GOVPH

THE PHILIPPINES UNDERSCORES PRIORITIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE AT THE UNESCO EXECUTIVE BOARD

03 April 2024 - The Philippines, during the General Debate of the 219th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board, the 58-member governing body of UNESCO, acknowledged progress made in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and the new UNESCO initiative on establishing public digital learning. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Eric Gerardo E. Tamayo shared the Philippine experience in transforming education, through the implementation of the Department of Education’s "MATATAG Programme: Bansang Makabata, Bansang Makabansa'' which encompasses UNESCO recommendations on lifelong learning, mother tongue-based education, inclusive education and peace competencies, among others, in the K to 12 programme. 

In science, the Philippines announced that it joined hands with UNESCO, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Chile, Paraguay and other like-minded states in authoring and submitting a resolution with a related Call to Action on the scientific freedom and safety of scientists before the UNESCO Executive Board.

In culture, the Philippines reiterated the call to include culture as a stand-alone goal in the post-2030 international development agenda and in the upcoming Summit of the Future, and emphasized culture’s important role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The Philippines also conveyed its support for new items put forward by member states, particularly those highlighting the cultural significance of the International Day of the Vesak, International Mother Language Day, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al Adha and those that aim to mainstream the disability inclusion and gender equality agendas across UNESCO's programmes. 

The 219th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board was held from 11-27 March 2024 in the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. END

PHILIPPINES PENS AND ADVOCATES, WITH LIKE-MINDED STATES, A CALL FOR ACTION TO PROMOTE SCIENTIFIC FREEDOM AND THE SAFETY OF SCIENTISTS 

03 April 2024 - UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, during an event at the sidelines of the 219th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board, presented the newly established Programme on the Promotion of Scientific freedom and the Safety of Scientists as a follow up to UNESCO’s 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers which commits Member States to create enabling science ecosystems that allow scientists and science to flourish.

Ms. Judith van Voorst Vader of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science presented a summary of the publication entitled “The Safety of Scientific Researchers”  which delved into the threats to scientists and underlined the urgency for deeper and more comprehensive data collection and analysis on the subject.

This was followed by a panel discussion, with high-level participation from Chile, Denmark, Ghana, Paraguay, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Philippines and moderated by H.E. Monique van Daalen, Permanent Delegate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to UNESCO, which provided insights and perspectives of the importance of scientific freedom and the safety of scientists for their respective countries.
 

Philippine Secretary of Science and Technology, Hon. Renato Solidum, Jr. who participated virtually in the event, said, in his remarks that, “since science, technology and innovation are powerful tools to address the world's pressing issues, it is only high time that we push for the Call to Action on the Freedom and Safety of Scientists.”  
 

Chargé d'affaires, a.i. Eric Gerardo E. Tamayo shared that “the Call to Action is envisioned to amplify our national efforts with the backing of the international community, allowing us to adopt best practices and collaborate in fostering a policy environment conducive to scientific research and development.”Finally, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos emphasized the importance of creating a safe and enabling environment for scientists and also in putting the spotlight on the ‘S’ of UNESCO to complete its mandate. 

The Philippines’ resolution entitled “UNESCO’s Programme on the Promotion of Scientific Freedom and Safety of Scientists and a Related Call to Action,” co-authored with Chile, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Paraguay, was co-sponsored by 60 UNESCO member states and was successfully adopted by the UNESCO Executive Board at its 219th Session. Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to UNESCO, H.E. Junever M. Mahilum-West highlighted that “a safe and enabling environment is essential for scientists and scientific researchers to practice their profession and share their knowledge and expertise to the public, that  will ultimately redound to science- and expert-based policies.” END
 

Philippine Embassy officials, led by Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West (center right), with Mr. Jose Dalisay, Jr. (center left), Ms. June Dalisay, and Ms. Criselda Yabes.  

In anticipation of the 2024 National Literature Month (NLM), the Philippine Embassy in Paris held a literary reading of the works of multi-awarded writer Mr. Jose “Butch” Dalisay, Jr. and critically acclaimed author Ms. Criselda Yabes on 26 March 2024 at the chancery. 

With his year’s NLM theme: “Ang Panitikan at Kapayapaan”, the reading showcased the country’s contemporary literary heritage and demonstrated the power of literature in describing the Philippine experience

Mr. Jose Dalisay, Jr. reads his excerpts from his books and his poems to literary enthusiasts

Mr. Jose Dalisay, Jr., a 16-time Palanca Awardee in five literary genres, read his work Killing Time in A Warm Place and his poems that capture the Filipinos’ migration experience. The readings resonated with the audience, as he drew a vibrant verbal imagery of the Filipino identity and experience. 

Francisco Balagtas lifetime achievement awardee Ms. Criselda Yabes read excerpts fron her works Below the Crying Mountain, a weave of love stories with a backdrop of the Muslim secessionist uprising in the 1970s, and Sarena’s Story: The Loss of a Kingdom which recounts the story of the Sulu Sultanate. Her works as a literary journalist and author explored the constant struggle for peace in the south.

Guest writers Mr. Jose Dalisay, Jr. and Ms. Criselda Yabes respond to audiences’ queries and interventions in an interactive discussion.  

An interactive discussion between the guest authors and the audience followed, with Mr. Dalisay and Ms. Yabes sharing their personal inspirations and techniques especially with aspiring writers. They also exchanged perspectives on various topics such as the impact of technological developments on literature, educating the youth, and key social concerns in the country. 

Guest authors and Embassy officials with some attendees at the reading event.

Mr. Jose Dalisay, Jr. and and his spouse Ms. June Mercy Poticar Dalisay are currently guest lecturers of the Instituts d'études politiques (Sciences Po Paris).

END.
 

Click the link to view the website: https://unes.co/05odrm