31 Oct 2011

UNESCO / VOTE

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today voted to admit Palestine as a full member of the Paris-based agency by a vote of 107 in favour to 14 against, with 52 abstentions. UNESCO

Posted at: October 31, 2011 4:01 pm

Duration: 01:49

Available in: SD

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STORY: UNESCO / VOTE
TRT: 1:49
SOURCE: UNESCO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: FRENCH / ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 31 OCTOBER 2011, PARIS, FRANCE

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot, UNESCO conference
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Irina Bokova, Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization:  
"I consider our action to empower or promote the formation of teachers to ensure education of students in the Gaza strip. I consider the scholarships that we fund the workshops to educate on the protection of journalists. I want to say that UNESCO is strongly investing in the maintenance of cultural heritage and for the application of a long-term action plan for the sites of Tell Balata Nablus, the archaeological park and the mosaics of Qasr Hisham and the Nativity church and the Riwaya Museum Bethlehem."
3. Wide shot, UNESCO conference
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Irina Bokova, Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization:  
"Let me be frank. As Director-General, it is my responsibility to say that I am concerned by the potential challenges that may arise to the universality and financial stability of the Organization. I am worried we may confront a situation that could erode UNESCO as a universal platform for dialogue. I am worried for the stability of its budget. It is well-known that funding from our largest contributor, the United States, may be jeopardized. I believe it is the responsibility of all of us to make sure that UNESCO does not suffer unduly as a result."
5. Wide shot, UNESCO conference

STORYLINE:

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today (31 Oct) voted to admit Palestine as a full member of the Paris-based agency.

UNESCO's General Conference, the agency's highest ruling body, took the decision by a vote of 107 in favour to 14 against, with 52 abstentions, according to a news release. 
The move brings the total number of UNESCO member States to 195.

UNESCO's General Conference, the agency's highest ruling body, took the decision by a vote of 107 in favour to 14 against, with 52 abstentions, according to a news release.

Bokova voiced concern by the "potential challenges" that may arise to the universality and financial stability of UNESCO. "I am worried we may confront a situation that could erode UNESCO as a universal platform for dialogue. I am worried for the stability of its budget.

For its membership to take effect, Palestine must sign and ratify UNESCO's constitution, which is open for signature in the archives of the Government of the United Kingdom in London.

Admission to UNESCO for States that are not members of the UN requires a recommendation by the agency's Executive Board and a two-thirds majority vote in favour by the General Conference.

The General Conference, which consists of the representatives of the States that are members of the agency, meets every two years, and is attended by member States and associate members, together with observers for non-member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

It is tasked with setting the programmes and the budget of UNESCO. It also elects the members of the Executive Board and appoints, every four years, the Director-General. The current 36th session of the General Conference began on 25 October and will run through 10 November.

UNESCO's mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.