2 Natural Sciences The Natural Sciences Programme of the Office, following the priorities of the sector for the biennium, aimed at contributing to the promotion of policies for sciences, technology and innovation for sustainable development, and at protecting natural resources, as well as mitigating and reducing natural disasters in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. 2.1 Promotion of Science, project Technology and Access to Knowledge Perception of science and Santiago Rodríguez, Hermanas Mirabal technology by high school and Bahoruco. The results of both students in the Dominican surveys were distributed among national march 2012. havana, cuba Republic authorities and also among the media. Launching of audiovisual For the third stage (july 2012 - december on the manipulation of bacteria This initiative, implemented by the 2013) a workshop was conducted at the with laser Academy of Sciences of the Dominican national level (santo domingo, may 2013) to Republic with the support of formulate guidelines based Electrobacteriando is the suggestive title of the Office, aims at approaching on the findings of the two an innovative audiovisual that was produced a strategy to cope with the low previous stages and taking as a result of an initiative of the Cuban rates of enrolment in basic into consideration the legal Society of Physics with the support of the sciences careers in the country framework of the Caribbean UNESCO Havana Office. The material aims at and contributing to encourage nation. These guidelines disseminating the results of scientific scientific and technological aim to increase the rates research projects in a novel and attractive learning. of enrolment in scientific way to promote sustainable development. For its implementation, the fields and thus favour Presented by the Director of the Office as project was divided into three sustainable development. part of the activities to welcome the stages: the first(september 2009 The Technical Report and participants in the International Conference - january 2010) included a study Final Recommendations on New Materials in Times of Convergence, the on how high school students how science and technology video shows how an E. coli moves with the from the Distrito Nacional and the province are perceived by high school students help of laser acting as light “tweezers” of Santo Domingo perceived sciences; the from this Member State will be submitted capable of grabbing and holding things second stage (july - december 2011) extended to the authorities when stage three of the barely a hundredth of a millimetre in size. At the study to the provinces of Monte Plata, project is concluded ● the same time, dancers from the Cuban National Ballet (BNC) perform a beautiful Habana, inaugurated by the President of allegoric choreography. The Academy of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba, was 2012 and 2013. havana, cuba attended by a number of personalities and Coordination of translation into scientific institutions of both nations, the Spanish of the Quarterly Director of the Office, as well as the heads Newsletter on Sciences and Natural of other United Nations agencies in Cuba Sciences A World of Science and several specialists from those agencies ● The Office continued the translation into Spanish and general editing of texts, graphic design and layout of this UNESCO november 2012. havana, cuba publication, of vital importance for the dissemination of scientific developments 10th Symposium of Scientific in Spanish-speaking countries ● Sciences of Cuba (ACC), the School of Culture Physics and the Institute of Science and Technology of Materials (IMRE), both of the Aimed at favouring a wider exchange of University of Havana, also participated in knowledge and experiences among the the project ● members of the scientific community in the country and at facilitating the dissemination and implementation of new september 2012. havana, cuba technological advances in the national Thematic Meeting Cuba and Brazil plans for development, the symposium in the 21st century was organized by the Cuban Academy of Sciences (ACC) and the Ministry of Organized by the Academies of Sciences of Science, Technology and Environment the two countries under the technical (CITMA) with the support of the Office. advisory of the Office, the main objective During the event, which also celebrated its of the meeting was to contribute to the 10th edition, the organizers renewed their sustainable development of both countries commitment to continue to facilitate the in the context of knowledge societies. appropriation by the general public of the The meeting, held at the Aula Magna of scientific knowledge produced by the the University College San Geronimo de La country ● 25 Activity Report 2012-2013 → NATURAL SCIENCES 2.2 Protection of Water viewpoint of each institution, as well as implementing actions to raise awareness Resources relevant experiences in the area, including of the importance of cooperation in this cooperation actions implemented in the area for human health and well-being, the country aimed at providing support to achievement of the Millennium february 2013. havana, cuba the national authorities for the optimal Development Goals and the attainment of use of this vital resource. Ms Aguirre, everlasting peace. Panel “International Cooperation in turn, presented an overview of the on the Water Issue: Actions and water situation in the country and Challenges in Cuba” highlighted the major challenges to The event, coordinated by the United be addressed, namely expanding the Nations system in Cuba on the occasion existing infrastructure and optimizing the of the International Year of Water management of this valuable resource. Cooperation, was held as part of the Several printed copies of the special 21st International Book Fair, Cuba 2013, edition of the quarterly newsletter A the most important publishing event in World of Science dedicated to the water the country. issue, were distributed among the participants ● Celebration of World Water Day in Cuba Water is one of the top priority issues on the agenda of the United Nations, as it is a vital key resource for sustainable In her closing remarks, the President of development, indicated the Director of the INRH discussed the recently approved the Office in the celebration of World National Policy on Water enforced in the Water Day (22 March) at the headquarters country, as well as the major problems of the National Institute of Hydraulic that still exist in the area of water Resources (INRH). Serving also as management nationwide, among them, coordinator of the interagency working the poor technical conditions of the group for the implementation of all water supply network and urban drainage activities related to the celebration in systems, as well as the limited potential The panel, moderated by the Director Cuba of the 2013 International Year of water resources available ● of the UNESCO Havana Office, was Water Cooperation, the Director also integrated by Theodor Friedrich, country mentioned the need to continue representative of the United Nations 2.3 Climate Change Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); and Protection of Edith Felipe, programme coordinator Biodiversity of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cuba; Odalys Fernández, programme officer of the may - december 2013. cuba United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Cooperation with regards to in Cuba; Ileana Fleitas, consultant for climate change among biosphere the Pan-American Health Organization/ reserves and natural heritage sites World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO- Cuba); Marilyn Fernández; coordinator As part of this cooperation, implemented by for Cuba of the United Nations Human the MAB-Cuba Committee and the National Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); Centre for Protected Areas with the support and the specialist in charge of the Natural of the Office, two technical reports were Sciences Programme of the UNESCO prepared in the period that inform of the Havana Office. Aymeé Aguirre Hernández, characteristics and situation of the diverse vice-president of the National Institute of biosphere reserves (BR) and natural heritage Hydraulic Resources (INRH) also attended sites (NHS) of Cuba, namely the BR Cuchillas the meeting in representation of the del Toa and Baconao and the NHS Alejandro Cuban authorities. de Humboldt National Park, in the eastern Panelists presented a summary of region; and the BR Sierra del Rosario and the main problems associated with the NHS Viñales Valley National Park, in the issue of water in the country, from the western part of the country. 26 The expected results of the workshops project to be held in October 2013 in each of Monitoring the impact of climate these regions are the drafting of proposals actions to prepare the schedule of for measures and recommendations for change on highly sensitive species in the Biosphere Reserve Jaraguá- activities to be carried out in the the adaptation and mitigation of the second stage of the diagnosis (may- effects of climate change in these areas. Bahoruco-Enriquillo, Dominican Republic december 2013). A general report will Monitoring visits will be also made to the prepared to present the historical biosphere reserve areas participating in The activity was sponsored by the distribution of the species under study, the project ● National Council for Climate Change, the Mechanism for Clean Development, the Group Jaraguá Support for the project Inc., and the Dominican National Conservation of the Agricultural