation meeting of the National Country presentations followed in which
Commissions (NatComs) of UNESCO representatives from the New Delhi Cluster
New Delhi Cluster Office was held in New Countries discussed their national priorities in
Delhi on 28-30 August 2017. The two-and-a-half- the areas of UNESCO’s competencies and the
day meeting started with a welcome session in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These
which Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi, Director and UNESCO representatives also listed specific areas of
Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives improvement and presented a SWOT (strengths,
and Sri Lanka and Mr. Kewal Kumar Sharma, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis
Secretary General, Indian National Commission for NatComs in the respective New Delhi Cluster
for Cooperation with UNESCO outlined the Countries.
importance of such a meeting.
After the country presentations there was a
Mr. Aoyagi provided a brief overview of the session on the SWOT analysis done by the
meeting and its intended outcomes. He followed representatives. Since the SWOT analysis covered
this up by setting the context of the meeting areas which were of importance to individual
by providing background information on the countries this session harmonized the strengths,
cooperation framework between UNESCO and weaknesses, challenges and threats to each
NatComs with reference to existing statutory country to come up with a comprehensive SWOT
guidelines and recommendations of the IOS analysis from a regional (South Asia) perspective.
Evaluation (2011), the Tripartite Working Group’s This SWOT analysis was included in the meeting’s
recommendations (2013) and other inter- statement/recommendations.
regional meetings’ recommendations.
16 BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017Based on the SWOT analysis the next session A sub-committee formed to draft the outcome
was taken over by discussions on effective statement of the meeting worked out a draft of
coordination, communication and knowledge the New Delhi Statement. This was discussed with
management mechanisms. The discussion took all the participants and after incorporating their
place under four broad areas – communication, suggestions it was finalized and validated.
capacity building, joint fund raising and
programme implementation and advocacy. On Day 3 of the meeting the participants met
the UNESCO Director-General Ms. Irina Bokova
The second day of the meeting had the and read out the New Delhi Statement in her
Dhaka and Kathmandu Offices making 39C/5 presence. This statement will now be used for
presentations. The representatives of the two taking forward the process that started in New
Offices listed out their achievements over the last Delhi.
year and also discussed their plans of action in
the next year.
After the country presentations, representatives
from the New Delhi Office’s sectors made
their presentations. The Education, Natural
Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture,
Communication and Information, SDG
Monitoring and Evaluation and Division of Public
Information made presentations listing out their
achievements and upcoming plans.
The next session was a question and answer
session in which the participants discussed
the country and sector presentations, got their
doubts clarified and exchanged ideas.
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 17EDUCATION
U
NESCO is the only United Nations agency Sub-regional workshop on the SAARC
with a mandate to cover all aspects of Framework for Action for Education
education. It has also been entrusted to 2030
lead the Global Education 2030 Agenda through
the Sustainable Development Goal 4. With this A sub-regional conference on EFA Unfinished
background, the UNESCO New Delhi Office’s and Post 2015 Education Agendas in SAARC
Education Sector focused its work on supporting countries was held in October 2016 which
the Member States to work towards achieving endorsed the New Delhi Agreement which
SDG4 in the 2016-17 biennium. reiterates the country’s commitments to,
‘develop a SAARC Framework for Action for
The activities of the Education Sector focused on Education 2030 within the broader scope of the
the following key areas: [global] Framework for Action (FFA)-Education
2030, including possible adoption of specific
• Facilitating collective efforts towards prioritized targets earlier than 2030 in line with
achieving SDG4 in South Asia. the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Promoting right to education among children and taking into account national and regional
with disabilities and out-of-school children. priorities on education.’
• Promoting education for sustainable
Sub-regional Workshop on the SAARC
development. Framework for Action for Education 2030 in
Nepal
Facilitating Collective Efforts UNESCO, UNICEF, the Ministry of Education,
Government of Nepal and the SAARC Secretariat
Towards Achieving SDG4 in jointly organized a sub-regional workshop on the
South Asia SAARC Framework for Action for Education 2030
UNESCO New Delhi, together with the UNICEF in Kathmandu in March 2016. The workshop was
Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA), supported attended by representatives of the Ministries
the SAARC Secretariat in facilitating a sub- of Education of SAARC countries along with
regional collaboration to collectively address the representatives from UNESCO, UNICEF ROSA,
common challenges faced by the countries in the SAARC Secretariat, SEAMEO and other
South Asia. partners. During the workshop the SAARC
Member States endorsed the formation of a
SAARC Framework for Action for Education 2030
(SFFA) to be approved by Ministers of Education
at the next SAARC Education Ministers meeting
in the Maldives.
18 EDUCATIONAdvocating for SDG4
Indian Launch of the Global Education
Monitoring Reports (GEMRs)
Every year an independent team housed at
UNESCO produces a global report to monitor
the progress towards SDG4. The report gives
an up-to-date analysis of where the world
stands vis-à-vis international commitments and
discusses the key challenges. UNESCO New
Delhi organized the national launch events for
GEMRs in India in 2016 and 2017 to ensure wide
dissemination of the reports.
In 2016, UNESCO New Delhi joined the Ministry
of Human Resource Development and the
Centre for Environment Education (CEE) to
organize the dissemination of the 2016 GEMR
titled, ‘Education for People and Planet: Creating
Sustainable Futures for All.’ GEMR’s India launch Celebration of the Global Action Week (GAW)
got together policymakers, officials, experts and for Education in India
CSO representatives and provided a platform to On the occasion of the Global Action Week for
discuss sustainable development challenges in Education 2016, UNESCO New Delhi partnered
India. with the National Coalition of Education (NCE)
in celebrating GAW in schools on the issue of
In December 2017, UNESCO New Delhi education financing in 22 states with civil society
launched the 2017 GEMR which highlights organizations and teachers’ unions.
the responsibilities of governments to provide
universal quality education and stresses that In 2017 the theme for the Global Action Week
accountability is indispensable in achieving this for Education was ensuring, ‘Accountability for
goal. The report also warns that disproportionate SDG4, and Active Citizen Participation.’
blame on any one actor for systemic educational
problems can have serious negative side Week-long activities on GAW
effects like widening inequalities and damaging
While considering SDG4’s targets, the National
learning. A panel discussion was also organized
Coalition for Education, New Delhi, organized
to discuss the key accountability and governance
a week-long activity on Global Action Week for
issues in education in India.
Education in 24 states. The culmination event
was held on 1 May 2017 with support from
the UNESCO New Delhi Office. At the end of
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 19the event a charter of demands was submitted Disabilities (UNPRPD) implemented the project,
requesting the Prime Minister of India to ensure ‘Promoting the Right to Quality Education for
access to education for all in the country in-line Children with Disabilities.’ UNPRPD India is a
with SDG4. multi-partner fund project that was initiated
as a unique collaborative effort between UN
International Literacy Day Celebrated entities (UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP and MGIEP),
government agencies, disabled people's
Annually, International Literacy Day (ILD) is
organizations and the broader civil society to
celebrated across the world on 8 September.
advance disability rights.
In India the celebrations were organized by
the National Literacy Mission Authority and the
Under this project, UNESCO New Delhi facilitated
Department of School Education and Literacy,
the establishment of Inter-Agency Working
Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Groups (IAWGs) at the national and state levels to
The programme included the presentation of
enhance dialogue and convergence among key
Saakshar Bharat Awards to the best performing
government and non-government stakeholders
states, districts, gram panchayats and NGOs.
on policy issues involving education for children
with disabilities (CWDs). State IAWGs were set up
in the pilot states of Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra,
Promoting Right to Education Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
Among Children with Disabilities
and Out-of-School Children Research studies on CWDs
UNESCO New Delhi commissioned five research
Promoting the Rights of Children with studies to improve access to basic quality
Disabilities to Quality Education education for CWDs:
Setting up state IAWGs
a. Improving data systems for improving
UNESCO New Delhi under the United Nations education participation of children with
Partnership on the Rights of Persons with disabilities;
20 EDUCATIONb. Meeting the human resource challenges
for education of children with disabilities in
schools;
c. Stock taking of national and state level
schemes under different line ministries
designed to promote education for children
with disabilities;
d. Monitoring accessibility to physical
environments and learning processes to
enhance basic quality education for children
with disabilities; and
e. Progress on children with disabilities’ eight states, four UN agencies and civil society
education participation under RTE Act, 2009. organizations. The seminar provided a platform
to discuss and understand the status of out-of-
The findings of the studies were shared and school children in the context of varying figures,
discussed at a National Consultation held assessing the effectiveness of existing strategies
in August 2017. UNESCO New Delhi is now in addressing the issue and formulating plans
developing a follow-up project to further support that can be taken up both in the short and long
related work in India. term.
Out-of-School Children
Promoting Education for
Understanding Out-of-School Children
Sustainable Development (ESD)
A research paper on, ‘Estimating the Number of
Out-of-School Children,’ was commissioned by Asia-Pacific workshop on the Global
the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and the United Action Programme on Education for
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). A follow-up Sustainable Development and Cities
of the, ‘India Report on Out-of-School Children’
ESD is one of the pillars of SDG4.7 – learning
(United Nations Children’s Fund and the
to live together in harmony with people and
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, August 2014), this
nature – and this target has never been so
research paper was released in July 2016. The
relevant in Asia-Pacific as it is now. Hence,
paper recommends that for a large country like
UNESCO New Delhi, in collaboration with
India with inter-state variations in the schooling
UNESCO headquarters and UNESCO Bangkok,
system, it is best to revise and standardize the
organized an Asia-Pacific regional workshop
definition of out-of-school children to match
on the Global Action Programme on Education
state schooling rules and estimate the number of
for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Cities
out-of-school at state and national levels. It also
in November 2017 in New Delhi. Supported by
emphasizes that the definition of out-of-school
the Government of Japan and co-hosted by the
children should be based on the regularity of
attendance.
National Seminar on Out-of-School Children
The Ministry of Human Resource Development,
Government of India in collaboration with
UNESCO New Delhi organized a one-day
national seminar on out-of-school children in
December 2016. The seminar brought together
senior representatives of the Ministry of Human
Resource Development, education officials from
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 21Ministry of Human Resource Development of Health Education and School-
India, the workshop was attended by more than
related Gender Based Violence
60 participants from 15 countries. The purpose
of the workshop was to create better awareness
Research Study “Experiences of
and training among local communities and
bullying in Schools”
municipalities on integrating and implementing
activities related to ESD, strengthening and Ensuring that all children and young people have
identifying key opportunities for regional access to safe, inclusive and health-promoting
cooperation and promoting collaboration learning environments is a strategic priority for
between participants from different sectors. It UNESCO. In this regard, the UNESCO New Delhi
also facilitated sharing of good practices and Office put in concerted efforts to address school
policies in urban contexts relevant for the region. violence and bullying including school-related
gender-based violence (SRGBV). A research
study titled, ‘Experiences of Bullying in Schools:
Award for the Kerala Children’s
A Survey among Sexual/Gender Minority Youth
Agricultural Science Congress
in Tamil Nadu,’ was conducted to broaden
In 2017, the Kerala Balakrishi Shastra Congress awareness and understanding of SOGI/E related
(KBKSC) or the Kerala Children’s Agricultural bullying in educational institutions and document
Science Congress that promotes ESD got the support mechanisms available.
international recognition and was awarded with
the prestigious, ‘ESD Okayama Award.’ This The findings of the report were shared at a high-
project brought traditional methodologies along level meeting in Chennai in November 2017 and
with modern approaches from farms to schools its recommendations are being used to develop
and students were encouraged to join hands with evidence-informed policies, programmes and
elders in making food for a sustainable future. resource allocations by the School Education
22 EDUCATIONDepartment to prevent and address SOGI/E UNESCO a platform to work with central and
related bullying in schools. The research was state governments to strengthen work around
instrumental in facilitating advocacy efforts with Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
key government stakeholders in the Department
of School Education and the Department of Resource material (a poster and a training
Social Welfare. Both the departments have toolkit) on preventing and eliminating SRGBV
committed to take the study’s recommendations titled, ‘Learning without Fear,’ was developed
into consideration while developing the state to enhance awareness about SRGBV amongst
government’s policies and programmes. students, teachers and policymakers. These
knowledge products were developed in
Through successful advocacy with the Ministry partnership and are endorsed by NCERT, CBSE
of Human Resource Development and NCERT, and the National Commission for Protection
the Adolescence Education Programme is of Child Rights (NCPCR). These resources
being integrated into the Government of are available in English and Hindi for wider
India’s new Draft National Education Policy. circulation and use.
This is a significant achievement as its gives
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 23NATURAL SCIENCES
D
uring the 2016-17 biennium the focus
of the Natural Sciences Sector was
on a spectrum of activities including
science policy, hydrology, disaster risk
reduction, biosphere reserves, biodiversity and
climate change with focus on the sustainable
development. The Sector also consolidated its
activities throughout the South Asia sub-region
and also reached out to the south and central
Asian sub-region through organizing South and
Central Asia MAB Network activities.
Following are some the main activities
reinforced the regional cooperation among
implemented during the biennium:
countries in STI policy as one of the main means
of addressing issues of sustainable development.
The programme addressed issues related to
Science Policy
sustainable development goals specifically
role of STI in addressing issues such as poverty,
Training Program on Science
climate change and loss of biodiversity, natural
Technology and Innovation Policy for
disaster.
SAARC countries
The programme was jointly organized by
Science and the Small Nations
UNESCO New Delhi and Zaheer Science
– Bridging the Gaps: A Science
Foundation with support of the Department of
Science & Technology (DST), Government of
Diplomacy Initiative
India from 13-17 February, 2017 at the Indian An international conference on Science and the
National Science Academy, (INSA) in New Small Nations – Bridging the Gaps: A Science
Delhi. Around 50 participants from Bangladesh, Diplomacy Initiative was held at the India Islamic
Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka participated. Cultural Centre by Zaheer Science Foundation in
The purpose of this programme was to train partnership with UNESCO and the Department
senior scientists and policy makers of SAARC of Science and Technology, Govt of India from
countries so as to empower them in developing 14-16 November 2017. The programme focused
their national STI policy and also work together on UNESCO initiatives in science diplomacy
in order to develop a regional STI policy for the specifically global science networks such as
benefit of the SAARC region. The programme the UNESCO Chairs, and centres which work
24 NATURAL SCIENCEStowards advancing science, technology, and The contest received over 2,500 submissions
innovation (STI) in promoting understanding and from the six UNESCO Cluster Countries and
cooperation across nations. The workshop also were judged by an internal then the external
emphasized on UNESCO's Intergovernmental jury headed by Mr Raghu Rai, eminent Indian
Hydrological Programme (IHP) and Man and the photographer and photojournalist.
Biosphere (MAB) Programme as important tools
for international scientific cooperation. The winners of the contest were felicitated and
awarded in a ceremony organized on 26th April
2017 at the UNESCO New Delhi Office’s new
International workshop on "Promoting
premises in Chankyapuri.
Biotechnology Education, Research
and Knowledge Transfer in Asia and The four winning entries have been displayed
the Pacific" at the Office’s new premises while ten other
The International workshop on "Promoting winners received a Certificate of Recognition
Biotechnology Education, Research and and memento from UNESCO New Delhi Cluster
Knowledge Transfer in Asia and the Pacific" Office.
was organized on 15-16 October 2017, by
UNESCO Jakarta and New Delhi offices and the
UNESCO Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
association with the Asian and Pacific Centre for
Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of UNESCAP. Strengthening capacity for Disaster
The main objective of this 2-day workshop was Risk Reduction in South Asia including
to report and formalise the lessons learnt on early warning of natural hazards,
the institutional mechanisms required for the disaster preparedness and resilience
successful establishment of a regional platform of enhancement
national consortia of biotechnology universities
The workshop on “Strengthening capacity for
in the Asia and the Pacific region and identify
DRR in South Asia including early warning of
the remaining gaps and challenges to deliver
natural hazards disaster preparedness and
in the field of Biotechnology, focusing on the
resilience enhancement” was organized by
Sustainable development Goals. The workshop
UNESCO New Delhi in collaboration with
was the final event of "UNESCO Biotechnology
UNESCO Office in Kathmandu, Nepal on the
School in Asia" project implemented by UNESCO
occasion of the “International Day for Disaster
with support of the Japanese Government in
Reduction” in October 2016. The focus of
association with the International Centre for
the workshop was on the theme “Live to Tell”
Biotechnology, Osaka University from 2014 to
to celebrate how people and communities
2017. The workshop was attended by around
around the world are reducing their exposure
35 participants from the participating countries
to disasters and raising awareness about the
of the UNESCO Biotechnology School in Asia
importance of reining in the risks that they face.
programme including experts from India.
A special session devoted to sharing of Nepal
Experience specifically focused on the lessons
Science for Sustainability Photo learnt from Gurkha earthquake in resilience
Contest building was also organized.
The #Science4Sustainability photo contest was
UNESCO New Delhi in partnership with the
launched on the World Environment Day, 5 June
UNESCO Category 2 Centre on World Natural
2016. The contest was open to nationals of the six
Heritage Site Management & Training for Asia
UNESCO Cluster countries, namely, Bangladesh,
Pacific Region based at Wildlife Institute of India,
Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The
Dehradun, organized a special Thematic Session
contest was organized as part of the social media
on 'Making World Heritage Risk Resilient' on 3rd
campaign, #Science4Sustainability to promote
November, 2016 during the first Asian Ministerial
science education and research to empower
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
people to design the solutions they need.
(AMCDRR) hosted by the Government of India
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 25from 3rd -5th November 2016 at Vigyan Bhavan, 50 delegates from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and
New Delhi. The thematic session emphasized Bhutan apart from scientists from IMD and
on the need for countries to develop concerted HPKVV. The main deliberations focused on 4
policies and plans on disaster risk reduction for concurrent themes on data information, forecast
world heritage sites and to examine how the and early warning; policy and planning for DRR;
heritage can foster resilience and mainstreaming communication and capacity building.
of disaster risk reduction within management
plans and systems for World Heritage properties
in their territories. UNESCO offices in Jakarta Hydrology
and Bangkok in collaboration with UNESCO
New Delhi organized an exhibition showcasing 7th Asian G-WADI (Global Network on
UNESCO activities on DRR through posters, Water and Development Information
standees, banners, brochures and audio-visual for Arid Lands) Meeting cum
material. Workshop
UNESCO in association with the National
South Asian workshop on Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI),
Strengthening Early Warning for Hyderabad and with the support of the INCIHP
Disaster Risk Reduction in Agriculture (Indian National Committee for International
UNESCO-IMS (Indian Meteorological Society) Hydrological Programme of UNESCO), National
South Asian workshop on Strengthening Institute of Hydrology (Ministry of Water
Early Warning for Disaster Risk Reduction in Resources, Govt. of India), Roorkee organized
Agriculture was organized at the HPKVV (CSK the 7th Asian G-WADI (Global Network on
Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya), Water and Development Information for
in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh on 25-26 Arid Lands) meeting cum workshop from 27
October 2017. The workshop was organized in to 30 November 2017 in Hyderabad. The
partnership with the IMD (Indian Meteorology objectives of the meeting cum workshop was
Department), Ministry of Earth Sciences, to improve the understanding of the special
Government of India and Centre for Gee- characteristics of hydrological systems and
Informatics Research and Training (CGIRT) of water management needs in arid areas, capacity
the HPKW with the objective to strengthen early building of individuals and institutions and broad
warning of extreme weather events for disaster dissemination of information on water to the
risk reduction in agriculture; build capacities user community and the public. The event was
of farming communities on agro climatic attended by around 30 participants including
vulnerability and risk management and also delegates from G-WADI representatives from
examine multi stakeholder efforts to address member countries China, India, Iran, Mongolia,
these challenges and scale up ecosystem based Thailand and Uzbekistan. The technical sessions
solutions. The workshop was attended by around of the workshop included country presentations,
26 NATURAL SCIENCESthematic lectures and interactive discussion. Secretariat, UNESCO New Delhi, Economic
The intensive and interactive process resulted in Cooperation Organization Science Foundation
recommendations for developing joint research (ECOSF) and Al-Farabi Kazakh National
initiatives, implementation of SDG 6 specifically University. MAB Secretariat UNESCO Hqs and
the sustainable use of water resources (including Regional Bureau Jakarta along with UNESCO
groundwater) among policy-makers and offices in Almaty, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Islamabad
planners, by raising awareness among local and Teheran closely assisted the organization
communities and promoting their participation of the meeting. The theme of the meeting
in the water management structures of arid and was “Biosphere Reserves and Sustainable
semi- arid regions. Development”. Representatives from MAB
Programme in the South and Central Asian
region, including MAB National Committees and
India Launch of the UN World Water
biosphere reserve (BR) managers and experts
Development Report, 2017
from national and international organizations
UNESCO New Delhi, UNIC New Delhi and media attended the meeting. The meeting discussed
partner The Statesman organized the national the ways to jointly promote BRs to serve as
launch of the 2017 United Nations World Water models for sustainable development. The
Development Report (WWDR), “Wastewater: The meeting was attended by 65 participants
Untapped Resource.” The report was launched including those from SACAM member countries;
by Mr Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, Department Bangladesh (1), Bhutan (2), India (2), Iran
of Water and Sanitation, Government of India. (1), Maldives (3), Nepal (2) and Sri Lanka (2).
The event was attended by over 100 participants Kazakhstan host country was represented by
including NGO representatives, members of members of National Commission for UNESCO
the diplomatic community, academicians and and ISESCO and National MAB committee
students and experts working in the field of besides experts from universities, BRs and other
water. institutions. The meeting ended with a session
on elaboration on the outcome document-
recommendations. A field trip to Ile-Alatau
Ecological Sciences National Nature Park – Potential BR, was also
organized in the morning of 26 October 2016.
8th Meeting of the South & Central The meeting decided to admit 3 new countries
Asia MAB Network (SACAM) namely; Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
as full members of SACAM Network; whereas,
The VIII SACAM meeting was organized on
Azerbaijan was given status of Observer during
24-26 October 2016 in Almaty, Kazakhstan
the meeting. The meeting also amended the
by Kazakhstan National Commission for
Statutes of SACAM Network and prepared
UNESCO and ISESCO and Kazakhstan National
recommendations for endorsement by the
MAB Committee in association with SACAM
member countries.
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 27Workshop on Strategy for National film “Hollow Cylinder,” on issues related to
Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves bamboo as a resource that can be used to save
forests and generate livelihoods.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate
Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India,
in association with Environmental Planning International Conference on
& Coordination Organization (EPCO) Bhopal Sustainable Development: Challenges
and UNESCO New Delhi, organized a two-day and Prospects
meeting-cum-workshop on “Strategy for National
The "International Conference on "Sustainable
Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves” in February
Development- Challenges and Prospects" was
2017. The workshop focused on the Lima
organized on October 6-7, 2017 at the Desh
Action Plan and the development of a national
Bhagat University campus, Mandi Gobindgarh,
strategy for its implementation considering the
Punjab under technical partnership of UNESCO
concerns and realities of the Indian biosphere
and with support from various agencies of
reserves. Thirty-four delegates including
Government of India e.g. Department of Science
biosphere reserves’ managers, state forest
& Technology (DST), National Biodiversity
officers, lead institutes, UNESCO representatives
Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forests &
and stakeholders took part in the workshop.
Climate Change and Government of Punjab
A booklet titled 'Indian Biosphere Reserves:
such as Punjab Energy Development Authority
contributing towards biodiversity conservation
(PEDA), Punjab State Council for Science and
and sustainable development' was released
Technology as well as Indian National Science
by the Chairperson following her introductory
Academy, Punjab and Sind Bank etc. The focus of
remarks. The workshop discussed UNESCO's
the conference was mainly on the UN Sustainable
approach towards management of BRs and
Development Goals with the objective of
their role in the achievement of Sustainable
providing a platform for research scholars,
Development Goals.
faculty members, engineers, environmentalists,
scientist, policy makers, economists and other
5th National Conference on stake holders to discuss and present their
Biodiversity and Climate Change latest research result ideas, developments and
Maharaja Agrasen College, New Delhi held the applications related to challenges and prospects
5th National Conference on Biodiversity and of sustainable development in the areas of
Climate Change in association with UNESCO environment, natural resources, biodiversity,
and the National Museum Institute on the theme tourism, food productivity, higher education and
“Conserving Heritage: Natural Resources and socio-cultural issues.
Cultural Wealth.” Among the issues discussed
at the conference are, “Conserving Natural Principals Conclave on Teaching SDGs
Heritage,” “Conserving Culture through and Climate Change Education
Heritage,” “Heritage and Harmony” and
“Paradigms of Development: Myth & Reality.” UNESCO New Delhi and the Climate Reality
There was also the screening of the documentary Project India held the “Principals Conclave on
28 NATURAL SCIENCESTeaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Ghats, especially in Tamil Nadu. The workshop
and Climate Change Education for a Safer also discussed trans-boundary biodiversity
Planet” in February 2017 to sensitize the heads management issues such as the Gulf of Mannar
of educational institutions about the relevance Biosphere Reserve in India and Sri Lanka
of the SDGs and climate change education (proposed).
and to bring leadership for change in schools.
The conclave was attended by principals of
8th SACAM Meeting on Biosphere
Delhi-area schools and members of the Climate
Reserves and Sustainable
Reality Project. At the end of the workshop the
Development
participants signed a pledge to pursue water
conservation in their daily lives, thus taking a step The SACAM (South and Central Asia MAB
towards tackling climate change and achieving Network) Secretariat based in UNESCO New
the SDGs. Delhi organized the 8th meeting of the network
in October 2016 in Almaty, Kazakhstan in close
collaboration with the National Commission
Traditional Knowledge to Support
of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO
Climate Change Adaptation Policies
and ISESCO, the Kazakhstan National MAB
UNESCO-IFMR LEAD organized a joint workshop Committee and the al-Farabi Kazakh National
on “Mainstreaming Traditional Knowledge (TK) University and the ECO Science Foundation
to support Climate Change Adaptation Policies,” (ECOSF). The focus of the meeting was on the
in October 2016 bringing together 25 experts Lima Action Plan (LAP) and SACAM’s strategy
from the government, research institutions and for its implementation considering regional
NGOs. The objective of the workshop was to concerns and realities. The meeting was also
present and receive inputs to strengthen the a follow-up of the recommendations of the 7th
role of tradition knowledge in climate change; SACAM meeting held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in
research and resource planning; to explore December 2015. This is for the first time that
strategies to incorporate traditional knowledge the meeting was held in Central Asia which it
into climate change assessments and policy and is hoped will build momentum to strengthen
adaptation efforts including gender concerns. the MAB programme in the sub-region and
The deliberations focused on arriving at a broad motivate member countries who have not yet
understanding of a framework/methodology become full members of the network to formally
of a joint programme to be undertaken in the do so.
climatically vulnerable grids of the Western
BIENNIUM REPORT 2016-2017 29You can also read
