unesco. executive board; 175th; relations with non...

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Executive Board ex

Hundred and seventy-fifth session

175 EX/38 PARIS, 28 July 2006 Original: English/French

Item 40 of the provisional agenda

RELATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

SUMMARY

The Director-General submits this document to the Executive Board in pursuance of 174 EX/Decision 31 and in accordance with the Directives concerning UNESCO’s relations with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (Sections V.3 and VI) and the Directives concerning UNESCO’s relations with foundations and similar institutions (Articles I and II).

Decision proposed: paragraph 16.

175 EX/38

INTRODUCTION

1. This document is divided into three parts. Part I deals with the methods of work and the continued revitalization of the Committee in its cooperation with NGOs; Part II concerns reclassifications, admissions and other issues relating to cooperation with NGOs and foundations. Part III deals with preparation of the Sexennial Report of the Executive Board to the General Conference on the Contribution made to UNESCO’s activities by international non-governmental organizations (2001-2006).

I. METHODS OF WORK OF THE NGO COMMITTEE

2. As a follow-up to the Executive Board decisions (173 EX/Decision 13 and 174 EX/Deci-sion 31), which called for the revitalization of the Committee’s role, improvement of its methods of work and the enrichment of the contribution of non-governmental organizations to the work of UNESCO, the NGO Committee will again have a two-day meeting during the 175th session of the Executive Board.

3. During the morning meeting of 28 September, a Round Table on Education for All (EFA) will be organized. A panel of Member States’ and NGO representatives will present their perspectives on cooperation between UNESCO, governments and NGOs in the framework of the EFA partnership. The presentations will highlight the different roles NGOs play in this context, namely with regard to advocacy and lobbying, monitoring, policy dialogue, providing alternative services and developing innovative approaches. They will also reflect critically on the participation of civil society in existing international EFA coordination mechanisms, as well as on the work of UNESCO’s Collective Consultation of NGOs on EFA (CCNGO/EFA). An open discussion will follow. The expected outcome of the meeting is a broader understanding by members of the NGO Committee, participating NGOs and Secretariat representatives, of existing mechanisms and modalities of cooperation, of their scope and efficiency as well as of their difficulties and limitations as they are experienced and expressed by the various partners.

4. The afternoon meeting will be devoted to an Open Forum on Youth. The Forum is intended to give further impetus to the involvement of youth in the work of NGOs in official relations with UNESCO or participating in the Organization’s activities. This opportunity will reaffirm the importance of partnership in particular with youth NGOs and recall the ever-increasing responsibility to consider young people as partners and protagonists of international cooperation in UNESCO’s fields of competence. The Forum will therefore strengthen the ties between UNESCO and young people. Recognizing the important role that youth NGOs play at the various levels (local, national, regional), Member States of the NGO Committee, programme sectors and youth NGOs themselves will highlight contributions of good practices and lessons learned in cooperation with young people thus encouraging their continued participation. A CD-ROM, prepared by the Section for Youth of the Bureau of Strategic Planning, which provides a compilation of the contributions, will be distributed to all participants of the Open Forum and all Members of the Executive Board.

5. The second day will be dedicated to the examination of admissions, reclassifications and other issues relating to cooperation with NGOs. A brief summary of the preparation of the Sexennial Report (2001-2006) will also be presented.

175 EX/38 – page 2

II. RECLASSIFICATIONS, ADMISSIONS AND OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO COOPERATION WITH NGOs AND FOUNDATIONS

A. Reclassifications

6. In accordance with established practice, the examination of requests for formal relations is spread over two consecutive sessions of the Executive Board. The Board has before it the following two requests:

• Academia Europaea which was examined at the 174th session. The Executive Board is called upon, at this session, to finally decide on the reclassification of this NGO from operational relations to formal consultative relations.

• World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) for which the Executive Board is invited to begin the procedure to reclassify it from operational relations to formal consultative relations. WFB was admitted in 1970 to category B and subsequently reclassified to operational relations in 1997. Founded in 1950, WFB promotes strict observance and practice of the teaching of the Buddha among its members. It aims to secure unity, solidarity and brotherhood among Buddhists; to propagate the inspirational doctrine of the Buddha; and to organize and carry out activities in the fields of social, educational, cultural and other humanitarian services. As a long-standing partner that shares the fundamental objectives and principles of UNESCO, WFB continues to collaborate with UNESCO in areas such as dialogue among civilizations, tolerance and the culture of peace.

The individual fact sheet on the two NGOs containing the Director-General’s recommendation is provided in Annex I of this document.

B. Admissions

(a) International non-governmental organizations

7. In accordance with the Directives concerning UNESCO’s relations with NGOs, the Executive Board is informed of the decision taken by the Director-General with respect to the admission to operational relations of two organizations:

• Dyslexia International – Tools and Technology (DITT) aims to bring full awareness of the problems associated with specific learning difficulties/dyslexia into the education systems worldwide. It also promotes literacy through teaching methods that benefit dyslexic and non-dyslexic learners alike, and provide effective assessment, training, resources and technologies to all. Since 2001, DITT has been cooperating closely with the Education Sector.

• The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) fosters recognition and respect for indigenous peoples in Africa and encourages participation of indigenous African peoples in United Nations events and other international fora. IPACC is also involved in strengthening leadership and organizational capacity of indigenous civil society in Africa by networking and supporting national, regional and international advocacy rights. The NGO also promotes tolerance and understanding of cultural, spiritual and language diversity in Africa as well as sustainable economic development while drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience in indigenous societies.

The individual fact sheets on the two NGOs containing the Director-General’s decision are provided in Annex II of this document.

175 EX/38 – page 3

(b) Foundations

8. In accordance with the Directives concerning UNESCO’s relations with foundations and similar institutions (1991), the Executive Board is informed of the decision taken by the Director-General to admit the following three foundations in official relations with UNESCO:

• Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE) is a private non-profit, international foundation dedicated to addressing vital global, regional and local issues including: economic, social and sustainable human development; globalization, corporate social responsibility; science and technology; the information society; the consolidation of democracy; corruption, transparency and good governance; trade and development; regional and multilateral cooperation, culture and world heritage by formulating proposals through the execution of studies, conferences, projects and research. FUNGLODE has cooperated with UNESCO’s ASPnet and in the two phases of the World Summit on in Information Society.

• Goi Peace Foundation aims to contribute to world peace through educational and awareness-raising activities, research, studies and other initiatives to promote international understanding. It achieves its goals by building cooperation among individuals and organizations, specifically in the fields of education, science, culture and the arts. The Foundation’s collaboration with both the Education Sector and the Bureau of Strategic Planning will focus primarily on the promotion of dialogue among civilizations and the promotion of quality education to stimulate global trends towards a culture of peace.

• South Asia Foundation (SAF) promotes regional cooperation and peace through education, mutual understanding and amity among the young people of South Asia to improve their quality of life. It aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region as well as to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential. Over the years, SAF contributed to a number of UNESCO activities concerning the safeguarding of the cultural heritage including the establishment of the Madanjeet Singh Institute for Afghanistan’s Cultural Heritage in 2004.

The individual fact sheets on the three foundations containing the Director-General’s decision are provided in Annex III of this document.

9. As concerns the International Dance Council (IDC), since the last session of the Board, sufficient time has been allowed by the Secretariat to verify the information received concerning the composition of the representatives of the governing bodies of this organization. In light of this development it is not necessary to suspend the official relations with this NGO.

C. Other issues relating to cooperation with NGOs

10. In terms of strengthening partnership with non-governmental organizations at the national level, the Section for NGOs participated in the 11th Quadrennial Regional Conference of National Commissions for UNESCO of the Africa Region (16-17 June 2006) in Angola. A special session of the conference was dedicated to the partnership with NGOs. The aim was to highlight the importance of cooperation between national commissions and civil society organizations and to present the existing statutory arrangements and mechanisms covering cooperation with international NGOs. Participants were also briefed on examples of good practice and cooperation with NGOs at the field level. The Secretary-General of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee also participated

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in the meeting in which the mechanisms for collective cooperation between UNESCO and NGOs had been presented.

III. PREPARATION OF THE SEXENNIAL REPORT

11. At its 174th session, the Executive Board adopted the proposals contained in document 174 EX/31 regarding the preparation of the Sexennial Report (2001-2006) of the Executive Board to the General Conference on the contribution made to UNESCO’s activities by NGOs, which will be submitted for examination at the next spring session of the Executive Board and subsequently to the General Conference at its 34th session (2007).

12. Pursuant to 174 EX/Decision 31, it was decided that the report would take the form as outlined in paragraphs 16 to 29 of document 174 EX/31. With regard to the organization of work as mentioned in paragraph 9 of the decision, a Working Group was established composed of six members of the NGO Committee: Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Canada, Egypt, Mali and Venezuela. Additionally, six NGO representatives appointed by the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee together with six representatives of the Secretariat appointed by the Director-General have taken part in the work of the group.

13. The first meeting was held on 9 June 2006 under the chairmanship of Ambassador A. Lakatos (Hungary). The group discussed the methodology and the main thrusts of the report. Several participants underlined the importance of a qualitative as well as quantitative results-based approach and the need to produce a concise report that will define strategies for strengthening the links between UNESCO and NGOs in the future. The group further stipulated the importance of analysing the new challenges confronting the Organization today and their implications, specifically in light of the United Nations reforms and the move to open up to greater involvement by civil society.

14. With regard to relations with NGOs, the group raised the possibility of UNESCO drawing inspiration from good practices in other intergovernmental organizations. The crucial bridging role that international NGOs can play between UNESCO and NGOs at the grass roots level was also mentioned within the framework of the triangular partnership (field offices, National Commissions and NGOs). Additionally, it was agreed that the document would also provide an assessment of the application of the 1995 Directives. Finally, the group unanimously designated Ms Dominique Levasseur, Political Counsellor with the Permanent Delegation of Canada as its Chairperson.

15. With the agreement of the Working Group, questionnaires were sent to NGOs in official relations, National Commissions (copied to Permanent Delegations), programme sectors and field units on 20 June 2006. These questionnaires are available on request at the Secretariat of the NGO Committee. The second meeting of the Working Group will take place on 19 October 2006 following the 175th session of the Executive Board.

Proposed decision

16. After examining this document, the Executive Board may wish to adopt the following decision:

The Executive Board,

1. Recalling 173 EX/Decision 13 and 174 EX/Decision 31,

175 EX/38 – page 5

2. Having examined document 175 EX/38 on “Relations with international non-governmental organizations, foundations and similar institutions” and the report of its Committee on International Non-Governmental Organizations,

3. Welcoming the efforts made by the NGO Committee with regard to the implementation of the Plan of Action for the revitalization of its role, adopted at the 174th session with the aim to stimulate a better dialogue and improve interaction among Member States, NGOs and the Secretariat,

4. Requests the NGO Committee to continue the dialogue, further strengthening the cooperation with civil society and decides therefore to grant to the Committee at the 176th session of the Executive Board one additional working day;

5. Decides to admit to formal consultative relations Academia Europaea;

6. Takes note of the Director-General’s recommendation concerning the admission to formal consultative relations of the World Federation of Buddhists, and decides to continue the examination of this recommendation at its 176th session;

7. Takes note of the Director-General’s decision to admit to operational relations, two organizations: Dyslexia International – Tools and Technology (DITT) and Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC);

8. Takes note of the Director-General’s decision to admit to official relations the three foundations: Global Foundation for Democracy and Development, Goi Peace Foundation and South Asia Foundation;

9. Also takes note of the information provided concerning the progress of the Sexennial Report;

10. Further takes note of the information given concerning the official representatives of the International Dance Council (IDC).

175 EX/38 Annex I

ANNEX I

NGOs RECLASSIFIED INTO FORMAL CONSULTATIVE RELATIONS

INDIVIDUAL FACT SHEETS

ACADEMIA EUROPAEA WORLD FELLOWSHIP OF BUDDHISTS

175 EX/38 Annex I

ACADEMIA EUROPAEA

1. Headquarters: London (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

2. Date of creation: 1988

3. Aims:

Academia Europaea aims at fostering and supporting excellence in academic research and education spheres in Europe. To achieve these goals the Academy makes recommendations to national governments and international agencies, concerning matters affecting science, scholarship and academic life in the region. It also encourages interdisciplinary and international research in areas of learning, particularly in relation to European issues. Additionally it identifies topics of trans-European importance to science and scholarship, and proposes appropriate action to ensure that these issues are adequately studied.

4. Fields of competence:

Academia Europaea covers disciplines of the natural sciences and engineering, which are of direct concern to the European society. It organizes various workshops, conferences and expert meetings and also encourages research projects and other similar interdisciplinary activities with a genuine international dimension.

5. Geographical representation:

Academia Europaea’s members, drawn from across the European continent, include European scholars who reside in other regions of the world. The current membership stands at approximately 2,200 from over 35 countries and territories. Among the members are some 38 Nobel Prize winners, several of whom were elected to the Academia before they became Nobel laureates.

6. Internal structure:

The academy is administered by a Council of 12 members, elected by the Annual General Meeting of all members of the Academia. The Council appoints a President, three Vice-Presidents and a Treasurer who together form a Board of Management to supervise the work of the Academia between meetings of the Council.

7. Financial resources:

Funding is generated through membership dues, project management, donations and other miscellaneous grants and contributions from sponsors.

8. Cooperation with UNESCO:

Admitted to former category B in 1992 and subsequently reclassified to operational relations in 1996, Academia Europaea cooperates with UNESCO in the realization of the Organization’s objectives particularly in the Science Sector. In particular, there have been a number of activities co-organized by UNESCO, Academia Europaea and other partners, including the following:

• participation in the launching and programme activities of the UNESCO International Basic Science Programme;

175 EX/38 Annex I – page 2

• participation in the Second World Science Forum, Budapest, 10-12 November 2005, organized by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, in partnership with UNESCO and ICSU.

Over the past several years, the collaboration between Academia Europaea and UNESCO provided the Organization with a valuable opportunity to work with a group of eminent scientists in areas of importance to programmes in the Science Sector. The activities carried out by Academia Europaea relate closely to UNESCO priorities regarding the dissemination of scientific information and capacity-building in science.

In light of the consolidation of the cooperation between this academy and UNESCO on science related activities, the Science Sector advocates the reclassification of Academia Europaea into formal consultative relations.

Recommendation by the Direction-General: Admission to formal consultative relations.


WORLD FELLOWSHIP OF BUDDHISTS

1. Headquarters: Bangkok (Thailand)


3. Aims:

World Fellowship of Buddhists aims to promote strict observances and practice of the teaching of the Buddha among its members; to secure unity, solidarity and brotherhood among Buddhists; to propagate the inspirational doctrine of the Buddha; to organize and carry out activities in the field of social, educational, cultural and other humanitarian services. It also strives to secure peace and harmony among men, happiness of all beings and to collaborate with other organizations working towards similar goals.


Education and culture with special emphasis on human rights education, non-formal education, peace development, social and humanitarian activities, culture of peace, philosophy and ethics, dialogue among civilizations and inter-religious dialogue.


WFB has its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, with regional centres in approximately 50 countries, including India, Australia, the United States, and several countries in Africa and Europe in addition to the traditional Buddhist countries.


The Executive Council is the governing body that consists of 24 members elected by the General Assembly. The President is elected by the General Assembly, which meets every two years.


The financial resources are generated from membership subscriptions, voluntary contributions, admission fees, endowments and subventions from funding sources such as international organizations, foundations and private enterprises.


Admitted in 1970 to former category B and subsequently reclassified to operational relations in 1997, the World Fellowship of Buddhists continues to collaborate with UNESCO in areas such as dialogue among civilizations, tolerance and the culture of peace. In its capacity as an NGO in operational relations with UNESCO, WFB co-organized several events with the joint collaboration of several Buddhist Member States, NGOs and educational and cultural foundations including the following:

• joint collaboration with the Culture Sector and Buddhists Museum of Taiwan on “Buddhists and Islam Dialogue” which fostered a greater understanding of monotheistic teachings and Buddhist philosophy; and its common values for spiritual development (2003);

• an exhibition with the collaboration of the Education Sector on Mahamongkol International Meditation Centre of Thailand and the World Buddhist University;


• a Day of Buddhism at UNESCO (June 2005) with the joint collaboration of Won Buddhism in France;

• the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations (2005-2006) in the Kingdom of Thailand with messages issued by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Director-General of UNESCO, Heads of State and major religious representatives;

• several meetings on spiritual development, higher education, inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, organized by Karma Ling Institute and Centre in France which is associated with the World Buddhist University.

In addition, WFB progressively developed its humanitarian and social development activities in Tanzania, Swaziland, Kinshasa and many other countries on the African continent. The NGO is involved, through its network, in the establishment of information centres on Buddhism research and inter-religious dialogue.

It continues to be closely associated with UNESCO’s activities in the implementation of its regular programmes ranging from education for all, non-formal education, research and higher education, cultural policies and inter-cultural dialogue, tolerance and peace, cultural diversity, bioethics philosophy to the culture of peace in order to maintain peace and harmony among different religions and cultures worldwide.

Cooperation between UNESCO and WFB is also being strengthened via the frequent consultations to obtain its views and vision on issues related to UNESCO’s goals. In light of the aforementioned activities and collaboration, UNESCO is favourable to the modification of its status from operational relations to formal consultative relations.


175 EX/38 Annex II

ANNEX II

NGOs ADMITTED TO OPERATIONAL RELATIONS


DYSLEXIA INTERNATIONAL – TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES (DITT)

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF AFRICA COORDINATING COMMITTEE (IPACC)

175 EX/38 Annex II

DYSLEXIA INTERNATIONAL – TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES (DITT)

1. Headquarters: Brussels (Belgium)


3. Aims:

Dyslexia International – Tools and Technologies (DITT) aims at raising awareness of dyslexia through sharing information, disseminating research findings and promoting useful methodologies based on scientific research and on latest developments in innovative educational methodological tools. The organization develops and creates tools, methods and technologies to promote learning, equal opportunity and social inclusion for children and young adults confronted with dyslexia.


Education, human rights, inclusion.


DITT is based in Belgium with a network of colleagues, organizations and members worldwide. It has established links with approximately 40 countries representing all the continents from which DITT’s current presiding officers are drawn.


The Association is governed by a Board of Directors, which sets the general policy for management, administration and disposition of goods and property of the Association and the realization of its objectives. The General Meeting of its members makes policy decisions and elects the Scientific Council, which is responsible for providing advice on tools, methods and technologies.


The income of the organization is generated by sponsorships, grants, donations, profits from the sale of Cd-ROMS and IT equipment, membership dues, and interest on bank holdings.


DITT has been cooperating closely with the Education Sector, since 2001, specifically in connection with incorporating dyslexia as a focus topic for the United Nations International Decade for Literacy (2003-2012), which is coordinated by UNESCO. UNESCO participated in the 2003 annual Open Forum on Brain Basis of Learning Difficulties, which is part of a continuing series of DITT’s Symposia on Brain Function that was convened at the European Parliament.

DITT also plays an important role in increasing literacy skills and continues to collaborate with the Education Sector on the promotion of reading and writing as it relates to “impaired populations” (youth/adults). Links between UNESCO and DITT websites have recently been created. This NGO is doing impressive work on dyslexia, especially since widening their sphere of interests to include developing countries.

Recommendation by the Director-General: Admission to operational relations.

175 EX/38 Annex II – page 2

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF AFRICA COORDINATING COMMITTEE (IPACC)

1. Headquarters: Cape Town (Republic of South Africa)


3. Aims:

The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) fosters recognition and respect for indigenous peoples in Africa, encourages participation of indigenous African peoples in United Nations events and other international fora. IPACC is also involved in strengthening leadership and organizational capacity of indigenous civil society in Africa, by networking and supporting national, regional and international advocacy rights. The NGO also promotes tolerance and understanding of cultural, spiritual and language diversity in Africa as well as sustainable economic development while drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience in indigenous societies.


IPACC encourages networking and capacity-building among indigenous peoples in Africa; provides organizational development training for its Executive Committee; and organizes missions to stimulate networking to further strengthen regional advocacy capacity.


A network of indigenous peoples’ community-based organizations created with representation of approximately 60 associations whose members belong to a broad range of ethnic groups in Africa.


Governed by an Executive Committee composed of six elected representatives and a Trust made up of three trustees responsible for the overall fiduciary and financial control of activities.


Revenue is generated from membership dues, admission fees, endowments, and other funding sources including contributions from international organizations, foundations, private enterprises, research institutes and individuals. Income is also obtained from programmes and projects organized by IPACC.


IPACC has developed fruitful cooperation with UNESCO and jointly organized several activities in relation to its goals. Regarded as a reliable and important partner that supports UNESCO’s actions and activities in the area of indigenous issues/peoples, IPACC assisted and contributed, more recently, to the updating of UNESCO databases on indigenous peoples in Africa.

The Culture Sector has been working closely with IPACC on cultural resource mapping with indigenous communities. The Director of this NGO has also contributed actively to UNESCO activities on linkages between cultural and biological diversity as well as cultural regeneration with indigenous communities. The Culture Sector jointly organized a workshop on cultural and human rights for indigenous women leaders of Kenya, with the participation of IPACC’s East Africa Gender representative, a well-known Massai woman from Kenya.

Decision by the Director-General: Admission to operational relations.

175 EX/38 Annex III

ANNEX III

FOUNDATIONS ADMITTED TO OFFICIAL RELATIONS


GLOBAL FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (FUNGLODE)

GOI PEACE FOUNDATION

SOUTH ASIA FOUNDATION (SAF)

175 EX/38 Annex III

GLOBAL FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (FUNGLODE)

1. Headquarters: Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)


3. Aims:

FUNGLODE is a private non-profit, international foundation dedicated to addressing vital global, regional, and local issues including: economic, social, and sustainable human development; globalization, corporate social responsibility; science and technology; the information society; the consolidation of democracy; corruption, transparency, and good governance; trade and development; regional and multilateral cooperation, culture and world heritage by formulating proposals through the execution of studies, conferences, projects and research.


Sustainable human development, globalization, sciences and technology, the information society, democracy, good governance, culture and world heritage.


According to the organization, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development Inc. (FUNGLODE) has been recognized as an international organization. Its headquarters is located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with offices in Washington, D.C., Miami and Madrid. In the last two years, FUNGLODE carried out activities in the aforementioned countries.


The constituent General Assembly shall meet to appoint the members of the Board of Directors, and introduce the relevant provisions to initiate the activities of the Foundation.

The General Assembly shall meet annually to discuss the report related to the activities performed during the previous year which the Board of Directors shall present to the Chairman.

The Board of Directors shall direct and manage the Foundation with full powers and shall represent its members before third parties. The Board also makes decisions in meetings chaired by the Foundation’s President and Founder. The composition of the board changes according to the needs of the institution and it renews its membership annually and meets every three months in order to evaluate the work of the institution. All the persons appointed to this Board shall be Members of the Foundation.


The funding resources come from the private sector.


FUNGLODE has cooperated with UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in New York by co-organizing the Student Human Rights Day Conference at United Nations Headquarters annually on or around Human Rights Day.

175 EX/38 Annex III – page 2

The Centre for the Study of the Information Society held various events, workshops and seminars at the headquarters of FUNGLODE as well as at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in Geneva, during the Preparatory Phase of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). FUNGLODE served as the Chairperson of the WSIS Civil Society Bureau during the Summit’s first phase in Geneva and continued to be active during the second phase in Tunisia.

According to the Social and Human Sciences Sector, FUNGLODE has a solid action programme and material resources ensuring its smooth execution. It works on important topics concerning society, such as the implementation of public policies, democracy and the processes of regionalization in the context of globalization. The FUNGLODE programme appears to offer a real potential for cooperation with the Social and Human Sciences Sector, particularly in the area of the relationship between research and policy, the processes of regionalization in the context of globalization and the implementation of new forms of democracy.

Recommendation by the Director General: Admission to official relations.


GOI PEACE FOUNDATION

1. Headquarters: Tokyo (Japan)


3. Aims:

Goi Peace Foundation aims to contribute to world peace through educational and awareness-raising activities, research, studies and other initiatives to promote international understanding. The Foundation works to achieve its goals by building cooperation among individuals and organizations specifically in the fields of education, science, culture and the arts.


GOI organizes and sponsors lectures, symposia and conferences for young people and educators using transdisciplinary approaches that help to empower the public to become effective agents of peace.


The Foundation has peace volunteers and representatives in over 45 countries. It offers individual and institutional membership subscriptions that are renewable on an annual basis. The headquarters of the Foundation is based in Tokyo, Japan, with a European office in Munich, Germany.


Governed by a Board of Directors, the Foundation is headed by a President and two Executive Directors responsible for management and oversight of the operation of the Foundation. A Board of Councillors, elected by the Directors and Auditors, serves as an advisory body to the Board of Directors. It meets twice annually and is responsible for the management of assets as well as the allocation of resources to projects in accordance with the by-laws.


Funding is generated from membership dues, contributions, dividend and interest on bank holdings, contributions from other NGOs and IGOs as well as funding from governments.


The aims of this Foundation are consistent with the principles and objectives of UNESCO and specifically with respect to the goals and programmes of the Education Sector in terms of promoting quality education in keeping with the mandate of the United Nations Literacy Decade (2003-2012), which is coordinated by UNESCO.

The Foundation is presently collaborating with UNESCO in an effort to host a regional Youth Forum, which is part of UNESCO’s effort to promote dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples in line with the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in November 2001. There is further collaboration on an essay contest with the selected theme “Learning to live together: promoting tolerance and diversity in globalized societies” as well as the International Youth Forum in Tokyo, Japan, organized in conjunction with the essay contest.

Decision by the Director-General: Admission to official relations.


SOUTH ASIA FOUNDATION (SAF)

1. Headquarters: New Delhi (India)


3. Aims:

South Asia Foundation (SAF) promotes regional cooperation and peace through education, mutual understanding and amity among the young people of South Asia to improve their quality of life. It also aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region as well as to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential.


Peace education programmes, cultural development, youth activities and vocational training.


SAF is a non-profit and non-political youth foundation which extends membership throughout the SAARC countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.


The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Foundation, which uses a system of co-option to increase or decrease its membership. Chapters are autonomous and the Chairpersons meet annually to take joint decisions for implementation in each member country.


Income is generated from the sale of equity of art technology, an American software company based in Boston, United States of America, as well as dividends accrued from bonds estimated at $5 million annually.


Since the creation of South Asia Foundation in 2002, it has focused primarily on promoting regional cooperation and peace through education among the people of South Asia. They have contributed to a number of activities concerning the safeguarding of the cultural heritage by establishing the Madanjeet Singh Institute for Afghanistan’s Cultural Heritage in 2004 and the strengthening of the SAF-Scouts Friendship Camps in the region.

In addition, SAF sponsors teacher training programmes using distance education in a number of countries in the SAARC region; promotes the development of vocational programmes to enhance the empowerment of young people and develop their potential thus stimulating their capacity to lead productive and satisfying lives. The scale of the Foundation’s activities indicates that they would be an ideal instrument of regional cooperation and peace through education.

The Education Sector is prepared to cooperate with SAF to provide resource material for the Foundation’s vocational training activities using the recently developed prototype modular training package in entrepreneurship “Starting my own small business”.


Additionally, under the auspices of the founder of SAF, Madanjeet Singh, UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Tolerance, contributed both morally and intellectually towards raising the visibility of UNESCO by his sponsorship of the UNESCO Prize for Tolerance.

The South Asia Foundation’s philosophy and activities clearly justify its request for official relations with UNESCO.

Decision by the Director-General: Admission to official relations.

Printed on recycled paper

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Executive Board ex

Hundred and seventy-fifth session

175 EX/38 Corr. Rev. PARIS, 27 September 2006 Original: English/Spanish

Item 40 of the provisional agenda

RELATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

CORRIGENDUM

Annex I: World Fellowship of Buddhists: attached, the new version of the fact sheet

Annex II: page 1, last line should read as follows: “Decision by the Director-General”

Annex III: page 2, last line should read as follows: “Decision by the Director-General”

175 EX/38 Corr. Rev. Annex I

WORLD FELLOWSHIP OF BUDDHISTS

1. Headquarters: Bangkok (Thailand)


3. Aims:

World Fellowship of Buddhists aims to promote strict observances and practice of the teaching of the Buddha among its members; to secure unity, solidarity and brotherhood among Buddhists; to propagate the inspirational doctrine of the Buddha; to organize and carry out activities in the field of social, educational, cultural and other humanitarian services. It also strives to secure peace and harmony among men, happiness of all beings and to collaborate with other organizations working towards similar goals.


Education and culture with special emphasis on human rights education, non-formal education, peace development, social and humanitarian activities, culture of peace, philosophy and ethics, dialogue among civilizations and inter-religious dialogue.


WFB has its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, with regional centres in approximately 50 countries, including India, Australia, the United States, and several countries in Africa and Europe in addition to the traditional Buddhist countries.


The Executive Council is the governing body that consists of 24 members elected by the General Assembly. The President is elected by the General Assembly, which meets every two years.


The financial resources are generated from membership subscriptions, voluntary contributions, admission fees, endowments and subventions from funding sources such as international organizations, foundations and private enterprises.


Admitted in 1970 to former category B and subsequently reclassified to operational relations in 1997, the World Fellowship of Buddhists continues to collaborate with UNESCO in areas such as dialogue among civilizations, tolerance and the culture of peace. In its capacity as an NGO in operational relations with UNESCO, WFB co-organized several events with the joint collaboration of several Buddhist Member States, NGOs and educational and cultural foundations including the following:

• an exhibition with the collaboration of the Education Sector on Mahamongkol International Meditation Centre of Thailand and the World Buddhist University;

• a Day of Buddhism at UNESCO (June 2005) with the joint collaboration of Won Buddhism in France;

175 EX/38 Corr. Rev. Annex I – page 2

• the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations (2005-2006) in the Kingdom of Thailand with messages issued by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Director-General of UNESCO, Heads of State and major religious representatives;

• several meetings on spiritual development, higher education, inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, organized by Karma Ling Institute and Centre in France which is associated with the World Buddhist University.

In addition, WFB progressively developed its humanitarian and social development activities in Tanzania, Swaziland, Kinshasa and many other countries on the African continent. The NGO is involved, through its network, in the establishment of information centres on Buddhism research and inter-religious dialogue.

It continues to be closely associated with UNESCO’s activities in the implementation of its regular programmes ranging from education for all, non-formal education, research and higher education, cultural policies and inter-cultural dialogue, tolerance and peace, cultural diversity, bioethics philosophy to the culture of peace in order to maintain peace and harmony among different religions and cultures worldwide.

Cooperation between UNESCO and WFB is also being strengthened via the frequent consultations to obtain its views and vision on issues related to UNESCO’s goals. In light of the aforementioned activities and collaboration, UNESCO is favourable to the modification of its status from operational relations to formal consultative relations.


unesco. executive board; 175th; relations with non...

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