Nepal & UNESCO
Fruitful Partnership

By Ramesh Prasad Gautam

THE UNITED Nations was established in October 24, 1945 with the principle of maintaining peace and security in the world. It has consistently pursued this end passing resolutions, mobilising international consensus and overseeing peace-keeping operations. With the main objectives of preventing further war, upholding human rights and conditions of equality and promoting international justices, social progress and better standards of life for the world’s people, the UN was established some fifty five years back.

Aim

Likewise, UNESCO was established on 4th November 1946 with the aim of developing the field of education, science, culture and communication. Nepal is also the member of UNESCO.

The global strategy maintained by UNESCO proposes launching a concerted action at the international area and community level if the fundamental values of democracy, peace, human rights and freedom are to be institutionalised and perpetuated in the minds of the people. Economic development and poverty alleviation are critical challenges before us. Most of our people are struggling to meet their basic food, shelter, clothing, health and educational needs. In such conditions how can the people enjoy democratic freedoms and choices? How can they survive when they do not have adequate means to live a life of human dignity? Among the vast disparities in economic, political and technical power base of nation states only the UN and UNESCO offer the necessary space for democratic self-determination for the small and the economically weak nations.

The UNESCO, as per its charter, exists to serve its member states. It is the only body of its kind with universal membership and comprehensive scope. This is the world of globalization. Globalisation has been made possible by the progressive dismantling of barriers to trade and capital mobility, together with fundamental technical advances. The world’s commitment to the poor should be seen, not only as moral imperative, but also as a common interest. Every country must take primary responsibility for its own programmes of economic growth and poverty reduction.

But the gap between have and have notes has not lessened. There has been substantial rise in the number of people below the poverty line. One fifth of the people of the globe are still subject to the scourges of illiteracy and ignorance. In fact, the objective of education to bring about a culture of peace is one of the mandated objectives of UNESCO.

Subsequently, the General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed the current year 2000 as a culture of peace. United Nations has declared the period 2001 - 2010 as international Decade for a culture of peace and non-violence against the children of the world. The concept of culture of peace indeed includes such complementary components as peace and non-violence, human rights, democracy, tolerance, international and inter-cultural understanding, cultural and linguistic diversities existing among the peoples of the world.

Similarly the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage has remained a challenge to the state and government in promoting social and economic development of the country. The preservation of cultural heritage ensures that culture remains as a creative force for socio-economic development.

We have thousands of monuments which carry historic archaeological scientific and architectural value. They are scattered in urban and rural areas. The monument zones of Kathmandu Valley which are included in the World heritage list as cultural heritages are the historic Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan, two Hindu religious sites like Pashupatinath, Changunarayan and two Buddhist sites like Swayambhu and Baudhnath. The monuments of Kathmandu valley were included in World Heritage list in 1979. Since December 4, 1997 Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha had been listed in the World Heritage list. Many monuments of ethnological importance and national importance are waiting to be identified as national and international monuments.

Awareness in cultural heritage conservation creates an atmosphere conducive for socio-economic development. Hence, the cultural heritage conservation plans and programmes need active public participation. So the country should launch plans and programmes to be drawn at national, regional and local levels. The analytical document should prepare the operational plans with detail specifications. The cultural cooperation programmes are needed for the promotion of culture. The cultural exchange programme among the friendly nations has helped in developing better understanding among them.

UNESCO has been supporting Nepal by providing assistance for the conservation of the monuments included in World Heritage list. Therefore the role of UNESCO has been always fruitful concerning the progress and prosperity of countries like Nepal. And every year, UNESCO Day inspires us to work more sincerely for the progress of the educational field. We have always supported UNESCO while this UN agency has participated in Nepal’s development. The establishment of UNESCO Regional Country office in Kathmandu would not only make us proud but also incase other responsib ilities which have been growing wider every year. However we do not seem to compare our works with those of the past and announce new programmes every year. We have become indifferent towards the results and causes of such programmes. Similarly, we have failed to evaluate properly as the result of which we have passed through ups and downs in economical, social, political and educational fields. To overcome all this, it is necessary for Nepal to renew its cooperation with UNESCO to continue its efforts effectively.

Focus

In this context according to the ideal of UNESCO, UNESCO Associated School Cooperation Council Nepal was established in 1994. It has the target of contributing in the field of education by providing standard and quality education in schools. Similarly, it is trying to build friendly relations among the schools and to fulfil the ideas of UNESCO, SAARC and world peace. It is trying to generate public awareness towards UNO, UNESCO and democracy. One of its basic aims is to plant in students hearts the seeds of tolerance, love, good will and respect for others. The students’ have to be trained in the school as their discipline and dynamism will bring about development which will be conducive in promoting national culture. Hence educational institutions should be made the principal focus of this programme.