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Colloquium panel (l to r) H.E. Mr Matthew Sudders, UK Ambassador to UNESCO, Mr Anthony Smith, Director of International Relations Division, DFID, Professor W John Morgan, Chairman, UKNC, Mr Getachew Engida, UNESCO Deputy-Director General, James Bridge, Chief Executive, UKNC

This gathering was specifically aimed at experts who sit on UNESCO committees or work with particular UNESCO programmes. The group represented part of a much larger network of professionals from across the UK who are involved in UNESCO's work. The Colloquium was an opportunity to bring together collective expertise and experience in order to identify new, collective ways to support a common mission of a stronger and more effective UNESCO.

The Colloquium identified common challenges and opportunities and ways that participants might contribute which will inform the UKNC's work.  

One of UNESCO's greatest assets is the wealth of expertise it commands through its formal partners, such as Category 2 Centres, UNESCO Chairs and Biosphere Reserves.

There are currently 81 'Category 2' Institutes or Centres globally, covering all areas of UNESCO's work, mostly based at universities and research institutes. While Category 2 centres are not legally part of UNESCO, they are formally associated with the organisation in order to contribute to the achievement of UNESCO's programme objectives. There is currently one Category 2 Centre in the UK - the Dundee IHP-HELP Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, based at the University of Dundee.

Recent UNESCO and UKNC reports have shown that while many of these centres are of a high-quality, changes are needed to enhance their relationship with UNESCO. To help address this, the UKNC has convened a Task Group of five experts which will produce a policy brief with recommendations on how to enhance the contribution these centres make to UNESCO's work and ways to strengthen the focus and management of the network as a whole.

This issue is also scheduled for discussion at the next UNESCO Executive Board in October 2012. The UKNC will be working with UNESCO, the UK Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and other key stakeholders to help ensure the decision adopted at this meeting includes concrete steps aimed at addressing this issue.

Every year, World Press Freedom Day (3 May) is an opportunity to affirm the importance of freedom of expression and press freedom - a fundamental human right enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

(l to r) Katy Gandon, L'Oreal UK and Ireland, Professor Frances Ashcroft, Dr Beth Taylor, Sciences Director, UKNC

The trailblazing scientific achievements of British scientist Professor Frances Ashcroft were recognised by UNESCO at an awards ceremony this March. Professor Ashcroft joined four other female scientists in being named the 2012 Laureates of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards. Professor Frances Ashcroft FRS was recognised for her work in advancing our understanding of insulin secretion and of neonatal diabetes. Her work means that 90 per cent of children with neonatal diabetes are now treated with tablets instead of insulin injections.

The call for applications for the 2013 cycle of the UNESCO-L'Oréal Co-Sponsored Fellowships for Young Women in Life Sciences international fellowship programme are now open.

Each year, 15 young female researchers at doctoral or postdoctoral levels are awarded a fellowship to enhance their expertise in renowned institutions around the world. The Fellowships are worth up to US$40,000 each.

Every year, the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes reward excellence and innovation in the field of literacy throughout the world. UNESCO invites Member States and International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) to submit nominations. The two prizes open for nominations are The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize and The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy.  

Nominations are open for the Henri LA FONTAINE International Prize for Humanism to honour living persons, institutions or active organisations which have made a significant contribution to defending, disseminating and embodying values such as humanism, social justices, feminism and freedom of inquiry. Nominations close 31 July 2012. The prize is run with the support of the Belgian French speaking and German speaking Commission for UNESCO.