NZ National Commission for UNESCO

The National Commission is the UNESCO presence in New Zealand. It actively participates in UNESCO’s programmes, developing partnerships, while influencing and empowering people in NZ, the Pacific and Asia.

The role of the National Commission is to:

  • Constitute the main channel of co-operation between UNESCO and NZ
  • Manage NZ’s relationship with UNESCO
  • Advise the NZ Government on UNESCO matters
  • Contribute to UNESCO’s development of its policies and programmes
  • Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practice between NZ and other Member States
  • Implement activities on behalf of UNESCO in NZ and the South Pacific.

UNESCO internationally has a particular focus on cultural diversity and in 2005 adopted the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. NZ acceded to this Convention in 2007.

The NZ National Commission is involved in a wide range of activities that support the NZ Diversity Action Programme, including the production of educational resources, values education, a Pacific strategy, interfaith and sustainable development programmes.

Visit the website of the NZ National Commission for UNESCO.

Projects 2011
Pacific Regional Discussion on Interfaith

The promotion of respect for religious diversity and interfaith dialogue is a priority for UNESCO internationally. The National Commission supported the Statement on Religious Diversity developed as part of the NZ Diversity Action Programme. In August 2008 UNESCO convened an advisory group on Religious Diversity in the Pacific region, a report of which was completed at the end of the year. The issues of gender and youth were highlighted; and it was agreed to hold a wider forum within the Pacific in 2010-11. In 2010 UNESCO looked at the next steps to support further dialogue on religious diversity in the Pacific.

In 2011, the National Commission will continue the dialogue on religious diversity with the Pacific, under the guidance of the UNESCO Chair in Interreligious Understanding and Relations in New Zealand and the Pacific, Professor Paul Morris, from Victoria University.

International Mother Language Day, 21 February

The International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of UNESCO in November 1999. It has been celebrated since 2000 to promote all the languages of the world. In NZ, Mother Language Day is an opportunity to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism and celebrate the hundreds of community languages spoken here. The National Commission supports the Community Language Association of NZ (CLANZ), which coordinates Mother Language Day initiatives. This year the National Commission supported the production and distribution of posters and bookmarks to schools and libraries throughout New Zealand to mark the day.

Holocaust Remembrance Day, 27 January

In 2005 the UN designated 27 January – the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp – International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. In designating the day, the UN urged member states to develop educational programmes to instil the memory of the tragedy in future generations to prevent genocide from occurring again.

In observance of the day this year the United Nations has highlighted the courage of Holocaust women such as Irene Nemirovsky, Germaine Tillion and Anne Frank.

The National Commission supported observance of the day this year with a memorial service at Wellington’s Makara Cemetery and a formal ceremony at Parliament.

UNESCO Sport for Dialogue, Diversity & Peace Forum 2011

UNESCO would like to use the occasion of the Rugby World Cup being held in New Zealand in 2011 to highlight and celebrate the contribution of local community organisations and individuals to the building of dialogue, diversity, inclusion and peace through sport.

It is proposed that this initiative include two parts:
1) a nationwide “Who is your local hero?” campaign inviting children and young people to nominate and document their ‘local heroes’ in their community who contribute to the building of dialogue, diversity, inclusion and peace through sport; and

2) a Sport for Dialogue, Diversity & Peace Forum bringing together a diverse range of people with experience in using sport to promote dialogue, diversity, inclusion and peace. The forum would ideally take place prior to the Rugby World Cup, just before or around the same time as the Pacific Forum Meeting in Auckland.

Pacific Languages

The National Commission will continue to support the development of a Pacific Languages Strategy. The National Commission will continue as a principal partner with the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, FAGASA and the Human Rights Commission to coordinate Samoan Language Week from 29 May to 4 June 2011.

Diversity Forum

Since the inception of the NZ Diversity Forum in 2004, the National Commission has taken a lead role in ensuring youth participation at the Forum. It has helped to organise youth forums prior to the Diversity Forum. The National Commission sees reaching and energising youth in the area of diversity as a significant part of its role, and will continue this activity in 2011. The 2011 Diversity Forum will be held in Hamilton, on 21 and 22 August.

Māori Language Week 4 July – 10 July

The National Commission will support Te Wiki o te Reo Māori in 2011.

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