The Philippines has been elected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) General Conference as a member of the Intergovernmental Council (IGC) of the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme for the term 2021-2023.
As one of the major programs of Unesco under the Social and Human Sciences (SHS) sector, MOST is aimed at promoting the use of social and human knowledge to support policies and build capacities, transmit knowledge through research-action activities, and contribute to national and international policy debate and agendas.
Composed of 35 member states, the MOST IGC will establish the priority areas to be researched, decide on overall policy and funding questions, and handle relations with government authorities.
It is also tasked to approve programs and facilitation of relations with national research centers and policymakers.
For its membership in the MOST IGC, the Philippines shall be represented by National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary for Policies and Planning Rosemarie Edillon, supported by Unesco National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM), and the Permanent Delegation of the Philippines to Unesco.
Meanwhile, the Philippines also highlighted during the SHS Commission meeting of the 41st General Conference on November 15 in Paris, France, the importance of maximizing partnerships with civil society, the academe, business sector and public and private organizations in carrying out the proposed programs and extending the sense of commitment in achieving these goals.
The Philippines is set to participate in the Review of the new MOST strategy (2022-2029) draft in the virtual Extraordinary Session of the MOST IGC slated from November 30 to December 1.