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

UNESCO prizes for architects, the training workshop for urban planners and “City Professionals”, and the
MOST Ph.D. award. The UNESCO prizes and awards should focus on the need for the exchange of data, the role
of women and youth, and the development of intersectoral joint activities with the Education and Science
Sectors.
41.11 On the question of collection and dissemination of information, the International Social Science Journal
was particularly appreciated in terms of its dissemination worldwide in six languages, as was the MOST Clearing
House on best practices for poverty alleviation, social exclusion and indigenous and local knowledge and the
virtual library of the social and human sciences documentation centre.
41.12 Many developing countries emphasized the need to increase their participation in international
cooperation for social sciences and the need to create new information sharing networks in Asia, Africa and the
Arab States. In particular, Cameroon pointed to the need to establish regional financial support and consultation
among African countries. The Byblos Centre was highlighted as an example of a means to service regional needs
for information sharing on the social and human sciences. The idea of a Nobel Prize for the social sciences was
also raised.
41.13 Programme II.2, Sciences, environment and socio-economic development includes, in particular,
UNESCO’s five intergovernmental scientific programmes. Speakers voiced strong support for the joint statement
by the Chairpersons of IGCP, IHP, IOC, MAB and MOST and its call for integrated approaches to addressing
environmental problems and sustainable development, as this is indispensable for ensuring the relevance of
science for the policy-making process.
41.14 Delegates identified a particular need to step up education, training and capacity-building activities, in
particular in developing countries. Many delegates encouraged the scientific programmes to strengthen further
their regional and subregional networks as well as North-South and South-South sharing of knowledge and
networking. Several delegates called for regular external evaluation for science sector-based programmes,
referring to the good example of the MOST evaluation. Close cooperation between UNESCO and ICSU was
welcomed by a number of speakers.
41.15 The Commission then turned to Subprogramme II.2.1, Earth sciences, earth system management and
natural disaster reduction. A great many speakers voiced their support for the International Geological
Correlation Programme (IGCP). Several delegates referred to the geopark initiative either in a supportive or
critical manner. Others referred to the decision of the Executive Board that the proposal to launch a geoparks
programme will be examined by the Board on the basis of the results of a feasibility study involving IGCP, MAB
and the World Heritage Centre. Delegates from all UNESCO regions expressed keen support for interdisciplinary
activities dealing with “Reducing vulnerability to natural disasters” and “Enhancing disaster preparedness of
communities at risk”. They requested UNESCO to take an active part in the follow-up to the International
Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.
41.16 The Commission then turned to Subprogramme II.2.2, Ecological sciences and the Man and the
Biosphere (MAB) programme. Numerous delegates expressed support for efforts to implement the Seville
Strategy for biosphere reserves and for strengthening biosphere reserves as tools for reconciling conservation and
development. Several delegates requested reinforced support for the MAB programme. Many speakers endorsed
recent and planned actions contributing to the Seville Strategy, including the periodic review and evaluation of
reserves established more than 10 years ago; developing transfrontier biosphere reserves; integrated monitoring
and research; and strengthening cooperation with DIVERSITAS and the Global Taxonomy Initiative of the
Convention on Biological Diversity. Some delegates announced new projects on capacity-building such as the
creation of international centres for research on sustainable development and on biodiversity. Many delegates
expressed support for applying traditional and local knowledge in resource management. They called on MAB,
MOST, CSI and other appropriate programmes to jointly develop interdisciplinary activities on traditional
ecological knowledge.
41.17 Under Subprogramme II.2.3, Hydrology and water resources development in a vulnerable environment,
strong support was expressed for the International Hydrological Programme (IHP). In stressing that freshwater is
to be one of the main issues of the twenty-first century, several delegates proposed budgetary reinforcement for
the programme. A number of delegates welcomed IHP’s holistic point of view on water issues that takes into
account natural and social sciences, education and the ethical dimension. Support was also expressed for the free
flow of scientific hydrometeorological information. Several delegates called for enhancing activities with regard
to water and natural disasters. Others announced the intention to create new water resources centres.
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