Written Statement to be presented orally during the first session of the Director General’s Consultation on the Draft Programme and Budget for 20102011 (35C/5) of National Commissions for UNESCO in Europe and North America

National Commission of NORWAY Spokesperson presenting the statement: Acting President, Ms Vigdis Lian

The Medium Term Strategy (34 C/4) and Programme and Budget (34 C/5) are significantly improved. However, we need a more analytical Director-Generals report (C/3), with less activities and more outcomes related to resources used. To provide a good overview, all three documents should have a parallel structure. The relation between the three documents should be transparent and easy to monitor: 1. The strategic objectives should be defined in the C/4, 2. transformed into Main Lines of Actions and expected results in the C/5 3. and the results reported on and analyzed in the C/3. We need even better steering tools to make UNESCO a better and stronger organisation, alongside with the rest of the UN. A strong and efficient UN is the only tool we’ve got to handle global challenges. Without an efficient UN the prospects for the world’s future are in fact rather gloomy. The main objective of the UN-wide reform is to make the UN-system deliver results according to the Millennium Development Goals. Quite radical changes will have to take place in the coming years. So we need to help UNESCO want to make the necessary changes. The challenges also call for the will and ability to make priorities, and to include the gender perspective and sustainable development at programme level. As national commissions, we need to be ardent agents vis à vis our member states in all of UNESCO’s four sectors: In education, we must encourage our member states in a vigorous manner to deal with the issue of at least 18 million missing teachers, the financing gap and the equity gap in relation to the six EFA Goals. In natural, social and human sience, we must urge UNESCO to step up its work as a science policy adviser for member states, where it has a unique role to play globally and within the UN. In culture, we must help improve the links between cultural heritage, diversity and intercultural dialogue, and strengthen cooperation with programmes of other sectors. In communication, we must enable UNESCO to cultivate its normative function related to standard-setting and policy advice, especially in Communication for Development, where UNESCO should take the lead role. For UNESCO there is opportunity in severe challenges. This opportunity must be taken.

The oral presentation may be a summary of a written statement of no longer than 350 words. ”Oral statement” kan vi utforme i de kommende to ukene. The focus will be on larger subjects (no procedures or financial matters). At each table all 10 delegates are invited to bring forward relevant subjects, explaining concisely what, why and how UNESCO should address the proposed subject.