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

2. Enhancing the cooperation with National Commissions and civil society
2.1 Strengthening the role and capacity of National Commissions and developing
Partnerships with Related Networks
A. National Commissions
09515 Acting as bodies for liaison, advice, information and programme implementation, the National
Commissions serve and assist both the Member States and UNESCO in promoting numerous
programmes, in reaching out to civil society partners and in increasing the visibility of the Organization.
09516 As constitutional partners of UNESCO forming a unique network within the United Nations system,
the National Commissions for UNESCO actively contribute to the pursuit of UNESCO’s objectives and
the conceptualization and delivery of its programmes at the regional, subregional and country levels.
UNESCO will continue to enhance its long-standing cooperation with them, taking into consideration
the special circumstances of United Nations-wide reform.
09517 A comprehensive evaluation has been made of the Secretariat’s cooperation with this world-wide
network in view of increasing the effectiveness and mutual benefits of this relationship. In order to
implement its findings, assistance will be provided to National Commissions to build their capacities,
strengthen their cooperation with UNESCO field network and United Nations country teams, engage
them in advocacy and visibility of UNESCO, and enhance outreach to civil society partners. A
new customized website available to both National Commissions the Member States will reinforce
information provision.
(a) Conceptualization and implementation of programmes at regional and subregional levels
09518 National Commissions’ participation in the C/4 and the C/5 consultative preparatory process will be
continued. Regional consultations on the preparation of the Draft Medium-Term Strategy for 2014-
2019 (37 C/4) and the Draft Programme and Budget for 2014-2015 (37 C/5) as well as quadrennial
conferences of National Commissions, statutory in character, will be organized concurrently in 2012.
Emphasis will be placed on the special inputs that National Commissions and other stakeholders,
including civil society representatives, can bring to the reflection on UNESCO’s future strategy and
actions, and to strengthening North-South-South cooperation and UNESCO’s participation in UN
common country programming.
(b) Capacity-building
09519 The basic competences and operational capacities of National Commissions will be strengthened
through a biennial interregional information seminar for newly appointed Secretaries-General as well
as subregional and regional training workshops for other staff of National Commissions. Discussion
topics will be chosen according to the needs and innovative training modalities will be developed to
promote exchanges of experience and sharing of best practices. Some capacity-building resources are
available for National Commissions in need through the Participation Programme for information and
communication technology equipment and for staff training support. Networking and Partnerships
among National Commissions will continue to be promoted with the extrabudgetary funding sources.
(c)
Communication and visibility
09520 As an integral part of UNESCO’s new communication and outreach strategy, advocacy for UNESCO’s
role and the visibility of UNESCO’s action will be strengthened with National Commissions through the
celebration of important events and international days and years, including the launching of UNESCO
239 36 C/5 – Programme-related services