UNESCO: 181ST EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVES LAUNCHING OF A

UNCLAS PARIS FR 000718 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - SEE PARA 2 ADDITION OF F E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM UNESCO SUBJECT: UNESCO: 181ST EXECUTIVE BOARD APPROVES LAUNCHING OF A NETWORK OF NATIONAL AGAINST RACISM, XENOPHOBIA, AND OTHER FORMS OF INTOLERANCE Ref: A) 08 PARIS FR 002114 B) 09 PARIS FR 000707 ¶1. Uruguay first proposed a network of national authorities against racism and xenophobia modeled on an existing network of city authorities during the Spring 2007 Executive Board, depicting it as an offshoot of UNESCO's "Integrated strategy to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance," (adopted by UNESCO's General Conference in 2003). However, the initial explanation and supporting documentation for the "network of national authorities" initiative (as presented at that time and then again at the Spring 2008 Executive Board) were flawed in several respects, and resulted in the Board sending the proposal back for further work and clarification. The Board decided in 2008 to defer consideration of this proposal in part because it focused primarily on racism, xenophobia and intolerance problems faced by migrant populations, an issue that many delegations considered as not within the scope of UNESCO's core mandate. Moreover, it was not clear whether this initiative would duplicate work already being done by the existing "Coalition of Cities against Racism." A number of Executive Board delegations (the U.S. included) were also reluctant to see this initiative launched on a global basis, and urged that it first be tested on an experimental basis within the Latin American region, where it had its most avid support. The funding implications of such an initiative were also a matter of concern. ¶2. The feasibility study for this initiative presented at the 181st Board session (April 2009),however, overcame many of these drawbacks and enabled easy, consensus adoption of this initiative on a scaled-back basis. An important attribute of the "network" initiative, as approved, is that it will now be initiated on a "pilot project" basis limited to the Latin America and the Caribbean region. States in that region may participate, or not, on an optional basis. The network will aim to complement rather than duplicate the work already being done by the Coalition of Cities Against Racism and, importantly, will conform to the other key understandings set forth in the feasibility study presented at the 181st Board session. Among these understandings are the following: (a) the initiative would operate under the auspices of UNESCO (b) UNESCO would provide a modest, one-time sum of $45,000.00 to help the project get started; (c) the remaining costs will be covered by the network's members and from other (non-UNESCO) outside sources; (d) States joining the network will decide which national entities are to participate in it; and (e) it will promote best practices and facilitate the exchange of information; and (f) thanks to effective advocacy by the U.S. delegation, the network concept no longer seeks to focus also on migrants and migration. It is important to underline that, in approving this network the Board also implicitly approved its extension, in principle, to an eventual global reach. However, the Board has adopted a step-by-step approach toward global scope and has asked the Director-General to "monitor the functioning of the network and to keep the Executive Board informed periodically on the progress achieved." ¶3. Comment: U.S. persistence in holding this project to strict scrutiny, while at the same time working constructively with the Uruguayan delegation to secure their agreement to improvements we sought, resulted in a potentially troublesome proposal being significantly scaled back. This "network of national authorities" concept bears continued close monitoring, particularly at future sessions when reports on its progress are being made. If the project remains operationally faithful to the key understandings reached (as described above),the network should not pose any major problems. That said, we must still remain vigilant to ensure it does not seek to become inappropriate or intrusive in the domestic affairs of UNESCO Member States. ENGELKEN