The 1st Meeting of UNESCO Education Sector Category II Centres 5 - 7 May 2009, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China The meeting was the first ever event organized by UNESCO in promoting its Category II centre to contribute to UNESCO central mission and programme priorities. As 'a historical milestone for UNESCO and the Category II Centre', the meeting provided an opportunity for sharing information on institutional achievements, lessons and challenges, and for development of future strategies in enhancing their contributions to UNESCO goals and mid-term programme. Organizers UNESCO Chinese National Commission for UNESCO International Research and Training Center for Rural Education (INRULED)   Participants Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) International Centre for Girls' and Women's Education in Africa of the African Union (CIEFFA) Guidance, Counseling and Youth Development Centre for Africa (GCYDCA) International Research and Training Center for Rural Education (INRULED) Regional Centre for Educational Planning (RCEP) UNESCO HQs UNESCO Bangkok Office Recommendations of the UNESCO Education Sector meeting with the Directors of the five Category II Centres(PDF) Agenda Tuesday, 5 May Chair: Mr. Abhimanyu Singh, Director, UNESCO Beijing Office 9:00 - 9:30 - Opening Remarks by Mr. Alexandre Sannikov, Chief, Liaison of Institutes, Field Offices and External Partners,    Education Sector, UNESCO - Opening Remarks by Ms. Zhu Xiaoman, Director, INRULED - Opening Remarks from Chinese Commission for UNESCO - Opening Remarks from Beijing Normal University Introduction by the participants and the adoption of the provisional agenda 9:30 - 10:00 Introduction to the draft Integrated Comprehensive Strategy for Institutes and Centers under the auspices of UNESCO (Category 2) and its development - Mr. Alexandre Sannikov, Chief, Liaison of Institutes, Field Offices and External Partners, Education Sector, UNESCO 10:00 - 10:30 A Group picture and coffee break 10:30 - 12:30 Chair: Mr. Alexandre Sannikov, UNESCO Institution Introduction (30 minutes each, followed by Q and A) - Brief history of the Centre; - What has been achieved and key challenges remain; - What's the role of the host government and the National Commission for UNESCO; - How are the activities/programmes planned and financed; - Working with other partners in host countries and in the region; etc. INRULED by Ms. Zhu Xiaoman RCEP by Ms. Mara Hill 12:30 - 14:00 Lunch Chair: Ms. Mara Hill, Director, RCEP 14:00 - 17:00 Institution Introduction (continued) - APCEIU by Mr. Lee Suenghwan - CIEFFA by Ms. Aminata Elisabeth OUEDRAOGO - GCYDCA by Mr. Kenneth Hamwaka 17:00 - 18:00 Discussion 20:00 - 21:00 Dinner hosted by BNU/Chinese Commission for UNESCO Wednesday, 6 May Chair: Mr. Kenneth Hamwaka, Director, GCYDCA 9:00 - 10:00 Address by Mr. Nicholas Burnett, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Followed by Q and A 10:00 - 13:00 Discussion on institutional achievement, lessons and challenges - What are the common lessons to learn and challenges to face; - What might be the solutions; - Evaluation of the work of Category 2 Centers and the follow-up actions; - How to plan Centers' work along the lines of UNESCO Education priorities; - How to link the work of Category 2 Centers with ED's priorities and programme; etc. 11:00 - 11:15 Coffee break 13:00 - 14:30 Lunch 15:00 - 16:00 Visit INRULED 16:00 - 19:00 Short tour of Beijing 19:00 - 21:00 Watch Show in National Theatre /Beijing sightseeing and Dinner Thursday, 7 May Chair: Mr. Lee Suenghwan, Director, APCEIU 9:00 - 9:30 Challenges and opportunities for UNESCO's education programme in Asia and the Pacific - Mr. Gwang-Jo Kim, Director, UNESCO Bangkok Office 9:30 - 11:00 Discussion on how to build up a strong network and enhance cooperation - How to strengthen the collaboration among Category 2 Centers; - How to enhance effective collaboration between Category 2 centers and UNESCO HQs/field offices (linkage to Intersectoral Platforms etc); - How UNESCO could assist Category 2 Centers' work; - How to enhance effective communication between Category 2 centers and UNESCO and among Category 2 centers; - How to report the Centers' work to the HQs, Field offices and the world outside UNESCO; - What should be the elements in the Education Sector's comprehensive strategy for Category 2 centers; etc. 11:00 - 11:15 Coffee break Chair: Ms. Zhu Xiaoman, Director, INRULED 11:15 - 12:00 Closing session: conclusions and recommendations Closing remarks 12:00 - 14:00 Lunch 14:00 - 17:30 Public Forum on Ensuring Equality in Education Challenge and Responsibilities 20:00 - 21:00 Dinner hosted by INRULED Friday, 8 May Delegates departure Final Report (PDF)