The Department for International Development (DFID) has awarded the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC) a seven year grant.

Tim Williams, UKNC Chair said, "The new grant demonstrates confidence in the work of the UK National Commission and its UK-wide network of experts. This is an opportunity for me to thank them and our pro bono Directors for their contribution to the UK's work with UNESCO".

UKNC contributes to Welsh Sustainable Development Bill

The UKNC has provided a response to the National Assembly of Wales's consultation on the proposed Well-being of Future Generations Bill.

The submission to the Assembly's Environment & Sustainability Committee, looked at the relationship between the six well-being goals being proposed in the Bill and the Sustainable Development Goals that are being developed by UNESCO for the post-2015 development process.

The UKNC looks forward to building on the advice in this submission and to exploring, together with the Assembly, how Wales can contribute to the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the implementation of the UNESCO Conventions that have been ratified by the UK.

UKNC strengthens ties with Northern Ireland partners

The UKNC met with Government and civil society partners in Northern Ireland last month.

Gracehill, Northern Ireland, Michael Coulter (Heritage Ambassador, NIEA) site visit with UKNC Culture Director, Helen Maclagan

The mission to Northern Ireland is part of a programme of meetings that have been arranged around the UK to discuss shared priorities and identify joint pieces of work.

Latest UKNC policy briefs

The UKNC has shared with UNESCO the two latest reports to join its policy brief series.

The first policy brief analyses the methods that UNESCO uses to evidence the results of its work and gives recommendations for improving results-reporting.

In the second brief, leading UK scientists consider UNESCO's science portfolio and where they think it can have the biggest impact and add the greatest value in global science.

News from the Network

Dundee and York join UK Creative Cities Network

UNESCO has awarded Creative City status to two UK Cities, York, the UNESCO City of Media Arts and Dundee, the UNESCO City of Design.

UNESCO's Creative Cities aim to build international links between cities that share a common creative history. They work to promote the sharing of cultural and creative knowledge across national boundaries and economic divides.

The UK is home to six Creative Cities; Glasgow City of Music, Edinburgh and Norwich Cities of Literature and Bradford City of Film

as well as the two new additions to the Network.

The UKNC is now accepting applications to join the Creative Cities Network. Please visit the UKNC website for more details.

Durham University establishes UNESCO Chair in Archaeological Ethics

Durham University has established the first ever UNESCO Chair in Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage. It is the fourteenth UNESCO Chair in the UK, and Durham's first.

UNESCO Chairholder Professor Coningham in Lumbini, Nepal

Durham's Professor of Archaeology and Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Robin Coningham, has been appointed the UNESCO Chairholder.

The UNESCO Chairs Programme works to advance research, training and programme development in UNESCO's fields of competence.

The UKNC is now accepting applications for the 2015 intake of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks. Please visit the UKNC website for more details.

Geodiversity Charter for England launched

Developed by the English Geodiversity Forum, the Charter sets out a strategy to promote and protect England's natural heritage

Launched at the House of Commons, the Geodiversity Charter for England seeks to inspire decision makers and communities to celebrate and take action to protect our natural heritage.

Melanie Border from the English Riviera Geopark and Dr. Sam Rose from the Jurassic Coast, England's only natural World Heritage Site spoke at the launch about their support for the Charter and the actions that their organisations are taking to instil the Charter's vision.

Bath's Roman Curse Tablets Celebrated

UNESCO Deputy Director-General Getachew Engida with Stephen Clews, from the Roman Baths and Elizabeth Oxborrow-Cowan, Chair of the UK Memory of the World Committee

UNESCO's Deputy Director-General joined local leaders, archaeologists, archivists and local residents at the Bath World Heritage Site this Halloween, to celebrate the inscription of the Roman Curse Tablets on to the UK UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

The collection, which dates from the 2nd to the late 4th century AD, is made up of pieces of lead which have been marked with an ancient curse, folded and then tossed into a spring within the Roman Bath World Heritage Site.

Bradford UNESCO City of Film shares film literacy programme worldwide

Bradford UNESCO City of Film has collaboratively launched with partners a new website dedicated to Film Literacy.

The Bradford Film Literacy Programme aims to engage and inspire teachers and their students to use film and moving image to create, develop and enthuse young people's interest in literacy through the medium of film.

Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature's Great Scott! campaign

Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature launches Great Scott! campaign in Waverley Station. Photographer Chris Scott

October saw the words of Sir Walter Scott written across the floors, windows and walkways of Edinburgh's Waverley station, bringing to life Scott's words for the 10th anniversary of Edinburgh's designation as a UNESCO City of Literature and 200 years since the publication of Scott's first novel, Waverley.

100 Great Geosites of UK and Ireland announced

Last month, during Earth Science Week, the Geological Society released a list of the UK and Ireland's 100 Great Geosites.

Durdle Door, part of the Lulworth Site in Dorset was named one of the top 10 Geosites in the competition's coastal category

The UK and Ireland is home to some of the most diverse geology in the world.

The final list was chosen by the Geological Society's committee of experts, with help from nearly 1500 people who voted for the 'People's Favourite' in each of the 10 categories.

Annoucements

Nominations open for UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize

The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize rewards a person, organisation or institution that has made a notable contribution to the defence or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world.

Last year's winner was Turkish investigative journalist, Ahmet Şık.

Deadline for nominations: 15 February 2015.