11 Feb 2014

Botswana has benefited from being a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Speaking in an interview at the UNESCO capacity building seminar for local authorities in Kasane recently, Education Hub coordinator, Lucky Moahi outlined the UNESCO participation programme as one of the ways that the country could benefit from.

“Funding is made available through responding to requests along the lines of education, communication, science, culture and other areas to member countries,” he explained.

He stated that Tsodilo Hills were listed as a world heritage site through the help of UNESCO and still in the area of culture and science, Bonnington Open Museum was made possible through Botswana’s membership and affiliation to UNESCO.

“We also have a project under education called Associated Schools Network Project, which includes schools such as Chobe Junior Secondary. The aim of this project is to co-ordinate and encourage activities aimed at developing education for international understanding and co-operation,” he explained.

He did admit, however, that Batswana were still not aware of what UNESCO was about and how they could better utilise their country’s membership, emphasising the need for information dissemination about the organisation.

When officially opening the conference, chairperson of the Botswana National Commission for UNESCO, Mr Rahim Khan highlighted the need to utilise UNESCO membership.

“We should ask ourselves whether we are maximising on what is being offered,” he said. He emphasised the need to utilise whatever resources were on offer as the country spent a lot of money on annual subscriptions.

“Let us give Batswana value for money and enrich their lives,” he said. Participants complained about the invisibility of UNESCO and said more needs to be done in marketing the organisation.

They also asked that there be a permanent representation or ambassador to represent the country at the UNESCO meetings. Currently, the contact person for Botswana is in Brussels, Belgium. ENDS