Director-General S Consultation of National Commissions for Unesco of the Africa Region

DIRECTOR-GENERAL’S CONSULTATION OF NATIONAL COMMISSIONS FOR UNESCO OF THE AFRICA REGION ON THE PREPARATION OF THE DRAFT MEDIUM TERM STRATEGY FOR 2008 – 2014 (34 C/4) AND THE DRAFT PROGRAMME AND BUDGET FOR 2008-2009 (34 C/5)

Luanda, Angola 13 – 15 June 2006

FINAL REPORT

Participants

1. Representatives of 41 out of 46 National Commissions of the Africa Region attended the consultation. An observer from the NGOs Liaison Committee participated. Officials of various offices and services of the UNESCO Secretariat as well as Directors and Representatives of UNESCO national, cluster and regional field offices in the region participated in the meeting. The Angolan Minister of Science and Technology, Vice-Ministers, Members of Parliament, invited guests as well as representatives from Diplomatic Missions attended the Opening Ceremony. A list of participants is attached as Annex 1.

Opening of the Consultation 2. The Opening Ceremony which took place at the National Assembly started with a presentation of the objectives of the meeting by a member of the Angolan National Commission for UNESCO, followed by a message of peace by young people, and was accompanied by a chorale of young people and children. In his opening address, Mr Pierre- François Pirlot, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, and UNDP Resident Representative, referred to the fruitful cooperation between the United Nations and the host country and recalled the joint efforts by the United Nations for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He elaborated on the ongoing reform of the United Nations system and the importance of cooperation with the African Union and NEPAD in addressing regional development challenges. On behalf of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Noureini Tidjani-Serpos, Assistant Director-General for Africa conveyed the gratitude of the Organization to the Angolan Government and in particular to the President of the Republic, to the Minister of Education and to the National Commission for hosting the consultation. He welcomed the presence at this encounter of H.E. Mr Zang Xinsheng, Vice Minister of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Chairperson of the Executive Board of UNESCO and Chairperson of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO.

1 3. The Director-General’s Representative gave an overview of events falling under the competence of UNESCO which have marked the continent since May 2004. He also invited the African National Commissions, during their deliberations on the 34 C/4 and 34 C/5, to bear in mind the decisions by the Heads of State of the African Union during the Khartoum Summit of January 2006, as well as those adopted by the Ministers of Education, Culture and Science and Technology at their sectoral meetings. He reiterated the importance of the role of National Commissions in the implementation of UNESCO’s decentralization policy and underscored that their contribution to the definition of priorities of the Organization for the African region constituted one of the main expected results of the meeting. The ADG/AFR drew the participants’ attention to the challenges of migration for Africa’s development and stressed on the need to promote dialogue among peoples, cultures and civilizations. 4. H.E. Mr. Zhang Xinsheng, Chairman of the Executive Board of UNESCO delivered a keynote address reviewing the substantive challenges before the Consultation. He recalled the discussions by the Executive Board on the relevance of the 34 C/4 and 34 C/5 as key programme documents of the Organization. Referring to the important contribution of Africa to the activities of the Organization, he pointed out that regional consultations provided an excellent opportunity for sharing national experiences and defining common cluster and regional priorities. While reaffirming the commitment of the Member States and the General Conference to give to Africa priority attention, he highlighted various key issues of strategic importance for the region, in particular the need for capacity-building to contribute to poverty alleviation and sustainable development, the pursuit of the MDGs, Education for All, environmental protection and disaster preparedness, the management of natural resources, especially water and associated ecosystems. Elaborating on the impact of globalization as well as a number of developments that have a bearing on the future role of UNESCO, he pointed out that the call for humanizing globalization had never been more relevant. He also stressed on the importance of cooperation with African Union and NEPAD and the need for UNESCO to promote South-South cooperation as well as triangular South-North –South cooperation. 5. The consultation was then opened by H. E. Mr Antonio Burity da Silva, Minister of Education and President of the Angolan National Commission for UNESCO, on behalf of H. E. Fernando da Piedade dos Santos, Prime Minister of the Republic of Angola. Referring to the on going condolidation of peace and democratization processes in his country, he pointed out that education, science, culture and communication were key factors in any development strategy. He underlined the importance of UNESCO’s ethical mandate, and the particular role incumbent upon the Organization in promoting intellectual cooperation in an environment characterized by multiplicity of actors and development partners, both within and outside the United Nations system. Election of the Bureau 6. The representative of Mozambique as the Chairperson of the last Consultation chaired the first session of the meeting. The participants then elected the following Bureau:  President: Mr. Theodoro Quarta (Angola)  Vice-Presidents: Mr. Januario Mutaquiha (Mozambique) Mr. Ismail Djilal Dihin (Djibouti) Ms. Kekeletso Tsekoa (Lesotho)

2  Rapporteur: Ms. Sukai Bojang (Gambia)  Co-Rapporteurs: Dr. Esther W. Kakonge (Kenya) Mr. Kimba Mamoudou (Niger)

Adoption of the Provisional Rules of Procedures and the Agenda of the Consultation 7. The participants adopted the Provisional Rules of Procedures and the Provisional Agenda.

3 Part I Cooperation with the African Union and NEPAD

8. ADG/AFR made a detailed presentation of the results of the Sixth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held in Khartoum in January 2006. He referred in particular to the following issues:  the reinforcement of cooperation between the African Union and UNESCO, thanks to the support given by the President of the Commission of the African Union and the Director-General of UNESCO and cemented by the signature of a new Cooperation Agreement between the two institutions;  the importance of cooperation between UNESCO, the National Commissions and the Sub-Regional African Organizations;

 the UNESCO follow-up of the decisions of the African Union Summit (Khartoum 2006) as well as those of the meetings of Ministers of Education, Culture and Science and Technology;

 the preparation of the African Union Summit, January 2007, devoted to the development of science and technology in Africa;

 the coordination role of the Africa Department and the support provided by the Regional Bureau for Education in Dakar (BREDA) and the Regional Bureau for Science in Nairobi (ROSTA) in the follow-up to these decisions.

9. During the discussions, participants raised a number of questions concerning in particular:  the inclusion of National Commission representatives in the delegations of their countries attending regional encounters so as to ensure the follow-up of the recommendations/decisions emanating from these encounters in the framework of their cooperation with UNESCO;  the need to systematically inform Secretaries-General of National Commissions of events falling under UNESCO´s domain having a regional impact that take place in their country;  the setting up of a data base of African specialists in the fields of competence of UNESCO so as to reinforce their participation in the implementation of UNESCO’s programme and to promote South/South cooperation;  the necessity of reinforcing the capacities of Field Offices with qualified personnel so as to better respond to the needs of the Second Decade for Education in Africa;  the importance of promoting reflection, training and research on the diaspora, on migrations and their impact on development in the framework of 34 C/4 and 34 C/5;

4  the desirability for the Organization to involve itself in observation missions and electoral operations if it wants to contribute to the reduction of conflict and post- conflict situations in Africa.

Part II Preparation of the Draft Medium Term Strategy 2008 – 2013 (34 C/4) and the Draft Programme and Budget for 2008-2009 (34 C/5)

10. The main objective of the Consultation was to provide recommendations and suggestions by the National Commissions of the Africa region for the preparation of the Draft Medium Term Strategy 2008 – 2013 (34 C/4) and the Draft Programme and Budget for 2008-2009 (34 C/5), based on a questionnaire drafted and circulated by the Secretariat. Likewise, the participants were invited to comment on a recent discussion paper by the Director-General on “The future role of UNESCO”, pursuant to General Conference resolution 64, as well as on the issue of the ongoing overall review of Major Programmes II and III. 11. Mr Hans d’Orville, Director of UNESCO’s Bureau of Strategic Planning (BSP), in introducing the item recalled that the regional consultations are an important juncture in the life of UNESCO where National Commissions can articulate their views on the future of the Organization. He reviewed major developments flowing from the 33rd session of the General Conference, including the adoption of 33 C/Resolution 1 on the preparation of the 34 C/4 and 33 C/Resolution 64 which envisages a global consultation on the future role of UNESCO, initiated by Member States from Asia and Pacific Region. He presented briefly the discussion paper prepared by the Director General on the future role of UNESCO and also pointed to the provisions of the 2005 World Summit Outcome document, which emphasized particularly the need to focus on the attainment of tangible results and impact at the country level. In that connection, he also presented a position paper by the Director-General on UNESCO and UN reform. As he pointed out, the consultation process was taking place in a special constellation. He then recalled that the next Medium Term Strategy would lead the Organization until 2013, almost stretching until 2015 which is the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The next C/4 would therefore be of major relevance for defining UNESCO’s contributions to assist countries in achieving the MDGs. 12. The Director of the Bureau of Strategic Planning then presented an overview of the multi- layered process leading to the preparation and adoption of the Draft Medium Term Strategy 2008 – 2013 (34 C/4) and the Draft Programme and Budget for 2008-2009 (34 C/5), involving multiple stakeholders, Governments, IGOs, and NGOs in the five geographical regions. He referred to the results of the African Union Summit held in Khartoum 2006 and the prospects for future cooperation with the African Union and NEPAD in its follow up. He further stated that UNESCO was committed to securing ownership of all partners and to ascertaining that their views were duly taken into account. He invited participants to make clear and focused recommendations, based on consensus, as this would enhance the prospect of recommendations being retained throughout the process. He further underlined the important

5 role National Commissions were called to play at various stages of the programme management cycle. 13. He also suggested that this was an opportune moment for the representatives of National Commissions to discuss the relevance of UNESCO in the Africa region and the expectations associated with its activities. He also highlighted specific programme issues and themes deserving special consideration by the consultation, such as women’s empowerment and gender equality, sustainable development and the outcomes of the two phases of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva and Tunis. 14. Finally he referred to the cluster consultations preceding the formal regional consultations which were intended to identify desirable future programme orientations both at the cluster and national levels, bearing in mind the global strategic objectives of UNESCO. 15. Following this introduction, members of the National Commissions of the ten UNESCO clusters (Accra, Addis Ababa, Bamako, Dakar, Dar-es-Salaam, Harare, Libreville, Nairobi, Yaoundé and Windhoek) and the respective Field Office Directors met for a day to discuss programming issues and priorities as well as other aspects raised in the questionnaire. 16. Reports of all cluster consultations were presented in plenary and informed the subsequent regional deliberations. Likewise they will serve as a basis for the elaboration of future cluster activities as envisaged under the programme management cycle. The following sections synthesize the gist of a broad-based and rich discussion.

I. MISSION - OVERARCHING OBJECTIVES - STRATEGIC PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES FOR THE MEDIUM-TERM STRATEGY FOR 2008-2013 (34 C/4)

17. In general terms, participants called for the prioritization and focus on key priority areas in the 34 C/4, a balance between normative and operational action and a strong development results orientation. 18. The participants unanimously reaffirmed the abiding relevance of UNESCO’s mandate and agreed that its mission statement should build on the provisions of its Constitution, especially underlining the obligation of the Organization to promote peace and sustainable development through international cooperation. Some participants stressed the need for the Organization to rethink and review the concept of development, which should not be seen just in terms of delivery, but also include a social and human sciences dimension and build upon the Organization’s earlier work on culture and development. Moreover, in a region still facing some crisis and post-conflict situations, the promotion of a culture of peace, as well as the development of new approaches to contribute to the consolidation of peace, mutual understanding and reconciliation were considered to be of a high priority. For a large number of participants, promoting peace and dialogue through education, sciences, culture and communication should be the central objective to be considered in the 34 C/4. 19. The overarching goals for which UNESCO was established remain valid and relevant today and open up new opportunities and pose new challenges: the processes of globalization, affecting all societal spheres, population growth, international and intra-state migration which is increasingly becoming a major economic factor were in particular mentioned in this context.

6 Some participants considered that given its limited resources, UNESCO should seek to concentrate its efforts on a limited number of priorities and consolidate successful projects, building on the results of evaluation and based on an optimal use of resources for realistic outcomes as well as visible and cumulative impact. Others stressed the need for the Organization to adjust its implementation strategies taking into account the different needs and different levels of development of the Member States. 20. The participants agreed that – especially given the African situation – UNESCO needs to reassert its role in building and strengthening peace, which should permeate all its domains, to tackle poverty and to promote sustainable development. Accordingly, they suggested as overarching objectives for UNESCO’s 34 C/4 the three interrelated themes of peace, poverty alleviation and sustainable development. The pursuit of peace can benefit in particular from UNESCO’s action in support of dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples through all its domains, which may also contribute to reducing violence and enhance tolerance and mutual understanding. UNESCO should also seek to reinforce international cooperation and partnerships among different stakeholders at global, regional, sub-regional and local levels. Participants stressed in particular the importance of building human and institutional capacities in all domains of UNESCO to empower Member States to tackle challenges arising from globalization and the building of knowledge societies. 21. In general participants reaffirmed the need for UNESCO to work as a matter of utmost urgency towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and in particular the overarching goal of halving poverty by 2015 as well as to reassert its lead coordinating role towards a realization of the six EFA Dakar goals. Among other pressing issues special emphasis was placed on quality education for all in particular in rural areas, gender mainstreaming, the needs of youth in the face of unemployment and the incidence of HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS prevention, environmental sustainability, human security, science education for sustainable development, education for peace and tolerance, conflict prevention, promotion of intercultural and inter-faith dialogue, cultural diversity and multilingualism. 22. The participants considered that information and communication technologies (ICTs) should play an important role in enabling access to quality information and knowledge, contribute to poverty eradication, especially at the community level, and enhance learning opportunities and education at all levels, in particular in teacher training and through non- formal approaches. 23. Strong emphasis was placed on the need for UNESCO to be responsive to the specific needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations, including those in rural areas and the disabled, the elderly, and learners with special needs. Equal emphasis was also placed on the importance for the Organization to address effectively the needs of countries in conflict and post-conflict situations. In this context, several participants pointed out to the need for UNESCO to be engaged at an early stage in conflict resolution efforts and humanitarian actions under the auspices of the United Nations. The desirability for the Organization to involve itself in observation missions and electoral operations so as to contribute to the reduction of conflict and post-conflict situations in Africa was expressed by a few delegates. 24. On the future role of UNESCO participants dwelt on the need to consolidate the Organization’s coordinating role in its domains of competence. UNESCO should reinforce its leadership in the EFA movement, align with UN country teams and programming, as well as

7 work closely with the African Union in the realization of its programmes which fall under the domains of education, science, culture and communication. 25. Participants agreed to recommend that in the 34 C/4 the five functions of UNESCO, as already defined in the 31 C/4, be maintained, namely (i) a laboratory of ideas; (ii) a standard- setter; (iii) a clearing house; (iv) a capacity-builder in Member States; and (v) a catalyst for international cooperation. However, special emphasis should be accorded to capacity-building. The importance of the laboratory of ideas and clearing house functions were also stressed. 26. With respect to strategic programme objectives for each of the four programme areas – for which clear time-bound performance targets and outcomes should be formulated - the participants agreed on the following: a) Education Participants agreed that the overriding objective for the 34 C/4 should be to assist countries so that they can achieve the EFA Goals and the education-related MDGs by 2015, including the pursuit of equality for women and girls. While expressing their general support for the EFA Global Action Plan (GAP) and its five strategic directions that will inform UNESCO’s work in education over the next 10 years, participants insisted on the importance for the Organization to assume in an effective manner its lead role vis-à-vis other partners, by bringing in all other agencies and NGOs involved at all levels of education, and focusing its own action on a limited number of strategic areas. Mobilization and coordination among international partners and donors to avoid duplication of initiatives and activities was deemed important. In this regard, effective UNESCO input to country-level programming exercises was seen as essential as was the involvement of communities and civil society organizations. The importance of achieving universal education through EFA National Plans and the need for a holistic approach to education was emphasized. Building national capacities to implement EFA, mobilizing resources for EFA and enhancing accountability through peer evaluation, were considered to be of critical importance in this context. Some suggested that more emphasis be placed on higher education as well as on secondary and technical and vocational education, in line with the African Union priorities. The need for capacity building for the implementation of the Second Decade for Education in Africa was emphasized. The participants underscored the importance of pursuing quality education for all. Improved quality of education was linked to the content of education through capacity building in curriculum development and learning materials, increasing access of girls, connecting education with the world of work, improved teacher training, recourse to distance education and the use of information and communication technologies to provide access to high quality learning and to increase outreach to learners, in particular for Small Islands Developing States (SIDS). The following strategic programme objectives were proposed:  Effective leader of EFA movement and promoter of quality education for all  Education for peace, mutual understanding and sustainability

8 It was suggested that UNESCO could best support national dialogue in education and lasting political commitment for quality education through support to national efforts for data collection and analysis underpinning credible management, including gender disaggregated data and statistics, the production of reference documents and setting up of a data bank, identification and sharing of best practices, training in EMIS and policy formulation, identification of resource gaps and their proper utilization and management. In this context the publication and dissemination on a regular basis of analytical data and indicators on the attainment of Dakar goals, including regional and sub-regional EFA Monitoring Reports was supported to keep countries aware of progress in EFA. South-South cooperation and dialogue in education and sharing of expertise and best practices should be strengthened, especially through regional and sub-regional organizations such as EAC, SADC, CAC, ECOWAS and COMESA. Consideration should also be given to promoting peer learning among Member States and the creation of peer review arrangements by countries of each other’s progress in EFA, along the lines of the peer review mechanism established by NEPAD and pioneered in education by ADEA. b) Sciences  Sustainable development with special emphasis on the role of science for environmental protection and disaster preparedness and mitigation  Contemporary challenges of social transformations and human rights While agreeing with the retention of a single unified science domain in the context of the 34 C/4, participants did not favour the merging of major programmes II and III for 34 C/5 and in operational terms. Rather, it was suggested that both the natural and the human and social sciences programmes should seek to realise interaction and synergies. The need to reinforce the essential role of the sciences in the fight against poverty and in ensuring a proactive response to emerging trends and new challenges was underlined. c) Culture  Cultural diversity, including cultural heritage in all its aspects and a focus on implementation of normative instruments  Promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue and contributing to mutual understanding d) Communication and Information  Access to information and knowledge for all  Free flow of information and media pluralism Participants felt that the potential of ICTs for community empowerment and participation should be more emphasized. Promoting measures to help narrow the digital divide

9 between countries should also receive priority attention, especially through assistance in the establishment of community multi-media centres. 27. In general terms, participants favoured retaining the current two cross-cutting themes of the 31 C/4 “Eradication of poverty, especially extreme poverty”, and “The contribution of information and communication technologies to education, science and culture, and the construction of knowledge societies” also for the 34 C/4. These two themes should be intrinsic to all programmes, whether they are implemented on a sectoral basis or through an intersectoral platform.

II. SECTORAL PRIORITIES FOR THE PROGRAMME AND BUDGET FOR 2008 – 2009 (34 C/5) 28. Participants were in favour of retaining for the 34 C/5 the structure of the previous C/5 documents whereby each one of the five major programmes would be built on the basis of one principal priority and a limited set of “other priorities”. The principal and other priorities suggested for the five Major Programmes are: (a) Education – Principal priority: Quality basic education for all with special attention to peace education, rural education and the three core EFA initiatives – literacy, HIV/AIDS education and teacher training in sub-Saharan Africa.

Other priorities: secondary education, including technical and vocational education as well as science and technology education; promoting quality education with special emphasis to values education and education for intercultural and inter-faith dialogue and higher education.

The suggestion was made that education for sustainable development should become part of an intersectoral initiative in the 34 C/5 as should be the use of ICTs in education and learning. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of non- formal education, with particular focus on school dropouts and young migrants, as well as on science and technology education for the region. Some participants considered that preventive education should also address other diseases such as malaria.

(b) Natural sciences – Principal priority: Water and associated ecosystems

Participants suggested that this principal priority be pursued in close coordination with other United Nations organizations active in this field so as to avoid overlap and duplication.

Other priorities: oceans; sustainable environment and management of natural resources, desertification and climate change; with special attention to renewable energies; development of science technologies and innovation policies and basic and engineering sciences; culture of maintenance; promotion of indigenous knowledge systems and of endogenous technologies; disaster preparedness and mitigation.

10 (c) Social and human sciences – Principal priority: Elaboration of social policies and management of contemporary social transformations

Special emphasis was placed in this regard on the need to strengthen capacity- building for social science research with a view to informing policy and decision- making.

Other priorities: ethics of science and technology, with emphasis on bioethics; promotion of human rights and the fight against all forms of discrimination, racism, xenophobia and related intolerance in UNESCO’s fields of competence; enhancement of human security.

Some participants suggested in this context that culture of peace and the promotion of human rights be considered as the principal priority for social and human sciences. Others suggested maintaining the promotion of ethics of science, in particular bioethics.

(d) Culture – Principal priority: Promoting cultural diversity, with special emphasis on tangible and intangible heritage

Other priorities: cultural policies, including the development of cultural tourism to contribute to poverty alleviation; intercultural and interfaith dialogue and understanding; cultural industries, handicrafts and other artistic expressions;

Strong emphasis was placed on the training of cultural personnel in Member States, promotion of languages, multilingualism and linguistic diversity, including the promotion of African languages. Concerning the protection of cultural heritage, the suggestion was made to pay particular attention to the issue of illicit traffic and the return of cultural artefacts as well as the inscription of more African sites on the World Heritage List. Some participants also called for continued support to the Slave Route and African Liberation Movement Projects.

(e) Communication and information – Principal priority: Empowering people through access to diverse quality information, with special emphasis on press freedom and media pluralism

Other priorities: promoting communication development, including capacity- building, training of media professionals and strengthening professional and ethical standards; advancing the use of ICTs for education, science and culture; strengthening local content production in both traditional and new media;

The potential of ICTs and knowledge for development, democratization processes and poverty eradication was strongly highlighted during the discussions. The need to support the development of community media – community radios and community multimedia centres (CMCs) and training of their staff – libraries and information centres was also emphasized, especially in rural areas.

11 III. FOSTERING INTERSECTORALITY 29. Participants agreed that intersectoral approaches were one of UNESCO’s comparative advantages in the multilateral system, allowing the Organization to respond to complex problems in a comprehensive manner. The following themes are proposed for such intersectoral action: a) Education, science, culture and ICTs for sustainable development, with special emphasis on the needs of small island developing states (SIDS), in line with the Mauritius Plan of Action; b) Global Initiative on HIV/AIDS and education, including guidance and counselling c) strengthening peace through dialogue among civilisations, cultures, peoples and religions; d) promotion of cultural diversity and multilingualism. 30. Participants also agreed that flagship programmes and activities should continue to be identified in the C/4 and C/5, building on successful performance and widely visible results. The suggestion was made to consider an intersectoral flagship programme on traditional knowledge. 31 Participants further supported the continuation of the mainstreaming approach especially in favour of women and youth as well as Africa and the least developed countries. This implies that the demands emanating from these groups must be addressed by all sectors in all their programmes and at all stages of the programming and implementation process. A suggestion was made to consider displaced populations as a fifth group. Participants underlined especially the need to translate this approach into concrete programmes and actions with adequate resources to ensure the effectiveness of the mainstreaming approach. The strategic importance of women’s empowerment for the attainment of the MDGs was also raised. In the light of the overarching mission proposed for the Organization, participants also called for increased efforts in promoting a culture of peace.

IV. DELIVERING THE PROGRAMME – PARTNERSHIPS AND UNESCO’S ROLE WITHIN THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM – IMPROVING THE VISIBILITY OF THE ORGANIZATION 32. Regarding the programme management cycle, many participants felt that the present two year programme and budget cycle does not allow to take on lessons from programme implementation and results achieved. Consequently, some of them recommended that it should be adjusted. The need for more regular consultations at the cluster level and the provision of adequate resources for that purpose was raised by several participants. The possibility for harmonising UNESCO programming cycle with that of national development plans; United Nations common country programming exercises like Common Country Assessments (CCA), United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF) was discussed. Some participants suggested that UNESCO study mechanisms to associate National Commissions in the work of the United Nations Country Teams (UNCT). 33. Participants endorsed the continued support of UNESCO for African development, especially through NEPAD and called for increased involvement of National Commissions in this process. The coordinating role of the Africa Department should be emphasized.

12 34. The importance of associating National Commissions in the conceptualization, implementation and delivery of UNESCO’s programmes at the country level was highlighted by all participants. Efforts should continue to be undertaken to enable them to fully discharge their role as bodies for national consultation, liaison, information, evaluation and programme execution. Participants agreed that the current decentralisation process of programme and human resources should be continued with cluster offices being adequately resourced and the role of National Commissions outlined in the relevant documents and guidelines translated into action. Emphasis should be laid on enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of UNESCO interventions in the field through close collaboration. Field Offices and National Commissions should make all efforts to improve and intensify dialogue on programme issues at all stages of planning and implementation. 35. Bearing in mind the potential of partnerships for mobilizing a critical mass of resources and expertise, participants agreed on the need for further developing strategic alliances with United Nations organisations, other international and regional organisations, NGOs, civil society actors, including through innovative public-private partnerships (PPP) with the private sector. 36. With respect to measures to reinforce visibility for UNESCO, concrete suggestions were made, including building coalitions with UNESCO Clubs and associations and the Associated Schools Project Network. The role of National Commissions in strengthening the image of the Organization at the country level was especially highlighted. 37. In considering the budget for the 34 C/5, some Clusters opted for real growth of 5%, 10% or 15% whilst there was some concern over the full implementation of previous budgets.