Pokhriyal chairs meeting of Indian National Commission For Cooperation with UNESCO

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ chaired the meeting of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU) in New Delhi on January 30, 2020.

Minister of State for HRD Sanjay Dhotre was also present at the meeting. The Representative of India to the Executive Board of UNESCO J S Rajput, Secretary HRD cum Secretary General of INCCU Amit Khare, members of the INCCU and senior officials of the Ministry were also present on the occasion.

The membership of National Commission consists of members of five Sub Commissions namely, Sub Commission for (i) Education (ii) Natural Sciences (iii) Social Sciences (iv) Communication (v) Culture. The members of the Sub Commissions briefed the chair about the activities carried out by their respective Sub Commissions.

Speaking on the occasion, Pokhriyal said that the reconstituted National Commission has met for the first time on January 30, 2020, and let this be the first of many such regular and meaningful interactions that will help build India’s stature and position across countries. He added that the National Commission can play a powerful role in coordinating the activities that are being carried out by the institutions under each of the five sub commissions so that India’s efforts and achievements get due support, acknowledgement and recognition across countries. Our work needs to be projected more at the international level so that we can contribute more to towards fulfilment of the objectives of UNESCO while also strengthening India’s image globally, he said, according to a PIB release.

Pokhriyal said that India is one of the founding members of UNESCO and has always played an active role in promoting its ideals and objectives in the fields of education, culture, communication, natural sciences and social and human sciences. He added that the Government of India is fully committed to the attainment of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and every Ministry is making huge efforts in this direction. He said that in the field of education, India is working to further UNESCO’s objective of making quality education available to everyone.  A New Education Policy is on the anvil, which has been formulated after the largest ever process of consultation with stakeholders.

The Minister further said that in the culture sector, UNESCO’s programmes aim to promote, preserve and safeguard cultural heritage and spread respect for all cultures. He also said that India has been playing a very positive role in the field of Science by promoting scientific programmes and policies as platforms for development and cooperation. He further said that India also supports UNESCO’s works towards freedom of expression, which is a key condition for democracy and development, as also its objectives in the field of social sciences.

Pokhriyal asked the five Sub Commissions to meet regularly on their own to discuss the work they are doing and identify the challenges they are facing. They should inform National Commission of all developments in their respective sectors for proper coordination. He hoped that the National Commission will identify and take up issues in India’s interest with the UNESCO Headquarters through the Permanent Representative of India.