The world faces unprecedented challenges in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Collaboration between organizations like UNESCO and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) is crucial to accelerate the progress.
This report summarizes a productive dialogue held on May 8th, 2024, at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, which brought together UNESCO representatives and various international, regional and national NGOs to explore how to further strengthen this vital partnership. I attended the meeting with one of my mentees, who is a rotaractor.
The meeting was led by Nick Newland Chairperson of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee and Sabina Colombo, Chief of Civil Society Partnerships.
The conference highlighted the significant value UNESCO places on collaboration with NGOs. Nick Newland, emphasized the organization’s commitment to engage and amplify the voices of NGOs on crucial priorities at the United Nations Civil Society Conference.
UNESCO has a well-established framework for cooperation with NGOs. The framework allows for consultation and collaboration with NGOs in areas aligned with UNESCO’s core competencies. UNESCO also invites NGOs to undertake specific tasks. This framework is supported by partnerships with member states.
The priority areas for collaboration include The Ocean Decade, intergenerational education, communication & advocacy, youth engagement, artificial intelligence applications in education & culture, and tackling stereotypes & discrimination.
Currently, UNESCO has official partnerships with 418 NGOs and 33 foundations. The majority of these partnerships (76%) are with international NGOs, followed by regional (16%) and national NGOs (8%). UNESCO’s global reach is further enhanced by its presence in 70 countries through its headquarters and field offices.
Partnering with UNESCO offers several advantages for NGOs. These include:
- Official recognition of the partnership and integration as part of UNESCO’s network.
- Participation in key UNESCO meetings, conferences, and consultations.
- Increased visibility through targeted communication channels.
- Involvement in the consultation process for UNESCO’s budget and program development.
UNESCO’s Goals for Partnership with NGOs
- Mobilize Support: Gain wider support for its initiatives.
- Synergy: Create new collaborations that strengthen and expand its network.
- Increase active participation from NGO partners.
- Leveraging Strengths: Effectively utilize the expertise and resources of NGOs.
During the discussions, I advocated for UNESCO to share its knowledge sharing support with Rotary International. A wide range of topics were also raised by other organizations through questions to UNESCO. These included World Swahili Day, job creation and youth entrepreneurship, as well as issues related to sexual and reproductive health and access to water.
I also had the pleasure of connecting with representatives from a range of organizations, including, the International Office of Catholic Education (OEIC), Elimu Resource Centre, Nick Newland (Chairperson of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee), Sabina Colombo (Chief of Civil Society Partnerships), Marie-France (Regional Program Specialist for Education, Health and Well-Being in Eastern Africa), the Kenya Museum Society among others.
In conclusion, the ‘Uniting for Impact’ dialogue emphasized the critical importance of collaboration and engagement between UNESCO and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Through a productive exchange of ideas and concerns, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to addressing key issues and working towards common goals. In addition, a consensus was reached to establish a collaborative network through online platforms, connecting members to work together on priority areas as a community. This collective effort symbolized a significant step towards fostering meaningful partnerships and driving positive change in areas of mutual interest and concern.
