The year is off to a great start with an agenda full of activities to come for UNESCO’s Strategic Transformation.
In 2020, various new policies under Pillar 2 of the Strategic Transformation will be implemented and monitored such as policies to enhance the Organization’s internal justice system, and performance management. The implementation of initiatives regarding team building, professional development and mobility will also contribute to efficient implementation of programmes.
Moreover, the Education Sector has taken concrete actions to strengthen teamwork through the piloting of agile working methods. We are looking forward to continued support to transversal teamwork in the Organization. Human Resources Management has also organized leadership trainings for senior managers. Additionally, efficiency at work has increased by implementing a secured, reliable and comprehensive Digital Workplace and ensuring internal adoption of new tools, services and practices.
In addition, two new key strategies on communication, advocacy and engagement as well as on partnerships are being executed. The new strategies will enhance UNESCO’s visibility, engagement, partnership building and resource mobilization. These activities strengthen the Organization’s capacity to deliver multidisciplinary programmes efficiently and boost the work of transversal teams across the Organization.
This coming spring, formal consultations with UNESCO’s Member States including their National Commissions and other stakeholders will be conducted. They will fuel the forward-looking and strategic thinking necessary to elaborate UNESCO’s new Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2029.
The second meeting of the High Level Reflection Group, to be held this spring, will also greatly contribute to strategic thinking. The Group will discuss major trends and challenges and identify opportunities and threats to UNESCO’s work. This meeting will enrich discussions regarding the Medium-Term Strategy to be adopted by Member States in 2021.
Timeline to UNESCO’s new Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2029.
Through Strategic Transformation, UNESCO is prepared to improve its field network in order to be sustainable and instrumental to delivering Agenda 2030. The main objective is to be able to adapt better to local contexts through a responsive and flexible network. The Strategic Transformation web portal displays messages from leaders and Directors explaining the achievements in the field but also challenges and opportunities to align with the reform of the UN Development System.
Moreover, The Strategic Transformation has a very dynamic Steering Committee, which has met already 17 times with the assistance of the Support Unit, providing a coherent and coordinated support for the realization of the transformation.
The Strategic Transformation process will continue to be coordinated by the Support Unit, of which the mandate, of supporting the Deputy Director-General and the Steering Committee, has been extended for two years. The Support Unit will continue its work through the organization of consultations, dialogues and the High Level Reflection Group, among other activities, in collaboration with all services, towards the achievement of UNESCO’s Strategic Transformation.