UNESCO has been supporting programmes in the Philippines for more than 60 years now. With the PH-UCPD, UNESCO will be working with a development framework that will facilitate a coordinated and systematic partnership with development stakeholders. A consultative process was adopted in the preparation of the document. This ensured that the proposed programme is demand driven and enjoys the support of Government and other stakeholders. Consistent with UNESCO’s philosophy, the UCPD highlights sectoral, intersectoral and interdisciplinary perspectives.
The programmes and projects included in the PH-UCPD are consistent with the Philippines’ commitments to the UN Millennium Development Goals and to other internationally-agreed development priorities, and with national development goals defined in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (2004-2010). With a view to provide more focus, the programmes and projects proposed converge toward a common goal: Education for Sustainable Development. Sustainable development, which includes social justice and the alleviation of poverty, is highlighted in UNESCO’s mission statement and reflected in the Organization’s overarching objectives. The PH-UCPD also benefits from a recently introduced regional programming approach of the UNESCO Office, Jakarta, which entails the development of Regional Flagship Programmes.