UNESCO. General Conference; 36th; 36 C/5: volume 1: Draft ...

09110 In previous biennia, the partnership dynamics triggered by UNESCO, in particular through the
Africa Department, with the African Union have led to the establishment of a number of substantive
benchmarks in the Organization’s fields of competence.
09111 In the current biennium, the Department will continue to mobilize the Organization and its partners
to put those benchmarks into practice. Accordingly, in the field of education, UNESCO’s assistance
for the second Decade for African Education will be continued and strengthened in order to promote
universal access, fairness and quality at all levels of education.
09112 In that regard, emphasis will be placed on mobilization for girls’ education in order to contribute more
actively to the achievement of the overarching objective of “Attaining quality education for all and
lifelong learning” set in document 34 C/4.
09113 Particular attention will be paid to technical and vocational education and training, having regard to
the inherent dynamics of this educational field in terms of social integration, job creation, creativity
and innovation, especially among young people and women.
09114 In regard to “Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action”, the Department will
concentrate an essential part of its action on the establishment, revision and implementation of
science policies. Within that framework, it will promote ownership and implementation by African
governments, regional and subregional bodies, specialized centres and institutions and the entire
African scientific community, of the conclusions and recommendations of the conference held by
UNESCO and the African Union in 2011 on the Development of Science, Technologies and Innovation
in Africa. In follow-up to that conference, it will contribute, in conjunction with the ED, SC, SHS
and CI sectors, under partnerships established in particular with the African Development Bank, the
Islamic Development Bank and other partners, to the establishment of intersectoral projects relating
to: (i) science education in the Pan-African University’s five campuses, the strengthening of the virtual
African campus and the Science in Africa Observatory; and (ii) the preservation and management of
water and natural resources.
09115 In regard to the particular situation of the African continent in the context of climate change as a result
of multiform pressure on its ecosystems, the vulnerability of its forms of socio-economic organization
and production and the weakness of its reaction and response capabilities, the Department will
contribute to action to ensure strong implementation of: (i) NEPAD’s “Action Plan for the Environment
Initiative”; (ii) the AU’s decision on the “African Common Position on Climate Change”; and (iii) the
recommendations adopted at the Copenhagen, Cancun and Durban summits on climate change.
09116 With reference to culture as a factor of development (MDGs) and to the dynamics strongly inherent
in the African cultural heritage and its forms of expression in terms of economic development,
democratization of access to cultural goods and services, and regional integration, the Department
will endeavour to promote the “culture for development” concept and the related agenda in Africa.
Accordingly, and in conjunction with the Culture Sector, offices in Africa, cultural affairs ministries,
other ministries concerned, the National Commissions, the African Union, groups of artists and creators,
cultural entrepreneurs and educational and research institutions, it will encourage discussions, research
and publications on the interaction between culture and development, on statistical modelling and on
the design of cultural development indicators. In that connection, it will support the recommendations
made by the third World Festival of Black Arts and Culture and by the Dakar Conference on cultural
industries in Africa and will continue to support major cultural meetings held regionally. In regard
to the enhancement of linkages between culture and education, it will continue to do its utmost to
225 36 C/5 – Programme-related services