On April 5, the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics hosted a meeting of the Coordination Committee of UNESCO Chairs of the Russian Federation chaired by Vladimir Egorov, Head of the UNESCO Chair at the Presidential Academy. Committee members from Astrakhan, Kazan, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Khanty-Mansiysk attended the meeting.
In her welcome speech, Tatiana Dovgalenko, Secretary General of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, talked about key trends in the educational agenda and forthcoming events under the auspices of UNESCO. She stressed the importance of developing partnerships with foreign Chairs to promote Russia’s best practices in UNESCO’s areas of interest. She pointed out that the Chairs should bear in mind UNESCO’s priorities — Africa and Gender Equality and build communication with the priority groups — youth and small island states.
Svetlana Malkarova, Vice President of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, provided insights into the activities of the UNESCO Chair “Social, Legal, and Ethical Aspects of the Knowledge Society — Information Society” and the Digital Volunteers project.
The Committee evaluated applications from the Saint Petersburg Higher School of Folk Arts (Academy), Kazan Federal University, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, and Ufa University of Science and Technology looking to establish UNESCO Chairs. The Committee chose three applications to be submitted to the UNESCO Secretariat.
The Coordination Committee of UNESCO Chairs was established in 2007 and comprises heads of the most active UNESCO Chairs who are highly competent and have international experience. The Committee is elected and approved by the Congress of UNESCO Chairs that takes place every four years.
The Committee reviews Chair reports, develops a strategy for the Russian network, makes decisions on cooperation with other UNESCO networks in the field of education, such as the Associated Schools Network and UNEVOC, evaluates and proposes amendments to applications for setting up UNESCO Chairs. Committee members are invited as experts to work on the Executive Board and General Conference documents and prepare national reports on various aspects of interaction with UNESCO. The Coordination Committee was involved in the formulation of decisions of the 201th and 215th sessions of the UNESCO Executive Board regarding the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Program.
Ksenia Gaverdovskaya