2 Nov 2011

UNESCO / US FUNDING REAX

The head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today voiced regret over the decision by the United States to withhold its dues to the agency, saying that reduced funding will affect its ability to implement crucial programmes in education, support. UNESCO

Posted at: November 2, 2011 5:51 pm

Duration: 02:08

Available in: SD

DOWNLOAD

Full script

STORY: UNESCO / US FUNDING REAX
TRT: 2:08
SOURCE: UNESCO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 2 NOVEMBER 2011, PARIS, FRANCE / RECENT

SHOTLIST:

RECENT – 31 OCTOBER 2011, PARIS, FRANCE

1. Wide shot, UNESCO meeting admitting Palestine as a member

2 NOVEMBER 2011, PARIS, FRANCE

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO:
"In this time of economic crisis and social transformation, I believe that UNESCO's vital work to promote global stability and democratic values is in America's core interests. The United States is a critical partner in UNESCO's work. The withholding of U.S. dues and other financial contributions required by U.S. law will weaken UNESCO's effectiveness and undermine its ability to build free and open societies."

RECENT – 31 OCTOBER 2011, PARIS, FRANCE

3. Med shot, Bokova talking at meeting

2 NOVEMBER 2011, PARIS, FRANCE

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO:
"Across the world, we stand up for each journalist who is attacked or killed, because we are the UN agency with the mandate to protect freedom of expression. In Washington, earlier this year, I awarded the UNESCO Press Freedom Award to an imprisoned Iranian journalist, Ahmad Zeidabadi."

RECENT – 5 OCTOBER 2011, PARIS, FRANCE

5. Various shots, UNESCO Executive Board voting to recommend Palestine

2 NOVEMBER 2011, PARIS, FRANCE

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO:
"The announced withholding of U.S. dues owed for 2011 will immediately affect our ability to deliver programmes in critical areas: achieving universal education, supporting new democracies and fighting extremism.  So I call on the U.S. administration, Congress and the American people to find a way forward and continue support for UNESCO in these turbulent times."

RECENT – 31 OCTOBER 2011, PARIS, FRANCE

7. Wide shot, UNESCO meeting admitting Palestine as a member

STORYLINE:

The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today (2 Nov) voiced regret over the decision by the United States (US) to withhold its dues to the agency, saying that reduced funding will affect its ability to implement crucial programmes in education, support for emerging democracies and the fight against extremism. 
 
UNESCO's General Conference on Monday voted to admit Palestine as a full member of the Paris-based agency. The decision was supported by 107 member States, with 14 against and 52 abstentions. The United States had opposed the move.

Bokova said she believed that at a time of economic crisis and social transformation, UNESCO's work was vital to promote global stability and democratic values, which she said were core interests of the US.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced deep concern over Israel's response to the UNESCO General Conference's decision in favour of Palestinian membership.

Media reports yesterday indicated that Israel plans to accelerate the building of new apartments in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and that the transfer of revenue to the Palestinian Authority would be suspended in the light of the decision at UNESCO.

The Secretary-General also expressed concerned over the implications for UNESCO's funding following the decision of the agency's General Conference, according to the statement.

"The decision was the prerogative of Member States, and he wishes to work with them on practical solutions to preserve UNESCO's financial resources.

US funding has enabled UNESCO to develop and sustain free and competitive media in Iraq, Tunisia and Egypt. In Afghanistan, US support has helped UNESCO to teach thousands of police officers to read and write.

"Across the world, we stand up for each journalist who is attacked or killed, because we are the UN agency with the mandate to protect freedom of expression. In Washington, earlier this year, I awarded the UNESCO Press Freedom Award to an imprisoned Iranian journalist, Ahmad Zeidabadi," she said.

UNESCO is also the only UN agency with the mandate to promote Holocaust Education worldwide, and has, with funding provided by the US and Israel, been developing curricula to ensure that the Holocaust is never forgotten.