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Environment
and development
in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Agreement
concerning the establishment of a UNITWIN co-operation programme between
The
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
and
the "Wise Coastal Practices for Sustainable Human Development, Europe
Region (WiCoP-Europe)" Network
August 2002
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The Regional (Europe) Network
on “Wise Coastal Practices for Sustainable Human Development (WiCoP-Europe)”
(hereinafter referred to as “the Network”) composed of:
University of Aveiro
(Aveiro, Portugal)
University of Bologna
(Bologna, Italy)
University of Cádiz (Cádiz, Spain)
University of Latvia (Riga, Latvia)
Russian State Hydrometeorological University (St Petersburg, Russian Federation)
members of the Network, represented
by Professor Guillermo Martinez Massanet, Rector, University of Cádiz;
and
the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (hereinafter
referred to as “UNESCO”),
7 place Fontenoy, 75352 Paris, France, represented by its Director-General,
Mr Koïchiro Matsuura,
Considering that one
of the essential factors favouring development in the fields of competence of
UNESCO is the exchange of experience and knowledge between universities;
Convinced that joint
work by university teachers, researchers and administrators from different regions
across the world will benefit the entire academic community;
Recognizing that sustainable
human development can only be achieved through integrated efforts that bridge
boundaries between disciplines, societal sectors and between local/indigenous
and scientific knowledge;
Bearing in mind the
mission and the objectives of UNESCO set forth in its Constitution and the role
of UNESCO in promoting inter-university cooperation on an international scale;
Taking into account
the experience of the international UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme as a stimulus
to the rapid transfer of knowledge through twinning, networking and other linking
arrangements.
Have agreed as follows:
- Purpose
UNESCO and the Network will
create a UNESCO “Wise Coastal Practices for Sustainable Human Development,
Europe Region (Wicop-Europe)” Cooperation Programme (hereinafter referred to as “the Cooperation Programme”)
in the framework of the UNITWIN/UNESCO
Chairs Programme.
- Main objectives
The principal
objectives of the Cooperation Programme are to:
- Promote an integrated
system of research, training, demonstration, information and documentation
activities in the field of “Sustainable Development in Coastal Regions”;
- Provide advice and expertise
to assist all countries in:
- establishing truly
intersectoral pilot projects;
- facilitating links
between local, regional and global levels, harmonization between top-down
and bottom-up approaches, and complementarity among societal domains;
- providing scientific-technological
and socio-cultural support for pilot projects;
- enhancing interdisciplinary
research, education and training and the use of new information and communication
technologies;
- strengthening local
and indigenous knowledge systems and facilitating, where applicable, their
equitable articulation with scientific-technological knowledge;
- developing methods
for evaluating and applying science and technology with a view to the development
of wise coastal practices for sustainable human development;
- recognizing higher-education
qualifications;
- developing guidelines
and protocols for the prevention of potential conflicts and the resolution
of existing conflicts over coastal resources and values.
- Fields and disciplines
concerned
The Cooperation Programme
focuses upon the interface between Environment and Society. The principal domains
are: scientific-technical, socio-cultural and education-communication. The disciplines
concerned are: environmental sciences, social and human sciences, cultural heritage,
management, law and economics as applicable to coastal region issues.
- Phasing of the establishment
of the Cooperation Programme
- The official date
of launch is proposed to be August 2002.
- The development
of the Cooperation Programme will comprise two phases:
- Phase one: developing
the Cooperative Programme activities in conjunction with those on the UNESCO
Environment and Development in Coastal Regions and in Small Islands platform
(CSI).
- Phase two: identification,
in close collaboration with the members of the Network and with UNESCO,
of ways of extending the Programme to include other participants and/or
institutions. All admission of new participants and/or institutions into
the Cooperation Programme must be approved in writing by each of the parties
concerned.
- Contribution of each
party
- Each party shall
appoint its own principal contacts for the Cooperation Programme and duly
notify the other.
- Whenever possible,
UNESCO shall provide a "seed-money" contribution. Any financial
contribution shall be the subject of a written agreement. UNESCO will
collaborate with the Network in raising extrabudgetary funds in order
to contribute to the smooth functioning of the Cooperation Programme.
- The Network shall
submit an annual report to UNESCO presenting and evaluating the activities
carried out by the Network. If approved, UNESCO will distribute the report
to the world academic community. UNESCO shall ensure the international
dissemination of information on the experience and potential benefits
of the activities of the Network at the regional and international levels.
The Network shall provide a detailed financial report indicating support
obtained for the Cooperation Programme from different sources.
- UNESCO shall take
the necessary steps to facilitate the participation of the Network in
its programmes and activities with a view to promoting international academic
cooperation in the field of “Integrated Management and Sustainable
Development in Coastal Regions and in Small Islands”. Whenever possible,
UNESCO shall also promote the exchange of information and documentation
and of professors, researchers, and students associated with the Network
within the framework of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme.
- Regular consultations
Regular consultations between
the Network members will be carried out using means as available at the various
institutions.
- Other provisions
- Subject to the terms
of this Agreement, the Network shall assume all expenses linked to the
execution of Cooperation Programme activities.
- Neither the Network
nor any member of its staff employed for the execution of Cooperation
Programme activities shall be considered an agent, representative or member
of UNESCO’s staff, nor shall they enjoy any benefit, immunity, remuneration
or reimbursement if not clearly foreseen in this Agreement; moreover,
they shall not be authorized to present themselves as being part of UNESCO,
nor make statements on UNESCO's behalf, nor commit UNESCO to any expense
of any nature or to any other obligation.
- The Network shall
be entirely responsible for taking any measures it deems necessary to
insure itself against loss, injury or damage incurred during the execution
of these activities.
- The present Agreement
shall enter into force upon its signature and will stay in force for a
period of four (4) years on the date of all signatures having been appended.
It may be terminated by either party subject to sixty (60) days’
written notice to the other party.
- Any renewal of the
present Agreement shall be effected by an exchange of letters between
the parties.
- In the event of
a disagreement, the parties shall make an effort in good faith to settle
it amicably. In the event that a settlement cannot be reached, any dispute
arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement shall be settled by a sole
arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement, or failing this, by the President
of the International Court of Justice at the request of either party.
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For the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
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For the Wise Coastal
Practices for Sustainable Human Development Network (Wicop-Europe)
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(see the signing ceremony)
