Unesco to support Malawi in development sector

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Director General Irina Bokova says her organisation will continue to support Malawi in different development sectors.

She said this on Wednesday upon her arrival at Kamuzu International Airport .

Bokova, who is on a two-day visit to Malawi, explained that she would be reviewing a number of projects that Unesco is supporting, especially in the education sector.

“… Unesco is assisting Malawi in different projects particularly in education, labour, energy, tourism and culture”, she said.

Bokova said Unesco will support Malawi to achieve Millennium Development Goals through projects in education, tourism, culture and bio diversity.

The Unicief chief said she will take advantage of her visit to Malawi to invite President Joyce Banda to attend the general conference on Unesco be held in November in Paris..

Welcoming the visiting Unesco boss at KIA was the Minister of Education Eunice Kazembe who told reporters that Malawi is benefiting from Unesco funded projects.

She pointed out the education sector as a main beneficiary; others being, technical, vocation, tourism and culture. She said culture is playing a big role in preserving Malawi’s cultural heritage, citing gule wamkulu, vimbuza and tchopa traditional dances.

Kazembe added that the Unesco director’s visit would help to consolidate and cement the cordial relations with Malawi and explore other avenues which need assistance.

“I can recall when we had floods in Karonga due to heavy rains, Unesco came to our rescue in assisting the victims who were displaced,” said Kazembe.

She added that since Malawi and Namibia are executive board members of Unesco, a number of focal areas will be improved especially with the opening of the Centre of Excellence at Lilongwe Technical College.

In his remarks, executive secretary of the Malawi National Commission for Unesco Francis Mkandawire said the director general will officially launch the second phase of Unesco support to technical and vocational advance reforms at Lilongwe Technical College.

Mkandawire said Unesco will be introducing a new programme called New Medium Term Strategy for 2014 to 2022 which will run for eight years in the country.

‘’The programme is very important since it will help in capacity building …’’ he said.

While in the country, the Unesco director General will hold a number of engagements including holding discussions with ministries of Education, Energy, Information, Labour and Tourism officials.

She is also expected to have an audience with President Banda at Kamuzu Palace to highlight her visit in the country.