In which committees is the Netherlands active?

It is the role of the General Conference to set up specific or technical committees and other support bodies for the policy to be implemented. These committees and bodies are responsible for a specific UNESCO program, are involved in policy-making and monitor the implementation of the program. The geographic distribution of member states and in general respect the rotation principle in the committees. Member States can be elected for a period of four years. On average, these bodies meet twice a year. The Netherlands is active in the following bodies:

International Hydrological Programme (IHP)

The IHP is the scientific cooperation program in water resources. It serves as a tool for Member States wishing to increase their knowledge of water in order to improve their management capacity in this area. The Intergovernmental Council consists of 36 member states and is responsible for planning and executing the IHP priorities. The Netherlands is a member of this Council until the autumn of 2007 and is represented in it by Prof. dr. Dr. Feddes.

De UNESCO website has moreinformatie over het IHP.

International Bureau of Education (IBE)

The IBE acts as a specialized center for content, methods and structure of education. It builds networks for sharing knowledge about developing new curricula for schools, striving to implement modern learning techniques and skills. The IBE consists of 28 member states. The Netherlands is a member of the Bureau until the autumn of 2009 and is represented there by Prof. dr. Dr. A.L.M. van Wieringen.

Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC)

The & lsquo; International Bioethics Committee & rsquo; (IGBC) is concerned with raising awareness among the general public and among decision-makers regarding bioethics. The ICBC is the Intergovernmental Council of the IBC and consists of 36 member states. It studies the recommendations and advice the IBC prepares for the General Conference and provides its views on bioethics issues. The Netherlands is a member of the IGBC until the autumn of 2007 and is represented there by Prof. Dr. J.J.M. van Delden.

World Heritage Committee (WHC)

The World Heritage Committee & eacute; is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, determines the use of the World Heritage Fund and provides technical support to member states if necessary. The committee & eacute; can have a member state take action when a site is not properly maintained. Finally, it determines whether a location can be placed on the World Heritage List. The WHC consists of 21 Member States. The Netherlands is a member until the autumn of 2007 and is represented by Prof. dr. Dr. R van der Ploeg (former State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science).

The Netherlands has seven sites: the historic center in Willemstad on the Antilles, Schokland, the Defense Line of Amsterdam, the Kinderdijk windmills, the Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal, the polder De Beemster and the Rietveld Schr & ouml; derhuis.

Op de Nederlandse werelderfgoed website vindt u meer informatie over werelderfgoed en het WHC.

International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)

The IPDC aims to promote and discuss the development of media in developing countries. The program supports media projects and strives for free and pluralistic media in developing countries. The IPDC Intergovernmental Council consists of 39 Member States and is responsible, among other things, for approving program priorities. The Netherlands was elected a member of the IPDC in the last General Conference until the autumn of 2009 and is represented there by PV UNESCO.

You can find more information on the UNESCO website information about the IPDC program.

Intergovernmental Committee for physical education and sport (CIGEPS)

Founded in 1979, CIGEPS focuses on coordinating, disseminating and promoting actions in the field of physical education and sports. The aim is to introduce new, more flexible and cost-effective methods of consultation and cooperation in physical education. In addition to governments, the CIGEPS can also have a say in international and regional sports authorities, the non-governmental sector and the private sector. The Netherlands is a member of the Comit & eacute; until the autumn of 2007 and is represented therein by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

Headquarters Committee

The Headquarters Committee determines and co-ordinates the management policy of the UNESCO headquarters in collaboration with the Director-General. The committee & eacute; makes recommendations to the Director-General, such as for example for renovation work and safety measures. The Comit & eacute; consists of 24 Member States and has elected a Bureau that monitors the implementation of the plans. The Netherlands is a member of the Comit & eacute; until the autumn of 2009 and is represented here by PV UNESCO.