REPLY TO BEYOND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD QUESTIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 003101 SIPDIS FROM USMISSION UNESCO PARIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNESCO SUBJECT: REPLY TO BEYOND THE EXECUTIVE BOARD QUESTIONS REF: a) State 069712, b) State 070067 ¶1. The following items respond to Department's questions in reftels. ¶2. Next steps on Education for All Global Action Plan: Peter Smith, UNESCO's Assistant Director General for Education, was in New York City on April 27 for consultations on the EFA Global Action Plan. He and his UNESCO colleagues met with three representatives from the World Bank, one person from the UNDP, three people from UNICEF, a senior director of UNFPA and Marie Helene Gosselin from UNESCO NY. Following their New York meetings, a new draft was circulated to the agencies for their input. ADG Smith and his staff are working on revisions of the EFA Global Action Plan. We expect to see a copy soon, and will forward it to Washington for comments as soon as we get it. ¶3. Global Symposium on Promoting the Multilingual Internet, Geneva, May 9-11: US Mission PAO, Caitlin Bergin, will be attending the Geneva conference, and will provide a full report to Washington at the end of the conference. ¶4. Second World Forum on Human Rights, Nantes, France July 10-13: At this time there seems to be no direct involvement by UNESCO in this conference, except that it is promoted on the UNESCO web site. The description (and the Forum's own materials) cleverly refer to the 2004 Forum as having been held "at the initiative and with the support of UNESCO," leading all but the most precise readers with the impression that these descriptions of UNESCO's involvement apply to the 2006 Forum. UNESCO (ADG Pierre Sane) is a member of the Scientific Committee (which reviews speakers and applications to hold sessions). As this is not a UNESCO meeting, Mission does not wish to give it greater legitimacy through our official participation. At the same time, we are considering recommending certain NGO speakers participate to ensure a balanced presentation. While it is difficult to know at this point what issues might be problematic for us, Mission does intend to cover the Forum and will be reporting back to Washington at its conclusion. ¶5. ICSECA Funds: Already in progress. ¶6. Staff portfolios: Portfolios of the eight officers and staff of the US Mission to UNESCO: Ambassador Oliver DCM Andrew Koss John Hoff, Department of Health and Human Services, Attache Mr. Hoff's UNESCO portfolio is principally related to health and social matters. As such, he normally covers the following subjects at UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences Ethics of Science and Technology; Bioethics Philosophy and Human Sciences Social Sciences, Research and Policies In addition to his UNESCO responsibilities, Mr. Hoff also devotes half his time covering health related issues at OECD. Nancy Cooper, State Department, Science Officer Ms. Cooper's portfolio is primarily connected to science issues. She is currently responsible for the following subjects at UNESCO: Natural Sciences Sector Water and science issues International Oceanographic issues Basic Engineering and Sciences Ecology and Earth Sciences Sciences Analysis and Policies World Heritage Issues UNESCO governance Michael Peay, State Department, Senior Legal Adviser Mr. Peay is charged with providing legal support and advice to all Mission officer regarding substantive and procedural matters that arise within their respective areas of responsibility. In addition, Mr. Peay assists the Ambassador and DCM in covering issues that are considered highly contentious and politically volatile. In particular he will be covering the following subjects at UNESCO: Cultural Diversity Human Rights Internal Oversight International Standards and Legal Affairs Negotiation and other work related to treaties and other instruments Caitlin Bergin, State Department, Public Affairs Officer Develops and manages the Mission Public Diplomacy (PD) program. Plans PD activity, receptions and outreach. Other PD responsibilities include the Mission website, Voluntary Visitor and other exchanges, cultural, exhibit and speaker programs. Coordinates with UNESCO's Bureau of Public Information on important initiatives involving U.S. interests. Updates Mission on UNESCO-related media and drafts updates on Mission events for the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO newsletter. Fulbright scholar liaison. PAO also tracks and reports on telecommunication and media freedom issues in UNESCO's Information and Communication Sector (WSIS, Information Society, Internet Governance, World Digital Library, Memory of the World, Media Freedom, World Press Freedom Day and Prize, Media in post conflict situations, International Programme for the Development of Communication) and drafts reports on developments as needed. Sally Lovejoy, Department of Education, Education Attache Ms. Lovejoy's portfolio will consist of responsibility for all UNESCO education issues, including the "Education for All" program and its Global Action Plan. She is due to arrive at post this summer. Basic Education Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education Higher Education Promotion of Quality Education Educational Policies and Strategies AIDS/HIV education David Ostroff, State Department, Political Assistant Mr. Ostroff is the Mission's political generalist. As such, he is responsible for keeping current on the hot issues covered by the Mission officers, and backing them up as needed. He also is responsible for covering the following subjects: UNESCO personnel and American hiring Extra budgetary funding and private sector funding Executive Board and General Conference: Mission planning and execution National Commissions Relations with NGO's Relations with other delegations Oliver