UNESCO World Press Freedom Day website:
"Every year, May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession."
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Friday, April 15, 2005
171st Neeting of the Executive Board of UNESCO
The meeting is taking place from April 12 to April 28, 2005 in the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
The Agenda
OUTLINE OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL’S INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Agenda
OUTLINE OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL’S INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
UNESCO Employment
UNESCO Employment website
"UNESCO offers a broad range of work opportunities. Posts in the Organization are mainly filled by people in occupations linked to the Organization's main activities -- culture, education, science and communication. There are also opportunities for employment in other occupational fields such as administration, finance, human resources and information technology."
"UNESCO offers a broad range of work opportunities. Posts in the Organization are mainly filled by people in occupations linked to the Organization's main activities -- culture, education, science and communication. There are also opportunities for employment in other occupational fields such as administration, finance, human resources and information technology."
Science and the UNESCO World Heritage sites
InterAcademy Council description of the study:
"The UNESCO, World Heritage Centre wishes to promote increased scientific research and scientific activities related to management at World Heritage sites. At their request, the InterAcademy Council will undertake a study to review the role of science at both World Heritage natural and mixed Sites. The study's goal will be to outline opportunities to increase the involvement of science at the sites including opportunities to; i) bolster pure research, including the use of scientific information in identifying potential sites and designing nomination strategies; ii) increase sciences' role in applied activities related to site conservation and management, and iii) generate technical information to facilitate decision making by national policy makers on issues affecting World Heritage."
"The UNESCO, World Heritage Centre wishes to promote increased scientific research and scientific activities related to management at World Heritage sites. At their request, the InterAcademy Council will undertake a study to review the role of science at both World Heritage natural and mixed Sites. The study's goal will be to outline opportunities to increase the involvement of science at the sites including opportunities to; i) bolster pure research, including the use of scientific information in identifying potential sites and designing nomination strategies; ii) increase sciences' role in applied activities related to site conservation and management, and iii) generate technical information to facilitate decision making by national policy makers on issues affecting World Heritage."
Thursday, April 14, 2005
ASEAN SchoolNet Sets the Stage for Telecollaboration
UNESCO-CI News Release:
"Two regional workshops were held back-to-back, from 28 March to 6 April 2005, to build capacity and develop a plan of action for piloting telecollaboration among selected schools in eight ASEAN countries. This is part of the ASEAN SchoolNet Project implemented by the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education in Bangkok with support from Japan and the ASEAN Foundation. "
"Two regional workshops were held back-to-back, from 28 March to 6 April 2005, to build capacity and develop a plan of action for piloting telecollaboration among selected schools in eight ASEAN countries. This is part of the ASEAN SchoolNet Project implemented by the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education in Bangkok with support from Japan and the ASEAN Foundation. "
UNESCO grants 25,000 dollars to Marburg victims in Angola
People's Daily Online report:
"The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has granted 25,000 US dollars to help the victims of Marburg fever, which already killed 210 people in Angola. "
"The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has granted 25,000 US dollars to help the victims of Marburg fever, which already killed 210 people in Angola. "
Who's Who in the State Department
There are many people in the U.S. State Department who have responsibilities connected to the UNESCO. As UNESCO further decentralizes, it seems likely that U.S. embassies in many countries will have increasing UNESCO responsibilities. Below I have linked to biographies of key policy level officials of the State Department who might have UNESCO interests.
John Bolton is of course in the news as the U.S. Ambassador designate to the United Nations. Bolton's biography on the State Department Website. Bolton’s Resume from the American Enterprise Institute.
Louise V. Oliver, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Kim Holmes, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Organization Affairs (Which has oversight of relations with U.N. agencies, including UNESCO.)
R. Nicholas Burns; Under Secretary, Political Affairs (With oversight over State/IO as well as other Bureaus.)
Patricia de Stacy Harrison, Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. (Karen P. Hughes has been nominated for this post, but not yet confirmed.)
and Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. (Dina Powell has been nominated for this post, but not yet confirmed. Powell's White House biography.)
John F. Turner, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary, Global Affairs (With oversight of State/OES and several other bureaus.)
George H. Atkinson, Special Adviser, Science and Technology. (The Science Advisor to the State Department.)
John Bolton is of course in the news as the U.S. Ambassador designate to the United Nations. Bolton's biography on the State Department Website. Bolton’s Resume from the American Enterprise Institute.
Louise V. Oliver, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Kim Holmes, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Organization Affairs (Which has oversight of relations with U.N. agencies, including UNESCO.)
R. Nicholas Burns; Under Secretary, Political Affairs (With oversight over State/IO as well as other Bureaus.)
Patricia de Stacy Harrison, Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. (Karen P. Hughes has been nominated for this post, but not yet confirmed.)
and Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. (Dina Powell has been nominated for this post, but not yet confirmed. Powell's White House biography.)
John F. Turner, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary, Global Affairs (With oversight of State/OES and several other bureaus.)
George H. Atkinson, Special Adviser, Science and Technology. (The Science Advisor to the State Department.)
Monday, April 11, 2005
The World Academy of Young Scientists
WAYS website
WAYS is a permanent global network open to all scientists under the age of 40. Launched in 2003 as follow-up to the World Conference on Science (1999), WAYS functions under the aegis of UNESCO and today boasts more than 1000 individual members from close to 100 countries and all disciplines.
WAYS is a permanent global network open to all scientists under the age of 40. Launched in 2003 as follow-up to the World Conference on Science (1999), WAYS functions under the aegis of UNESCO and today boasts more than 1000 individual members from close to 100 countries and all disciplines.
ICT for Development Grants to be made by UNESCO
UNESCO announcement
"UNESCO’s Information for All Programme (IFAP)* will grant financial assistance to twenty-four projects related to information literacy, preservation of information, and ethical implications of information and communication technology (ICT). The allocations from IFAP’s “Special Fund” of contributions from UNESCO Member States, were decided by the Bureau of IFAP’s Intergovernmental Council, which met in Paris, April 4 - 6."
"UNESCO’s Information for All Programme (IFAP)* will grant financial assistance to twenty-four projects related to information literacy, preservation of information, and ethical implications of information and communication technology (ICT). The allocations from IFAP’s “Special Fund” of contributions from UNESCO Member States, were decided by the Bureau of IFAP’s Intergovernmental Council, which met in Paris, April 4 - 6."
John Steadman named to NatCom.
Mobile Register College briefs:
"John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering at the University of South Alabama, recently was appointed by the U.S. Department of State to the newly re-established U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Steadman was selected to serve a two-year term on the National Commission for UNESCO as a representative of a select group of non-governmental organizations."
"John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering at the University of South Alabama, recently was appointed by the U.S. Department of State to the newly re-established U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Steadman was selected to serve a two-year term on the National Commission for UNESCO as a representative of a select group of non-governmental organizations."
UNESCO and NASA strengthen ties
Read the entire article in A World of SCIENCE (Vol. 3, No. 2, April–June 2005).
"On 1 March, UNESCO's Director-General and Frederick D. Gregory, Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), signed an agreement at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. (USA). Through this agreement, UNESCO will benefit from NASA’s expertise in the earth sciences and space technology."
"On 1 March, UNESCO's Director-General and Frederick D. Gregory, Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), signed an agreement at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. (USA). Through this agreement, UNESCO will benefit from NASA’s expertise in the earth sciences and space technology."
A World of Science in April
Download the issue in a PDF file.
"With the Indian Ocean still reeling from the massive earthquake and tsunami which devastated its coasts last December, killing over 270 000 people in a single day, A World of Science looks at plans to ensure that we see the next tsunami coming, wherever in the world it strikes. UNESCO is co-ordinating efforts to put in place a tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean by 2007, within a global programme for all types of natural hazards launched by the United Nations in January.
"In this issue, we interview four young scientists from different corners of the world, who explain why their governments should be interested in what they have to say on science policy matters.
"In Horizons, we discover a new deadly weapon against malaria, that “silent tsunami … which takes every month the number of people who died in the Asian tragedy” last December. An Iranian biotechnologist has come up with a biolarvicide which proves fatal to the malaria-bearing Anopheles mosquito but is innocuous to all other living species, including humans. The Biotechnology Research Centre in Tehran belongs to the international network of Microbial Resource Centres developed by UNESCO over the past 30 years together with UNEP and UNDP.
"Horizons also visits the ‘sea gypsies’ of the Andaman Sea, a group of semi-nomads who have roamed the waters straddling southern Thailand and Myanmar for centuries and whose knowledge of the sea saved them from last December’s tsunami."
"With the Indian Ocean still reeling from the massive earthquake and tsunami which devastated its coasts last December, killing over 270 000 people in a single day, A World of Science looks at plans to ensure that we see the next tsunami coming, wherever in the world it strikes. UNESCO is co-ordinating efforts to put in place a tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean by 2007, within a global programme for all types of natural hazards launched by the United Nations in January.
"In this issue, we interview four young scientists from different corners of the world, who explain why their governments should be interested in what they have to say on science policy matters.
"In Horizons, we discover a new deadly weapon against malaria, that “silent tsunami … which takes every month the number of people who died in the Asian tragedy” last December. An Iranian biotechnologist has come up with a biolarvicide which proves fatal to the malaria-bearing Anopheles mosquito but is innocuous to all other living species, including humans. The Biotechnology Research Centre in Tehran belongs to the international network of Microbial Resource Centres developed by UNESCO over the past 30 years together with UNEP and UNDP.
"Horizons also visits the ‘sea gypsies’ of the Andaman Sea, a group of semi-nomads who have roamed the waters straddling southern Thailand and Myanmar for centuries and whose knowledge of the sea saved them from last December’s tsunami."
Professor Vladimir Fortov awarded UNESCO Albert Einstein Gold Medal
UNESCO Press Release
"UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura will award the UNESCO Albert Einstein Gold Medal to Professor Vladimir Fortov, of the Russian Academy of Sciences, during a ceremony at the Organization’s Headquarters on April 11 (5 p.m, 7th floor). The medal is awarded to Professor Fortov in recognition of his contribution to the advancement of physical sciences and the promotion of international collaboration and fruitful cooperation between the Russian Federation and UNESCO."
"UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura will award the UNESCO Albert Einstein Gold Medal to Professor Vladimir Fortov, of the Russian Academy of Sciences, during a ceremony at the Organization’s Headquarters on April 11 (5 p.m, 7th floor). The medal is awarded to Professor Fortov in recognition of his contribution to the advancement of physical sciences and the promotion of international collaboration and fruitful cooperation between the Russian Federation and UNESCO."
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Chinese journalist thanks UNESCO for press freedom award
Interactive Investor news article.
"Chinese journalist Cheng Yizhong has thanked the United Nations for awarding him the 2005 World Press Freedom Prize, but said he could not speak to the media apparently due to restrictions placed on him by the Chinese government..........
"Chen was named as the laureate of the 2005 United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize by UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura yesterday in Paris.
"'As editor of Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolis Daily) Cheng, 40, broke new ground in Chinese journalism,' UNESCO said.
"'His editorial independence and professional know-how helped turn his paper into one of the most successful dailies in the country, publishing articles revealing the SARS epidemic and a case of death in a Canton (Guangzhou) police station.'"
"Chinese journalist Cheng Yizhong has thanked the United Nations for awarding him the 2005 World Press Freedom Prize, but said he could not speak to the media apparently due to restrictions placed on him by the Chinese government..........
"Chen was named as the laureate of the 2005 United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize by UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura yesterday in Paris.
"'As editor of Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolis Daily) Cheng, 40, broke new ground in Chinese journalism,' UNESCO said.
"'His editorial independence and professional know-how helped turn his paper into one of the most successful dailies in the country, publishing articles revealing the SARS epidemic and a case of death in a Canton (Guangzhou) police station.'"
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Space technology to protect mountain gorillas
UNESCO News Release
"Accurate and detailed maps of inaccessible zones in Central Africa that will allow authorities to monitor the habitat of the region’s threatened mountain gorillas, have been produced for the first time by the European Space Agency (ESA) and UNESCO."
"Accurate and detailed maps of inaccessible zones in Central Africa that will allow authorities to monitor the habitat of the region’s threatened mountain gorillas, have been produced for the first time by the European Space Agency (ESA) and UNESCO."
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Indian Ocean countries still squabbling over tsunami warning system
The Independent Online Edition News story:
"Squabbling and foot-dragging among countries bordering the earthquake-prone Indian Ocean is endangering the establishment of an effective tsunami early-warning system, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.........
"UNESCO's Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did issue an immediate alert to Indian Ocean countries, warning that the earthquake had "the potential to generate a widely destructive tsunami" and advising the evacuation of coasts with 600 miles of its epicentre.
"But it still did not have a systematic system of government bodies around the ocean to which to send the warning. In the three months since the December tsunami - the most devastating in human history - only Sri Lanka had set up an official "national focal point" to receive warnings and pass them on its citizens......
"Instead, a top UNESCO official admitted late last week, the centre contacted the US State Department, which passed the message on to its embassies in Indian Ocean countries, with an instruction to inform governments. And it sent messages to people and organisations who had specifically asked to receive them since December."
"Squabbling and foot-dragging among countries bordering the earthquake-prone Indian Ocean is endangering the establishment of an effective tsunami early-warning system, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.........
"UNESCO's Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did issue an immediate alert to Indian Ocean countries, warning that the earthquake had "the potential to generate a widely destructive tsunami" and advising the evacuation of coasts with 600 miles of its epicentre.
"But it still did not have a systematic system of government bodies around the ocean to which to send the warning. In the three months since the December tsunami - the most devastating in human history - only Sri Lanka had set up an official "national focal point" to receive warnings and pass them on its citizens......
"Instead, a top UNESCO official admitted late last week, the centre contacted the US State Department, which passed the message on to its embassies in Indian Ocean countries, with an instruction to inform governments. And it sent messages to people and organisations who had specifically asked to receive them since December."
Saturday, April 02, 2005
UN-backed ecological report warns of potential new diseases and ‘dead zones’
UN News Release
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) Synthesis Report, compiled by 1,300 scientists in 95 countries, was just launched simultaneously at several UN headquarters around the world.
“The challenge of ensuring the future of our environment is pressing and concerns us all, whether we work in education, science, culture or communication,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said in the Paris UNESCO launching.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) Synthesis Report, compiled by 1,300 scientists in 95 countries, was just launched simultaneously at several UN headquarters around the world.
“The challenge of ensuring the future of our environment is pressing and concerns us all, whether we work in education, science, culture or communication,” UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said in the Paris UNESCO launching.
I. I. Rabi and the Birth of CERN
Physics Today article on the US role in the Birth of CERN:
The European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN), sponsored by 20 neations (not including the United States), plays a key role in the international physics community, and hosts many U.S. researchers. Isidor I. Rabi, Columbia University physicist, Nobel laureate, and scientific statesman, played a key role in the creation of CERN.
"Rabi has been honored as the father of CERN in recognition of a pathbreaking intervention he made as a member of the US delegation to a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) meeting in Florence, Italy, in June 1950. During that meeting, Rabi had an enabling resolution passed, after authorization by the US State Department, and after consultation with some European physicists. In essence, the resolution called for the establishment of regional research centers grouping together countries -- above all, in Western Europe -- that had previously made major contributions to science: countries like France, West Germany, and Italy. By pooling their human and financial resources, member nations could acquire the expensive instruments of modern research that they could not afford alone. As for the fields that ought to be explored at such centers, Rabi specifically mentioned physics, biology, and computing, with accelerator physics as the initial priority."
The European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN), sponsored by 20 neations (not including the United States), plays a key role in the international physics community, and hosts many U.S. researchers. Isidor I. Rabi, Columbia University physicist, Nobel laureate, and scientific statesman, played a key role in the creation of CERN.
"Rabi has been honored as the father of CERN in recognition of a pathbreaking intervention he made as a member of the US delegation to a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) meeting in Florence, Italy, in June 1950. During that meeting, Rabi had an enabling resolution passed, after authorization by the US State Department, and after consultation with some European physicists. In essence, the resolution called for the establishment of regional research centers grouping together countries -- above all, in Western Europe -- that had previously made major contributions to science: countries like France, West Germany, and Italy. By pooling their human and financial resources, member nations could acquire the expensive instruments of modern research that they could not afford alone. As for the fields that ought to be explored at such centers, Rabi specifically mentioned physics, biology, and computing, with accelerator physics as the initial priority."
Friday, April 01, 2005
"Community Radio and Local Elections in India… Live!"
UNESCO story of the role of radio in the election
Namma Dhwani (Our Voice), a community radio station supported by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), plays a part in ensuring a free and fair local election as well as greater degrees of transparency, accountability and community participation in the voting process.
Namma Dhwani (Our Voice), a community radio station supported by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), plays a part in ensuring a free and fair local election as well as greater degrees of transparency, accountability and community participation in the voting process.
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