universities in South Africa and UNESCO for a project addressing Literacy,
Human Rights and HIV/AIDS in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Limpopo
province
20 March 2006
The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
and three universities in South Africa are partnering to implement the
"Integrated Sustainable Community Initiative (ISCI)" project.
The designated representative for the government of South Africa, the Vice
Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the United Nations
Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) representative have
signed an agreement for the ISCI project amounting to R1 412 089. The Project
is funded from a special scheme of the Japanese government called the Japanese
Fund in Trust for Capacity Building of Human Resources. The other two
participating universities in the implementation of the project are the
University of Fort Hare and the University of Limpopo.
The ISCI project addresses three closely interrelated issues: low levels of
literacy; the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and threats to human rights, all areas of
priority within UNESCO. By targeting these three issues the project is hoping
to contribute to the Education for All (EFA) goals, the poverty reduction
efforts in South Africa and to contribute to achievements of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs). The project will be implemented in three targeted
provinces, namely Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. The three provinces
are chosen in accordance with the South African United Nations Development
Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The project is expected to train community
members in the three provinces on issues related to literacy, HIV/AIDS and
human rights.
Overall, it is hoped that the project will contribute to improving the
living conditions in the communities involved by enhancing the quality of life;
building greater capacity to improve their livelihoods; increasing their
ability to participate and intervene in public and social life and creating
greater awareness of human rights.
The coordinating body of the project is the South Africa National Commission
for UNESCO located in Pretoria. The three collaborating universities will each
take lead on one of the above mentioned issues. The project is also hoping to
involve stakeholders from all sectors of society such as provincial
governments, the private sector and relevant nongovernmental organisations
(NGOs).
A public announcement of the project activity will take place on 20 March
2006, at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape in the presence of the
Japanese Ambassador to South Africa. The project was formally launched in
KwaZulu-Natal in July 2004 by the Director-General of UNESCO.
Contact information:
S Kgamphe
Secretary-General
Cell: 082 602 4721
Issued by: Department of Education
20 March 2006
