October 18, 2002	Friday	Sha'aban 11, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization is supporting Pakistan in its ‘national education assessment’ study, sources told Dawn on Thursday.

According to the sources, top priority of the Unesco is to assist the UN member states for implementation of the education for all (EFA) programme in 2002-03.

The sources said six priority areas had been selected, based on the ‘Dakar Framework for Action,’ notably to improve childhood care and education, free and compulsory primary education, learning needs of the young, adult literacy, elimination of general disparities and improved learning.

The sources said, research and practical experience had shown that quality education and training were the most effective tools in fighting poverty and bringing prosperity and development to a country.

The Unesco office Islamabad is working closely with other UN agencies and the government through international partners for the EFA forum for implementation of the programme.

As underlined by Unesco, various important activities are supported in education, social sciences including media and communication, and in the fields of science and technology. Normative activities are essential in Unesco’s work as an intellectual organization.

Unesco supports networking within its fields of competence, capacity building, training activities and research. It falls within the organization’s mandate to promote basic principles of democracy, pluralism, respect for indigenous cultures, and the full participation of everyone in community life and decision making process at all levels.

The UN is celebrating 2002 as the year of cultural heritage. The Unesco office in Islamabad provides technical support and promotes awareness concerning the rich and diverse culture heritage of Pakistan. Tangible and intangible culture as well as creativity and innovation in arts, are also supported by the organization.