UNESCO. General Conference; 30th; Records ... - unesdoc - Unesco

20.8 Madam President, the fundamental disparity in levels of development among nations is to my mind a
function of their scientific capacities. Therefore in the regional strategies for Africa, quality teaching and research
in basic sciences should be among the priorities. This is because science is the intellectual infrastructure upon
which new technologies and principles of production are created and supported. Uganda is committed to the
implementation of the Budapest Declaration and Science Agenda. I cannot fail to mention with appreciation
UNESCO’s continued support to the biotechnology Chair at Makerere University in Uganda.
20.9 Taking into account the above-mentioned commitments, there is a need to resuscitate the International
Fund for Technological Development in Africa, which was launched by the Director-General in Nairobi, Kenya,
1994. This, coupled with the proposed separate Special Account for Priority Africa, would go a long way
towards addressing some of the priority programmes for Africa, such as those identified by Audience Africa.
These programmes include the University-Industry-Science Partnership (UNISPAR), the World Solar
Programme, the African Network of Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI), the culture of
maintenance programme and the provision of scientific equipment.
20.10 The 1998 UNDP Human Development Report for Uganda strongly recommended the transformation of
the rural populations as a crucial strategy for poverty alleviation and development. Uganda therefore associates
itself with the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) programme as detailed in document 30 C/5.
20.11 On the subject of culture, we are pleased with UNESCO’s support to the African Itinerant College for
Culture and Development. Uganda is hosting its Regional Centre for Anglophone Africa at Makerere University.
The Centre has a UNESCO Chair researching the relationship between culture and traditions and HIV/AIDS
prevention. Uganda supports UNESCO’s role in promoting cultural industries and tourism.
20.12 With regard to information, communication and informatics, which have been integrated, we count on
UNESCO to support capacity-building in these areas, more especially through the training of media professionals
and in the development of materials to reinforce community media.
20.13 Uganda is implementing the pilot project on the multi-purpose Community Telecentre in Africa, located
at Nakaseke. The Telecentre has generated tremendous interest and demonstrated that communication and
information are capable of serving as an engine for rural development. The project also has a telemedicine
component which will enhance quick diagnostic consultations and treatment. Uganda is sincerely grateful to
UNESCO for the location of this pilot project in our country.
20.14 The African Virtual University, which is already operational at three sites in Uganda, equally has great
potential for expanding opportunities for education without borders. We look to UNESCO to support our efforts
to establish the Open University of Uganda which will enhance access to higher education as recommended in
the Plan of Action adopted by the World Conference on Higher Education.
20.15 Madam President, Uganda supports the culture of peace programme and has received with interest the
teaching kit for the programme, which has been distributed to Member States. The kit, together with the “Peace
Pack” distributed under the Associated Schools Project, need to be reproduced in large numbers for schools and
institutes. We therefore look to UNESCO, in partnership with Member States, to mobilize the necessary finances
for this purpose.
20.16 Human rights and peace are inseparable and to this end Uganda has established the Human Rights
Commission and embarked on the revision of the education curriculum to extend the teaching of human rights,
democracy, tolerance and peace throughout all levels of education. In general, Uganda is promoting democracy
through the building and strengthening of institutions of democracy based on the novel Constitution promulgated
in 1995.
20.17 As we conclude this century, Uganda welcomes the declaration of the year 2000 as International Year
for the Culture of Peace. UNESCO should further encourage Member States to renew their commitment to
peace-building so that with the advent of the twenty-first century a fresh look is taken at potential areas of
conflict, to forestall violence. The Associated Schools Project and UNESCO Clubs should continue to champion
the campaign to reduce violence and promote cultural pluralism, Uganda has started activities to mark the
International Year for the Culture of Peace and has translated the Culture of Peace Manifesto into the major local
languages for dissemination and signatures.
20.18 Madam President, Uganda’s vision for the next six-year Medium-Term Strategy is to ensure that
UNESCO permeates the fabric of society in order to achieve the following: execution of the Strategy within the
framework of the intellectual and ethical roles of UNESCO; more collaborative initiatives such as the United
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