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TA N Z A N I A A N D U N E S C O
7
UNESCO NATIONAL COMMISSION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
T
he Magazine of
Tanzania and UNESCO
is an informative journal which provides
highlights of key activities implemented by UNESCO National Commission of the
United Republic of Tanzania every year. The magazine also provides relevant infor-
mation on activities implemented in the country by various UNESCO stakeholders in collaboration with the National
Commission in UNESCO areas of competence.
During the year under review, Tanzania National Commission for UNESCO continued to discharge its main
duties in sectors of Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, and Communication and Information.
The government has continued to support UNESCO National Commission by providing both financial and non-
financial resources to enable it to effectively execute its duties. The implemented programs have been effective in
increasing the rate at which Tanzania meets its goals particularly in relation to Sustainable Development.
In the year under consideration, UNESCONational Commission – through Education sector – was able to provide
in-service training to teachers, coordinate fellowship programmes and organize seminars to teachers in UNESCO –
ASPnet schools within the country. The Commission expects to implement a project on climate change using Whole-
School Approach in the near future.
The Commission – through the Natural Sciences sector – has also been instrumental in supporting the use of
Technology in promoting Science education in secondary schools and the application of Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in contributing towards the national development. Also the Commission
through the Natural Sciences has initiated the nomination process of the first Sub-Saharan Africa Geopark which
will be called the Ngorogoro-Lengai Geo-park. The Commission through its Culture sector was able to make sure
that Tanzania’s interests on cultural and heritage aspects are observed. As part of its effort to safeguard our common
cultural heritage in its diverse forms, UNESCO National Commission has joined other member-states in supporting
the adoption of the convention on the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
On the other hand, the National Commission through Social and Human Sciences sector has been striving to
ensure that the society builds peace and sustainable development at all the times. Through this sector, the Commission
succeeded to organize several training workshops across different sections of the society aiming at changing attitudes
and mindset of the people in areas related to doping in sports and female genital mutilation. It is important to note
too that the Commission through Communication and Information sector has also been playing an important role
in ensuring that Tanzania maintains freedom of speech, right to speech and access to information to all the people
as set by UNESCO. Through this sector also the Commission has promoted access to information to all by providing
adaptive devices to visually impaired students in some of the regions in Tanzania.
Based on the above deeds, I would like to express my appreciation to UNESCO for its immeasurable support to
the National Commission and the public at large through different programs undertaken and those in the pipeline.
Such support has been very instrumental in building up a knowledge society and in speeding up the development
process in the country.
On behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, I would like to assure all our stakeholders
that the Government is committed to work closely with each and every stakeholder in promoting peace and sustainable
development in the country. I hope that, readers will find this publication very resourceful and that it will increase
visibility of UNESCO National Commission in the country and at the global level.
Introduction
Dr Leonard Akwilapo
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology