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Network Link - APRIL 2013
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Welcome!
When the UNESCO Executive Board concluded this month, UK recommendations, including on Goodwill Ambassadors and Global Geoparks, were strongly reflected in many of the Board's decisions. UK National Commission (UKNC) policy advice had been taken up by the UK, many other member states and UNESCO. With the support of our growing Network of volunteer experts, we're able to develop ideas on innovation and effectiveness into policy briefs, and then translate these recommendations into concrete changes adopted by UNESCO's governing Board.
During the Executive Board, our Chairman, Professor W John Morgan, chaired the meeting of National Commissions where we discussed good practice in work with UNESCO Chairs and Associated Schools.
If you missed one of the previous editions of Network Link, don't forget that they're available from our website. If you have been sent Network Link by a colleague, you can also sign-up to the distribution list directly.
Yours faithfully,
James Bridge
Chief Executive, UK National Commission for UNESCO
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News from the Network
News and events from the UK UNESCO Network
Have news or an event you would like included in the next UKNC update? Email iwhite@unesco.org.uk
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Latest UKNC Policy Briefs
See the full policy brief series here.
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UNESCO Events
Key forthcoming UNESCO events
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UNESCO Publications
Selection of recent UNESCO publications
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 Updates on our work
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 The UKNC's latest policy brief aims to help shape the theme of the 2013 Education for All Global Monitoring Report (GMR), with a particular focus on 'Teaching and learning for maximum impact'. The brief is based on the overview of the proposed coverage of the 2013 GMR, released by the GMR team late last year. The brief's recommendations include a sharper focus for the report, better linking to the UNESCO Teacher Strategy and less emphasis on factors external to teacher and teaching quality, among others.
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Realising reform at UNESCO's Executive Board
 | | UNESCO Executive Board in session © UNESCO |
This month's UNESCO Executive Board saw UK priorities strongly reflected in many decisions. Highlights for the UK included reform of UNESCO's Goodwill Ambassadors Programme, progressing a review of UNESCO's relationship with Global Geoparks, emphasising education in UNESCO's contribution to the post-2015 development agenda, and approval of UNESCO's Work Plan on the Safety of Journalists. Changes to UNESCO's draft programme and budget for 2014-2017 were also discussed, with the UK inputting extensively on finance and administration issues, focused on supporting UNESCO reform and effectiveness.
The UK presented or co-presented over 10 resolutions, including on Goodwill Ambassadors and Geoparks, and proposed improvements to many other items. In his capacity as Chair of the Finance and Administrative Commission, the UK Ambassador to UNESCO, Mr Matthew Sudders, chaired multiple sessions and helped the Board manage its considerable workload.
The UKNC worked with the UK Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, other member states and UNESCO, to progress its policy brief recommendations into concrete changes adopted by UNESCO's governing Board. Many of these changes will now go to the UNESCO General Conference, comprising all 195 member states, for final approval later this year.
In the UK's remarks at the opening of the meeting Ambassador Sudders highlighted the need for UNESCO to translate its success in raising its visibility to an increased focus on strengthening the Organisation's credibility. He also spoke about the recent external audit of UNESCO and the pressing need to align the Organisation's spending with its projected income.
Read the UNESCO Director General's remarks at the opening of the Executive Board...
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UK Chairs meeting of National Commissions
 | | Prof W John Morgan Chairing meeting of National Commissions at 191st UNESCO Executive Board |
A meeting of National Commissions was held during the UNESCO Executive Board this month. The meeting, chaired by UK National Commission Chairman Professor W John Morgan, focused on good practices of National Commissions in working with UNESCO networks, particularly UNESCO Chairs and Associated Schools. This was the first such meeting of National Commissions since the publication of a draft action plan on improving UNESCO's cooperation with National Commissions earlier this year. Included in the action plan's 14 recommendations were measures to improve the structure, content and focus of these meetings. Several new features, such as advanced consultation with National Commissions on the meeting agenda and focus, were introduced, with the implementation of the other proposed reforms to these meetings expected in future. The UK was closely involved with other Permanent Delegations, National Commissions and UNESCO in producing the action plan and continues to work with UNESCO and others on its implementation.
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Arab British Centre receives 2013 UNESCO Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture
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Arab British Centre at UNESCO awards ceremony. From l to r: Imogen Ware (Projects Manager), Noreen Abu Oun (Executive Director), Virginia Forbes (Chairwoman). © UNESCO/ania freindorf
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On 25 April the Arab British Centre (UK) was presented with the 2013 UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture at an awards ceremony at UNESCO headquarters, Paris. The prize recognises individuals and organisations which have contributed, through artistic, intellectual or promotional work, to the development and dissemination of Arab culture in the world.
The Arab British Centre is the first UK winner of the prize. The Centre was represented by Noreen Abu Oun (Executive Director), Imogen Ware (Projects Manager) and Virginia Forbes (Chairwoman) at the awards ceremony.
Read on...
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The UKNC is seeking to appoint two new Non-Executive Directors to its Board with a range of relevant expertise and experience in the fields of education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication, and experience of working with not for profit organisations. Preference may be given to candidates with expertise in the Culture and Higher Education sectors. The closing date for applications is 7th June 2013. |
UNESCO News for the UK
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Bradford UNESCO City of Film at Royal reception
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David Wilson, Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, is greeted by Her Majesty The Queen
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The world's first UNESCO City of Film was represented at a reception this month, hosted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, to celebrate British film. The reception, held in the Castle's state apartments, brought together 300 actors, directors and filmmakers to recognise those involved with British film and its supporting industries. Bradford City of Film was represented by its Director David Wilson, who spoke about Bradford's film industry and the UNESCO Creative Cities Network with the event's high-profile guests. Bradford was designated the world's first City of Film in 2009 to recognise and support the city's use of its history and the local popularity and accessibility of film as a major tool for regeneration, cultural development and social inclusion.
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World Heritage Flag flies over Edinburgh
A new flag has been raised above the Edinburgh City Chambers to mark World Heritage Day on 18 April. World Heritage Day is an annual celebration, which is observed across the world, to raise the public's awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve it. The flag, which is a joint venture to help promote World Heritage Sites in Scotland, flew for a week. Edinburgh's Old and New Towns were listed together as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. Also planned for World Heritage Day in Edinburgh was an event at the Royal College of Physicians featuring contributions from Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop MSP, among others. |
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UK's first MA in World Heritage Studies
 The University of Birmingham has launched the UK's first MA in World Heritage Studies. This one year programme is aimed at providing students with a deeper understanding of the concepts and processes surrounding cultural and natural World Heritage and the necessary skills to effectively manage World Heritage in a sustainable way. The programme is linked to the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge Gorge, one the UK's first designated World Heritage Sites. |
Announcements
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Call for applications - UNESCO L'Oreal International Fellowships
The call for applications for the 2014 cycle of the UNESCO-L'Oréal Fellowships for Young Women in Life Sciences is now open. Through these fellowships, 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 and are awarded for a period of up to two years for scientists to undertake projects outside of their home country.
The deadline for applications is 30 May 2013.
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Call for nominations - UNESCO Prize for the Popularization of Science
The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is an international distinction to reward the efforts of a person who has had a distinguished career helping the public interpret science, research and technology.
The Prize may be conferred only upon individuals. The Prize includes a cheque for US$20,000, a certificate and the UNESCO-Albert Einstein silver medal. Nominations from the UK must be submitted through the UK National Commission for UNESCO and received by Monday 27 May.
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Cool it Schools launches Hot Water Competition
2013 is the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation and time to make everybody aware of water and why it's so critical to everyday life.
Cool it Schools are inviting young people and students between the age of 4 and 25 to make a 'bite-size' film on the subject of water. The winning films will be screened and prizes given at the Hot Water Awards taking place at the British Film Institute on London's famous South Bank on November 26th 2013.
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