Botswana National Comission for Unesco

🌍🏛️ KICKSTARTING A NEW CHAPTER FOR TSODILO HILLS! 🇧🇼✨

The Botswana National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) is proud to announce the successful commencement of a series of strategic workshops in Shakawe and Gumare under the transformative project:

“Africa–Europe Partnerships for Culture: Promoting Culture and Heritage-based Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa.”

These engagements mark an important milestone as Botswana advances efforts to strengthen the sustainable management, governance, and tourism potential of the iconic Tsodilo Hills World Heritage Site — one of our nation’s most treasured cultural and heritage landscapes.

The workshops bring together key stakeholders, including Government institutions, traditional leadership, local authorities, community representatives, technical experts, and development partners to collectively:

✅ Review and finalize priority activities and workplans for the site
✅ Strengthen governance and coordination mechanisms
✅ Commence consultations toward the development of an Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for Tsodilo Hills
✅ Promote inclusive, evidence-based and community-driven heritage conservation and sustainable tourism

This important work is guided by UNESCO’s Enhancing Our Heritage (EoH) Toolkit, ensuring that the voices of communities and stakeholders remain central to the future of Tsodilo Hills.

🙏 We extend our sincere gratitude to the European Union for its generous funding support and to UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) for its unwavering partnership and technical support in advancing this critical initiative.

Together, we are building a future where culture and heritage become powerful drivers of sustainable development, community livelihoods, and authentic tourism experiences.

📍 Shakawe | Gumare | Tsodilo Hills World Heritage Site
📅 26–28 May 2026

📢 Enhance Your Understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Justice, and the Rule of Law! ⚖️🤖

The Botswana National Commission for UNESCO wishes to bring to the attention of stakeholders, legal professionals, policymakers, academics, and all interested parties an exciting new learning opportunity jointly launched by UNESCO and the University of Oxford.

🎓 New Free Online Course: “AI, Justice and the Rule of Law”

This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) explores the ethical, legal, and human rights implications of Artificial Intelligence in judicial systems and public decision-making.

Designed for:
✅ Judges
✅ Prosecutors
✅ Court professionals
✅ Policymakers
✅ Legal experts
✅ Academics
✅ Justice sector stakeholders and the general public interested in AI governance

The course features:
📚 Six concise, self-paced modules
🎥 Expert-led content and practical case studies
🌍 Available in English, French, and Spanish
🏅 A joint certificate from UNESCO and the University of Oxford upon successful completion

📅 The English edition launched on 27 April 2026, while the French and Spanish editions commence in June 2026.

🔗 Enrol here:
https://secure.sbs.ox.ac.uk/corporate/landingPage.do?method=load&corporateGroupId=7948447
🎬 Watch the Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH5lS2rQ2wA&t=6s
📰 Read the Article: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-and-university-oxford-launch-free-global-course-ai-and-rule-law

As Artificial Intelligence increasingly shapes governance and justice systems globally, this course provides a timely opportunity to strengthen understanding of the opportunities, risks, ethics, and safeguards necessary to ensure that AI serves justice, human dignity, and the rule of law.

UNESCO and University of Oxford launch a free global course on AI and Artificial intelligence is no longer a future challenge for justice systems. It is already being used in courtrooms, shaping evidence, decision-making, and access to justice. Yet many judicial

PRIORITISING THE MENTAL WELL-BEING OF EDUCATORS IN BOTSWANA WITH UNESCO BOTSWANA

In a bold and timely step towards strengthening Botswana’s education sector, the UNESCO O3 Programme in Botswana, in partnership with UNESCO IICBA, the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Botswana Teachers’ Unions, and key national stakeholders Botswana National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, has launched a National Training of Trainers Workshop on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for teachers, teacher educators, and school leaders.

The intensive five-day residential workshop has brought together 50 participants to build a strong network of national master trainers capable of cascading mental health and psychosocial support interventions across Botswana’s education system. At a time when educators continue to face mounting social, emotional, and economic pressures many worsened by the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic this initiative reflects Botswana’s growing commitment to safeguarding the mental health and well-being of educators as key pillars of national development.

Aligned with Botswana’s Vision 2036, the African Union Continental MHPSS Strategy (2026–2035) and WHO global guidance, the programme aims to create resilient schools, empowered educators, and healthier learning environments for both teachers and learners.

During his opening remarks, UNESCO Programmes National Officer Mr. Martin Masima highlighted the strong and longstanding partnership between UNESCO and the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, noting that the collaboration has contributed towards creating safer and more supportive teaching and learning environments while also strengthening cooperation across other government sectors.

For their part on partner remarks, the Botswana National Commission for UNESCO reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring strong collaboration between the Social and Human Sciences and Education Programmes in promoting holistic, skills-based development and advancing opportunities for educators through UNESCO networks. “Healthy teachers build healthy learners and together they build a healthy nation” she concluded.

Speaking during the official opening ceremony this morning, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Dr. Rankopo underscored the urgent need for deliberate action, sustainable systems, and scalable long-term solutions to address mental health challenges within schools.

In a landmark announcement, Dr. Rankopo revealed the establishment of a new Care and Support Department dedicated to addressing mental health and psychosocial challenges within the education sector. “A mentally healthy teacher is best placed to nurture healthy, confident, and successful learners,” he emphasized.

This workshop is more than a training programme it is a national call to action to protect, support, and empower educators as pillars of Botswana’s social and developmental transformation.

📢 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2026 📢

We are pleased to announce the official launch of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2026!

🌍 Theme: “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity”

These prestigious prizes by UNESCO celebrate excellence and innovation in literacy across the globe.

📝 How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through a nomination process by:
• National Commissions for UNESCO at [email protected]
• NGOs in official relations with UNESCO

👉 Applicants can request access to the online application form here:
🔗 https://unes.co/ilp-account

⏰ Important Deadlines
• 📅 Submission to nominating entities: 18 May 2026
• 📅 Submission by nominating entities to UNESCO: 1 June 2026

📣 Spread the Word!
Help amplify this opportunity by sharing it across your networks.

👉 Access sample messages and visuals in all six UN languages here:
🔗 https://unes.co/ilp-resources

🏆 About the Prizes
Since 1967, the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have recognized over 500 outstanding programmes led by governments, NGOs, and individuals worldwide.

These awards continue to:
✔️ Promote effective literacy practices
✔️ Encourage innovation
✔️ Support the development of dynamic, literate societies

📚 Let’s champion literacy together—for people, the planet, and shared prosperity!

📢 Call for Participation: IFCD Information Sessions (2026)

Following our earlier announcement on the launch of the 17th Call for Funding Requests under the International Fund for Cultural Diversity, we are pleased to share details of upcoming online information sessions to support applicants.

These sessions are designed to guide public institutions and NGOs from eligible countries through the application and pre-selection process.

💻 Platform: Microsoft Teams
✅ No prior registration required

🌍 English Information Sessions

📅 8 April | ⏰ 10:00am – 11:30am (Paris time)
🔗 Meeting Link https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/38179447510451?p=7G4BqeFnxw0spYMH5l

📅 9 April | ⏰ 4:00pm – 5:30pm (Paris time)
🔗MeetingLink
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/355937253592999?p=m95A1m2lnWkrJMO0oN

📌 We encourage all stakeholders to attend and widely share this opportunity within your networks.

Let’s work together to strengthen Botswana’s and Africa’s cultural and creative sectors through this important UNESCO funding mechanism.

Join meeting on Teams

📢 CALL FOR PROPOSALS | International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) – 2026

UNESCO has officially launched the 17th Call for Funding Requests under the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD)! 🌍✨

🗓 Opening Date: 23 March 2026
⏰ Deadline: 6 May 2026 (12:00 noon, Paris time)

🎯 What is this call about?
This funding opportunity supports projects that strengthen cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in developing countries, aligned with the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

💡 Projects should contribute to:
✔️ Development or implementation of policies and measures that impact the creation, production, distribution, and access to cultural goods and services
✔️ Strengthening institutional and civil society capacities to support sustainable cultural industries and markets

👥 Who can apply?
• Public institutions
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• International NGOs from eligible countries that are Parties to the 2005 Convention

🌟 Impact so far:
Since 2010, the IFCD has invested US$13.6 million in 175 projects across 77 developing countries, supporting:
🎨 Cultural policy development
🚀 Creative entrepreneurship
🌍 Market access for cultural goods and services
🤝 Inclusion and participation in cultural life

🔗 Apply & Learn More:
👉 https://en.unesco.org/creativity/governance/ifcd/apply

📧 Enquiries:
✉️ [email protected]

💬 Let’s seize this opportunity to strengthen Botswana’s creative economy, empower our artists, and drive innovation in the cultural sector in line with Vision 2036 and national development priorities. 🇧🇼

Page not found | Unesco посетите новый веб-сайт ЮНЕСКО или просмотрите веб-архивы ЮНЕСКО.

📢 CALL FOR PROPOSALS NOW OPEN! 🎨🌍

Exciting opportunity for creatives in Visual Arts across Africa and Europe!

The Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture, Sub-Saharan Africa Component has officially opened its call for Artistic Collaboration & Dissemination Projects.

✨ What’s this about?
This call aims to boost co-creation, co-production, and dissemination in the Visual Arts sector across Sub-Saharan Africa and the European Union, encouraging powerful cross-border collaborations.

🎯 Who can apply?
✔️ Teams of at least two people
✔️ Visual artists or professionals in visual arts disciplines
✔️ Based in Sub-Saharan Africa or the EU

🎭 What’s supported?
Projects that are collaborative and result in publicly presented visual arts work

📅 Important Dates
🗓 Virtual Application Workshop: 25 March 2026
👉 Register in advance via the official link; https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/forms.office.com/e/W4R87YNrfi__;!!IlxdEVI!Cj2xvUu9FNF4y2te743XsOOI2_qgdxEvE9SGleCZ6EmZRocr0dzQXBYCQ-uC2UvP_N9RScT-WR3SGXpYrQkXio-M1g$
🛑 Call Deadline: 17 April 2026

💡 The workshop is a great opportunity to:
• Learn more about the initiative
• Get clarity on the application process
• Engage directly with organisers

📥 How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the Goethe Application Portal (GAP): https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/portal.gap.goethe.de/en-US/__;!!IlxdEVI!Cj2xvUu9FNF4y2te743XsOOI2_qgdxEvE9SGleCZ6EmZRocr0dzQXBYCQ-uC2UvP_N9RScT-WR3SGXpYrQlguCdwWw$

🔗 Full details, eligibility criteria, timelines, and application resources are available on the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture website: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.goethe.de/prj/aep/en/cal/visual-art-grants-.html__;!!IlxdEVI!Cj2xvUu9FNF4y2te743XsOOI2_qgdxEvE9SGleCZ6EmZRocr0dzQXBYCQ-uC2UvP_N9RScT-WR3SGXpYrQm-RvwDBQ$

N.B. Please note that the call is not managed by BW NATCOM, we are simply sharing the information!!

🌟 Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate, create, and showcase your work on an international stage!

🎨✨

urldefense.com

2026 Call for Application unified L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme.

Starting in 2026, we are breaking down borders to create a single, prestigious community of excellence. The South African National Programme and the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Programme have officially merged to become the unified L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme.

For over 25 years, the Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO have stood side-by-side to champion the brilliance of women in science. Today, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Programme serves as a powerful catalyst for change, uniting researchers from all 49 countries across the region, including South Africa to lead as a single, Pan-African force for global advancement.

Are you ready to join this elite community of trailblazing researchers?

From the leading labs and research centers across the continent, we are seeking the next generation of women scientists who are poised to change the world. We invite applications from researchers dedicated to excellence in the following fields: Formal & Life Sciences, Environmental & Physical Sciences, and Engineering & Technological Sciences.

Step into the spotlight of international scientific recognition.

Join a legacy of excellence and lead the future of African discovery.
Calendar

11 March 2026 - Call for Applications

24 April 2026 - Closing and analysis of applications

• MARCH 11, 2026 Start of the call for application/nomination
• MAY 15, 2026 Closing of the call for application/nomination
• JULY 9, 2026 Candidates' final selection

For more details use link below

https://www.forwomeninscience.com/challenge/show/157