This serves to inform all education journalists about the 35th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which will be held in the organisation’s headquarters in Paris on Tuesday, 6 October 2009.
The UNESCO General Conference meets every two years and consists of the 193 states members of the organisation, usually represented at Ministerial level. The South African delegation will be led by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr BE Nzimande accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Mr Enver Surty and Director-General, Mr Duncan Hindle. The conference determines the policies and main lines of the organisation, particularly through the examination and adoption of biennial programme and budget, of international standard setting instruments as well as number of other decision on important issues related to the fields of competence of the organisation.
The General Conference elects the members of the executive board and holds election for membership of various subsidiary organs. Every four years, it also elects the Director-General of UNESCO who may serve a maximum of two terms. This year is an election year.
Ministers and other heads of delegations attending the conference will have the opportunity to participate in both the general policy debate and plenary Ministerial forum. The general policy debate will take its traditional form of consecutive policy statement made by head of delegations.
The Minister will deliver South Africa’s statement on Thursday 8 October at 11h30 and also partake in the Ministerial round table on education on 9 to 10 October 2009.
“What education for the future? Lessons from the major international education conferences, the round table will be structured around three themes:
* Knowledge, values, competencies and skills for today’s and tomorrow’s societies
* Building education systems that are inclusive, equitable, of high quality and supportive of sustainable developments
* Promoting changes in policies and practices the way forward.
Point to note:
Several countries including Brazil, China and the Republic of Korea expressed their commitment to strengthen higher education in Africa while private sector partners voiced their interest in supporting educational expansion and excellence across Africa and the developing world.
All media houses that intend to interview the Minister or the South African delegation will have to confirm before the close of business on 5 October 2009.
Enquiries:
Mfanafuthi Sithebe
Cell: 079 693 6815
Issued by: Department of Higher Education and Training
5 October 2009
