Mélaine Descamps and Jean-Claude Guillemard have attended the International Conference of NGOs at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The conference was held December 15th to 17th, 2014. Fabienne Texier-Legras, ISPA member, representing the French association of school psychologists (AFPEN) attended the first day of the conference. The theme of the conference was “Re-enchanting the World with the post-2015 Development Agenda: A collaboration between NGOs and UNESCO.”

The first day was opened by Mr. Eric Falt, UNESCO Assistant Director Gneral for External Relations and Public Information and by Mr. Patrick Gallaud, Chairperson of the International Conference and of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee. The introductory lecture was presented by Mr. Gilles Van der Pooten, Director of Reporters for Hope with the participation of Mr. Jean-Marie-Michel, Editor in Chief at Capa Television. In the afternoon , the Liaison Committee presented the Activity report for the period 2013-2014 and the Financial Report. Then the candidates for the Presidency and for the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee presented their projects for the next period (2015-2016).

The polling session was organized on Tuesday morning. The second day themes were  dedicated to Culture in the morning and to Education in the afternoon. In the morning the main theme: “Enhancing cultural Heritage and featuring cultural expression Diversity” was declined through an introductory presentation, “The role of youth for the safeguarding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage” and three modules:

  • Module 1: Cultural heritage, risks and development.
  • Module 2: Social fabric without cultural dialogue: a waste of time.
  • Module 3: Industries for culture.

A concluding session “Call for Culture in the Post-Agenda for Development” was presented by the Assistant Director General for Culture followed by comments by Ms. Silja Fisher Secretary General of International Music Council. In the afternoon, the theme was “ The commitment of NGOs for the promotion of quality Education in the Post- 2015  Agenda” and was introduced by Mr. Qian Tang, Assistant Director General for Education. Then, two Liaison Committee members reported on the first Forum held in September 2013, “Which Educations Goals for tomorrow citizens of the world: Is quality enough?”. Ms. Camilla Croso International Focal Point of the Consultative Commission of NGOs on Education For All (CCNGO/EFA), President of the Global  Campaign for Education and Mr Limbani Nsapato, member of the African Network Campaign for Education For All (ANCEFA) presented by video conference a report on the “Preparation of the World Forum on Education, from Santiago to Incheon (Korea, May 2015): the role of NGOs in promoting the right to education”. Ms. Sabine Detzel, UNESCO Focal point for the CCNGO/EFA and member of the EFA and Global Agenda Coordination Team, completed the report from the floor and answered the questions from the audience. The second day closed after a brainstorming on the work program for 2015-2016 led by Ms. Aicha Bah Diallo, Vice Chairperson of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee.

The theme of the third day was “Water and sustainable development. From awareness–raising to decision-making”. The first round table participants presented their comments after the second forum held in Yamoussoukro (Ivory Coast) in June 2014:
-What was said during the forum, what remains to be done?
-Women and contribution to development, an African look: what do we do now?
-And now, from promises to actions! Let us open the discussion.

The second round table was dedicated to Climate Change and UNESCO specialists presented the role of the organization:
-UNESCO and climate change. The contribution of sciences.
-UNESCO, climate change and the post-2015 Agenda. Future perspectives and roles for NGOs.

During lunch break, an open space allowed NGOs to present their actions worldwide and offer their documents. ISPA had a presentation space shared with the NGO Working Group on Literacy and Lifelong Education. In the afternoon, Ms. Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, delivered a speech to praise the importance of UNESCO-NGOs partnership and to encourage our efforts to produce innovating projects and develop cooperation. Then a recommendation for the future policy of the next elected  Liaison Committee was adopted.

The commission of elections gave the results:

  • Ms. Martine Levy was elected as new chairperson of the   International Conference of NGOs and of the UNESCO-NGO Liaison Committee for the 2015-2016 period.

The Liaison Committee is composed as follow:

  • for the Asia region: China Folklore Photographic Association
  • for the South America and Caribbean region: Latin American  Council of Social Sciences
  • for the Africa region: Forum for African Women Educationalists
  • for the East Europe region: Sozopol Foundation
  • for the Europe and North America region: Friendship and Liaison French-speaking Association.

There was no candidate for the Arabic region.

Other members:

  • Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service
  • International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art
  • International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity.
  • Catholic International Education Office
  • Rotary International.

The Assistant Director General for External Relations and Public Information closed the Conference with the Past President. The new President delivered a brief message to thank the participants and invited the new members of the Liaison Committee to have their first meeting.

Reported by Melaine Descamps and Jean-ClaudeGuillemard

Dr. Jean-Claude Guillemard
Educational psychologist
ISPA-UNESCO Liaison Officer
Chair, Child Well Being and Advocacy Committee

9 allée Brahms
F-91410 Dourdan
France

Email: jc.guillemard@wanadoo.fr
Tel : 33+ 1 64 59 55 12
33+ 6 32 14 77 07