Two ministerial round tables – on education and on science – a youth forum and an international civil society forum are on the agenda of the session. Close to 2,000 participants are expected, including numerous ministers and some ten heads of State and government * who will take the floor before representatives of the Organization’s 192 Member States.

The Ministerial Round Table on Education and Economic Development, on the 19 and 20 October, will examine the interface between education and economic development. It will give orientation to UNESCO’s action and priorities in this field. The following themes will be examined: the right to education and the right to development; the contribution of education to economic growth; education and sustainable development; partnerships for education and economic development.

The Ministerial Round Table on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development and the Role of UNESCO (26-27 October) is organized for science ministers in response to the recommendations of the science and technology ministers of the G-77 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 2006), and to those of the ministers of science and technology of the countries of southeast Europe (Ljubljana, Slovenia, also September 2006).

On the 25th of October, the International Forum of Civil Society will aim to reinforce the participation of UNESCO’s main non-governmental partners (elected representatives, parliamentarians and local officials, NGOs, UNESCO clubs, members of the private sector) in the implementation of the Organization’s short and medium term objectives. The morning session entitled Citizens and Global Governance – Acting Together will notably examine the future of partnerships between UNESCO and civil society. In the afternoon, participants will examine concrete examples of multiple partnerships to achieve UNESCO’s objectives.

The fifth edition of UNESCO’s Youth Forum will take place on 12 and 13 October. Every two years, the forum gives young people from UNESCO Member States and international youth and student organizations the opportunity to share their experiences, identify common concerns and contribute to the work of UNESCO. The 2007 Youth Forum will examine the results and recommendations from the regional UNESCO Youth Forums of 2006 and 2007 which focused on Young People and the Dialogue among Civilizations, Cultures and Peoples.

An exhibition entitled "Planet Earth: From Space to Place” will be held at UNESCO Headquarters throughout the General Conference. It will be inaugurated by Charles XVI, the King of Sweden, on 16 October. The exhibition comes ahead of the celebration of 2008, proclaimed International Year of Planet Earth, and features the work of the Organization in connection to sustainable development and climate change.

During this session, the General Conference will adopt the 2008-2013 Medium Term Strategy, as well as the Organization’s programme and budget for 2008-2009. It will also elect new members to replace half of those on the Executive Board and take all necessary decisions pertaining to the Organization’s fields of competence.


Related links:

Documents of the General Conference


* A detailed schedule will be made available soon.

Mandatory accreditation: Isabelle Le Fournis, Bureau of Public Information (i.le-fournis@unesco.org)