SHSviews 18 UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Sector Magazine |
Dossier: The dialogue between researchers and policy makers: what is the role of UNESCO? / Interview with Juan Somavia: “Decent work is everybody's business” / Social Transformations: Young people at the heart of UNESCO’s General Conference – October-December 2007 (English | Français | Español | Русский) | |
The world moves, UNESCO too
“We provide a unique international platform where governments, researchers and civil society come together to cast words into action.” As UNESCO prepares for the 34th session of the General Conference at its Paris Headquarters, another international event in France is also drawing the world’s attention – the 6th Rugby World Cup. Confined for a long time to a select few countries, this sport has grown to global proportions to encompass all continents today. While the spirit of the game has remained the same, the sport itself has undoubtedly evolved; new rules have been introduced and new traditions formed. One can see similar dynamics in the history of UNESCO. The ideals and aspirations for which the Organization was established over sixty years ago remain as relevant today as ever before, but the continuous transformation of the political, economic and social realities has necessitated a periodic reevaluation of UNESCO’s priorities and strategies of action. The participation of the Sector for Social and Human Sciences in the World Sports Forum, which is being held in tandem with the Rugby World Cup and features debates on issues affecting sports today such as doping, racism, gender equality and globalization, is an indicator that the Sector is keeping well abreast of the evolving societal challenges around the world. UNESCO is at the forefront of safeguarding humanity’s common tangible and intangible heritage, but is equally, and inseparably, forward-looking. The belief in an achievable better future brings the Member States together at the upcoming General Conference to agree upon a programme and budget for the next biennium and a new medium-term strategy for the next six years. This will be an important occasion to evaluate our success in meeting the objectives set six years ago and, taking into account the lessons learned, to align the future work of the Organization with the priority needs of the Member States. Within broadly unchanged key priorities, SHS will be committed to a stronger focus on rigorous knowledge for effective action and on improved cooperation with other UNESCO programmes. The Sector has a special duty to keep pace with the rapidly transforming social realities and the newly emerging policy challenges. As you will see from the dossier of this issue, UNESCO’s MOST programme serves as a forum for ideas generated in policy institutes, think tanks, academic establishments and governments around the world, and facilitates the translation of these ideas into effective policy applications. In this capacity, we provide a unique international platform where governments, researchers and civil society come together to cast words into action and shape abstract ideas into concrete policy solutions. Our commitment to communicate effectively with you about the activities of the Sector has become an integral part of our future strategy. Gradual change in the content, style, – and name – of the SHSviews magazine responds to this commitment. But we can and will improve further. The next issue of the SHSviews magazine, which will come out in January 2008, will have a new structure, reflecting the SHS strategic programme objectives for 2008-2013, and will offer new features and more space for readers’ views. Pierre Sané Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences This issue of SHSviews covers topical issues from October to December 2007:
Human Rights Philosophy Social Transformations A New Feature!: Readers’ Forum Publications |
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Content Language | 10000 |
Periodical Website | http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001534/153431E.pdf |
Author(s) | UNESCO - Sector for Social and Human Sciences |
Periodical Name | SHSviews |
Publication Location | Paris, France |
Publication date | 2007-10 |
Number of pages | 32 p. |
Keywords | forums, gender, philosophy, policies, poverty, research, women, youth |
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