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The Regional
Bureau’s Science
Support Strategy
2014-2021
Promoting Science for Peace and Sustainable
Development in Asia and the Pacific
through South-South Cooperation
The Regional Bureau’s
Science Support Strategy
2014-2021
Promoting Science for Peace and Sustainable
Development in Asia and the Pacific
Table of Contents
PREFACE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. VISION & MISSION 2
• Vision 2
• Mission 2
5. STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 9
• Rationale 9
• Link with UNESCO’s Mid-Term Strategy 37C/4 10
• Regional Initiatives 10
6. PARTNERSHIP 11
• Forging Partnerships and Networks 11
• Mobilising the Wider UNESCO Science Family 11
UNESCO Office, Jakarta - The Regional Bureau’s Science Support Strategy 2014 -2021 1
2. VISION AND MISSION
Vision: Fostering Science for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific Region
Sustainable solutions - whether at the global, regional or country level -
will require creativity, new advances in scientific knowledge, discoveries
and innovations. Innovation geared towards sustainable development has
the potential to lift economic growth, create green jobs, and boost social
development while at the same time contributing to environment protection
and conservation. By fostering dialogue, cooperation, networking, capacity
building and knowledge-sharing with the scientific community, decision
makers, and civil society in the Asia-Pacific region as well as at country level,
the UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific will contribute to
the ultimate Vision where Member States will be able to ‘meet society’s needs
via science based solutions’.
Mission
UNESCO is known as the “intellectual” interface between science, policy The below statement
agency of the United Nations. At and society for peace, sustainability captures UNESCO’s
and social inclusion. In this regard, strategic orientation
a time when the world is looking
which is the source of
for new ways to build science the Bureau will carry out the
inspiration of Regional
knowledge and policy for sustainable following mission: Science Bureau’s mission
development, people must rely on stated:
the power of intelligence to innovate, • To work with Member States
expand horizons and sustain the on key issues and problems in As a specialized
hope of a new humanism. UNESCO Asia-Pacific region, in order to agency of the United
exists to help bring this creative engage science in the service of Nations, UNESCO
intelligence to life; for it is in the human needs and improve both contributes to the
minds of men and women that the environment and quality of life building of peace,
defenses of peace and the conditions of the region’s peoples. the eradication of
for sustainable development must poverty, sustainable
• To mobilize science, technology,
be built. Working to create holistic development and
innovation and policy, for
policies that are capable of addressing intercultural dialogue
enabling Member States in the
the social, environmental and through education,
region on addressing new and
economic dimensions of sustainable the sciences, culture,
emerging challenges that could
development, reaffirm the founding communication and
facilitate to set a course for a
principles of the Organization and information.
sustainable future.
enhance its vision of promoting the
2
3. SCIENCE FOR PEACE AND SUSTAINABILITY
“Today, in a world changing quickly, on a planet under pressure, we need more science,
we need more scientists. Science is a force that brings people together, to join hands in
the pursuit of knowledge. Science is our best ally to tackle the consequences of climate
change, to foster the innovation all societies need today.”
UNESCO Office, Jakarta - The Regional Bureau’s Science Support Strategy 2014 -2021 3
• Climate change and disaster challenges of today and tomorrow.
impacts Based on progress achieved towards
the Millennium Development Goals,
• Massive pollution of water, soil and
the Post-2015 Agenda should be
air
built in an inclusive manner, so as to
• Unsustainable energy use take into account not only increased
• Threats to oceans (acidification, economic wealth but also equitable
overfishing) access to education for all (including
the sciences), reducing the gap in the
• Intensifying ecological footprints,
availability and transfer of sustainable
biodiversity loss
technologies between developing and
• Water scarcity and water quality developed countries, and the need to
deterioration ensure social inclusion in an era of
major social transformation.
• Population growth and
urbanization
The MDGs have helped improve the
• Peace and security lives of billions, but much more needs
to be done to reduce inequalities and
• Access to quality education
to address environmental challenges.
These global challenges present The Regional Science Bureau for Asia
an urgent agenda for all countries and the Pacific will take a leadership
including Asia and the Pacific region, role in the science domain, both by
through inclusive and horizontal providing its support to Member States
cooperation. Besides, the challenges across the region to positioning itself in
are hugely complex with strong inter- the post-2015 framework by proposing
connections. The task to address the new ideas and indicators to feed into
above challenges is phenomenally the discussion on the Sustainable
complex, and therefore science has Development Goals.
to play a major role in helping to
understand the complexities and multi- The Role of Science, Technology and
dimensional character of sustainable Innovation (STI)
development.
At the UN Conference on Sustainable
The High Level Policy Forum on Development (Rio+20), Heads of
Sustainable Development held in State and high-level representatives
Pattaya, May 2014, has highlighted recognized the important contribution
the need for strengthening science, of the natural, social and human
technology and innovation and sciences to sustainable development
their interfaces to ensure transfer and social inclusion. Fostering
of clean and environmentally sound international scientific collaboration
technologies to developing countries, and strengthening the science-
particularly the LDCs. policy interface are crucial to address
sustainable development and social
Scientific as well as relevant indigenous transformation challenges. The
and local knowledge play a critical role main imperatives guiding the work
in helping to meet the development of UNESCO in the areas of natural
4
and social and human sciences, and assessment of scientific and other
their contribution to sustainable relevant knowledge in relation to social
development are: transformation and intercultural dialogue,
climate change, biodiversity and key
• the conservation, sustainable use ecosystems such as fresh water and the
of, and equitable access to natural ocean.
resources and the sharing of
Through normative and technical
benefits arising thereof;
assistance for ethically based inclusive
• the need to mitigate and adapt to public policies, UNESCO will accompany
climate change, to help address countries’ efforts to develop their own
inequalities and to increase innovative solutions to the challenges
resilience and opportunities posed by sustainable
development. The establishment of
• the promotion of social inclusion institutional and human capacities will be
on the basis of the universal central to achieve this. Hence, the highest
declaration of human rights and priority needs to be given to the promotion
ethical principles . of capacity development in the sciences,
especially at the national level, and to the
An effective science-policy interface enhancement of the capacity of societies to
will require a regular and systematic take informed decisions about their future.
UNESCO Office, Jakarta - The Regional Bureau’s Science Support Strategy 2014 -2021 5
STI Strategic Focus Areas
During 2014-2021, the Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific will assist
Member States of Asia-Pacific region in building knowledge societies based on
science and sustainable development by focusing on three main axes:
Axis 1
STI to create a policy
environment to
enable knowledge
generation
Axis 3 Axis 2
Expanding access to Mobilizing International
and equitable sharing of collaboration to advance
knowledge in all domains knowledge and capacity
Axis1: Axis 2:
Science, Technology and Innovation: Mobilizing international collaboration
Creating a policy environment to to advance knowledge generation and
enable knowledge generation and capacity development
application
Since its foundation, UNESCO is the
The development of knowledge catalyst for, and the promoter of, major
societies involves the implementation international scientific programmes
of public policies which are based on in the field of marine, freshwater,
holistic scientific research in order to ecological, earth and the basic sciences
address the profound and complex and is working to create and share
global and regional challenges and knowledge to bridge knowledge
social transformations taking place divides. The Organization appears
in all Member States. Specifically, today as the pioneer and leader in
UNESCO will work to provide sound international scientific cooperation.
policy advice in assisting countries of Through the programmes such as the
the region to invest in STI, to develop Intergovernmental Oceanographic
national science policies, to reform Commission (IOC), the International
their science systems and to build Hydrological Programme (IHP), the
capacity to monitor and evaluate Man and the Biosphere Programme
performance through STI indicators. (MAB), the International Geosciences
6
Programme (IGCP), a significant body of related knowledge systems, monitoring
scientific knowledge has been created World Heritage Sites, recording,
and disseminated all over the world. registering and sharing knowledge
about Intangible Cultural Heritage,
All of these major international
or digitalizing museum’s collections.
scientific collaborative programmes
The International Information and
contribute to building scientific
Networking Centre for Intangible
capacity of UNESCO Member States
Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific
in Asia-Pacific, and will be used as
Region (ICHCAP), a Category-2 Centre
the core scientific knowledge base for,
under the auspices of UNESCO, is
among others, raising awareness on
working with many countries in
the importance of science education,
Asia and the Pacific to restore and
disaster-risk reduction, engineering
digitalize intangible cultural heritage
science, and biodiversity preservation.
related data, disseminate and use it
Axis 3: for education and promotion purposes.
Expanding access to and equitable The Jakarta Office will promote the
sharing of knowledge in all domains use of tools such as Open Access (OA)
- the online availability of scholarly
Advances in science and technologies
information to everyone, free of most
create enormous new potential for
licensing and copyright barriers to
information and knowledge exchanges
enable global knowledge flows for
and for the emergence of new patterns
the benefit of scientific discovery,
of communication and exchange of
innovation and socio-economic
ideas. In a relatively short time, STI
development of researchers, innovators,
education has moved from a rigid, fixed
teachers, students, media professionals
system to a highly mobile structure.
and the general public.
Not least to note, one of the main
consequences of technology today is The UNESCO network of Chairs and
mobility. Internet, whether fixed or Category-2 centers will serve as a
mobile, and mobile telephony, together regional platform to strengthen South-
with traditional media such as radio South cooperation in the domain
and TV broadcasting, enable large parts of STI to increase in the capacity
of the world’s population to have quasi- for management of STI throughout
permanent access to information and developing countries of the region.
knowledge from almost everywhere on
the planet and at any time. The right to
access these new technologies and all
aspects of knowledge available through
these technologies is fundamental to
the mandate of UNESCO.
UNESCO Office, Jakarta - The Regional Bureau’s Science Support Strategy 2014 -2021 7
4. THE ROLE OF THE REGIONAL SCIENCE BUREAU
Over the next eight years, the Regional In response to the emerging global
Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific sustainability challenges, the Regional
will continue to develop regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
flagship programmes, support regional will put into practice integrated science for
networks and foster science - policy sustainable development, or sustainability
interface through the UNESCO major science. Sustainability science draws on
science programmes on science, the full range of scientific, traditional and
technology and innovation (STI), indigenous knowledge in a transdisciplinary
strengthen STI capacities, and enhance way in order to identify, understand and
regional scientific cooperation for address economic, environmental, ethical
advancing inclusive sustainable and societal challenges. The Bureau in close
development. It will exercise leadership collaboration with field offices will also
in ocean and fresh water issues and focus on concrete mechanisms or examples
develop holistic solutions to climate of how STI will be driven/achieved in the
change adaptation and disaster risk region. Initiatives will be developed, such
reduction. The Regional Science Bureau as the Pacific-Europe Network for Science,
for Asia and the Pacific will be centrally Technology and Innovation (PACE-NET Plus
involved in bridging the multiple project); a project funded by the European
gaps between science, policy and Commission to further bi-regional science,
society by mobilizing and supporting technology and innovation cooperation to
multidisciplinary scientific knowledge generate new knowledge for addressing
to inform decision-making, while at the priority challenges in the Pacific region.
same time recognizing and promoting
the ethical, social, environmental The Bureau will also pay special attention to
and economic aspects of sustainable the opportunities offered by green growth
development and the eradication of approaches, by working with Member States
poverty by encouraging the design to provide a reference policy framework,
and application of effective innovative highlighting the opportunities that a
approaches and policies. Policy-making greener economy could generate for a more
will be coupled with concrete action sustainable growth in countries of Asia and
through UNESCO programmes on the the Pacific region, facing challenges such as
ground at the national or regional water supply, food production, sustainable
levels, through mechanisms to provide energy, reduction of greenhouse gas
science policy advice and capacity- emissions, poverty, weather extremes and
building that is robust, socially environmental degradation.
inclusive, rights and ethically-based.
8
5. STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
Rationale
The Regional Bureau’s Science Working to achieve the MDGs and
Support Strategy outlines the guiding advance the Post-2015 Agenda requires
principles, mission statement, strategic the Asia-Pacific region to address
orientations, and working methods enduring challenges of poverty, social
of all activities relating to science inequality and rapid environmental
programmes in Asia-Pacific region. In change. The Bureau believes these
addition, the strategy underscores the interlinked challenges should be
need to support Member States in addressed together, by drawing on the
Asia-Pacific to engage in the process to science programmes in order to reinforce
develop a set of initiatives and actions and enhance knowledge-sharing among
in line with the global Development local and regional networks on issues
Agenda beyond 2015 (the SDGs). related to sustainability.
UNESCO Office, Jakarta - The Regional Bureau’s Science Support Strategy 2014 -2021 9
Link with UNESCO’s Mid-Term Strategy 37 C/4 Regional Initiatives
The 37 C/4 document adopted by the 37th The following regional initiatives linked with
session of the UNESCO General Conference in UNESCO’s medium term strategy (37C/4) and IHP,
November 2013 defines the main orientations MAB and IOC programs will be promoted:
for actions in UNESCO’s fields of competence
for the next eight years. This common strategic BRIDGES
vision for the Organization provides guidelines Biosphere Reserves in Diverse Global
to sharpen UNESCO’s role and enhance its Environment for Sustainability in Asia and the
impact and delivery at global, regional and Pacific.
local levels.
FORCE
In the field of Science, the main lines of
action for science knowledge and policy for Fostering Resilient Communities - a natural
sustainable development are presented under disaster and climate change education initiative.
strategic objectives 4 and 5. These objectives
will be implemented under five main lines of WISER
action and twelve expected results, as indicated Water Informatics for Sustainability and
in Table-1. In these fields, the Bureau will work Enhanced Resilience for Asia and the Pacific.
towards a stronger, rules-based international
order where multilateral cooperation is The above regional flagships will be delivered
effective and development is inclusive, rooted through two cross-cutting initiatives:
in respect for regional key challenges.
COMPETENCE
While taking advantage of the recent
A Comprehensive Programme to Enhance
achievements in promoting science as a driver
Technology, Engineering and Science Education
and an enabler of regional development in in Asia; aimed at enabling power of connectivity
Asia-Pacific, the Regional Science Bureau for across the region.
Asia and the Pacific will pay special attention
to the Gender Equality and Least Developing STAR
Countries (LDCs), in order to promote the
strengthening of policies as well as institutional Sustainability Transformations Across the Region
and professional capacities, and to assure – a program to promote trans-disciplinary
science towards sustainable societies; aimed at
effective and sustainable implementation of
demonstrating sustainability science principles
science programmes for sustainable growth
through UNESCO’s IHP, MAB and MOST programs.
and peace.
UNESCO Office, Jakarta - The Regional Bureau’s Science Support Strategy 2014 -2021 11
7. ENABLING REGIONAL SCIENCE SUPPORT STRATEGY
12
Ensuring Programme Effectiveness, Impact and Visibility
The Bureau has identified a number of strategic directions in support of the Regional Science
Support Strategy:
Strategic
Programme
Objectives GLOBAL
Science
Themes
and Flagships
REGIONAL
NATIONAL
UNESCO Member States UCPD
UNDAF
National Development Plan
• Deliver as One and develop strong partnerships role in guiding UN reform at the country level
by providing quality support and advice to
The Bureau is fully committed to UN reform aimed
the Resident Coordinators and UN Country
at improving coherence and synergy between the
Teams in the region. UNESCO is represented
various programmes, funds, and agencies, so that
in the UNDG-AP by both the Director of the
the full diversity and depth of expertise across
Regional Bureau for Science (Jakarta) and the
the UN is mobilized to respond effectively to the
Director of the Regional Bureau for Education
global challenges of the 21st century. As such, the
(Bangkok). This new modality is expected to
Bureau actively supports other UNESCO Offices
significantly improve interaction, cooperation
and UN country teams in the region to incorporate
and ‘Delivery as One’ in the region. The quality
science, technology and innovation approaches
of programme delivery will also be ensured
in joint programming and UNDAF design and its
via the development and maintenance of
implementation. The UN system in Asia and the
effective partnerships between stakeholders
Pacific region has established a UN Regional
in the wider region.
Directors team (UNDG-AP). The UNDG-AP has a
UNESCO Office, Jakarta - The Regional Bureau’s Science Support Strategy 2014 -2021 13
Resources
The comparative advantage of the Bureau lies in its broad in-house science expertise, strong regional networks,
financial support mechanisms, and communication strategies to address regional development challenges.
Expertise: Financial:
Science specialists in the Bureau, Cluster and country UNESCO is not a funding agency and its global
offices in the region act as authorities on important annual budget for sciences is modest. The Bureau’s
subjects including freshwater, environmental, marine, consecutive biennium programmes and budgets
earth, basic and engineering sciences, while cross-cutting combined with its extra-budgetary initiatives provide
experts provide support on topics such as Education for a coherent programmatic and financial foundation
Sustainable Development (ESD), science policy advise, to pursue the Regional Science Support Strategy.
disaster risk reduction, climate change, indigenous and In the coming years, the Bureau will address the
local knowledge systems. As the Regional Science Support financial challenges by ensuring that activities
Strategy and related Flagship Programmes require a holistic are cost-effective and strengthening development
approach, the Bureau will further enhance the intersectoral efforts that will build long-term partnerships with
cooperation between its experts, units and field offices. governments, bilateral agencies, the private sector,
and foundations. Another approach is to develop
Partnerships: pilot projects and feasibility studies, as a lead-up to
the development of larger donor-funded initiatives.
The Regional Science Bureau aims to enhance North-South, Such endeavours will help to diversify the financial
South-South and triangular regional and international resources and build financial sustainability into the
cooperation and access to science, technology and Bureau’s programming.
innovation, and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually
agreed terms, through improved coordination among
Communication:
existing mechanisms, particularly at UN level, and through
a global technology facilitation mechanism. The Bureau The Bureau will make every attempt to connect
can draw upon a wide range of skills and resources from stakeholders to one another in order to facilitate and
its strong regional and global networks of institutions and strengthen synergies and collaboration. In so doing,
experts. Collaboration will focus on regional dialogue and the Bureau will not only spark important dialogue
policies via cooperation with regional bodies such as ASEAN, but also encourage an atmosphere of openness,
ASPAC, and SEAMEO. Close cooperation with Category I acceptance, collaboration and change. The Bureau
and II institutions, which are respectively UNESCO and will also intensify efforts to inform the public about
UNESCO-associated institutions, will help to incorporate its work on science and related policies, including
cutting-edge and innovative science into the Bureau’s work. through the use of ICT, and to enlist the help of
Other partners such as national and regional institutions, the media and others to jointly identify issues and
universities, National Commissions for UNESCO and CSOs priorities, and stimulate dialogue and participation
will be mobilized strategically to achieve the highest in solving problems.
impact.
IADGs
Programme and Budget (C/5) Medium-term Including
(includes both regular and extrabudgetary funding sources) Strategy (C/4) the SDGs
www.unesco.org/jakarta