About the Chair

UNESCO Education Sector

Education is UNESCO’s top priority because it is a basic human right and the foundation on which to build peace and drive sustainable development. UNESCO is the United Nations’ specialized agency for education and the Education Sector provides global and regional leadership in education, strengthens national education systems and responds to contemporary global challenges through education with a special focus on gender equality and Africa.

The Global Education 2030 Agenda

UNESCO, as the United Nations’ specialized agency for education, is entrusted to lead and coordinate the Education 2030 Agenda, which is part of a global movement to eradicate poverty through 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Education, essential to achieve all of these goals, has its own dedicated Goal 4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all .” The Education 2030 Framework for Action provides guidance for the implementation of this ambitious goal and commitments.

The UNESCO Chair on "SHPCHER" will contribute to accelerate the development of the Namibian society and building the foundations for technology by creating a critical mass of high-level expertise in the related field of the Chair. Further, the UNESCO Research Chair for SHPCHER will develop (i) supercomputing facilities, (ii) big data analytical techniques, (iii) smart communication and (iii) cyber security solution for society.

SCOPE/FOCUS

Contribution to UNESCO priorities: Contributes to one or more of UNESCO’s priorities as outlined in the Medium-Term Strategy (2022-2029) and the Approved Programme (2022-2025)

Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2029 (41 C/4)

UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2029 aims at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Organization’s fields of competence by 2030.

UNESCO’s strategic objectives, enabling objectives and their corresponding outcomes

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1: Ensure quality equitable and inclusive education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, in order, inter alia, to reduce inequalities and promote learning and creative societies, particularly in the digital era.

Outcome 1: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Outcome 2: Strengthen international coordination for the achievement of SDG 4 and develop the global education agenda based on research, foresight and innovation

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2

Work towards sustainable societies and protecting the environment through the promotion of science, technology, innovation and the natural heritage.

Outcome 3: Enhance knowledge for climate action, biodiversity, water and ocean management, and disaster risk reduction

Outcome 4: Advance international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4

Foster a technological environment in the service of humankind through the development and dissemination of knowledge and skills and the development of ethical standards.

Outcome 8: Foster knowledge sharing and skills development in the digital age

Outcome 9: Develop ethical standards, norms and frameworks for action to meet the challenges of innovative technologies and digital transformation.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation