The Ministry of Education and Skills Development this week appointed 14 Commissioners for the Botswana National Commission (BOTNATCOM) for UNESCO.
“It is important that the National Commission is efficiently and effectively guided and supported by Commissioners representing select and critical key government ministries, departments, civil society and NGOs based on priorities that would have been determined by the General Conference of UNESCO at its biennial,” said Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development Patrick Masimolole.
He said in the ministry’s execution of UNESCO’s fields of competence, the Commissioners will play a pivotal role to ensure programme activities speak to the needs Botswana.
Masimolole said Botswana’s membership to UNESCO brings tangible benefits, among them education and development.
He reminded the Commissioners of their collective responsibility in making sure Botswana reaps maximum benefits in belonging to UNESCO.
During the launch, minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi had just returned from UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris where she shared with the Director General a number of strategic initiatives aligned to Botswana’s national priorities.
On the BOTNATCOM diary is the 37th General Conference of UNESCO to be held in Paris during October-November 2013.
The Botswana National Commission for UNESCO was established by the Presidential Directive (CAB 21/83 of 1983). It serves as a liaison between UNESCO and Botswana, all organisations and individual working in the fields of education, the sciences, culture and communication and information.
It ensures the participation of Botswana in the preparations and evaluation of UNESCO programmes and activities.
It also assists in dissemination of information about UNESCO and fosters relations with other national commissions.
Rahim Khan will be the Chairperson of BOTNATCOM.
