Addis Ababa Office. E-Newsletter. Message from the Director. Dear readers,

Transcription

1 Addis Ababa Office E-Newsletter «Building Peace in the Minds of Men and Women» Volume 1 Issues 9 Message from the Director May-August 2016 Inside This Issue UNESCO/AU News Youth, Peace and Security, Gender and Human Rights, Citizenship and Heritage EDUCATION NEWS Consultation Workshop on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Dear readers, Highlights of the period include the official visit of the President of UNESCO General Conference, Mr. Stanley Mutuma Simata, We are indeed pleased about the visit, as he was able to learn and see first hand the work of the office. Prof. Alaphia Wright Natural Science Biosphere Reserves (BR) of Kafa, Sheka and Yaju CULTURE UNESCO s Conservation Study for the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela World Heritage Site The Ficha Chambalala Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription date was celebrated at Hawassa International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC) Improving leadership of Women Media Mr. Stanley Mutumba Simataa, President of UNESCO General Conference visited IICBA and Lision Office UNESCO Addis Ababa 1

2 UNESCO/AU NEWS The 10 th Commemoration of the African Youth Charter, A training workshop was organized by UNESCO from May 2016 as a side event for youth delegates attending the Banjul+10 meeting in Gambia. These two days training workshop titled, Youth, Peace and Security, Gender and Human Rights, Citizenship and Heritage, organized by UNESCO, in partnership with the Pan African Youth Network for Culture of Peace (PAYNCOP), as a contribution to the 10 th anniversary celebration of the African Youth Charter in Banjul, Gambia. The meeting examined and reflected on issues of violent youth extremism, global citizenship education, gender and social inclusion, and culture and heritage, within the broad framework of the concept Youth delegates attending the Banjul+10 meeting in Gambia UNESCO Addis Ababa of the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence, with over sixty participants. Ms. Lina Imran participated in the training workshop with the sponsorship of UNESCO Addis Ababa. 2

3 In November 2014 UNESCO through a David and Lucile Packard Foundation funded pilot project, supported selected three pilot Colleges of Teacher Education (CTEs), namely Assela, Jimma and Sebeta. The ongoing project aims to embed quality CSE in higher education, which will eventually be scaled up to all the relevant education levels. In its determination to promote the Eastern and Southern African Ministerial Commitment (ESA) of December 2013, which focuses on the provision of CSE and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services to the adolescent and youth of the regions, UNESCO Addis Ababa (ADI) has EDUCATION Enhancing Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Ethiopia, with a Particular focus on the Oromia Region Project undertaken various activities to this end. The team organized a series of forums from May, divided into 3 phases, to discuss with different partners (public and private partners, NGOs, UN agencies, faith-based organizations and the community at large), the issues of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and reach a common understanding on the subject and modalities of implementation.the first phase of the workshop took Professor Alaphia Wirght giving an opening Speech UNESCO Addis Ababa Participants from three CTE s UNESCO Addis Ababa place on 24 May and was attended by partners/stakeholders who are engaged in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) activities. Here the experiences of the partners were outlined; A first level, the naming and definition of CSE was coined. The second phase of the workshop was on 25 may, and was attended by the Deans of 12 colleges of Teachers Education (CTEs) from the Oromia Region and Arsi University. In this Meeting the Eastern and Southern African (ESA) ministerial commitment was Presented, highlighting the SRH issues teacher trainees, particularly 3

4 females, face in the College campuses. The third phase conducted from 26 to 27 May, where concerned government institutes, NGOs, UN agencies, relevant professional and youth associations were in attendance, the paradigm shift made to address the problems of HIV since the introduction of the ESA Ministerial Commitment were highlighted together with the essence of the Commitment; including what has been attempted to make it a reality in Ethiopia. Moreover, the problems of HIV and SRH related issues, as both a health and developmental challenge, was expounded together with the measures taken so far to address the problems, ranging from knowledge building to the provision of care and support. The nomenclature of CSE, its definition and importance in capacitating the youth from gender discrimination, early sexual debut, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation s Bi-annual Grantees and Partners Meeting The ED team attended the Packard Foundation s bi-annual grantees and partners meeting took place on 15 August in Addis Ababa. The theme of the event was Giving Voice to Evidence Research, communication and quality of health services. A member of the UNESCO ED team was invited to present the summarized findings of the three CSE thematic studies conducted by Assela, Jimma and Sebeta CTEs. The objectives of the meeting were to The ED team attending the meeting UNESCO Addis Ababa Group Discussion at Workshop UNESCO Addis Ababa unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion and negative peer pressure were agreed upon. Lastly, the participants pledged to own and contribute to the promotion and advocacy of the program. review project progress and lessons learnt, develop familiarity with the Ethiopian National Healthcare Quality Strategy, share research findings on selected topics of youth and quality care and also to network and collaborate with partners working in the same areas. 4

5 Natural Science During June 2016, Science team went on a mission to the Biosphere Reserves (BR) of Kafa, Sheka and Yaju. The team was joint by several stakeholders: UNEP, the Ministry of Science & Technology, Ecopia social business, Simien Eco Tours, NABU NGO, MELCA NGO, Ethiopian Coffee Forest Forum, GIZ the German Cooperation, Austrian Development Agency, and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Several purposes were at the base of the mission: To assist the MaB, National Committee hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology to be widely known and generally accepted as the federal coordination authority for all issues related to Biosphere Reserve in Ethiopia; To build a team between the Ministry of Science and Technology s MaB, NatCom, UNESCO, UN agencies, support agencies, NGOs and the private sector, related to the professional development and functioning of BR in Ethiopia; To identify pertinent BR development issues. During the mission, a potential new BR site was visited in Majang, all excursion team members were welcomed by the community and a discussion was conducted. The outcomes of the mission were significant. Coffe Musuem in Kafa UNESCO Addis Ababa Kafa Biosphere Reserves UNESCO Addis Ababa All stakeholders recognized the importance of informing MaB National Committee of the Ministry of Science & Technology about their plans and ongoing activities inside any of Ethiopia s existing and planned Biosphere Reserves. The excursion created clear understanding about the necessity to make existing BRs better functioning, by including the socioeconomic and nature conservation aspects. In addition all stakeholders recognized the requirements which have to be fulfilled before listing new BRs plus the urgency of developing proper tourism infrastructure to improve sustainable human living and enhance the function of BR S. 5

6 CULTURE UNESCO s Conservation Study for the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela World Heritage Site With the financial support from the Government of Norway, UNESCO undertakes a study and the preparation of the conservation plan for safeguarding the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela World Heritage Site. The project which have been implemented in two phases from 2006 to 2014 has been done in collaboration with the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages (ARCCH) and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC). The project funded by the government of USA, implemented the conservation plan successfully on two of the rock-hewn The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela World Heritage Site UNESCO Addis Ababa churches, namely Bet Gabriel and Bete Rafael. In the presence of the UNESCO Addis Ababa Office Director and representative to AU and ECA, Professor Alaphia Wright, the US Ambassador to Ethiopia, government and Church officials attended the event for project closing and consecration attended on 06, June On the occasion UNESCO/ADI is among the organizations received an award and recognition for its great contribution and support for conservation of the WHs and the implementation of the 1972 Convention. 6

7 TheFicha Chambalala Intangible Cultural Heritage inscription date was celebrated at Hawassa On the occasion, Professor E. Alaphia Wright, Director a.i. for UNESCO Liaison Office to the Africa Union Commission (AUC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Representative to Ethiopia has In doing so, professor further said, UNESCO and the government of Ethiopia has to work hand-in-hand more than ever before for the protection, conservation, promotion and sustainable use of the country s huge H.E. Dr. Mulatu Teshome (left) and Prof. Alaphia Wright (right); UNESCO Addis Ababa potential of cultural assets in a way to support the on-going socio-economic development of the country. Professor also handover the certificate for inscription of Ficha Chambalala in the UNESCO Representative list in 2013 to Engineer Ayisha Mohamod Federal Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The festival was celebrated in the presence of president of the country Ministers, dignitaries and the people at large. said that the Ficha Chambalala New Year Festival is an important and colorful event celebrated every year by full participation of all community groups ranging from elders to children and women. The professor highlights the importance of intangible cultural heritage in that it is not only the cultural manifestation itself but rather the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted from one generation to generation. 7

8 International Program for the Development of Communication With the financial support of the UNESCO IPDC, the Ethiopian Media Women Association (EMWA), in partnership with the UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison Office, conducted training session from 1-3 June 2016 on Improving leadership of Women Media practitioners. The Main Objective of the Leadership Training was to contribute to plurality and diversity of Media Women professionals through im prepared and distributed in advance to all the participants. The 3 days training covered the following topics: Board Governance Leadership and trans Women journalists attending the training session UNESCO Addis Ababa proving their capacities on leadership skills to transform themselves, their organizations and the public at large so that to bring a difference in the community to which they are a member. The training was attended by 21 women trainees coming from the 11 Ethiopian Regions: Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz Dire Dawa, Harari, Gambella, Oromia, SNNPR, Somali, Tigray and Addis Ababa. At the beginning of the training a manual on Leadership for Media Women Practitioners, which was Awarding Certificate of participation UNESCO Addis Ababa formational leadership and Change: Principles of leadership Factors of leadership Leader functions and roles Leadership competencies development and relationship Gender and leadership, Team leadership media leadership and Leadership concepts. During the 3 day training, participants engaged in fruitful discussions and shared their work and life experiences as women journalists. It is believed that the training has benefited and equipped the trainees with the knowledge and skills of Media leadership. 8

9 Education: Upcoming Events Installing solar energy for community learning center (CLC s) (Oct 2016) On line training on Girls Education monitoring Tools (Nov 2016) Science : QUEST 4 Africa III (Dec 2016) Culture: Validation workshop of the Quadrennial reporting (Oct 2016) Awareness creation workshop for stakeholders of the Omo and Awash World Heritage sites (Nov 2016) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) Addis Ababa Liaison Office, P.O.Box 1177 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: Fax: addis@unesco.org Website: addisababa/home/ For the different sections, please contact: Ms. Membere Abiey, Assistant to the Director, m.abiey@unesco.org Ms. Ophelia Stephenson-Odle, Finance and Administrative Officer o.stephenson-odle@unesco.org Mr. Samuel Asnake, Education Programme Coordinator s.asnake@unesco.org Dr. Benno Boer, Ecological Sciences Advisor Africa b.boer@unesco.org Mr. Getu Assefa, National Officer for Culture g.assefa@unesco.org Ms. Malebogo Bowe, Liaison Officer to AUC & ECA m.bowe@unesco.org Mr. Ashagre Bafekadu, IT Officer - Website, Newsletter a.befakadu@unesco.org 9