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About UNESCO
UNESCO - the specialized UN agency is the largest intergovernmental forum for the cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture. Its Constitution was signed on 16 November 1945 in London, and on 4 November 1946 the agency, consisting of 20 member states, was officially launched.
For this specialized United Nations agency, it is not enough to build classrooms in devastated countries or to publish scientific breakthroughs. Education, Social and Natural Science, Culture and Communication are the means to a far more ambitious goal: to build peace in the minds of men. As defined by Article I of the Constitution of UNESCO, the purpose of the Organization is to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.
Today UNESCO is composed of 193 Member States. It maintains close cooperation with UN and its specialized agencies, also has contractual relations with the leading international organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, The Organization of African Unity, the League of Arab States, ISESCO, etc. UNESCO actively cooperates with more than 600 leading international and non-governmental organizations.
UNESCO is composed of three main governing bodies: the General Conference, the Executive Board and the Secretariat.
The General Conference is the supreme body of UNESCO. It meets every two years, and is attended by Member States and Associate Members, together with observers for non-Member-States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Each country has one vote, irrespective of its size or the extent of its contribution to the budget. The General Conference determines the main lines of work of the Organization. Its duty is to set the programmes and the budget of UNESCO for the next two years. It also elects the Members of the Executive Board and appoints, every four years, the Director-General. The working languages of the General Conference are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
The Executive Board, in a sense, assures the overall management of UNESCO. It prepares the work of the General Conference and sees that its decisions are properly carried out. The functions and responsibilities of the Executive Board are derived primarily from the Constitution and from rules or directives laid down by the General Conference. Every two years the General Conference assigns specific tasks to the Board. Other functions stem from agreements concluded between UNESCO and the United Nations, the specialized agencies and other intergovernmental organizations.
It has 58 members are elected by the General Conference, largely, based on the diversity of the cultures and their geographical origin. The Executive Board meets twice a year.
The Secretariat is based in Paris and its functions permanently. The Secretariat employs civil servants from some 170 countries. The office of the Director-General of UNESCO has been held by Koïchiro Matsuura (Japan) since 15 November 1999. Along with its headquarters in Paris, UNESCO has a wide network of regional bureaus, institutions and centers in various countries of the world. Azerbaijan is covered by the Moscow Bureau of UNESCO.
Azerbaijan – UNESCO Relations
After gaining its independence in 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan has carried out the policy of the cooperation with a number of significant international and regional organizations. The Republic of Azerbaijan, deciding to cooperate with UNESCO providing its member states with the opportunities to benefit from assistance of high-level experts, technical aids, as well as the training of scientific and pedagogical personnel and the participation global scientific projects, joined the organization on 3 July 1992.
The delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hasan Hasanov participated in the 27th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO in October 1993. The head of the delegation noted that Azerbaijan participated in such a significant event for the first time and provided brief information about Azerbaijan. The most important was that during the session, the 500th anniversary of the birth of Azeri poet Muhammad Fizuli was included in the UNESCO list of the dates of birth of the outstanding persons to be celebrated.
The most significant step in the development of UNESCO-Azerbaijan relations was taken in the meeting of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev with the Director General of the UNESCO Federico Mayor during his official visit to the Republic of France in December 1993. During the meeting, the Parties discussed the perspective plans for enhancement and further development of the cooperation between them.
According to Article VII each Member State shall make such arrangements as suit its particular conditions for the purpose of associating its principal bodies interested in educational, scientific and cultural matters with the work of the Organization, preferably by the formation of a National Commission. Therefore, necessary measures for establishment of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO had been carried out and, on 21 February 1994, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev signed the Order providing for taking of all necessary measures for this purpose. According to the Order the National Commission was established within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was appointed the Chairman of the Commission and was authorized to set up the structure of the Commission. The Commission consisted of the 25 members, who were the heads of relevant ministries and agencies, intellectuals and other representatives of society, and the permanent secretariat. On 15 September 2005, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, taking into account the level of development of the mutual relations between UNESCO and the Republic of Azerbaijan, signed an Order on additional measures related with the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO. According to the Order, the new composition of the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO was defined. Currently the Chairman of the Commission is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov.
The National Commission determines the main lines of the policy of Azerbaijan in UNESCO.
The day-to-day operational work on the cooperation of Azerbaijan with UNESCO is carried out by the Permanent Secretariat of the National Commission within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baku and by the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO in Paris.
The headquarters of UNESCO is located in two separate offices in Paris
Address:
the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCO
Address:
the National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO
Address: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan
4 S. Gurbanov Street,
AZ-1109, Baku
Tel: + (99412) 596 94 07
Fax: + (99412) 596 94 07
E-mail:
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UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva
Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva put forth great efforts for enhancement of relations of Azerbaijan with UNESCO. This cooperation is not based only bilateral relations and not only two parties benefit from it. The ancient and rich culture of proceeded from national to international level and became a part of world culture. Being a multilateral international organization UNESCO provides opportunity for mutual cooperation of various countries, owing to which the young Republic of Azerbaijan could maintain the exchange of experience directly with UNESCO and various countries through it in the fields of education, science and culture.
The First Lady of Azerbaijan, the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva played a vital role in development, enhancement and strengthening of Azerbaijan-UNESCO relations. In September 2004, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva was designated as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Oral and Musical Traditions, in recognition of her contribution to promotion of traditional music, literature and poetry, her outstanding service in the fields of musical education and exchange of world cultures and her commitment to UNESCO’s ideas.
Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, who is a doctor by profession, is actively engaged in culture, education and sport. Organizing festivals, exhibitions, cultural events and concerts, through the foundation headed by her - The Friends of Azerbaijan Culture, she have rendered great services to the promotion of the cultural heritage of her country and contributed in its protection at national and regional levels. For the purpose of introducing the traditional classical music of Azerbaijan worldwide, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, initiated the establishment of an International Mugam Center in Baku.
In recognition of her large-scale and selfless activity in various field, including inter-civilization dialogue, her care of children in need, her support to activities targeted at improvement of their living conditions and education, as well as her contributions to the works done in the Islamic World, on 24 November 2006, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva was conferred the title of ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
The Republic of Azerbaijan has joined the following UNESCO Conventions:
1. 14 May 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1993), Protocol (1993) and the Second Protocol (1994) thereto;
2. 16 November 1972 Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1993);
3. 2 December 1979 Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region (1994);
4. 16 December 1983 Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific (1995);
5. 6 September 1952 Universal Copyright Convention (1997);
6. Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (1998);
7. 14 November 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1997);
8. 2 February 1971 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (2001);
9. 29 October 1971 Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms against Unauthorized Duplication of their Phonograms (2001);
10. 1995 International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects (2003);
11. 17 October 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2006);
12. 19 October 2005 International Convention against Doping in Sport (2007).
UNESCO Chairs at Azerbaijan Universities
1. Chair of Translation, Linguistics and Terminology at Azerbaijan University of Languages;
2. Chair on Human Rights, Democracy and Peace at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Sectoral national Committees
1. International Council of Museums (ICOM);
2. Management of Social Transformations (MOST);
3. International Hydrological Programme (IHP);
4. Man and the Biosphere programme (MAB);
5. International Bioethics Committee (IBC);
6. International Music Council;
7. International Theatre Institute.
The following events related to Azerbaijan have been decided to be celebrated within the framework of UNESCO programme of anniversaries of outstanding persons and historic events:
1996 – 500th anniversary of the birth of Muhammad Fizuli;
2000 – 1300th anniversary of “Kitabi Dada Gorgud”;
2001 – 800th anniversary of the birth of N.Tusi;
2002 – 200th anniversary of the birth of Azeri scholar, orientalist Mirza Kazimbay;
2005 – 100th anniversary of the birth of outstanding Azeri scholar academician Yusif Mammadaliyev;
2006 – 100th anniversary of the birth of famous Azeri carpet-maker artist Latif Karimov;
2008 – 100th anniversary of “Leyli and Majnun” Opera
2008 – 100th anniversary of the birth of Azeri scholar academician Musa Aliyev;
2008 – 100th anniversary of the birth of Azeri writer Mir Jalal Pashayev;
2009 - 100th anniversary of the birth of Azeri artist Sattar Bahlulzade.
Events held within the framework of UNESCO:
1. 1996 – events dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the birth of Fizuli;
2. 1997 – on the problems of technical professional education;
3. 1999 – on the problems of translation;
4. 2000 – dedicated to the 1300th anniversary of “Kitabi Dada Gorgud”;
5. 2001 – the second regional meeting of the Pedagogical Universities of the Caucasian countries;
6. 2001 - dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the birth of N.Tusi;
7. 2001 – international seminar on normative acts for protection of cultural heritage;
8. 2001 – “Digital Silk Road” regional seminar;
9. 2002 – on the most significant events of the XX century;
10. 2002 – dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mirza Kazimbay;
11. 2003 – on cultural corridor among GUAM States;
12. 2003 – UNESCO Turkic States Space Generation Forum;
13. 2003 – Seminar on improvement of professional skills in application of information and communication technologies in professional activity;
14. 2004 – dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict;
15. 2004 – regional seminar for national coordinators of Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) and the teachers of the schools included in the network, on the topic of “Quality Education in Practice”.
16. 2005 – Conference on the reform of the educational system in Azerbaijan, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris;
17. 5-6 may 2005, Baku, Conference aimed at establishment of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia Observatory under the cultural policy of GUAM, with the assistance of UNESCO and on the initiative of the Ministry of Culture;
18. 1-3 June 2005, Baku, 8th International Congress “Energy, Ecology, Economy”;
19. 23-26 August 2005, Official visit of the Director-General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura to Azerbaijan;
20. 24 August 2005, Baku, International conference, “UNESCO-Azerbaijan: bridge to the future”. Mutual Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation between UNESCO and Azerbaijan in the field of education was signed at the end of the Conference. The Memorandum provides for the cooperation in such priority areas as promotion of equal access to quality education, application of information and communication technologies in education, quality education through teacher training and curriculum development at all levels of education, establishment of international cooperation network;
21. 2005 – a number of events in Baku and the Headquarters of UNESCO (Paris) for celebration the 100th anniversary of the birth of famous Azeri scholar academician Yusif Mammadaliyev within UNESCO;
22. 16 January 2006 – Baku, International seminar on “Application of Information Technologies in Library Automation” held by Azerbaijan National Library named after M.F.Akhundov;
23. 25-27 January 2006 – Baku, International conference “Museum Management: Azerbaijan museums in face of economic and social changes”; held by Azerbaijan National Committee of International Council of Museums;
24. 15-16 March 2006 – a number of events devoted to the participation the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, in the Annual Meeting of the Goddwill Ambassadors in the Headquarters of the organization, attended by the Director-General of UNESCO and his Deputies;
25. 5-11 March 2006 – visit of two Norwegian experts, in connection with the inclusion of Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve into the UNESCO World Heritage List, with the assistance of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. As a result of the visit, the Plan of Actions meeting the requirements of UNESCO was prepared by experts;
26. 19 may 2006 – “Agreement on Implementation of the National Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Mugam of Azerbaijan as a Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” was signed between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNESCO, according to the Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
27. 12-13 June 2006 – Baku, International conference on the results of the “Promotion of Inclusive Education in Azerbaijan” Project, implemented by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the financial assistance of UNESCO. The main objective of the one-year project is to provide opportunities for upbringing and education of the children in need of special care (children with mental and physical disabilities) at the kindergartens and secondary schools. As the result of the project 22 children in need of special care were involved in upbringing and education at Kindergarten No. 80 and School Lyceum No. 43 in Baku city, as well as at Kindergarten No. 66 and School No. 4 in Sumgayit.
28. 19 October 2006 – Azerbaijan Day held under the title 'Azerbaijan: On the Junction of Cultures and Civilizations' in frame of 'Dialog Among Civilizations' week dedicated to the 60th anniversary of UNESCO in the headquarters of UNESCO;
29. 18-21 September 2006 – Baku, International seminar on “Development of Professional Education in Azerbaijan” and national seminar on “Application of Credit System in Universities of Azerbaijan” held by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the financial assistance of UNESCO within the framework of the Memorandum on the cooperation in the field of education signed between Azerbaijan and UNESCO in 2005;
30. 19 February 2007 – the Headquarters of UNESCO, Paris, International Symposium on “Azerbaijan Carpet Trade” and “Azerbaijan Carpet” Exhibition, devoted to the 100th anniversary of the birth of carpet-maker, people’s artist Latif Karimov, within the framework of UNESCO programme of anniversaries of outstanding persons and historic events;
31. 21 February 2007 – Roundtable at Azerbaijan Ataturk Center on the occasion of the International Day of Native Language, jointly organized by National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, Azerbaijan Ataturk Center and UN Department of Public Information;
32. 27 April 2007 – Protocol on Cooperation between Heydar Aliyev Foundation and ISESCO was signed by the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva and the Director-General of ISESCO Abdulaziz bin Osman al Tuweijri, who was in visit to Azerbaijan. The Protocol, regulating major principles of cooperation for 5 years, envisages development of ties in field of science, education and culture, development and implementation of joint projects, coordination of actions;
33. 18 June 2007 – Agreement on the plan of implementation of the “Development of Professional Education” project was signed between UNESCO, the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Heydar Aliyev Foundation, in Heydar Aliyev Foundation;
34. 18-19 June 2007 – Baku, the 5th Baku International Conference of Ombudsmen on “Capacity-building support for Ombudsmen in Promotion and Protection of Human Rights” held by the Ombudsman Institute of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the financial assistance of UNESCO;
35. 21 November 2007 – Première of the films “Artificial Violets” and “Days in Meditation” devoted to mugam performer Fargana Gasimova, within the framework of the International project “Screening the Art of Mugam”, during the 7th International Audiovisual Festival in the Business Center;
36. 19 December 2007 - website of the “Information Observatory on Cultural Policy of the GUAM Countries” was launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, according to the agreement with Moscow Bureau of UNESCO;
37. 2007 – “Analytical Report on the State of the Youth in Azerbaijan” was published, according to the agreement between Moscow Bureau of UNESCO and the national Commission;
38. 2007 – website “Atlas of traditional music of Azerbaijan” was launched with the financial assistance of UNESCO.
39. 14-16 may 2008 – Baku, “Gulustan” Palace, Conference entitled “Addressing Literacy Challenges in Europe with a sub-regional focus: Building Partnerships and Promoting Innovative Approaches”, a part of a series of the UNESCO Regional Conferences in Support of Global Literacy. The Conference organized by UNESCO, Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Education was held on the initiative of the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Godwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva. The Conference was attended by the Director-General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, as well as Ministers of Education of a number of countries and many experts, representatives of Azerbaijan Government and the Ambassadors of Foreign countries to Baku.
40. 10-11 June 2008 – Baku, Gulustan Palace, International Forum on Expanding the Role of Women in Cross-cultural Dialogue. The forum organized under the initiative of President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva and co-sponsored by UNESCO and ISESCO, was attended by more than 300 representatives from various countries of the world, including a number of First Ladies, the Director-General of ISESCO and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors.
Cultural and natural heritage of Azerbaijan
Protection of the cultural and natural heritage of Azerbaijan is one of the main lines in cooperation with UNESCO.
Icharishahar Architectural Complex which is the historical center of Baku was included in the World Heritage List in December 2000. However, due to the earthquake in Azerbaijan, the architectural monuments were damaged, therefore on 4 July 2003, in the 27th session of World Heritage Committee, Icharishahar complex was included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger. Currently, relevant measures for exclusion of Icharishahar from the list are underway. The report of the works done is submitted to UNESCO World Heritage Center every year.
According to the decision adopted at the 31st session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee (New Zealand, 2007), Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve was included in the World Heritage List.
For protection of the natural heritage of Azerbaijan, the candidacy documents for Hirkan Forests were prepared and submitted to the World Heritage Committee. Relevant measures are being taken for this purpose.
In 1999, Azerbaijan mugam performer Alim Gasimov won the first prize of UNESCO/International Music Council.
On 7 November 2003, Azerbaijan mugam was declared the masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
In 2008, Azerbaijan composer and pedagogue Firangiz Alizada was conferred the title of “Artist for Peace”.
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