DUSHANBE, September 5, 2011, Asia-Plus — Four public associations in Tajikistan – Special Olympics in Tajikistan, Alliance of Ethnic Minorities of Tajikistan, the Educational Center “Multikid” and the Miniature Center “Mino” – have been awarded the UNESCO club status.
Chairman of Tajikistan’s National Commission for UNESCO, Dr. Karomatullo Olimov, presented certificates to these NGOs on September 2.
The new status reportedly gives these public associations an opportunity to promote UNESCO programs in Tajikistan and intensify their activities aimed at promoting social and humanitarian development and expanding Tajikistan’s cooperation with UNESCO.
According to the UNESCO website, since the first UNESCO Club was founded in Japan, in 1947, UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations have been very valuable partners for the Organization. Club movement members, who are all volunteers, include people of all ages and nationalities from every walk of life. They share a commitment to UNESCO’s ideals and work to translate them into reality on the ground. Members are therefore well placed to present the views of civil society to decision-makers. In the half-century the UNESCO Clubs movement has been in existence, the world has witnessed a vast range of events concerning every one of UNESCO’s fields of competence. In 2010, the movement included some 3.800 associations, centers and UNESCO clubs in more than 80 countries throughout the world.
At the international level, the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations (WFUCA) is responsible for informing, coordinating and mobilizing its members, with UNESCO”s support and cooperation.
In the light of civil society”s growing role in public policy-making, the Club movement can play a key part in educating citizens, and can contribute to dialogue between cultures and generations for sustainable development.
