1

National Commissions for UNESCO

Perspectives 2004-2005 and beyond

April 2004

2

Objectives 2001-2003

• Promoting change and development in a process of reform

• Reviewing the traditional mandate

• Defining new challenges for National Commissions

3

Results 2001-2003

• New policy orientations

• A stronger role as Chief Participants in Decentralization

• An enhanced capacity-building programme

• A fresh Communication strategy

4

Perspectives 2004-5 onwards

• Responding to the UN reform

• Wider participation in UNESCO’s reform

• Exchanging experience and expertise

5

UN Reform

• Global Compact

• Millennium Goals and….

UNDAF, UNDG, CCA, PRSP

• Civil Society outreach

6

UNESCO’s Reform

• Programme concentration

• Decentralization

• Restructuring the Secretariat/Rotation Policy

• Enhancing Partnerships and Alliances

7

Capacity-building:Main Emphases since 2001

• Visibility, advocacy and media relations

• IT skills, tools and services

• Outreach to New Partners

• Project management

• Accountability measures

8

Next Steps 2004-2005 and Beyond

• Facilitating exchanges amongst National Commissions

• Invovlement of experienced National Commission staff in capacity-building programmes

• New role in the programme planning and implementation

• More effective co-ordination of national partners via context mapping

9

Special Issues and Challenges

• Status accorded to National Commissions

by their governments

• Adequate resourcing including IT connectivity

• Autonomy to dialogue with civil society