Sunday, October 28, 2012

UNESCO chief says U.S. funding cuts "crippling" organization

I quote from an article in the Chicago Tribune:

UNESCO is in its "worst ever financial situation" after its biggest contributor the United States froze funding last year, the director general of the United Nations' cultural agency said on Thursday. 
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization was plunged into crisis in October 2011 when Washington, an ally of Israel, cancelled its grant in protest at the body's decision to grant the Palestinians full membership. 
The U.N. body had been forced to slash spending, freeze job hires and cut programs after losing the U.S. funding, which had made up 22 percent of its budget, UNESCO's Irina Bokova told reporters. 
The organization, which designates World Heritage sites, promotes global education and supports press freedom among other tasks, had started the year with a deficit of $150 million out of $653 million for its budget over 2012 and 2013, Bokova said.

More......

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Americans for UNESCO Forum

Challenges Facing our Global Society
Why the United States & UNESCO
Must Work Together to Address Them

George Papagiannis
Keynote Speaker: George Papagiannis: UNESCO Liaison in the United States

Respondents: 
  • Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State
  • Peter Yeo, United Nations Foundation
Moderator: Dr. Mary Futrell, President, Americans for UNESCO & Professor, The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development

Date: November 26. 2012
Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: The Marvin Center, Room 308, 
            The George Washington University
             800 21st Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
             (Map)

Please extend invite to others. For information & RSVP, contact: Dr. Hartenstein, email: draahart@aol.com            Please provide attendee name(s), organization(s) & email(s).


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Education First -- an initiative of the UN Secretary General



Launched on 26 September 2012, Education First is a five-year initiative sponsored by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. A global advocacy platform at the highest level, it aims to generate a renewed push to achieve the internationally-agreed education goals set for 2015 and get the world back on track to meeting its education commitments.

In the Secretary-General’s own words, “when we put Education First, we can reduce poverty and hunger, end wasted potential – and look forward to stronger and better societies for all.”

The three priorities of Education First are:

  • putting every child into school
  • improving the quality of learning
  •  fostering global citizenship
Here are some useful websites: