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UNESCO's approach |
UNESCO’s approach to the natural sciences has evolved in recent years from the recommendations of experts in the 1999 World Conference of Science, the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and other such initiatives. Aside from contributing to the advancement of basic knowledge, UNESCO views the role of the natural sciences as one among various means to contribute to human security through a better management of the environment in national frameworks while strengthening civil society roles and science in better service of society. UNESCO’s science programme also seeks to support MDGs while furthering poverty reduction and ethical approaches to science and technology. UNESCO views water as critical to address in terms of conservation, safety for drinking and basic needs, and its importance for food security. Another concern is the potential for violent and deadly conflict over scarce water resources, and finding means to mitigate sources of tension and dispute. From a research perspective UNESCO supports efforts to better understand and promote science-based decisions and capacity-building for the sustainable management of water resources. |
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Pakistan has a water centered cultural identity, geographically (the basin of Indus) as well as historically. The Indus valley civilizations, among the greatest world’s civilizations, are based on the importance of rivers (Indus and its tributaries) and sea (coastal area of Pakistan): Harappa, Vedas, and Gandhara. The decline of these civilizations can be attributed in part to changes in the river system.
 Read the full document (PDF document 270kb)
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| Map of the Indus Civilization |
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Contract with GTZ on Rural Electrification of remote villages:
With the help of GTZ (German Technical Cooperation), UNESCO Islamabad Office developed a capacity building programme in the framework of the rural electrification project which was conducted in partnership with the Government of Pakistan in 2006/2007. GTZ organised 6 days’ technical training programme in Quetta on solar rural electrification, renewable energy technologies, water resources and solar water pumping for around 30 staff members of the following institutions: Alternative Energy Development Board, Irrigation and Power Department, Government of Balochistan, Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences, Quetta Polytechnique Institute for Girls, other TVET institutes. |
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World Science Day:
On behalf of UNESCO Islamabad, Pakistan Science Foundation organized a Convention of Scientists to mark the World Science Day for Peace and Development on 20 November 2006 and a live Talk Show on Pakistan Television on 10 November 2006. The events also covered the technical and scientific issues relating to the earthquake calamity of 8 October 2005, thus generating a forum for discussion towards preparing a practical plan of action on responding in such situations. |
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