Media Release
16 June, 2009
Appointment of Australian National Commission for UNESCO
I am pleased to announce the appointment of a new Australian National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Australia is a founding member of UNESCO and has had a national UNESCO Advisory body, now known as the Australian National Commission for UNESCO, since 1947.
The National Commission performs a key role in Australia's engagement with UNESCO. The Commission, through its interaction with civil society, academia and the private sector, provides expert analysis and advice to the Australian Government on UNESCO issues.
The National Commission also administers a small-scale grants program to support community initiatives promoting UNESCO goals.
The new body is comprised of a Chair, five community members representing UNESCO focus areas, a youth representative, eight ex officio representatives from government agencies and two Parliamentary observers. The National Commission is supported by a small secretariat within DFAT.
The new Chair is Ms Anthea Tinney, former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
The community representatives are:
Professor Denise Bradley AO (education), former Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Australia;
Dr James Bradfield Moody (natural sciences), Executive Director of Development, CSIRO;
Professor Abdullah Saeed (social sciences), Director of the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne;
Ms Chrissy Grant (culture), member of the Indigenous Advisory Council; and
Mr Martin Hadlow (IT/Communications), Director of the Centre for Communication for Development and Social Change at the University of Queensland.
The youth representative (under 25) is Ms Samah Hadid.
I congratulate the new appointees to the National Commission and wish them well in their endeavours.
The first meeting of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO will be held in Canberra today.
Media inquiries:
- Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555