Zimbabwe News Update
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Daniel ChigunweCorrespondentTHE ongoing UNESCO general conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, will offer Zimbabwe a platform to reaffirm its commitment to multilateral cooperation in the field of education, science, culture and communication.Zimbabwe is participating at the ongoing 43rd General Conference, which started on Thursday.Among other key global priorities, 194 member states and associate members expected to vote and debate on UNESCO’s programme and budget.Led by Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava, who is also the chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO, the Zimbabwean delegation will participate in plenary sessions and various thematic commissions covering UNESCO’s core areas of competence.The delegation is further expected to highlight Zimbabwe’s recent achievements in education reform, scientific innovation and cultural heritage preservation while identifying strategic areas for continued collaboration and support from UNESCO and other international partners.This bi-annual gathering carries particular significant for Bangladesh as Ambassador Khondker Talha has been elected President of the 43rd session and will preside over what is UNESCO’s highest governing body, guiding deliberations that will shape the organisation strategic directions and global policy agenda over the next two years.Speaking on the sidelines of the conference in Samarkand, secretary-general for Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO Ms Margaret Julia Chirapa said participation at the event underscores the country’s commitment to aligning with the agency’s global objectives.“The National Development Strategy recognises science as the driver of economic development; this is why Zimbabwe has focused on science, technology and innovation, leading to the establishment of science parks, innovation hubs and agro-industrial parks,” said Ms Chirapa.UNESCO also recognises that science is the cornerstone of a country’s development and is committed to assist member states through initiatives such as the Recommendation on Science and Scientific Research and Recommendations on Open Science.She said Zimbabwe’s continues to be committed to the protection and preservation of culture.“President Mnangagwa has consistently encouraged the safeguarding of our cultural heritage and under the UNESCO Priority Africa, one of the flagship initiatives focuses on building human capacity for heritage preservation, an area where our country continues to make significant strides.”Ms Chirapa also highlighted ongoing collaboration in communication and information.Turning to education, she said Zimbabwe is actively implementing several initiatives supported by UNESCO, including Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and efforts to “green the curriculum”.“Both education ministries are working on integrating sustainability into the curriculum with UNESCO support,” she said.“Zimbabwe also recognises the importance of protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
The development of the National Disability Policy which UNESCO helped shape, reflects this commitment.“In September, UNESCO regional office funded the establishment of provincial mechanisms in all ten provinces to implement this policy and trained officials on how to effectively support persons with disability.”Meanwhile, a major highlight of Zimbabwe’s participation will be Minister Shava’s address scheduled Monday during the plenary session.His address is anticipated to outline Zimbabwe’s vision for advancing UNESCO mission and reaffirm the country’s commitment to leveraging education, science, culture and communication as pillars for national development and regional cooperation.Leave a ReplyCancel reply
Daniel ChigunweCorrespondentTHE ongoing UNESCO general conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, will offer Zimbabwe a platform to reaffirm its commitment to multilateral cooperation in the field of education, science, culture and communication.Zimbabwe is participating at the ongoing 43rd General Conference, which started on Thursday.Among other key global priorities, 194 member states and associate members expected to vote and debate on UNESCO’s programme and budget.Led by Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava, who is also the chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO, the Zimbabwean delegation will participate in plenary sessions and various thematic commissions covering UNESCO’s core areas of competence.The delegation is further expected to highlight Zimbabwe’s recent achievements in education reform, scientific innovation and cultural heritage preservation while identifying strategic areas for continued collaboration and support from UNESCO and other international partners.This bi-annual gathering carries particular significant for Bangladesh as Ambassador Khondker Talha has been elected President of the 43rd session and will preside over what is UNESCO’s highest governing body, guiding deliberations that will shape the organisation strategic directions and global policy agenda over the next two years.Speaking on the sidelines of the conference in Samarkand, secretary-general for Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO Ms Margaret Julia Chirapa said participation at the event underscores the country’s commitment to aligning with the agency’s global objectives.“The National Development Strategy recognises science as the driver of economic development; this is why Zimbabwe has focused on science, technology and innovation, leading to the establishment of science parks, innovation hubs and agro-industrial parks,” said Ms Chirapa.UNESCO also recognises that science is the cornerstone of a country’s development and is committed to assist member states through initiatives such as the Recommendation on Science and Scientific Research and Recommendations on Open Science.She said Zimbabwe’s continues to be committed to the protection and preservation of culture.“President Mnangagwa has consistently encouraged the safeguarding of our cultural heritage and under the UNESCO Priority Africa, one of the flagship initiatives focuses on building human capacity for heritage preservation, an area where our country continues to make significant strides.”Ms Chirapa also highlighted ongoing collaboration in communication and information.Turning to education, she said Zimbabwe is actively implementing several initiatives supported by UNESCO, including Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and efforts to “green the curriculum”.“Both education ministries are working on integrating sustainability into the curriculum with UNESCO support,” she said.“Zimbabwe also recognises the importance of protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
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