:: Current Activities ::
The Communciation Sub Commission of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO works with a number of government departments and a wide range of stakeholder organisations and regional networks to develop its programme of activities.
Information for All Programme
New Zealand was re-elected to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Information for All Programme (IFAP) at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris in October 2005. New Zealand will represent the concerns of New Zealand and the Pacific in the work of the Committee, through Laurence Zwimpfer of the National Commission. Mr Zwimpfer, who was previously elected Rapporteur of the IFAP Committee, was elected Chair at the meeting held in Paris in March 2006 for a term of two years.
IFAP provides a platform for international policy discussions and guidelines for action on the preservation of information and universal access to it, participation of all in the emerging global information society and ethical, legal and societal consequences of ICT developments. The Programme provides a framework for international co-operation and international and regional partnerships. It supports the development of common strategies, methods and tools for building a just and free information society and for narrowing the gap between the information rich and the information poor. IFAP is a key element in the fulfilment of UNESCO’s mandate to contribute to “education for all” and to the “free exchange of ideas and knowledge” and to “increase the means of communication between peoples”.
Pacific Internet Partners: Memorandum of Understanding
The Pacific Internet Partners initiative was established by UNESCO New Zealand, the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Apia Office and the Internet Society of New Zealand through the signing of a joint Memorandum of Understanding. Improving opportunities and skills for ICT professionals in the Pacific is the driving goal behind this collaborative initiative.
The Pacific Internet Partners will work to improve the skill levels of ICT professionals in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau – countries chosen for their strong links to New Zealand and the organisations involved. Planned activities include supporting the annual Pacific Islands Internet Society Conference being held in Vanuatu in 2004, fostering the establishment of national ICT professional organisations, and establishing internship and mentoring exchange programmes between New Zealand and the Pacific nations involved.
