We the participants from different Government Ministries and Departments, Universities and Civil Society met at the Sun “N” Sand Beach Resort in Mombasa at the invitation of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Gathered as Key Stakeholders of the Kenya National Commission (KNATCOM) for UNESCO, we reviewed the Commission’s mission, vision, functions and structures. We deliberated on the issues and challenges facing the KNATCOM with a view to mapping a way forward towards a reformed, efficient and effective institution for service delivery to Kenyans.

Following the intensive deliberations, we took note that:

• The framework provided by Article VII of the UNESCO Constitution calls on each Member State to set up a National Commission.

• UNESCO has a significant capacity to influence, facilitate and advance progress in human development.

• The KNATCOM is well placed to coordinate, link, and facilitate the activities of the key ministries and other stakeholders in advancing key programmes of UNESCO related to education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture and communication.

• The KNATCOM has the potential to work with partners to effectively contribute towards poverty alleviation, enhance education, development of Science and Technology, to promote utilization of ICT for sustainable development as well as to facilitate, appreciate and preserve Kenya’s valuable cultural heritage.

Having exhaustively deliberated on the Agenda and taking cognizance of the specialized and technical nature of the UNESCO programme areas, we the participants recommend that the KNATCOM should have the necessary skills, competencies and capacities. To achieve this goal, there is an urgent need to ensure:

• Competitive recruitment of the KNATCOM Secretariat.

• That the capacity of Kenyan’s participation in UNESCO Programmes and activities is boosted through appointment of a separate Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

• That those officers posted to the KNATCOM especially, the Secretary General and the Deputy serve for a minimum of four years so as to sustain and strengthen the impact of the KNATCOM.

• That partnerships and networks between UNESCO, the KNATCOM, the key ministries and other critical stake-holders are enhanced and the modalities for partnership strengthened.

• That the current legal framework under which the KNATCOM is operating should be reviewed, in order to ensure a vibrant and effective institution.

• That timely pre and post - General Conference consultations and preparations be undertaken regularly in order to facilitate effectiveness and that delegations to UNESCO conferences, meetings and workshops should always have the necessary competences, skills and attitudes.

• That a Strategic Plan that will enable the KNATCOM to define, organize and rationalize its functions and modalities for service delivery be developed.
• That all those concerned take immediate action to actualize the recommendations of this meeting.

• That appointments of Commissioners, Programme and Expert Committees are rationalized.

It gives me pleasure to be here this morning, to open this workshop for stakeholders and partners of Kenya National Commission for UNESCO. This provides all of us with an opportunity to review our roles in international co-operation and reflect our contribution to shaping the global agenda in UNESCO’s five areas of Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, Communication and Information.

Ladies and gentlemen, the 21st century is characterized by a globalization and hence our competitiveness as a nation will be determined by the extent to which we put in place appropriate strategies and mechanisms to address these challenges. With the current trends, the prosperity and well being of nations will increasingly depend on the knowledge and skills of its peoples. No longer is the wealth of nations going to be determined by its capital assets such as land, minerals, oil and buildings. Much more, it will depend on a nation’s advances, particularly in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Science and Technology and the impact these have on the gross domestic product of the country.

Unfortunately, Africa still faces many problems and challenges in these areas, hence it is not able to accelerate progress in poverty reduction. Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO while delivering a speech to a Session of NEPAD in July 2004 noted this gloomy situation that 50% of the continent’s food is imported, the continent hosts 2/3 of worlds AIDS carriers, two out of 3 least developed countries in Africa, 50% of the worlds’ refugees are in Africa, 95% of exports are basic products, Africa contributed only 1.3% to world trade in 2002 and has the lowest life expectancy of all continents at 47 years. Given this situation he expressed doubts whether some of the millennium Development Goals will be met by 2015.

Mr. Chairman, Kenya is making efforts to meet its commitments towards the global agenda of poverty reduction, provision of quality education to all citizens, protecting the human rights of the vulnerable groups, empowering women and training experts in Science and Technology. We do those things because we believe that rapid economic growth is the only assured way of reducing poverty. However, in the medium term, interventions that increase access to social services, and reduce inequalities can improve the situation of the poor even before the impacts of rapid economic growth can begin to be felt. It is for this reason that the Government decided to implement Free Primary Education in 2003.

The contribution of education to economic progress cannot be over-emphasized as education is a key determinant of earnings and an important exit route from poverty. Thus, to ensure quality and relevant education we have embarked on a continuous review of the curriculum at all levels, enhanced supervision to ensure quality assurance, provision of learning and teaching resources and strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders. We have also published Sessional Paper No.1 of 2005 “Policy Frame Work for Education and Training”, to guide our Education policy in the 21st Century.

Ladies and Gentlemen, promotion of scientific knowledge and the development of technology are essential requirements for national, social and economic progress. The products of science and technology are the means to improved quality of life for our people as well as the improvement of the physical and social environments. Thus the various Scientific Research Institutes in Agriculture, Medicine, Forestry, Marine and Fisheries, Industrial Research and Natural Museums are key partners in this endeavour. We must also make progress towards ensureing food security, health and sustainable use of the resources of the oceans, sustainable use and protection of bio-sphere reserves and World Heritage Sites.

However, greater investments will need to be put in place to support agricultural related livelihoods as well as increased funding for research to exploit the fruits of biotechnology and other advances in science. Degradation of the environment through pollution, poor waste management and deforestation is a major challenge to Kenya and in Sub-Saharan Africa. Persistent threats to the water catchments, depletion of fish and other marine stock, pollution of rivers and destruction of biodiversity, all threaten the existence of the world’s population because people cannot be assured of fresh and quality life in future.

Mr. Chairman, we believe that promotion and protection of human rights, particularly women’s rights, democratization, promotion of peace and youth activities are central to the balanced development. Thus, Kenya continues to promote freedom of expression and information as well as zero tolerance to corruption. Policies of transparency and accountability will ensure good governance and enhance community participation and empowerment, in resolving the issues that plague our societies. This is the trend that we must all pursue for our common good.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we believe that promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, as well as safeguarding intangible cultural rights are important aspects for the protection of the positive aspects of our cultural heritage. Thus, the Government through the Ministry of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Heritage will continue to ensure that our way of life supports sustainable development and human rights. Towards this goal, all our institutions must play their roles.

On ICT, there is no doubt that capacity for ICT in the production and dissemination of knowledge and creation of employment and the building of alliances are key to national development of our society. Further there is a growing awareness that ICT is playing an important role in international development efforts by providing new and more efficient methods of production, bringing previously unattainable markets within the reach of local producers, improving the delivery of Government services and increasing access to basic social goods and services. Here, the role of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Information and Communication and our universities will continue to use ICT as a catalyst for enhancement and promotion of collaboration and linkages. For these reason Ministry of Education intends to mainstream ICT in the Education curriculum at all levels.

Finally, turning to the forthcoming UNESCO General Conference, our participation must be both strategic and results based. We must draft proposals to address national, regional and international concerns, and ensure that these are incorporated in the UNESCO programmes and budget for 2006/7. This calls for effective lobbying and networking skills. Further, maximum utilization of what is already in the proposed budget will call for considerable efforts on the part of our experts and partners. Your suggestions on how to address the above issues are welcome and will go a long way in taking forward co-operation in the above areas.

Finally, to achieve all the above we need a strong National Commission for UNESCO. This is the institution that creates bridges between us and UNESCO and her partners. For this reason, we need a strong focuses and skilled Commission and Secretariat. I look forward to receiving your recommendations on how to put in place such an institution. Please be honest and feel free to offer your advise.

With these remarks, I declare this workshop officially open.

Thank you and good luck in your deliberations.