Israel National Commission for UNESCO
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Israel National Commission for UNESCO Report on Activities 2004-2005 Written by: Daniel Bar-Elli, Secretary-General, Israel National Commission for UNESCO Hebrew editing: Yael Lavi-Bleiweiss English translation: Sagir International Translations Ltd. Hebrew typing: Hedva Amar, Senior Coordinator, Israel National Commission for UNESCO Design and layout: Peles, Printing Co. Jerusalem Published by: Publications Department, Ministry of Education 2 3 Content 1. Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------5 2. Activities of the Committees-----------------------------------------9 • Education for All • Science • Culture • World Heritage • Social and Human Sciences • Information for All 3. Israel in UNESCO -----------------------------------------------------40 4. UNESCO in Israel -----------------------------------------------------44 5. Cooperation with Member States------------------------------------50 2 3 4 5 1. Introduction The most prominent achievement in 2004-2005 was the election of Israel to four Intergovernmental UNESCO Commissions: International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC), World Heritage Committee (WHC), Man and the Biosphere (MAB) and Management of Social Transformations (MOST). This transition from observer status to an influencing status demands an allocation of appropriate resources in order to strengthen the bilateral relationship between UNESCO and Israel. This achievement is a by-product of the development of closer professional ties with UNESCO over the past years. The National Commission has successfully developed professional activities with different Sectors at UNESCO, overcoming the previous one-dimensional approach to Israel which had been colored solely by the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Israel National Commission decided to change its policy towards UNESCO from that of a recipient state to a donor state. Israel contributes fifteen percent on top of its membership dues to the Organization, as a donation to special UNESCO Year Sector/Sphere Program $ Program Intangible Culture Bukhara Jewish Museum 20,000 Uzbekistan Management Program 10,000 Auschwitz-Birkenau 2004 World Heritage International Cooperation 25,000 India Higher Education Post-Doctorate Fellowship 150,000 Worldwide IBE Analysis of Curricula 20,000 Worldwide World Heritage Africa Heritage Fund 25,000 Africa 2005 External Relations UNESCO Security 22,000 Worldwide Communication IPDC 25,000 Worldwide The improved relations between UNESCO and Israel over these years are also reflected in an improvement in Israel’s status within the European group, and particularly in the resolutions of the General Conference and the Executive Board of UNESCO. The resolutions relating to the question of Jerusalem and to education and culture in the Palestinian Authority areas have become more moderate and balanced. This softer atmosphere has helped promote the gradual emergence of a healthier relationship between Israel and UNESCO. 4 5 Over these two years the Israel National Commission has continued to strengthen and advance the work of the committees in the following fields: Education for All, Culture, World Heritage, Social and Human Sciences, Information for All and Science. Education for All – activities focus mainly on promoting projects from its subcommittees: the ASPnetwork and environment (SEMEP). Culture – the Committee is in the process of reorganization and is due to operate on a new platform composed of the Culture Sector Administration, the Pedagogic Secretariat and NGOs. World Heritage – the Committee has worked to inculcate and implement the World Heritage Convention among decision-makers in planning authorities and NGOs. Two sites were added to the World Heritage list – the Biblical Tels and the Incense Route. Social and Human Sciences – managed to create opportunities for activities with civil society. Information for All – there is an enhanced awareness of the digital gap. Science – the activities of its Committees were diverse – Hydrology (IHP), Man and the Biosphere (MAB), Oceanography (IOC) and Geology (ICGP). One area where our efforts have been unsuccessful is in the recruiting of resources from Government Ministries. The National Commission’s decision of 2003 called on Government Ministries that are involved in its activities to fund the operations of the relevant committees. This call has not been heeded. The flow of professional, technical and official missions from UNESCO Headquarters has increased. The different missions that visited Israel were headed by the Deputy Director-General (June 2004, June 2005), the Director of the World Heritage Center (March 2005, September 2005), the Assistant Director-General for Culture (March 2005, October 2005), the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences (January 2005), the President of the General Conference (June 2004) and the Chairperson of the Executive Board (March 2005). The main purpose of these visits was to promote dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. It was also understood that the one-dimensional nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has ramifications in terms of the development of bilateral relations between UNESCO and Israel. The National Commission chairpersons actively participated as observers at most meetings of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committees: World Heritage, Social and Human Sciences, Hydrology, Oceanography, Man and the Biosphere and Geology. Israeli experts also attended meetings of the International Bioethics Committee, the UNESCO Chairs and Higher Education. 6 7 Representatives of the Israel National Commission attended the 169th and 171st Sessions of UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris, and it was represented at the 33rd General Conference by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport. Israeli Delegation to the 33rd General Conference (October 2005) MK Limor Livnat Minister of Education, Culture and Sport Mr. David Kornbluth Israel Ambassador to UNESCO Mr. David Lefler Director-General, Ministry of Science Mr. Ilan Elgar Director, International Organizations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Pnina El-Al Deputy Director, Department of Cultural and Scientific Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Micha Yinon Head, Culture Authority, Ministry of Education, Culture Sport Prof. Michael Turner Chairperson ISWITC. Prof. Niv Ahituv Chairperson, Information for All Committee (IS IFA) Dr. Husam Masalhah Ministry of Science and Technology Ms. Dana Parnas Israel Delegation to UNESCO Mr. Daniel Bar-Elli Secretary-General, Israel National Commission Participants in the 3rd UNESCO Youth Forum (October 2005): Ms. Sukaina Shalbi (Ministry of Education), Ms. Sarit Felber (WUJS). Over the past two years the National Commission has translated and produced several UNESCO publications relevant to its work; these will be made available on the National Commission’s website. The National Commission has taken action to protect the UNESCO logos – (MAB), (IOC), (ASP), (WHC), (IHP) – thus preserving the interests of both UNESCO and the National Commission. Ten Participation Program Requests were allocated a total of $146,000. This allocation is largely responsible for solidifying UNESCO’s presence in Israel. The main conclusion drawn from the Participation Program is the importance of ensuring an ongoing sustainable impact. PP Requests that received a high level of funding ($75,000) did not produce any sustainable activity, while a PP Request that received just $10,000 in the field of bioethics has resulted in the establishment of a UNESCO Chair, the publication of booklets and involvement in ethical issues at UNESCO. During these two years the Secretariat has worked with the assistance of interns interested in learning about UNESCO’s activities in Israel and around the world: Ms. Andrea Reinhart (USA) and Ms. Talia Preis (UK). The close cooperation with Israel’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, headed by Ambassador Jacques Revah, should be noted. There was a high level of cooperation in all fields of UNESCO’s competence, also in sponsoring events within UNESCO: 6 7 Concerts on behalf of Israeli organizations – Hand for the Child, Akim, the Weizmann Institute and the Technion. The screening of the premier of the film “Walk on Water” and the film “James’ Journey to Jerusalem” to mark International Tolerance Day was in cooperation with the French and German Ambassadors. A peak event was a Hanukkah Party and candle-lighting ceremony for members of the World Heritage Committee, held on the initiative of the Israel World Heritage Committee Chairperson at UNESCO Headquarters (December 2004). Over the past two years membership in the National Commission of the Chief Scientists from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology has not been realized in practical terms. During the same period, the National Commission has welcomed new members: Ms. Amira Chaim (Director-General and Chairperson), Professor Sidney Strauss, Chief Scientist (Ministry of Education), Professor Mina Teicher, Chief Scientist (Ministry of Science and Technology), Mr. Roni Leshno-Yaar (Deputy Director-General, International Organizations), Mr. Arthur Avnon (Deputy Director-General, Department of Cultural and Scientific Relations, Foreign Ministry), Dr. Herut Barak, Director General, Oceanography Institute (IOC) and Dr. Binyamin Zeev Begin, Director-General of the Geological Survey (IGCP). Thanks and best wishes to the retiring members of the Commission: Ms. Ronit Tirosh (Chairperson),