Project
Workshop: Development of the Policy Framework on Namibian research outputs and Journal Accreditation
About 30 stakeholders from academia government and NGOs attended the first consultation workshop on the development of the policy framework on Namibian Research outputs and Journal Accreditation from 2728 October 2021 in Otjiwarongo   The consultation jointly organized by the Ministry of Higher Education Technology and Innovation MHETI and National Commission on Research Science and Technology NCRST aimed to exchange information to support the development of the policy   An Interim National Steering Committee was established by MHETI to provide expert advice and drive the development of the policy on Namibian Research outputs and Journal Accreditation   To facilitate the monitoring and reporting on the 2017 UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers a data collection tool developed by NCRST was used to collect data from the researchers on the current Science Technology and Innovation STI research climate   UNESCO supports the strengthening of national STI systems and governance  
Press release
Science Week: Better Health Through Better Understanding
In November and December 2021 UNESCO the Goethe Institute Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Swakopmund Museum is organizing the Science Week under the theme Better Health through better Understanding  Participating schools and members of the public will have the opportunity to engage and interact with local scientists   This years theme  takes into consideration the effects of Covid19 on scientists schools and the public and looks at scientific ways of improving our wellbeing such as mental health The Science Week is a melange of entertaining handson educational activities by local scientists and noncommercial science films that promote science literacy and facilitate awareness of contemporary scientific technological and environmental issues The overall aim of this initiative is to communicate science in a more accessible way to support and advance inclusive science and quality education for all Activities include Panel discussion on the Wellbeing of Scientists Hybrid Sand Play Therapy Coding Covid19 simulation and Robotics Doodle video on the Science of Happiness and workshop Social media challenge on a science experiment Screening of Goethe Science Festival Films
News
World Day for Audio-visual Heritage - 27 October
Audiovisual archives tell us stories about peoples lives and cultures from all over the world They represent a priceless heritage which is an affirmation of our collective memory and a valuable source of knowledge since they reflect the cultural social and linguistic diversity of our communities They help us grow and comprehend the world we all share Conserving this heritage and ensuring it remains accessible to the public and future generations is a vital goal for all memory institutions as well as the public at large   The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage WDAH is a commemoration of the adoption in 1980 by the 21st General Conference of the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images The World Day provides an occasion to raise general awareness of the need to take urgent measures and to acknowledge the importance of audiovisual documents   This year the theme of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is Your Window to the World  Audiovisual materials as documentary heritage objects provide a window to the world as we observe events we cannot attend we hear voices from the past who can no longer speak and we craft stories that inform and entertain Audiovisual content plays an increasingly vital role in our lives as we seek to understand the world and engage with our fellow beings     DARE TO BE WOWED   In celebration of the Day the National Heritage Council of Namibia will be hosting backtoback screenings of two documentaries on Namibias world heritage sites Twyfelfontein Uiaes and Namib Sand Sea   Join us for a night of Pristine Namibian World Heritage 27 and 29 October 2021 1900 John Muafangejo Art Gallery Katutura Community Arts Centre     SEE YOU THERE   National Heritage Council of Namibia Tel 264 61 244 375 Website wwwnhcnamorg  
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National EE/ESD Strategy & Action Plan 2- Day Stakeholder Consultative Workshop
The Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism MEFT and the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture MoEAC believe that Environmental Education EEEducation for Sustainable Development ESD issues must be entrenched in the sectoral and subsectoral strategies of all stakeholders and institutional levels Moreover a strong culture of networking is recommended in the implementation of EEESD Policy as it will promote participation information sharing exchange of views and ideas and developing the necessary skills among all sectors   The main expected results of this consultative workshop are to assist in the reorientation upscaling and integrating EEESD in environmental awareness education and training systems research and innovation systems policies programmes and action for sustainable development   While the overall objective of the task force is to foster the implementation of the EEESD policy assist in mobilising financial resources and develop strategic partnerships with leading environmental and sustainable development organisations   The consultative workshop further aims To gather broad stakeholder input To take stock of past existing and planned activitiesprogrammes across all relevant sectors To outline the Strategy and Action Plan for the National EEESD Policy for 20222026 5 years To make recommendations for Namibias National Contribution to the UNESCO Decade ESD for 2030 based on the workshop outcomes  The twoday workshop will take place on 19 20 October 2021 in Windhoek
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UNESCO to host workshop on strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property
News
Stakeholders Information and Consultation Workshop on the UNESCO Natural and Social and Human Sciences programmes
Introduction UNESCO works to advance and promote science in the interests of peace sustainable development and human security and wellbeing in close collaboration with its Member States and a wide variety of partners  UNESCO implements its activities in science through its International Science Programmes ISPs There are four international programmes namely Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme IHP Man and the Biosphere Programme MAB International Geosciences Programme IGCP International Basic Sciences Programme IBSP In addition to these programmes a body with functional autonomy within UNESCO carries out a specific mandate on ocean sciences the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission IOCUNESCO The UNESCO Social and Human Sciences SHS sector cover a range of knowledge building standard setting and clearing house functions Key programs include Ethics of Science and Technology Philosophy Human Rights Antidoping Sports In Southern Africa the Social and Human Sciences Sector will focus on areas such as Promoting youth development and civic engagement inclusive social development and intercultural dialogue for peace economic and social transformations The Sector will support activities such as inclusive urban environments citizen participation and intercultural dialogue sustainability Science and enhancing social science research on social transformations and strengthening national social science policy and international scientific cooperation Namibia has benefited immensely from UNESCO support particularly in Social and Human Sciences and Natural Sciences However the Namibia National Commission for UNESCO will like to improve Namibias participation in this programmes and to ensure that national institutions derive maximum benefits from this programmes and activities Hence the background of the proposed workshop to share information about UNESCO programmes and activities in the Natural and Social Sciences programmes and to identify and agree on concrete implementable activities for the next two years Objectives To share the information of the Natural and Social and Human Sciences Programmes of UNESCO to the Namibian stakeholders To review the current UNESCO support in these programmes To identify countrywide needs and map the way forward of UNESCO Natural and Social Sciences programmes   Expected output Improved participants understanding of UNESCO programmes and activities in the Natural and Social and Human Science Developed the implementation action plans of UNESCO Natural and Social and Human Science programmes   Participants Representatives from government Ministries Higher Education Institutions and NGOs   Organising institutions Namibia National Commission for UNESCO UNESCO Windhoek Office UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa Harare Supported by Ministry of Higher Education Training and Innovation National Commission on Research Science and Technology Please register through the link below httpsunescoorgzoomusmeetingregistertJEsdgqDwqGtYAPBTl4SHS6QOA93fMkyL  
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Launch of Namibia’s Revised National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy - 15 October 2021
The Ministry in collaboration with all stakeholders launched a consultative process to comprehensively review the National Policy on Research Science and Technology of 1999 The consultation process identified strengths and weaknesses of the National System of Innovation towards the development of a revised and updated National Science Technology and Innovation Policy NSTIP 20202030   The key emphasis of the revised Policy 20202030 is to entrench the production and application of science technology and innovation in all sectors of the economy in order to achieve Namibias development aspirations The revised Policy articulates clear strategies designed to promote Research Development RD technology development and the strengthening of innovation capacities
Press release
Regional Workshop to Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Fight Against Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in Southern Africa
On 14 November 1970 the General Conference sixteenth session of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO meeting in Paris adopted the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property The treaty is signed to combat the illegal trade of cultural properties from countries of origins   In this context UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture and the Namibian National Commission for UNESCO NATCOM will host a Regional meeting on the theme Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Fight Against Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in Southern Africa The twodays meeting will be hybrid to be held from the 27 October 08h30 16h00 and the 28 October 2021 09h00 15h30 via zoom while the physical event will take place at Sea Side Hotel Swakopmund CAT   The regional meeting contributes to UNESCOs continued efforts to raise awarness and understanding on the value of the conventions which oversee the governance of illicit trafficking of cultural property The workshop will also draw attention to the two conventions that addresses matters related to illicit trafficking of cultural objects the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1995 International Institute for the Unification of Private Law UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects    In addition the meeting also serves as a platform to encourage further ratification of the Conventions by African member states that are currently not signatories and to strengthen and improve collaboration between institutions dealing with the illicit trafficking of cultural property at both national regional and international levels The meeting will bring together local regional and international experts to promote peer to peer learning from countries that have ratified the Conventions   Honourable Ester AnnaLisa Nghipondoka Minister of Education Arts and Culture of Namibia will officially open the meeting on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Namibia As the meeting is virtual observers are welcome and can listen into the exchanges  Register in advance for this meeting and obtain the link to join httpsunescoorgzoomuswebinarregisterWNfCMGMPj6Tpq5T48GvygLUA
News
Outreach for Geoscience Awareness
  Geosciences provide essential information for locating and exploiting mineral deposits as well as hydrocarbon and groundwater resources and have become indispensable for an increasing spectrum of socioeconomic issues such as infrastructure development environmental monitoring landuse planning and natural hazard and climate change studies   Geosciences and geoscientists underpins sustainable economic development but also are key pieces of a puzzle in the effective implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals SDGs The SDGs aim to eradicate poverty ensure universal access to basic services tackle inequality end unsustainable consumption patterns and facilitate inclusive economic growth social development as well as environmental protection   Geoscience professions have played a key role in the implementation of national initiatives such as the National Development Plans the Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030 and will continue to do so The continental and global initiatives include the African Union Vision through Agenda 2063 and its 7 Aspirations the African Mineral and Energy Resources Classification and Management System PanAfrican Resource Reporting Code and the 2030 Global Sustainable Development Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals SDGs that aim to eradicate poverty ensure universal access to basic services tackle inequality end unsustainable consumption patterns and facilitate inclusive economic growth social development and environmental protection   Noting the above the Outreach for Geoscience Awareness workshops therefore aims to bring  media practioners to the World of Geoscience by providing enhanced knowledge and understanding of the many aspects of geosciences and their application to socioeconomic development which is not reported often enough   The objectives of the outreach for geoscience awareness are to              Increase public awareness of the vital role that geosciences play in societys use of resources resilience to natural hazards interaction with the environment and in the socioeconomic development of Namibia              Provide opportunities to expose the youth to geoscience career opportunities              Enhance knowledge of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation NBC media practitioners on geoscience and geoscientists issues   The expected outcomes are              Improved understanding of the role of geoscience in daily life              Improved public science literacy that could influence national decisions              Enhanced knowledge and understanding of NBC media practitioners on geosciences              Enhanced awareness and access to the geoscience knowledge base and expertise   This outreach program is sponsored by UNESCO Ministry of Mines and Energy and Geological Survey of Namibia While inkind contributions have been received from NAMWATER UNAMGeology Department City of WindhoekDepartment of Infrastructure Water Technical Services Ministry of Agriculture Water and Land Reform MAWLR NAMCOR Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism MEFT and in collaboration with the Namibia broadcasting Cooperation NBC
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Global Media and Information Literacy Youth Hackathon
The UNESCO annual Global Media and Information Literacy Week is a major occasion for stakeholders to review and celebrate the progress achieved towards Media and Information Literacy for All and a UN international Day   Global MIL Week 2021 will be hosted by South Africa from 24 31 October 2021 under the theme Media and Information Literacy for the Public Good You can register to participate in the online feature conference via the link httpsenunescoorgglobalmilweek2021featureconferenceregistration Deadline for registration is 18th October 2021   For Youth Agenda Forum youth aged between 18 and 35 years from local schools universities youth centres and youth organizations as well as youth leaders from around the globe are invited to participate by inscribing their teams in the competition The winning teams and the outcome of the Hackathon will be presented during the Global Media and Information Literacy Week Youth Agenda Forum on 27 October 2021 Apply via the link httpsenunescoorgfeedbackmediaandinformationliteracyhackathon2021 Deadline for application is 3rd October 2021   We look forward to your participation and please do not hesitate to contact UNESCO should you have more questions     
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Stakeholders Consultation Meeting: : “Ending Stigma and Discrimination, Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Marginalization of Persons with Disabilities”
A Multicountry Project in Mozambique Namibia Tanzania and Zimbabwe Teusday 21 September 2021   Background   Persons with disabilities particularly women face enormous attitudinal physical and informational barriers to equal opportunities in the world of training and work The biased sociocultural medical and religious lens provide fertile ground for them to be generally perceived as unproductive and unfit to access education and training and to compete in the labor market thereby perpetuating the cycle of poverty and exclusion   This project funded by the UNPRPD MPTF aims to develop a collective understanding of the stigma and discrimination patterns in Technical and Vocational Education and Training TVET institutions and among employers thereby developing models and tools to fight this widespread phenomenon and foster exchanges of good practices and experiences among the four countries involved and beyond The TVET institutions and learning environments as well as enterprises need to be more inclusive as both are important levers of emancipation   This will be accomplished by the development and testing of three tools in the four participating countries with exchanges of experiences and lessons learnt The tools include i a model of Dialogue Committee between TVET institutions and Employers organizations that should encourage collective understanding of and commitment towards fighting disability stigma and discrimination ii a dedicated Disability Audit tool that will assist TVET institutions and employers in tracking and documenting the stigma and discrimination patterns and the shift in attitudes and perceptions iii practical and userfriendly Guidelines for Reasonable Accommodation in TVET institutions and employers organizations and iv a multicounty platform for exchanges of good practices and mutual learning Particular attention will be paid to shedding light on how the intersectional discrimination between disability gender and poverty influences the generation and perpetuation of stigma and discrimination   Please feel free to engage UNESCO on this important agenda   
Press release
Official Launch of The Virtual Museum of Namibian Fashion
The Museums Association of Namibia MAN in collaboration with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO the Gerda Henkel Foundation the Berlin Ethnographic Museum EM the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture the University of Namibia UNAM and the National Museum of Namibia NMN hereby invites all Namibians and all citizens of the world to attend the virtual launch of the Virtual Museum of Namibian Fashion at 1100CAT on Friday 20th August 2021 MAN is currently working in partnership with NMN and UNAM on a project funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation This collaborative project seeks to unlock the healing and creative potential of the colonial collections from Namibia held at the Ethnologisches Museum EM in Berlin Germany and the Ethnographic Collection at the National Museum of Namibia in Windhoek It reconnects the collections with each other and with their heritage communities researchers and artists in Namibia As part of the project staff from NMN scholars students from UNAM and staff from MAN have been facilitating workshops with heritage experts and researchers community representatives and artists to engage with the collections at NMN and conducting fieldwork with digitized collections in heritage communities throughout the country The project aims to reactivate knowledge about the objects document immaterial cultural heritage and provide a vital source of inspiration for artists and designers The knowledge thus created including oral histories and artworks will be shared with the wider public in an online database a publication and an exhibition at the newly founded Museum of Namibian Fashion as well as in an exhibition at NMN in Windhoek to be conceptualized in the second phase of the project By reconnecting stakeholders in Namibia with colonial collections from Berlin and Windhoek the project seeks to engage with colonial trauma spur new cultural production and envision decolonial creative futures MAN believes that museums should be living organisms that should be updated regularly and able to easily adapt to change With that said MAN has realized that the COVID19 pandemic requires museums to adapt and to do things differently As a result the idea of a Virtual Museum of Namibian Fashion was birthed and made possible with funding from UNESCO The virtual museum will be officially opened by Ms Merja Iileka Chairperson of the Fashion Council of Namibia and will feature addresses by different stakeholders and a musical performance by Namibian multiawardwinning artist Big Ben The website enables visitors to view items and to interact with them by adding comments as well as submitting photographs for possible display on the virtual museum Ndapewoshali Ndahafa Ashipala from MAN said The COVID19 pandemic has shown us that we need to adapt and learn to do things differently A virtual museum of fashion could create an interactive educational space where we can also showcase Namibian culture to both local and international audiences The galleries in both the virtual and physical Museum will have the following Bead and shells Hair and headdresses Leather and Animal Skin processing Metal Accessories Plants Bones and rocks Tattoos and body scarification Textiles The Peoples Gallery and Deeps Root New fashion The Deep Roots New Fashion The gallery showcases the work of Namibian fashion designers who incorporate features from our cultural roots to create new styles with a uniquely Namibian flavour The Museum of Namibian Fashion will be based in Otjiwarongo Namibia and will be launched in late 2021 or early 2022 If you have an item information or photographs that you think should be part of the collection of the Museum of Namibian Fashion then you can contact MAN on infomuseumscomna or 264 61 30 22 30 Further information about the project can be found on the MAN website wwwmuseumscomna Watch the official launch and opening on YouTube Museums Association of Namibia Watch the official launch and opening on Facebook Museums Association of Namibia SPEAKERS Mr B Djaffar MoussaElkadhum Head of Office at UNESCO Windhoek Ms Maria Caley Chairperson of Museum of Namibian Fashion Mr Kavenauarue Tjiworo Documentalist based at the National Museum of Namibia Mr Kevanhu Alfred Muifi Curator of the Museum of Namibian Fashion Ms Merja Iileka Chairperson Fashion Council of Namibia Please note that the link to the Virtual Museum of Namibian Fashion will be shared on the MAN Youtube Channel Website and Social Media Pages during the launch
News
Water and Climate Change Conference - Accelerating Youth Action on Climate Change in Namibia 11 August 2021
Introduction The youth constitute the largest population in the world of about 18 billion The greatest percentage of these youth are found in developing countries where they constitute the greater proportion of the population Despite constituting the greatest population youth are often left behind in decision making processes and development programmes yet they are the most affected In Africa youth are often found facing a number of challenges like unemployment exclusion from policy making and economic ecosystems amid staying in an environment where there is no equality in accessing the resources The situation is worsened by impacts of climate change which has resulted in agriculture the backbone of family and national economy becoming unviable due to water stress   Young people have the potential to be effective agents of change But unless the need is acknowledged to provide an enabling environment for youth to thrive in this remains an empty promise to the desperate yet capable young people The transition of youth from a target group to full partner lacks traction in many fields of the development domain Engaging youth in all sectors is deemed challenging yet it is the necessary step to take in order to bring about change and positive development towards achieving the United Nations Agenda 2030   UNESCO through the Operational Strategy on Youth 20142021 seeks to promote youth engagement on issues affecting them It is with this regard that UNESCO and Namibia National Commission for UNESCO in partnership with University of Namibia UNAM and Namibia University of Science and Technology NUST is organising a Water and Climate Change Conference to accelerate youth action on innovative solutions for water challenges and climate change   Objectives The main objective of the conference will be to promote awareness and empower young people in advocating and initiating climate change adaptation and mitigation actions in the context of water security in their respective communities The conference will also be used as a platform to bring together water young professionals to establish the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme IHP youth network in Namibia Specific Objectives To build the capacity of young people in matters of water security focusing on issues related to climate change To provide the young people a platform to share and exchange ideas while showcasing their innovative solutions on water related issues affecting their communities and country To facilitate an inclusive platform to effectively engage youths and youthled organisations governments and development partners to further strengthen inclusive youth participation Target Participants Young professionals under 35yearold in the fields of hydrology environmental and related sciences   Modality The conference will invite 30 youth representatives to present innovative solutions for water challenges and climate change Due to the current COVID19 pandemic the event will be online and open to all  participants   Please register for the conference under the link below  httpsunescoorgzoomusmeetingregistertJUvdeysqzMvEt31LqY58sD9J6a6EmbQc0s