Statement by Elena Krasovskaya, Secretary General of the National Commission of the Republic of Belarus for UNESCO at the 15th Quadrennial and Statutory Conference of National commissions for UNESCO (31 May – 04 June 2008, Netherlands and Belgium) The Questionnaire on the draft programme and budget for 2010-2011 (35 C/5) was discussed together with governmental and non-governmental (NGOs) organizations of Belarus, the answers was summarized and we reached the following overall results. Regarding basic principles of programming: we are in favour of retaining for document 35 C/5 the structure whereby each Major Programme would have one principal priority and a limited of other priorities. In each Major Programme two-years sectoral’s priorities should be maintained. As for intersectoral platform: nothing to be add to the 12 intersectorality activities. UNESCO should proceed pursuing the intersectoral activities by: priority ranking and effectiveness; - activities at regional and inter-regional level; involvement of a wide spectrum of partners. Role and mission of UNESCO. UNESCO’s mandate as set out in its Constitution remains as relevant as ever. Thus there is no need to expand the list of issues in order to redefine the UNESCO future role and mission. The main challenges for UNESCO should continue to be 1. Support provided to the member states to achieve the Millennium development Goals 2. Assistance to the member states to reach the Education for All (EFA) objectives 3. Facilitation of dialogue between cultures and civilizations, through the promotion and protection of cultural diversity together with the observance of human rights 4. Support provided to the build up of the Knowledge societies based on equitable access, capacitybuilding in the field of ICT and global knowledge exchange 5. Eradication of extreme poverty 6. Protection and conservation of cultural, natural and audiovisual heritage. Concerning the visibility of UNESCO. To improve the visibility of the UNESCO and further the role of National Commissions the following measures are required: - increasing the volume of the Participation Programme; - coordination of the implementation of national projects (including cluster level) with the relevant National Commissions; - fostering day-to-day collaboration between National Commissions and the UNESCO Secretariat; - promoting collaboration between National Commissions and the UNESCO Secretariat regarding the implementation of bi- and multilateral projects; - strengthening the role of national Commissions on a country level, development and strengthening partnerships with state institutions and NGO’s, widening fields of activity; - strengthening National Commissions through regular training, provided by relevant Cluster Offices and Headquaters.