2009 - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

2008 - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

2007 - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec

24 October

• UNESCO General Conference: Irina Bokova sworn in as Director-General
  The 35th session of UNESCO’s General Conference, which ended on Friday, was marked by the election of Irina Bokova as Director-General of the Organization and the adoption of the new programme and budget for 2010 and 2011. Two ministerial round tables, focused respectively on education and the oceans, a ministerial Forum and the launch of the “World Report, Investing in Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue,” were among the highlights of the 35th session. The General Conference, UNESCO’s supreme ruling body, brings together every two years representatives of its 193 Member States. More than 3,000 participants – including eight Heads of State and government and some 260 ministers and deputy ministers – attended the session, held at UNESCO Headquarters from 6 to 23 October and presided by Davidson Hepburn (Bahamas).
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46779&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

23 October

• "The Genesis Project: promoting environmental awareness and education through art in the 21st century"
  The second UNESCO Future Lecture will be devoted to the work of the world-famous photographer Sebastião Salgado of Brazil, in particular his current work Genesis, due to be completed in 2012. Sebastião Salgado has a unique record in documenting the human condition in various, often distressing, circumstances. Taking its roots in the photographic project by Sebastião Salgado and Amazonas Images, the Genesis Educational Program aims to reconnect man with the world as it was "before humanity altered it almost beyond recognition". This venture, called "Genesis", showcases the compelling artistic work of Sebastião Salgado, as he captures through the incorruptible tool of a camera lens, nature in its most pristine state. UNESCO is a partner in the Genesis Project.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=44960&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

• Exhibition "Cultures and Developments" in UNESCO, Paris (France)
  Humanity’s new duty to develop in a spirit of solidarity, within the limits set by our planet, calls for a multi-faceted approach to development whose success is in turn predicated on cultural diversity. The intersectoral exhibition “Cultures and developments” endeavours to show, in eight key fields, just how much culture and cultures determine the quality and the sustainability of development.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=39853&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

22 October

• [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] [english] African virtual university: will it grow this time?
  Thot has been following the current events of the Virtual African University (VAU) for several years and gave account of the misfortunes of this institution. Sometimes source of hope for millions of African students in search for new programs, sometimes considered as a challenge for the African States, then finally as a great expensive and ineffective joke (in particular, in this article), the VAU seems to reappear from its ashes in this month of October 2009. Indeed, the VAU, in association with the African Bank of Development (BAD) has just announced the creation of open learning and distance education Centres (ODeL) in ten African countries. The first OdeL opened on 21 October at the University of Zambia. In the five coming months, some nine others will open in Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Senegal, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
  More information in French: http://www.cursus.edu/?module=document&action=getDoc&uid=70878

• Digital libraries: an Educnet dossier
  Within the framework of its series “digital Readings”, Educnet proposes a dossier on digital libraries. The previous aspects of the series were dedicated to screen reading, digital handbook and electronic book. This dossier is published in a burning hot context , which deals, in particular, with the position of France vis a vis Google, this company wishing to digitize the greatest possible number of books from the libraries from the entire world, with the purpose of making them accessible in Google Books. Educnet also mentions other facts that depend on a more relaxed context, like the digitization under the auspices of UNESCO of an important collection of Arab classic Literature, under the name of Majaliss. The dossier “digital libraries” proposes some elements for reflection on the current transformations of the institutions in charge of book and other documents conservation and dissemination.
  More information in French: http://www.cursus.edu/?module=document&action=getDoc&uid=70875

• French People’s Cultural practices - Results of the 2008 survey
  The DEPS published in its collection Culture-Studies an analysis of the main research results 2008 in comparison with those of the previous survey.
  More information in French: http://www.pratiquesculturelles.culture.gouv.fr/08synthese.php

• Photographic Virtual Exhibit - Toys children make
  John Amato is the project photographer for a study of the Kam people funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). The research area will encompass the provinces of Guizhou, Guangxi and Hunan, China. The goal of the project is to research and document the Kam people's effective use of land and natural resources, which they have accomplished for 2000 years and the impact of current economies and social changes on their life styles. The Kam people have balanced rice production and water use throughout their known history. They are also able to utilize the land for grazing in harmony with their surroundings.
  More information: http://www.pbase.com/jamato8/toys_children_make

• The number of researchers in developing countries jumped from 1.8 million to 2.7 million in five years (2002-2007), according to the new data release from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
  The rise in numbers of researchers equates to a 45% increase, from 344 to 499 researchers per million inhabitants in developing countries. During the same period, the number of researchers in developed countries increased by only 8.6% to 4.4 million. In relative terms, this amounts to 3,592 researchers per million inhabitants, still far more than in developing countries. The information was collected through the third UIS survey on statistics of science and technology (S&T), which is conducted every two years. It focuses on human resources devoted to research and development (R&D), as well as expenditure on R&D. Results of the survey reveal global and regional trends in the allocation of R&D resources.
  More information: http://www.uis.unesco.org/template/pdf/S&T/Factsheet_No2_ST_2009_EN.pdf

16 October

• Irina Bokova elected Director-General of UNESCO
  The 35th session of the General Conference of UNESCO on 15 October elected Irina Bokova as Director-General of the Organization. Ms Bokova was designated by UNESCO’s Executive Board on 22 September. The President of the General Conference, Davidson Hepburn, announced the outcome of the vote before the delegates of UNESCO’s Member States. The new Director-General declared : « it is my dream to nurture relations of perfect synergy between the Director-General and Member States, so as to move together towards the creation of societies that are more just and prosperous, based on knowledge, tolerance and equal opportunity for all, thanks to education, science, culture and access to information. I shall be guided in my work by my concept of a new humanism for the 21st century.”
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46709&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

• Faroes join UNESCO
  The Faroe Islands on 12 October became an Associate Member of UNESCO, which now counts 193 Member States and seven Associate Member States. UNESCO’s membership* stands at 200, one of the highest in the United Nations system. UNESCO’s first Associate Member from Europe, the Faroe Islands are an archipelago of 18 islands located in the North-Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Scotland and Iceland, inhabited by about 49,000 people. Known for their unspoiled landscape, traditional architecture and distinct cultural identity, the islands have been an autonomous region of Denmark since 1948.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46684&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

• Cultural diversity should become a key lever in policy-making, says UNESCO World Report to be launched on 20 October
  As globalization spurs an unprecedented cross-fertilization of cultures worldwide, investing in cultural diversity can renew our approaches to sustainable development, ensure the effective exercise of universally recognized human rights and freedoms, and strengthen social cohesion and democratic governance, according to a new UNESCO intersectoral World Report to be launched on 20 October. Entitled Investing in Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue, the report will be presented at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (Room II, 3.30-4.30 p.m.) by the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, with the participation of two leading experts in the field of cultural diversity: Jean-Pierre Guingané (Burkina Faso), founder of the Theater of Fraternity and director of the Institut supérieur de l’image et du son, and Dr Will Kymlicka (Canada), a leading expert in multicultural citizenship.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46701&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

9 October

• Turkish President urges UNESCO Member States to maintain investment in education and culture
  Abdullah Gül, President of the Republic of Turkey, called on governments to maintain investment in culture and education despite the global economic and financial crisis, in an address to a Plenary Ministerial Forum organized as part of UNESCO’s General Conference, on 8 October. The Forum focused on two topics: “Investing out of the crisis and maintaining progress towards international development goals–through action in education, the sciences, culture and communication and information” and “Shaping UNESCO for the next decade as an effective multilateral actor including in pursuit of international goals and United Nations reform”.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46607&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

8 October

• The AUF and the Group of Coimbra of Brazilian universities (GCUB) sign a “co-operation framework agreement on higher education”
  The Director of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, Mr. Bernard Cerquiglini and the Chairperson of the Group of Coimbra of Brazilian universities (GCUB), Mr. Naomar de Almeida Filho signed, on September 8, 2009 in Brasilia, a “co-operation framework agreement on higher education”. The agreement was signed in the presence of 10 directors and representatives of institutions of Brazil: (Universidade Federal da Bahia, Universidade de Brasilia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Universidad de Campinas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Oporto Animado, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Universidade Federal Fluminense).
  More information in French: http://www.auf.org/communication-information/actualites/auf-gcub-2009.html

• Inauguration of the first House of Knowledge of the Francophonie in Hué, Vietnam
  The House of Knowledge of the Francophonie, first of its kind, was inaugurated on 17 September 2009, in the centre of the city of Hue in Vietnam by the Vice-president of the popular Committee of the City of Hue and the Vice-president of the Association of the Cities of Vietnam, in presence of numerous students and representatives of schools. The creation of the Houses of Knowledge of the Francophonie was decided in 2006 in Bucharest (Rumania) at the Summit of the Francophonie with the purpose of supporting the development efforts of French-speaking countries. These establishments must offer the populations multipurpose services and multi-supports of access to knowledge, in an educational and cultural perspective. Thus they propose different activities, in particular, the learning of French language and initiation to the Open source computer software and multimedia.
  More information in French: http://www.auf.org/communication-information/actualites/inauguration-de-la-premiere-maison-des-savoirs-de-la-francophonie-a-hue-au-vietnam.html

• The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie has already 710 member establishments in 85 countries
  Thirty three new instutions of higher education and research have been admitted as members of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) by the associative Council on the occasion of its meeting on 11 September 2009. After discussions of the associative Council of the AUF, which met on 11 September 2009 in Paris under the Presidency of Mr. Yvon Fontaine, President of the AUF, the affiliation of thirty three new member establishments was pronounced. Therefore, the AUF has already 18 new full members and 15 new associated members, which represents a total of 495 full members and 215 associate members that constitute a total of 710 establishments of higher education and research in 85 countries.
  More information in French: http://www.auf.org/communication-information/actualites/l-agence-universitaire-de-la-francophonie-compte-desormais-710-etablissements-membres-dans-85-pays.html

6 October

• Governor General of Canada calls for an “ethic of sharing” in her address to UNESCO Executive Board
  Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, addressed a special plenary meeting of UNESCO’s Executive Board on 5 October, emphasizing the role of the dialogue of cultures and the importance of cultural diversity. In their opening remarks, the Chairman of the Executive Board, Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yaï, and the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, welcomed Ms Jean, who was born in Haiti, as a symbol of diversity and praised her engagement on behalf of the most vulnerable.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46560&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

• Director-General and Romanian Prime Minister sign agreement on transitional arrangements for UNESCO-CEPES
  On 25 September 2009, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, signed in Paris a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on transitional arrangements for the UNESCO European Centre for Higher Education in Bucharest (UNESCO-CEPES) during 2010-2011, following the signature of the MoU by the Prime Minister of Romania, Mr Emil Boc, in Bucharest.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46577&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

5 October

• Joint message from Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day 5 October 2009
  Each year on 5 October we celebrate teachers for their invaluable contribution in shaping effective education systems and preparing children, young people and adults for active and responsible participation in society. Education is a human right and central to sustainable development. It is both vital to increase access and to enhance inclusion and quality at all levels of education and in all settings. Among the many factors which affect the quality of education, teachers play a pivotal role in ensuring good learning outcomes. It is commonly acknowledged that the quality of learning depends, first and foremost, on the quality of teachers. It was on this day in 1966 that standards were adopted by the international community to promote quality teachers and teaching.
  More information: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001844/184440e.pdf

• HP and UNESCO expand joint project to increase brain gain in Africa and the Middle East
  Hewlett-Packard and UNESCO today announced the expansion of the ‘Brain Gain Initiative’ from five universities in the pilot phase to 15 additional higher education institutions throughout the Middle East and Africa. The project enables these universities to collaborate with experts around the world in innovative education and research projects with the help of advanced grid and cloud computing technologies. The objective is to build capacity for sustainable development through advances in science and technology with a goal of reaching 100 universities by the end of 2011 with the help of additional partners.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46542&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

• Exhibition "REDES" Demarco, Arnol, Restrepo and Spagnolo in Argentina
  6 - 8 October 2009. Quilmes, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
  An exhibit of Humberto Demarco (Uruguay), Pablo Ramirez Arnol (Argentina) and Jorge Restrepo (Colombia) textile art collective performance documentation. Photography by Andrea Spagnolo. A workshop by Ana Pagani, in collaboration with Tamara Gómez, Agustina Staricco, Gloria Gonzalez, Marcela Polischer, Teresa Pasantes, Viveca Mazzeo, Florencia Paz, Mara Dileo, Eva Luna Aventaño, María Clara Sorrequieta, Verónica Mella and Edgardo Gonzalez.
  More information: http://www.quilmes.gov.ar/comunicacion/detalle.php?id=324

• International Year of Astronomy 2009 Celebration
  The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is a global effort initiated by the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO to help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. The vision of the International Year of Astronomy is to help people rediscover their place in the Universe through the sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery. Everyone should realise the impact of astronomy and other fundamental sciences on our daily lives, and understand how scientific knowledge can contribute to a more equitable and peaceful society.
  More information: http://portal.unesco.org/science/en/ev.php-URL_ID=6959&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

• Jerusalem Capital of Arab Culture 2009
  Celebrating Jerusalem as the capital of Arab Cultural 2009 on the Arab and international levels comes to confirm that Jerusalem is an integral part of the occupied territories in 1967. In addition, to reaffirm that East Jerusalem is the capital of the independent Palestinian State and its Arab cultural identity and in support of the steadfastness of its people against the Israeli occupation and the promotion of commitment to a national and unified Arab identity.
  More information: http://www.alquds2009.org/english.php

• ARTerial: Research report on an African Arts Fund
  The Arterial Network commissioned research into the viability, structure and operational modes of a transnational fund for the arts on the African continent. The final research report – Towards an African Fund for Arts and Culture: the need for an accessible, independent and efficient fund to promote African creativity and its regional and international distribution – has been received from the research team comprising Nicky du Plessis, Khadija El Bennaoui and Lou Mayitoukou. This research was made possible by two of the Arterial Network’s funding partners, the Doen Foundation and the Stromme Foundation.
  More information: http://www.arterialnetwork.org/sidenav/newsletter/2009-july

• Agenda 21 of Culture: Report on local culture, Governments and development and new newsletter
  The Commission Culture of Cities and Local Governments United published in September a report entitled “Culture, local Governments and Millenium Objectives for the development”. The report, in which Amareswar Gala, Jose Antonio González Mancebo, Nile Sismanyazici-Navaie and Inge Ruigrok contributed, emphasizes the way in which culture is integrated in the local development strategies oriented to the Millenium Objectives for development. To access this report, see... Furthermore, the Observatory of Cultural Policy of Grenoble initiated the publication of a bimonthly newsletter on the development of Agenda 21 of Culture and the relationship between culture and sustainable development.
  More information in French: http://www.reseauculture21.fr/

• Culture and structural funds of the European Union: public consultation on the role of Culture in the local and regional development
  The European Commission launched a study on the contribution of cultural projects funded by the EU Structural Fund for the local and regional development. The study is carried out by the Center for Strategy and Evaluation Services (United Kingdom) in collaboration with Ericarts, that invites people and entities interested in the role of culture in the local and regional development to actively contribute to the consultation. The public can participate in several ways: by realizing contributions, providing information on projects or participating in a seminar that will be carried out in Brussels next 11 November.
  More information: http://www.cses.co.uk/new/25/

• (in Spanish) Capital Europea de la Cultura 2016
  Se ha publicado la convocatoria del Ministerio de Cultura para la presentación de solicitudes para la designación de la Capital Europea de la Cultura del año 2016. El Consejo de Ministros, de 22 de mayo de 2009, encomendó al Ministerio de Cultura la aplicación de la Decisión 1622/2006/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 24 de octubre de 2006, por la que se establece una acción comunitaria a favor de la manifestación “Capital Europea de la Cultura” para los años 2007-2019. Esta Decisión establece un turno de países para optar a esta distinción hasta 2019, correspondiendo 2016 a España, junto con Polonia. A este fin, la Orden de la Ministra de Cultura, que aparece publicada en el BOE nº 220, de 11 de septiembre de 2009, convoca a las ciudades interesadas en ser designadas “Capital Europea de la Cultura” para 2016 y regula el procedimiento dirigido a dicha designación por el Consejo de Ministros de la Unión Europea.
  More information in Spanish: http://www.mcu.es/novedades/2009/novedades_Capital_Europea_Cultura_2016.html

PW Journal of Sustainable Development - October 2009
This is Part 7 of the series on education for sustainable development.

Outline:

Section 1. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
Section 2. Combined Analysis of ESD Surveys V0 to V1.7
Section 3. Phases of Integral Human Development (IHD)
Section 4. The Nuptial-Family Context for IHD
Section 5. The Socioeconomic Context for IHD
Section 6. The Socioecological Context for IHD
Section 7. The Sociopolitical Context for IHD
Section 8. The Religious-Spiritual Context for IHD
Section 9. Suggestions for Prayer, Study, and Action
http://www.pelicanweb.org/solisustv05n10page1.html

Groupe de recherche Achac présente : Un siècle d'immigration des Suds en France
Le coffret Un siècle d’immigration des Suds en France et les ouvrages qui le composent sont uniques en termes de fond et de forme. En effet, plus de 150 chercheurs ont participé à leur élaboration, en relation avec 75 partenaires institutionnels ou associatifs pour un récit concernant vingt régions de l’Hexagone. De plus, 4.500 documents iconographiques inédits sont reproduits, allant de la photographie à l’affiche, de la carte postale à l’extrait de film. Véritable panorama de l’histoire de l’immigration, ces huit beaux livres ont une triple vocation : valoriser les territoires d’immigration français ; informer sur la façon dont ces territoires ont accueilli et regardé ces immigrations ; lier les mémoires entre les générations. L’histoire de l’immigration doit faire partie de notre mémoire collective et c’est finalement à travers le passé, les récits et les imaginaires qu’elle peut se construire et se transmettre aux générations futures.
http://www.coffret-immigration.com/