Selected through a competitive process from among applicants following a nationwide announcement.
Mr David Walden, Secretary-General
Name
Ms Katherine Berg
Title
Special Adviser to the Secretary-General
Election Date
July 2002
Mandated duration
Started
July 2002
Description
Date and Method of Creation
14 June 1957
Status
Autonomous
Department attached to
The Commission operates under the aegis of the Canada Council of the Arts.
Legislation Dates
The judicial text was accepted06/02/1958 and last revised 23/06/2006
Legislation
The Canadian Commission for UNESCO was created in 1957 and operates under the aegis of the Canada Council for the Arts. Its first Constitution and By-laws were adopted at its inaugural meeting held on 5-6 February 1958. They have been amended several times since then.
The Constitution was amended by its 42nd Annual General Meeting on 24 March 2002; the amendments were subsequently ratified by the Board of the Canada Council for the Arts on 31 August 2002. The Constitution was further amended by the Board of the Canada Council in December 2006, pursuant to the provisions of Order in Council 2006-0601 of 23 June 2006.
The By-Laws of the Canadian Commission were amended by the Executive Committee of the Commission on 1 March 2002.
Documentation Centre
The Documentation Center of the Commission contains mainly UNESCO and Canadian Commission for UNESCO publications.
Structure of the Commission
The Commission includes:
- The Executive Committee (17 members), which meets at least twice a year ;
- Three Sectoral Commissions dealing with: (1) Education; (2) Natural, Social and Human Sciences; (3) Culture, Communication and Information;
- One Standing Committee: 1) the Membership Committee;
- The Secretariat (14 full-time staff);
- The Annual General Meeting of the members.
Members/Composition
Composed of approximately 400 members throughout Canada
Executive Committee
Composed of 17 members representing the Bureau (the President, the Vice-President and the Secretary-General), the Chairs of the three Sectoral Commissions (Education/Natural, Social and Human Sciences/Culture, Communication and Information); the past President of the Commission; representatives of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Council of Ministers of Education (Canada) and Minist¨¨re des Relations internationales (Qu¨¦bec); 2 members named by the Canada Council for the Arts; and 3 members elected by the Annual General Meeting for a two-year term, renewable once.
The Executive Committee meets at least twice a year.
General Assembly
Composed of approximately 400 members throughout Canada, including government and non-governmental organizations, and individual experts in UNESCO¡¯s field of education, sciences, culture and communication and information. It is called Annual General Meeting .
Committees or Sub-Committees
There are currently three Sectoral Commissions:
Sectoral Commission on Education
Sectoral Commission on the Natural, Social and Human Sciences
Sectoral Commission on Culture, Communication and Information.
Each one is composed of 35-40 members
Committees include:
Priorities and Planning Committee
Trans-disciplinary Working Committee on the Culture of Peace
Membership and Partnership Committee
Committees/Sub-Committees Details
Number of Committees or Sub-Committees
3
Periodicity
Twice a year
Sub-committee Topics
[X] Education
[X] Science
[X] Social Sciences
[X] Culture
[X] Communication
Interaction with UNESCO and National Commissions
Overview
The Commission regularly collaborates with its counterparts from other regions. It hosted the 13th Quadrennial and Statutory Regional Conference of the 50 National Commissions for UNESCO of the Europe Region in Montreal in July 2001. The Commission has traditionally entertained close bonds with the National Commissions of the Caribbean. It has also collaborated on joint enterprises with National Commissions of France, Germany, Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger and the Republic of Korea among others.
Activities of the National Commission
3rd meeting of the Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD)
Location
Toronto City Hall
Country
Canada
Region
Europe and North America
Scope
National
From (Y-m-d)
31/05/2010
To (Y-m-d)
31/05/2010
Description
The meeting provided a platform for the exchange of best practices and an opportunity to discuss the economic benefits of a racially, culturally, linguistically diverse population as well as to learn about and join the International Coalition of Cities against Racism led by UNESCO.
Organizers
The Toronto Council, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination.
Financing
The Toronto Council, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination.
Celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Location
Ottawa
Country
Canada
Region
Europe and North America
Scope
Inter-régional
From (Y-m-d)
19/03/2010
To (Y-m-d)
19/03/2010
Description
The 2010 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination takes place in the broader context of the United Nations International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures.
The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is also involved in these efforts to fight against racism and is working with a coalition of partners across the country. Examples of some of these activities include:
_ The Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination
(CCMARD) is working to strengthen the Canadian society’s ability to protect and promote human rights through coordination and shared responsibility among local governments, civil society organizations and other democratic institutions. Currently, 33 municipalities, ranging from St. Justin, Québec (population 1,068) to the City of Toronto have joined the Coalition.
_ The Commission was a partner of the Racism, Stop it! National Video contest organized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This initiative was part of Canada’s March 21 campaign against racial discrimination. Youth between the ages of 12 and 20 years were invited to create a video about their thoughts on eliminating racism. Ten videos were chosen as winners and were broadcasted on national television, reaching millions of Canadians.
Organizers
The Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Celebration of the International Adult Learners’ Week (IALW) 2010
Location
Ottawa
Country
Canada
Region
Europe and North America
From (Y-m-d)
01/03/2010
To (Y-m-d)
07/03/2010
Description
The Week celebrates adult learners across the country and the joy of learning throughout life. The IALW is both a promotional campaign to raise awareness of a broader public and an opportunity for the cooperation of diverse partners, including governmental, non-governmental organizations and civil society, to demonstrate the importance of adult literacy and lifelong learning.
Organizers
The Canadian Commission for UNESCO and its partners.
