| Bangladesh National Commission of UNESCO (BNCU) |
 |
| |
| Introduction |
|
| Bangladesh National Commission of UNESCO (BNCU) was established in 1972. Since then it is serving as a liaison agency between the Government of Bangladesh and the institutions concerned with UNESCO’s activities. BNCU also involves the Government of Bangladesh in matters relating to UNESCO and ISESCO. |
| |
| Structure |
|
| BNCU’s organizational structure is as follows: |
 |
Chairman, Secretary General and Assistant Secretary, Program officers & Librarian along with support staff conduct the work of BNCU. |
|
The Commission has 75 members from relevant Ministries, Divisions, Government and Non Government Organizations, Institutions and Universities. It is a policy-making body that meets at least once a year. |
|
The steering Committee of the Commission comprises 35 members and is headed by the Chairman, of the Commission. It meets once in every three months to supervise the work of the Commission. |
|
BNCU has five Sub-Commissions of eleven members each in the sub-sector like Education, Science and Information & Communication Technology, Culture, social science & Humanities and Mass Media & Communication. |
|
| |
| Activity |
|
| BNCU works under the Ministry of Education and maintains working relations with other Ministries, NGOs and Civil Society Organizations. BNCU also works closely with the UNESCO’s Country, Regional, Cluster Offices and Headquarters. Bangladesh Mission in Paris gives necessary support in timely communication and execution of BNCU program. Following are the activities of BNCU in brief: |
| The function of BNCU is to involve in UNESCO’s activities the various departments, agencies, science, culture and communication. |
| |
| Participation Programme |
|
UNESCO provides small funds to GOs and NGOs to implement different projects promoting education, science, culture and information among member states. BNCU helps the organizations to get the funds observing all official procedures and maintains liaison between UNESCO Headquarters and concerned agencies. Once an organization gets fund for a program, BNCU supervises the execution on behalf of UNESCO HQs and the Government and provides technical supports.
In 2001-2003, nineteen GOs and NGOs were granted around 3,41,000 US$ to implement their projects in the country. |
| |
| UNESCO Coupons Programme |
|
| The UNESCO Coupon is valued in United States dollars. It is sold for national currency to educational institutions, research workers, and students who can use them to pay for their foreign purchases, Since UNESCO Coupon is tax free it is useful to buy all foreign publications, films and materials intended for educational, scientific or culture purposes. |
| BNCU is the only recognized agency to supply UNESCO Coupons and it deals with various universities and organizations regarding UNESCO Coupons. |
| |
| Scholarship & Fellowship |
|
| BNCU circulates and advertises the UNESCO Fellowship & Scholarship Programme and helps competent citizens of the country to follow the procedure. Once the applicants are awarded fellowships or scholarships it is again BNCU’s responsibility to help them to complete the course. |
| |
| Prizes & Awards |
|
| BNCU communicates with different Ministries for obtaining nominations from Bangladesh regarding different UNESCO and ISESCO prizes and awards. |
| |
| UNESCO Club |
|
| BNCU helps UNESCO Clubs for better understanding of UNESCO activities and spread the message of UNESCO. |
| |
| Education for All (EFA) |
|
| UNESCO at present has given thrust on Education for All (EFA) throughout the world. BNCU coordinates EFA program execution in Bangladesh through relevant agencies. |
| |
| TVET |
|
| BNCU coordinates UNESCO’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Programme in Bangladesh. |
| |
| Information |
|
| BNCU is an important source of information of UNESCO priorities with regard to education, science, culture and information. BNCU Library provides information about UNESCO jobs, UNESCO Courier, Publications and CAS bulletin. It is expected that BNCU will launch its own website and extend Internet connection within the shortest possible time. |
| |
| Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) |
|
| BNCU looks after ISESCO matters regarding all types of workshop, seminar and training programs. In a word, it works as a focal point of ISESCO in Bangladesh. It also circulates the scholarship news of ISESCO and plays role in releasing fund from ISESCO for Bangladeshi researchers. |
