UNESCO news release
"The earthquake that struck Sumatra, Indonesia, on March 28, has reinforced the need for a comprehensive, durable tsunami early warning system that will provide the accurate real-time information required by national authorities to properly warn and protect their populations, UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said today. 'We cannot afford to cut corners,”'Mr Matsuura said. 'A reliable system requires far more than seismic instruments that tell us when and where an earthquake has struck. It also requires the instruments, such as tide gauges, and know-how that can evaluate the risk of a tsunami and where it is likely to hit as well as well-established communication networks for passing that information to national and local authorities in those zones at risk.'”
Thursday, March 31, 2005
UNESCO - Scientists for Peace
UNESCO Scientists for Peace website:
"UNESCO Scientists for Peace are famous scientists serving UNESCO's goals. They contribute to the promotion of peace, social progress and the freedom from the scourge of war and conflict. These scientists help to ensure that UNESCO's message is heard far and wide. More information will be available with the first nominations of Scientists for Peace."
"UNESCO Scientists for Peace are famous scientists serving UNESCO's goals. They contribute to the promotion of peace, social progress and the freedom from the scourge of war and conflict. These scientists help to ensure that UNESCO's message is heard far and wide. More information will be available with the first nominations of Scientists for Peace."
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment website
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) is an international program that was designed to meet the needs of decision makers and the public for scientific information concerning the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and options for responding to those changes. It was launched by U.N. Secretary-General in June 2001 and completed in 2005. It is intended to help meet assessment needs of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention to Combat Desertification, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and the Convention on Migratory Species, as well as needs of other users in the private sector and civil society. A number of environmental reports are available online. UNESCO is one of the agencies participating in the MA.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) is an international program that was designed to meet the needs of decision makers and the public for scientific information concerning the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and options for responding to those changes. It was launched by U.N. Secretary-General in June 2001 and completed in 2005. It is intended to help meet assessment needs of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention to Combat Desertification, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and the Convention on Migratory Species, as well as needs of other users in the private sector and civil society. A number of environmental reports are available online. UNESCO is one of the agencies participating in the MA.
Study Shows Decline in Earth's Ecosystems
Voice of America News story:
"A new U.N. report shows a dramatic decline in the many benefits that mankind reaps from the Earth's forests and oceans. The study by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is unusual because it examines the benefits of nature as if they were services. The study also outlines what politicians and people can do to reverse the decline in these so-called services."
"A new U.N. report shows a dramatic decline in the many benefits that mankind reaps from the Earth's forests and oceans. The study by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is unusual because it examines the benefits of nature as if they were services. The study also outlines what politicians and people can do to reverse the decline in these so-called services."
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
William Easerly's review of Sach's Book
"A Modest Proposal" - The Washingtonpost.com review:
"Jeffrey D. Sachs's guided tour to the poorest regions of the Earth is enthralling and maddening at the same time -- enthralling, because his eloquence and compassion make you care about some very desperate people; maddening, because he offers solutions that range all the way from practical to absurd. It's a shame that Sachs's prescriptions are unconvincing because he is resoundingly right about the tragedy of world poverty. As he puts it, newspapers should (but don't) report every morning, 'More than 20,000 people perished yesterday of extreme poverty.' "
"Jeffrey D. Sachs's guided tour to the poorest regions of the Earth is enthralling and maddening at the same time -- enthralling, because his eloquence and compassion make you care about some very desperate people; maddening, because he offers solutions that range all the way from practical to absurd. It's a shame that Sachs's prescriptions are unconvincing because he is resoundingly right about the tragedy of world poverty. As he puts it, newspapers should (but don't) report every morning, 'More than 20,000 people perished yesterday of extreme poverty.' "
Deal signed for early warning system
The Scotsman's Story
"The massive earthquake off the Sumatran coast yesterday came only a matter of days after Indonesia and Germany signed an agreement to install a tsunami early warning system in the Indian Ocean.
"UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, has also proposed a £16 million network of deep-sea buoys in the Indian Ocean and regional communications centres that would be operational by mid-2006."
"The massive earthquake off the Sumatran coast yesterday came only a matter of days after Indonesia and Germany signed an agreement to install a tsunami early warning system in the Indian Ocean.
"UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, has also proposed a £16 million network of deep-sea buoys in the Indian Ocean and regional communications centres that would be operational by mid-2006."
UN to set up science advisory mechanism
SciDev.Net article
"Kofi Annan, the secretary-general of the United Nations, has announced plans to create a high-level advisory panel to help integrate science and technology into the development efforts of all the member organisations of the UN system.
"The panel's two dozen members, made up of 'leading scientists, policymaking officials and political leaders', will advise both Annan and the United Nations Development Group on the best ways to support the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
"In particular, the panel — to be known as the Council of Development Advisers partly to emphasise its breadth of approach — 'will issue periodic reports and commentaries, and will liaise with scientific, civil society and other bodies with relevant expertise', according to Annan.
"Annan has also announced that he is to appoint a scientific advisor to provide 'strategic forward-looking' scientific advice on policy matters, with responsibility for 'mobilising scientific and technological expertise within the United Nations system and from the broader scientific and academic community'."
"Kofi Annan, the secretary-general of the United Nations, has announced plans to create a high-level advisory panel to help integrate science and technology into the development efforts of all the member organisations of the UN system.
"The panel's two dozen members, made up of 'leading scientists, policymaking officials and political leaders', will advise both Annan and the United Nations Development Group on the best ways to support the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
"In particular, the panel — to be known as the Council of Development Advisers partly to emphasise its breadth of approach — 'will issue periodic reports and commentaries, and will liaise with scientific, civil society and other bodies with relevant expertise', according to Annan.
"Annan has also announced that he is to appoint a scientific advisor to provide 'strategic forward-looking' scientific advice on policy matters, with responsibility for 'mobilising scientific and technological expertise within the United Nations system and from the broader scientific and academic community'."
Sunday, March 27, 2005
The UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy for 2002-2007
Click here to download the complete 65 page PDF document.
The Director General's introduction states:
"Overall, the Medium-Term Strategy is formulated around a single unifying theme – UNESCO contributing to peace and human development in an era of globalization through education, the sciences, culture and communication. Thus, it seeks to create a link between UNESCO’s mandate and role on the one hand and globalization with a human face on the other hand. The Strategy unifies the four main programme areas with a common purpose and defines – for the first time – a limited number of strategic objectives, a total of 12 for the entire Organization and three for each programme. Around these strategic objectives are built two cross-cutting themes, which are and must be intrinsic to all programmes and which will stay with us for the next six years: the eradication of poverty, especially extreme poverty; and the contribution of information and communication technologies to education, science, culture and information and the building of knowledge societies. These themes are also an entry point to foster much more than hitherto intersectoriality, at Headquarters and in the field. Another substantive innovation built into the present Strategy is the mainstreaming of areas, previously designated as priority areas, namely Africa, the least developed countries, women and youth. This implies that all sectors and programmes must address their needs and requirements. Equally, there will be special focus on the excluded and most vulnerable segments of society throughout all UNESCO’s efforts.
"The Strategy outlines:
The strategic Ojectives for the Sciences are:
The Strategic Objectives for Communication and information are:
The Director General's introduction states:
"Overall, the Medium-Term Strategy is formulated around a single unifying theme – UNESCO contributing to peace and human development in an era of globalization through education, the sciences, culture and communication. Thus, it seeks to create a link between UNESCO’s mandate and role on the one hand and globalization with a human face on the other hand. The Strategy unifies the four main programme areas with a common purpose and defines – for the first time – a limited number of strategic objectives, a total of 12 for the entire Organization and three for each programme. Around these strategic objectives are built two cross-cutting themes, which are and must be intrinsic to all programmes and which will stay with us for the next six years: the eradication of poverty, especially extreme poverty; and the contribution of information and communication technologies to education, science, culture and information and the building of knowledge societies. These themes are also an entry point to foster much more than hitherto intersectoriality, at Headquarters and in the field. Another substantive innovation built into the present Strategy is the mainstreaming of areas, previously designated as priority areas, namely Africa, the least developed countries, women and youth. This implies that all sectors and programmes must address their needs and requirements. Equally, there will be special focus on the excluded and most vulnerable segments of society throughout all UNESCO’s efforts.
"The Strategy outlines:
– three main strategic thrusts around which UNESCO’s action will develop over the next six years, namely:- developing and promoting universal principles and norms based on shared values,– the major strategic objectives and sub-objectives for the Organization’s efforts emphasizing its comparative advantage in relation to other institutions of the system and its specific role as an intergovernmental organization, an entity for international intellectual cooperation and a provider of services to Member States;
- promoting pluralism through recognition and safeguarding of diversity, together with the observance of human rights, and
- promoting empowerment and participation in the emerging knowledge society through equitable access, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing;
– for each strategic objective the outcomes expected to be attained by the end of 2007, facilitating the introduction and application of results-based programming, management and monitoring – a new feature for UNESCO."
The strategic Ojectives for the Sciences are:
- Promoting principles and ethical norms to guide scientific and technological development and social transformation,
- Improving human security by better management of the environment and social change, and
- Enhancing scientific, technical and human capacities to participate in the emerging knowledge societies
The Strategic Objectives for Communication and information are:
- Promoting the free flow of ideas and universal access to information,
- Promoting the expression of pluralism and cultural diversity in the media and world information networks, and
- Access for all to information and communication technologies, especially in the public domain.
"The First Resort Of Kings: American Cultural Diplomacy In The Twentieth Century"
Amazon.com listing for the book:
"The First Resort of Kings examines the first eight decades of formal U.S. cultural diplomacy, from its tentative beginnings in World War I through the 1990s. Arndt also compares America’s efforts with those of other nations and enriches his narrative by detailing the professional experiences of the men and women who have represented American democracy, education, intellect, art, and literature to the rest of the world. His work shows that this dialogue of American culture and education with the rest of the world is neither a frill nor a domestic political concern but is the deepest cornerstone of a positive, forward-looking U.S. foreign policy. Arndt argues that, particularly in the wake of the Iraq War, America must revive its cultural diplomacy programs as a long-term investment in international goodwill and understanding."
The author, RICHARD T. ARNDT, "worked for USIA for twenty-four years after earning a doctorate and teaching at Columbia University. Since retiring from the USIA, he has served as the president of the U.S. Fulbright Association, coedited The Fulbright Difference, 1948-1992, chaired the National Peace Foundation, and is currently the president of Americans for UNESCO. He lives in Washington, D.C.
"The First Resort of Kings examines the first eight decades of formal U.S. cultural diplomacy, from its tentative beginnings in World War I through the 1990s. Arndt also compares America’s efforts with those of other nations and enriches his narrative by detailing the professional experiences of the men and women who have represented American democracy, education, intellect, art, and literature to the rest of the world. His work shows that this dialogue of American culture and education with the rest of the world is neither a frill nor a domestic political concern but is the deepest cornerstone of a positive, forward-looking U.S. foreign policy. Arndt argues that, particularly in the wake of the Iraq War, America must revive its cultural diplomacy programs as a long-term investment in international goodwill and understanding."
The author, RICHARD T. ARNDT, "worked for USIA for twenty-four years after earning a doctorate and teaching at Columbia University. Since retiring from the USIA, he has served as the president of the U.S. Fulbright Association, coedited The Fulbright Difference, 1948-1992, chaired the National Peace Foundation, and is currently the president of Americans for UNESCO. He lives in Washington, D.C.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
UNESCO and the World Summit on the Information Society
UNESCO WSIS Portal:
"The World Summit on the Information Society is held in two phases. The first phase of WSIS took place in Geneva hosted by the Government of Switzerland from 10 to 12 December 2003. It addressed the broad range of themes concerning the Information Society and adopted a Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action. The second phase will take place in Tunis hosted by the Government of Tunisia, from 16 to 18 November 2005.
"UNESCO with its unique mandate to promote the free exchange of ideas and knowledge plays a key role in the WSIS preparation. UNESCO�s contribution incorporates the ethical, legal and sociocultural dimensions of the Information Society and helps to grasp the opportunities offered by the ICTs by placing the individual at its centre.
"UNESCO encourages the broadest possible participation by decision-makers, professional communities, representatives of civil society, bilateral and multilateral partners and the private sector in a debate on the conditions for the development of an information society for all."
"The World Summit on the Information Society is held in two phases. The first phase of WSIS took place in Geneva hosted by the Government of Switzerland from 10 to 12 December 2003. It addressed the broad range of themes concerning the Information Society and adopted a Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action. The second phase will take place in Tunis hosted by the Government of Tunisia, from 16 to 18 November 2005.
"UNESCO with its unique mandate to promote the free exchange of ideas and knowledge plays a key role in the WSIS preparation. UNESCO�s contribution incorporates the ethical, legal and sociocultural dimensions of the Information Society and helps to grasp the opportunities offered by the ICTs by placing the individual at its centre.
"UNESCO encourages the broadest possible participation by decision-makers, professional communities, representatives of civil society, bilateral and multilateral partners and the private sector in a debate on the conditions for the development of an information society for all."
Asian Science Ministers Adopt Declaration to support fair trade
Bangkok Post story:
"Asia-Pacific science and technology ministers yesterday adopted the Bangkok Declaration in an attempt to enhance the role of science and technology to support fair trade rather than just free trade........
"Science ministers and representatives from 11 Asia-Pacific countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, met at the fourth ministerial meeting on ethics in science and technology organised by the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (Comest).
"Mr Korn said the Bangkok Declaration would be submitted to the Unesco director-general as the official outcome of the meeting."
"Asia-Pacific science and technology ministers yesterday adopted the Bangkok Declaration in an attempt to enhance the role of science and technology to support fair trade rather than just free trade........
"Science ministers and representatives from 11 Asia-Pacific countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, met at the fourth ministerial meeting on ethics in science and technology organised by the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (Comest).
"Mr Korn said the Bangkok Declaration would be submitted to the Unesco director-general as the official outcome of the meeting."
Friday, March 25, 2005
Women, Poverty and ICT: Mediating Social Change
Download the films from this website.:
"Two documentary films on women and ICT are now available online. They were produced in the framework of UNESCO's pilot project 'Putting ICT in the Hands of the Poor', which examines the information needs of poverty stricken communities in South Asia, with a special focus on gender issues. "
"Two documentary films on women and ICT are now available online. They were produced in the framework of UNESCO's pilot project 'Putting ICT in the Hands of the Poor', which examines the information needs of poverty stricken communities in South Asia, with a special focus on gender issues. "
Man And the Biosphere Publications
UNESCO MAB Publication Website
This website makes a series of publications from the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program available online. Examples of recent publications from the program are:
This website makes a series of publications from the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program available online. Examples of recent publications from the program are:
- Global Change in Mountain Biosphere Reserves Proceedings
- Global Environmental and Social Monitoring
- The World Atlas of Mangroves (Flyer)
- Asia-Pacific Co-operation for the Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources in Biosphere Reserves and Similar Managed Areas, and
- Water from the Amazon.
UNESCO's Thematic Meetings for the World Summit on the Information Society
UNESCO's Thematic Meetings website:
"In the preparation phase of the second meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) (Tunis, Tunisia, 16-18 November 2005), UNESCO focuses its activities on operationalizing its concept of 'Knowledge Societies'. In addition to its projects aimed at contributing to the implementation of the WSIS Plan of Action, UNESCO organizes a series of events that should identify concrete actions to grasp the opportunities for development offered by ICT in education, sciences, culture and communication."
"In the preparation phase of the second meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) (Tunis, Tunisia, 16-18 November 2005), UNESCO focuses its activities on operationalizing its concept of 'Knowledge Societies'. In addition to its projects aimed at contributing to the implementation of the WSIS Plan of Action, UNESCO organizes a series of events that should identify concrete actions to grasp the opportunities for development offered by ICT in education, sciences, culture and communication."
ICT for Capacity-Building: Critical Success Factors
Meeting website:
"UNESCO and the Club of Rome are co-organizing a three-day 'World Conference on Harnessing the Potential of ICT for Capacity Building' from 11 to 13 May at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The event is one of UNESCO's thematic meetings in preparation for the second meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society (Tunis, Tunisia, 16-18 November 2005)."
"UNESCO and the Club of Rome are co-organizing a three-day 'World Conference on Harnessing the Potential of ICT for Capacity Building' from 11 to 13 May at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The event is one of UNESCO's thematic meetings in preparation for the second meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society (Tunis, Tunisia, 16-18 November 2005)."
Social Transformation in the Information Society
Download the book. :
This publication is part of a series the UNESCO is producing in support of the World Summit on the Information Society. Chapters are: "Introduction: opening and closing access pathways to your future;" "The information society and social transformation;" "ICTs and society: the evolution of different perspectives;" "Social change tied to technological choices;" "Inventing our futures: the social factors shaping outcomes of digital Innovation;" "Reconfiguring access in major economic, social, and political arenas;" and "Summary: policy for a connected world." By William Dutton, UNESCO, 2004. (PDF, 1.35 MB, 144 pages.)
This publication is part of a series the UNESCO is producing in support of the World Summit on the Information Society. Chapters are: "Introduction: opening and closing access pathways to your future;" "The information society and social transformation;" "ICTs and society: the evolution of different perspectives;" "Social change tied to technological choices;" "Inventing our futures: the social factors shaping outcomes of digital Innovation;" "Reconfiguring access in major economic, social, and political arenas;" and "Summary: policy for a connected world." By William Dutton, UNESCO, 2004. (PDF, 1.35 MB, 144 pages.)
MathExpo.org - MathExpo.EnHomePage
MathExpo HomePage:
"This exhibition is intended to show that mathematics is:
The exhibition is now in Athens, and will soon go to Beijing. It was shown in Paris, Orleans and Copenhagen in 2004. UNESCO is one of the collaborators in the creation of the exhibition.
"This exhibition is intended to show that mathematics is:
- astonishing, interesting and useful,
- accessible to everyone,
- plays a large part in daily life, and
- has an important role in our culture, development and progress."
The exhibition is now in Athens, and will soon go to Beijing. It was shown in Paris, Orleans and Copenhagen in 2004. UNESCO is one of the collaborators in the creation of the exhibition.
Public Television in the United States of America: Evolution, Institutions, Issues and Relevance to India
Read the essay by Abhilaksh Likhi :
Abhilaksh Likhi, a H. Humphrey Fellow at the College of Communication of Boston University, has published this essay on the UNESCO website.
Abhilaksh Likhi, a H. Humphrey Fellow at the College of Communication of Boston University, has published this essay on the UNESCO website.
International Forum on the Social Science - Policy Nexus
UNESCO webpage devoted to the Forum:
"Effective use of rigorous social science is essential if the first truly global society in human history is to meet the challenges of contemporary transformations. For this to be possible, the gap must be bridged between academic social science and policy communities. In conjunction with the Government of Argentina, and with the support of a wide range of academic, policy, and NGO partners, UNESCO proposes an innovative format to build precisely that bridge."
The Forum will be held 5-9 September 2005 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay.
"Effective use of rigorous social science is essential if the first truly global society in human history is to meet the challenges of contemporary transformations. For this to be possible, the gap must be bridged between academic social science and policy communities. In conjunction with the Government of Argentina, and with the support of a wide range of academic, policy, and NGO partners, UNESCO proposes an innovative format to build precisely that bridge."
The Forum will be held 5-9 September 2005 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay.
Iran to Host the International Congress of Bioethics in March
UNESCO's description of the Congress:
"The International Congress of Bioethics 2005 will be held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 26 to 28 March 2005. This Congress will be co-organized by UNESCO, the National Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NRCGEB) of Iran and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran (MSRT)."
"The International Congress of Bioethics 2005 will be held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 26 to 28 March 2005. This Congress will be co-organized by UNESCO, the National Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NRCGEB) of Iran and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran (MSRT)."
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