UNESCO IN THE WORLD — UNESCO IN THE ARAB STATES

1961 Arab States Centre for Advanced Teaching of Educational Personnel (ASCATEP) later to become the Regional Centre for Educational Planning and Management 1970 The Arab League creates ALECSO 1976 Conference of Ministers of Arab States responsible for the Application of Science and Technology for Development, CASTARAB I, Rabat 1976 and 1978 Conventions on the recognition of studies, diplomas and degrees in higher education 1979 Creation of a network of Educational Innovation for Development in the Arab States - EIPDAS - based in Kuwait from 1984 to 1993

MODERNIZATION AND INNOVATION Efforts to modernize the education system accompanied those which sought to constantly adapt formal and non-formal education to economic and social change. The journal published by the Regional Office for Education, UNEDBAS, which since 1973 has grouped together in Beirut (10) all the educational services in the region, is called, symbolically, L’éducation nouvelle (published in French and Arabic). As of the 1970s, ministers in the region advocated the use of modern communication technologies. In response, UNESCO prepared studies on the educational and cultural use of the ARABSAT Satellite, and a study on a Palestinian Open University, which would be the first in the region. In the mid-1980s, in conjunction with AFESD and ALECSO, the Organization studied the feasibility of setting up educational industries in the Arab States. (11) This was followed by a regional project to introduce information technology into higher secondary education and teacher training. The network of Educational Innovation for Development (EIPDAS), launched in 1979, became operational in 1984 thanks to the contribution of Kuwait where the co-ordination unit was then installed. EIPDAS provides a common framework for the innovative efforts of nearly 170 educational institutions, several of which are at sub-regional or regional levels. Areas of interest initially chosen mainly concerned the structure and content of secondary education, methods of self-instruction, modernization of management, training technical staff and special education. (12) UNEDBAS also organizes population education activities in several countries, in co-operation with UNFPA. (13)

OMAN TOWARDS A BALANCED EDUCATION SYSTEM This action forms part of the Second Five-Year Plan (1981-1985) which stresses the need to strengthen training activities to provide a greater number of Omani teachers and reduce dependence on expatriate labour. Main results include: reorganization of the Ministry of Education; development of educational planning; linking technical/vocational education to manpower needs; introducing health and nutrition education.

His Royal Highness Hassan II King of Morocco To succeed in this task (training education specialists), we shall, once again, have need of one another; there are very few Arab States capable of creating for their own exclusive use, all the institutes they need to train all these qualified people, some of whom must be highly specialized. Here again, collaboration on a regional basis would simplify our tasks and vastly increase our chances of success. Message to MINEDARAB III, Marrakech, 1970 Mohi El Dine Saber (Sudan) Director-General of ALECSO from 1976 to 1988 I should like to affirm here, out of a firm belief in the importance of international co-operation in this age of the United Nations, that a strong UNESCO means a strong ALECSO, that a strong ALECSO in turn strengthens UNESCO, that they complement and support each other, and that the inceasing requirements of the region in the spheres of operation of both Organizations make their combined efforts more than necessary. Opening Address to MINEDARAB IV, Abu Dhabi,1977.

                               

FOOTNOTES:

(10) UNEDBAS headquarters were transferred to Paris in 1981, then to Amman from 1987 to 1995.

(11) Identification of Materials and Equipment with a View to their Production in the Arab States: Description and Analyses of Products. AFESD, ALECSO, UNESCO, 1985.

(12) In 1993, new themes of pertinence for education in the twenty-first century were added education for democracy and human rights as well as information technology and documentation services.

(13) Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Yemen.