RULES OF PROCEDURE
Article I - PURPOSE
1. Article VII.1 of the UNESCO Constitution states that: Each Member State shall make such arrangements as suit its particular condition for the purpose of associating its principal bodies interested in educational, scientific and cultural matters with the work of the Organisation, preferably by the formation of a National Commission broadly representative of the Government and such bodies.
Article II - FUNCTION
1. Article VII.2 of the UNESCO Constitution states that: National Commissions ... shall act in an advisory capacity to their respective delegations to the General Conference and to their Governments in matters relating to the Organisation and shall function as agencies of liaison in all matters of interest to it.
2. To this end the National Commission shall -
(a)
advise the Government on all matters relating to UNESCO and on all
matters
referred to the National Commission by the Minister for Foreign
Affairs or the
Minister's designated representative;
(b)
provide advice on the composition of and provide briefing for
delegations to the
UNESCO General Conference and to other UNESCO meetings and
conferences;
(c)
serve as an agency of liaison with organisations, institutions and
individuals
interested in the activities of UNESCO.
Article III - MEMBERSHIP
1. The National Commission shall normally comprise fourteen members, comprising a Chairperson, ten specialist advisers (two each to advise on UNESCO's education, science, culture, communications and social science programs), oneyouth representative, and two parliamentary observers representing the Government and the Federal Opposition.
2. The Minister for Foreign Affairs may also appoint up to four persons, who will have a distinguished record of service to UNESCO, as honorary members to the Commission.
Article IV- APPOINTMENT AND TENURE
1. The National Commission shall be appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
2 In considering the appointment of the education specialists (see Article III above) the Minister for Foreign Affairs or the Minister's officials, shall consult with the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs or that Minister's officials.
3. Members shall normally be appointed for a term of three years, which may be renewed.
Article V - CHAIRPERSON AND DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
1. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson shall be appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Article VI - FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
1. The National Commission shall meet several times a year.
2. The Secretariat shall be responsible for organising meetings and for recording proceedings of meetings.
Article VII - SECRETARIAT
1. The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary-General and such staff as may be required.
2. The Secretariat shall be located in the United Nations and Commonwealth Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Article VIII - EXECUTIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1. Between meetings of the National Commission, an Executive Advisory Committee, comprising the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson and the Secretary-General, shall advise the Government on matters relating to UNESCO.
2. The Executive Advisory Committee shall be an ad hoc committee empowered to discharge the functions of the National Commission between meetings of the latter.
3. The Executive Advisory Committee shall be empowered to co-opt additional members of the National Commission as appropriate.
Article IX - PROGRAM COMMITTEES
1. The National Commission may establish standing or ad hoc program committees or networks to advise on the implementation of UNESCO programs.
2. Each committee, or network, shall be chaired by a member of the National Commission.
3. The size of committees or networks shall be determined by the National Commission, but generally shall not exceed ten.
4. Members shall normally be appointed for three-year terms, which may be renewable.
Article X - AMENDMENT
1. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will have sole power to amend these Rules of Procedure, but shall draw on advice from the National Commission and the Department where the Minister deems appropriate.