SRI LANKA S CANDIDATURE TO THE UNESCO EXECUTIVE BOARD

Transcription

1 SRI LANKA S CANDIDATURE TO THE UNESCO EXECUTIVE BOARD Sri Lanka being one of the earliest members of UNESCO (since 1949) has been an active partner in many UNESCO led initiatives. Hon. Bandula Gunawardhana Minister of Education Presently, Sri Lanka is a State Party to the following Agreements and Conventions of UNESCO; Agreement on the Importation of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Materials, Florence, 17 June Convention concerning the Exchange of Official Publications and Government Documents between States, Paris, 3 December Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, Paris, 16 November Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Properties, Paris, 14 November Convention against Discrimination in Education, Paris, 14 December Universal Copyright Convention, Geneva, 6 September 1952 Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas, and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, 16 December 1983 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, Ramsar, 2 February Convention for the Protection of Cultural Properties in the Event of Armed Conflict, The Hague, 14 May Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Paris, 17 October International Convention against Doping in Sports, Paris, 19 October

2 In addition, Sri Lanka is a member of the International Coordinating council of the programme on Man and the Biosphere. Furthermore, Sri Lanka held the Chair of the Asia Pacific Group of UNESCO in Recent initiatives by Sri Lanka at UNESCO include the resolution adopted by the 36 th Session of the General Conference to establish the South Asian Centre for Teacher Development in Meepe, Sri Lanka and the resolution to celebrate the 100 th Birth Anniversary of late Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra adopted by the 37 th Session of the General Conference. A special ceremony was held at the UNESCO Head Quarters celebration of this Birth Anniversary accompanied by a cultural show and an Exhibition to honour the late scholar. The Agreement between the UNESCO and the government of Sri Lanka was signed concurrently to this event. Since joining the UNESCO membership in 1949, Sri Lanka has served on the Executive Board only on five occasions. Being committed to the UNESCO ideal of building peace in the minds, Sri Lanka has the honor to submit the candidature of Hon. Bandula Gunawardhana, Minister of Education, Sri Lanka, for election to the UNESCO Executive Board, during the 39 th General Conference in October In this regard, the Government of Sri Lanka kindly requests, the UNESCO Member States to extend their valuable support for the candidature of Sri Lanka to the Executive Board of UNESCO. 2

3 Curriculam Vitae Sumithraarachchige Don Bandula Chandrasiri Gunawardhana Minister of Education Date of Birth : 16 th March 1953 Marital Status : Married With five Children Education Qualification 1979 : Bachelor of Science (Hon.) in Business Administration University of Sri Jayawardenapura Sri Lanka Up to now : Reading for a Doctorate in Historical, Trade and cultural Collaboration between China and Sri Lanka, University of Beijing, China. Professional Qualifications : Member of Association of Accounting Technicians Working Experience : Lecturer in Economics for Advanced Level Students. Political Carrier : Elected as a Member of Parliament from Colombo District representing Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (United People s Front) : Elected as a Member of Western Provincial Council representing United People s Front : Elected as a Member of Parliament from Colombo District representing People s Alliance of which UPF was an ally : Elected as a Member of Parliament from Colombo District representing United National Party : Elected as a Member of Parliament from Colombo District representing United National Party to date : Elected as a Member of Parliament from Colombo District representing United People s Freedom Alliance. 3

4 Ministerial Portfolios held : Minister of Rural Economic Development and Deputy Minister of Finance : Minister of Trade, Marketing Development, Cooperative and Consumer Services 2010 to date : Minister of Education. Other Portfolios held 2010 to date : Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO to date : President of the Sri Lanka Republic of Korea Parliamentarians Friendship Association Honorable Bandula Gunawardhana, Minister of Education Academic Pursuits; Born in March 1953 in Battaramulla, Sri Lanka, Mr. Bandula Gunawardhana had his early education at Hanwella Rajasinghe Madya Maha Vidyalaya and Lumbini Vidyalaya, Colombo, where he successfully completed the Advance Level in the Commerce stream at General Certificate of Examinations conducted by the Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka. He then proceeded to enroll to follow the Bachelor of Science course in Business Administration, and got through his final exam with a Second Class (Lower Division) pass. He is also a founder member of Sri Lanka Association of Accounting Technicians. Political Achievements; Mr. Bandula Gunawardhana entered active politics in 1989 by contesting to the Parliament from Colombo District representing United People s Front. Becoming elected to the Parliament, he made a voice for the youth and their issues. He was also very popular for his speeches in the Parliament on economic affairs. He then briefly represented his Party in the western before being elected to the Parliament in 2000 for the second time. He continues to be a Member of Parliament ever sine and has held three Ministerial portfolios, viz, Minister of Rural Economic Development, Minister of Trade, Marketing Development, Cooperative and Consumer Services, Minister of Education and the Deputy Minister of Finance. 4

5 Important Contributions to Education As Minister of Education Gunawardhana has taken steps to implement new education policy reforms, extending the concepts of Mahinda Rajapaksa model schools to all the provinces. He went on to increase the compulsory age of education to 16 and initiated developing 8,400 Child Friendly Primary Schools. Formulation of the National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Education with stakeholder participation was one the most important policy decisions Mr. Gunawardhana took under the guidance of HE the President. Minister Gunawardhana pioneered development of 1000 secondary schools with all the required facilities in all 327 Divisional Secretariats of the country to eliminate inequity in education service delivery. Emphasizing the promotion of Science Education, which is one of the key priority areas of UNESCO, he initiated establishment of Mahindodaya Labs in 1000 secondary schools. Introduction of G.C.E Advance Level Technology stream has been one of the most significant initiatives of Mr. Gunawardhana to better equip students for the world of work. Minister Gunawardhana was instrumental in the establishment of the South Asian Centre for Teacher Development as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre to ensure quality education in order to make Sri Lanka as per the aspiration of HE the President. Several initiatives have been taken by him to promote IT education among teachers and students such as provision of training to teachers, establishment of 1000 computer labs all over the country, establishment of 1000 Nenasa Distant Education Units and introducing IT based learning opportunities like School Net, Web paatashala and e-thaksalawa. Being one of the first Ministries to become actively involved in rehabilitation and reconciliation process in the post war era, Mr. Gunawardhana guided the Ministry of Education to reconstruct the educational establishments destroyed by the conflict and bring the misguided youth back to a path of education, peace and sustainable development. After launching the National Action Plan for Education for Peace and Sustainable Development in 2012, he promoted follow up on the implementation of the National Action Plan to ensure achieving targets of Post 2015 Development Agenda. Versatility; Being a teacher, an orator and a pioneer member of the Sri Lanka Association of Accounting Technicians, Mr. Gunawardhana serves as the Advisor of the Inter-University Economists Forum? of Sri Lanka. He has also authored more than 34 books in addition to numerous newspaper articles. He was awarded the Vidyodaya Vidya Vibhushana honorary Degree by Vidyodaya Maha Pirivena, Maligakanda, Sri Lanka for his contribution education, economic and cultural sectors. A creative person at heart, Mr. Gunawardhana has produced several Sri Lankan movies including two Awards for the Best Film. He also holds the Presidency of the Sri Lanka - Korea Friendship Association and that of the Sri Lanka and has been instrumental in initiating much collaboration between the two countries. The above is testimony to Minister Bandula Gunawardhana s academic pursuits and experience in diversity of fields, such as political, administration and bi-lateral diplomacy. Sri Lanka is honoured to present its candidate, a person in the caliber of the Hon Bandula Gunawardhana Minister of Education, Sri Lanka, for election to the Executive Board, at the upcoming 39 th General Conference in October

6 Sri Lanka Vision and For UNESCO Sri Lanka Through its nominee, Hon Bandula Gunawardhana, in the Executive Board, pledges to; Uphold UNESCO's constitutional mandate to build peace, the eradication of poverty, continue sustainable development and intercultural dialogue, through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. Promote quality education for all through teacher development and introduction of necessary reforms. Promote peace and social cohesion through education for peace and sustainable development, cultural exchange programmes and cultural festivals. Promote UNESCO efforts at interfaith and intercultural dialogue for international understanding Work towards making the quality and relevance of UNESCO's fields of competence felt at the national levels. Promote and strengthen a decentralized UNESCO including the strengthening of the UNESCO's unique concept of National Commissions Strengthen UNESCO's position as a standard setter and in providing evidence based policy research to member states. Improve cooperation in research, development and sharing of best practices among member states. Strengthen inter-sectoral approaches, both at UNESCO and in the member states, in the implementation of programmes related to UNESCO's field of competence. Encourage continued reforms within UNESCO, to best serve the interests of the member states. Above all, through UNESCO, promote the respect for human dignity and right and respect for the environment, the cornerstones for achieving peace and sustainable development. 6