Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands

Regional Workshop for the Asia-Pacific University Twinning Network ‘Exploring Wise Practice Agreements’

Annex 1   -   UNITWIN Agreement

The Network on ‘Wise Coastal Practices for Sustainable Human Development’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Network’) composed of:

• University of Bhavnagar, Bhavnagar (India)
• University of Chulalongkorn, Bangkok (Thailand)
• University of Indonesia, Jakarta (Indonesia)
• University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea)
• University of the Philippines, Manila (the Philippines)
• National University of Samoa, Apia (Samoa)

members of the Network represented by the President of the University of the Philippines and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (hereinafter referred to as ‘UNESCO’), 7 place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris, France, represented by its Director-General, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura,

Considering that one of the essential factors favouring development in the fields of competence of UNESCO is the exchange of experience and knowledge between universities;

Convinced that joint work by university teachers, researchers and administrators from different regions across the world will benefit the entire academic community;

Recognizing that sustainable human development can only be achieved through integrated efforts that bridge boundaries between disciplines, societal sectors and between local/indigenous and scientific knowledge;

Bearing in mind the mission and the objectives of UNESCO set forth in its Constitution and the role of UNESCO in promoting interuniversity co-operation on an international scale;

Taking into account the experience of the international UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme as a stimulus to the rapid transfer of knowledge through twinning, networking and other linking arrangements.

Have agreed as follows:

1- Purpose

UNESCO and the Network will create a UNESCO/‘Wise Coastal Practices for Sustainable Human Development’ Co-operation Programme (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Co-operation Programme’) in the framework of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme.

2- Main objectives

The principal objectives of the Co-operation Programme are to:

• Promote an integrated system of research, training, demonstration, information and documentation activities in the field of ‘Integrated Management and Sustainable Development in Coastal Regions and in Small Islands’
• Provide advice and expertise to assist all countries in:

  • establishing truly intersectoral pilot projects

  • facilitating links between local, regional and global levels, harmonization between top-down and bottom-up approaches, and complementarity among societal domains

  • providing scientific-technological and socio-cultural support to the pilot projects

  • enhancing interdisciplinary research, education and training and the use of new information and communication technologies

  • strengthening local and indigenous knowledge systems and facilitating, where applicable, their equitable articulation with scientific-technological knowledge

  • developing methods for evaluating and applying wise coastal practices for sustainable human development;

  • recognizing higher-education qualifications;

  • developing guidelines and protocols towards the prevention of potential, and resolution of existing conflicts over coastal resources and values.

3- Fields and disciplines concerned

The Co-operation Programme focuses upon the interface between Environment and Society. The principle domains are: scientific-technical, socio-cultural and education-communication. The disciplines concerned are environmental sciences, social and human sciences, cultural heritage, management, law and economics as applicable to coastal region and small-island issues.

4- Phasing of the establishment of the Co-operation Programme

4.1. The official date of launch is proposed to be February 2000.

4.2. The development of the Co-operation Programme will comprise two phases:

• Phase one: development of the Co-operative Programme activities in conjunction with those on the UNESCO Environment and Development in Coastal Regions and in Small Islands platform (CSI)
• Phase two: identification, in close collaboration with the members of the Network and with UNESCO, of ways of extending the Programme to include other participants and/or institutions. All admission of new participants and/or institutions into the Co-operation Programme must be approved in writing by each of the parties concerned

5- Contribution of each party

5.1. Each party shall appoint its own principal contacts for the Co-operation Programme and duly notify the other.

5.2. Whenever possible, UNESCO shall provide a ‘seed-money’ contribution. Any financial contribution shall be the subject of a written agreement. UNESCO will collaborate with the network in raising extra-budgetary funds in order to contribute to the smooth functioning of the Co-operation Programme.

5.3. The Network shall submit an annual report to UNESCO presenting and evaluating the activities carried out by the Network. If approved, UNESCO will distribute the report to the world academic community. UNESCO shall ensure the international dissemination of information on the experience and potential benefits of the activities of the Network at the regional and international levels. The Network shall provide a detailed financial report indicating support obtained for the Co-operation Programme from different sources.

5.4. UNESCO shall take the necessary steps to facilitate the participation of the Network in its programmes and activities with a view to promoting international academic co-operation in the field of ‘Integrated Management and Sustainable Development in Coastal Regions and in Small Islands’. Whenever possible, UNESCO shall also promote the exchange of information and documentation, and of professors, researchers, and students associated with the Network within the framework of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme.

6- Regular consultations

Regular consultations between the Network members will be carried out using means available at the various institutions.

7- Other provisions

7.1. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Network shall assume all expenses linked to the execution of Co-operation Programme activities.

7.2. Neither the Network nor any member of its staff employed for the execution of Co-operation Programme activities shall be considered an agent, representative or member of UNESCO’s staff, nor shall they enjoy any benefit, immunity, remuneration or reimbursement if not clearly foreseen in this Agreement; moreover, they shall not be authorized to present themselves as being part of UNESCO, nor make statements on UNESCO’s behalf, nor commit UNESCO to any expense of any nature or to any other obligation.

7.3. The Network shall be entirely responsible for taking any measures it deems necessary to insure itself against loss, injury or damage incurred during the execution of these activities.

7.4. The present Agreement shall enter into force upon its signature and will stay in force for a period of four (4) years on the date of all signatures having been appended. It may be terminated by either party subject to sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other party.

7.5. Any renewal of the present Agreement shall be effected by an exchange of letters between the parties.

7.6. In the event of a disagreement, the parties shall make an effort in good faith to settle it amicably. In the event that a settlement cannot be reached, any dispute arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement shall be settled by a sole arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement, or failing this, by the President of the International Court of Justice at the request of either party.  

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