Information Meeting for Permanent Delegates on UNESCO’s Cooperation with National Commissions 25 February 2011 Internal Oversight Service

2 UNESCO’s Cooperation with National Commissions National Commissions established according to Article VII of UNESCO’s Constitution (1945) Charter of National Commissions for UNESCO (1978) Role of NatComs: to liaise, advise, disseminate info, participate in planning and execution of activities, etc. Section of National Commissions and Related Networks (ERI/NAC) at ERI is a central service unit charged with the coordination of the cooperation between UNESCO’s Secretariat and National Commissions

3 Evaluation of the Cooperation of UNESCO’s Secretariat with National Commissions Cooperation and interaction between the Secretariat and National Commissions have never been evaluated. Evaluation Purpose: Generate findings and conclusions regarding the role and contribution of UNESCO’s National Commissions and the Secretariat’s way of engaging them Provide recommendations that will help optimize the Secretariat’s interaction with National Commissions (and vice versa); and Better define the Commissions’ role within the larger UNESCO network and improve their contribution

4 Major evaluation questions What is the interaction between UNESCO’s Secretariat and the National Commissions for UNESCO? In what ways do the National Commissions contribute to the mission and work of UNESCO? What aspects of the interaction between UNESCO and the National Commissions need to be strengthened to make the most of it? What can UNESCO and the National Commissions learn from the workings of other UN liaison bodies?

5 Draft Terms of Reference Have been posted on IOS’ website: English version: URL_ID=48347&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=20 1.html French version: URL_ID=48347&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=20 1.html

6 Methodology and Team Methodology: Desk study Survey to all NatComs and PermDel Selected interviews at HQ with Secretariat and PermDel Field visits to a sample of countries Triangulation Evaluation team: IOS + external consultant

7 Next steps Draft evaluation TOR circulated to NatComs and PermDel Over 35 NatComs submitted comments – all are supportive of this exercise PermDel are invited to provide feedback on draft TOR RFP to be launched mid-March It is expected that the evaluation report will be ready for the 187th session of the Executive Board in the fall of 2011