01 Mar 2015

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has nominated Dr Gloria Somolekae as Botswana’s candidate for the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the 2016-2019 period .

A news release from the Ministry of Education and Skills Development stated that the executive board was one of the three constitutional organs of UNESCO and was elected by the general conference. It consisted of 58 member states and members served for four years.

The mandate of the executive board is to prepare the agenda of the general conference, examine UNESCO programme and budget estimates that are submitted by the director general for consideration. 

The board is also responsible for the execution of the programmes adopted by the general conference as well as to summon extra ordinary session of the general conference. Dr Somolekae holds a PHD in Public Administration and a Masters in Public Policy and Administration. 

The release said Dr Somolekae, as a former minister, had strong knowledge and experience in governance matters, democracy and electoral management, policy analysis and rural development programming.

She is also a competent researcher, who did extensive work in consultancy for Botswana’s Education Hub and as a lecture at the University of Botswana for more than seven years, and was  involved in advocacy initiatives and board member on a number of initiatives both locally, regionally and internationally.

The release further stated that the nominee will be submitted at Botswana’s Embassy in Brussels and mobilisation for her campaign would commence. The nomination will take place during the 38th session of UNESCO General Conference to be held in November 2015 at UNESCO Headquarters in France. ENDS