UNESCO’s role and contribution

UNESCO has a long-standing commitment to supporting SIDS in strengthening the science and technology base of their economies and in building resilience in island societies. With science and technology explicitly recognized in the Mauritius Strategy as a cross-cutting issue for all sectors for sustainable development, many technical fields are involved. As reflected in examples and entries elsewhere in this website, they range from renewable energy and natural disaster mitigation to coastal area management and biodiversity conservation. Activities too are wide ranging – from individual study grants and group training to the strengthening of institutions and the testing and diffusion of educational and learning materials. An example of recent public- awareness materials is a science-media project in the Caribbean with the University of the West Indies. Learning materials include a technical training toolkit on solar photovoltaic systems, based on experience gained over several decades in introducing rural electrification in small, scattered communities in the Pacific. ============================ PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES Using Science, Technology and Innovation for the Caribbean Region University of the West Indies Science-Media Project Science Communication in the Pacific Putting Experimentation Back into Science Education Teaching and Learning Materials Mondialogo Engineering Awards World Conference on Science (1999) and Other Knowledge Systems INSULA and 'Science and Technology' in Islands 'Science and Technology' and '60 Minutes to Convince' Participation Programme UNESCO Focal Points for 'Science and Technology' in SIDS Regions