How India has been promoting collaboration among nations through education ?
Answers
Explanation:
The Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) adopted in London on 16th September, 1945, states that: "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” It continues further: "That the wide diffusion of culture, and the education of humanity for justice and liberty and peace are indispensable to the dignity of man and constitute a sacred duty which all the nations must fulfil in a spirit of mutual assistance and concern.”
The above underlines the importance of this Specialised Agency for the maintenance of international peace and security, through the diffusion of education, culture, science and information globally and through the development of international standards to further these mandates. Its aims and objectives coincide with the guiding principle enshrined in our own Constitution. As a Founder Member, having ratified the Constitution on 4th November, 1946, when still under colonial rule, India has played a leadership role in supporting the implementation of the priorities of UNESCO in its different agendas relating to education, science and culture. As a pluralistic, democratic, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural State, the world’s largest democracy, we have been and will continue to be a bridge between differing ideologies, cultures and civilizations as we have demonstrated in different periods of UNESCO’s tumultuous history.
Our leadership position is widely acknowledged and has never been challenged. We have been continuously re-elected to the UNESCO Executive Board since 1946, including for the 2014-17 period. We are a large contributor to its budget, despite our developing country status. Government of India’s annual financial contribution amounts to 0.5% of UNESCO’s total budget, and in 2014 stands at INR 14 crores annually, which is approximately US Dollars 2.25 million. The National Commission for India’s Cooperation with UNESCO is headed by Human Resource Minister (HRM), Smt. Smriti Irani. India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO is headed by a senior Foreign Service Officer, Ambassador/Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj.