Ten-Year Strategic Plan (2007 - 2016)

Abstract

The Ten Year Strategic Plan of the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM) has been developed to help the National Commission fulfill its mission. The development of the Ten-year Strategic Plan involved a series of consultations and workshops with stakeholders. A SWOT analysis was carried out on the UNATCOM environment, looking at both the internal and external environments. The problems identified include: undefined legal status, weak structure, inadequate staffing, inadequate funding, and emerging competition. The Strategic Plan has taken into account world development trends, as well as the national development framework and the global development goals. UNESCO was founded on November 16, 1945 as a specialised agency of the UN in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. It works to create the conditions for true dialogue, based upon respect for commonly shared values and the dignity of each civilisation and culture. National Commissions are provided for in Article VII of the UNESCO Constitution. They operate as National organs, carrying out national and international obligations according to the local situation. A Charter of National Commissions provides guidance on the role and operation of National Commissions. The National Commission for UNESCO of Uganda acts as a bridge, linking UNESCO with Uganda. The Secretary General as the Chief Executive of the organization heads the UNATCOM Secretariat. The Charter of National Commissions clearly outlines the duties and responsibilities of Member States and of UNESCO to NATCOMS. The Constitution also provides that each Member State defines the legal status and funding of its National Commission. The Strategic framework of this strategic plan is to help the Uganda National Commission fulfil its mission which is "to provide leadership, engage Ugandans to participate in and influence UNESCO programmes and activities and, contribute to peace and sustainable development". This mission is derived from the UNATCOM vision of “A learning, cultured, informed and peaceful nation". The goals of UNATCOM are: raising UNESCO's profile at the National level and increasing public awareness of its goals and ideals; linking national priorities with the international mission of UNESCO; associating intellectual and cultural resources and capacities of Uganda to activities of UNESCO; and providing backstopping services in research and development in its fields of competence.