Executive Order on the Statutes of the Danish National Commission for UNESCO
BEK No. 1088 of 14.11.2005 (current)
Legislation to which the regulation relates
BKI No. 19 of 18.12.1946

Executive Order on the Statutes of the Danish National Commission for UNESCO

The following is laid down pursuant to Article VII of the Agreement to found the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) of 16 November 1945 as ratified by Denmark, cf. Executive Order No. 19 of 18 December 1946 as subsequently amended:

Aims

The aims of the Danish National Commission for UNESCO are to
1) promote the work of UNESCO in Denmark,
2) advise the Danish Government on UNESCO questions,
3) advise the Danish Delegation to the General Conference of UNESCO and
4) act as an intermediary between UNESCO and Danish authorities, institutions and organizations within the areas of education, science, culture and commu-nication.
(5) The National Commission may also independently express its own views on UNESCO matters in public.

Functions

In order to promote the work of UNESCO in Denmark, the National Commis-sion shall:
1) disseminate knowledge of and stimulate interest in UNESCO’s programme and work through its own information work and in co-operation with other in-volved organizations;
2) co-operate with Danish organizations within UNESCO’s areas of compe-tence, with particular reference to mutual information and consultancy;
3) maintain a close co-operation with involved ministries and agencies, the Danish Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and the national commissions of other countries, including in particular those of the other Nordic countries;
4) make statements about UNESCO’s activities, including proposals received from UNESCO regarding the organization’s programme and budget etc.;
5) provide information about UNESCO’s General Conference, Executive Board, international meetings and decisions of the National Commission;
6) take other initiatives to promote the purpose of the National Commission’s activities, including any initiatives necessary to implement the decisions re-ferred to in No. 5.

Composition and appointment

The National Commission consists of up to 14 members, who are appointed by the Minister for Education in the following way:
1) One member to represent the area of education.
2) One member to represent the area of science (this member is appointed on the recommendation of the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation).
3) One member to represent the area of culture (this member is appointed on the recommendation of the Minister for Culture).
4) One member to represent the press area (this member is appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister).
5) One member to represent youth (this member is appointed on the recom-mendation of the Danish Youth Council).
6) One member to represent equality between women and men (this member is appointed on the recommendation of the Women’s Council in Denmark and following discussion with the Minister for Gender Equality).
7) One member to represent the Greenland Home Rule Government (this member is appointed on the recommendation of the Home Rule Government).
8) Up to a further 7 members with an interest in UNESCO’s activities, including people engaged in Liberal Adult Education and practising artists. The practising artists are appointed after discussion with the Minister for Culture.
(9) The Minister for Culture, the Minister for Science, Technology and Innova-tion, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Education each ap-point one appointee to the National Commission.

The Minister for Education nominates the Chairperson from among the members of the National Commission. Re-appointment may take place.
(1) The National Commission nominates a Deputy Chairperson from among its members.
(2) The members and appointees are appointed for four years at a time. They may be re-appointed. If a member or appointee withdraws from the National Commission during the period of appointment, a new member or appointee will be appointed for the remainder of the period.
(3) The period of appointment for members nominated in accordance with Section 3 (1) nos. 1-7 (and for appointees) expires two years after the expiry of the period of appointment for members appointed in accordance with Section 3 (1) no. 8.
Meetings and Executive Committee

The National Commission meets at least four times a year.
(1) A quorum of the National Commission exists when at least half the mem-bers are present.
(2) Decisions are made by voting majority. In the event of parity, the vote of the Chairperson is final.

The National Commission sets up an Executive Committee, consisting of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National Commission, the Chair-persons of the sub-committees established in accordance with Section 7, and the appointee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(1) Persons playing central roles in permanent or temporary bodies affiliated to UNESCO may participate in the meetings of the Executive Committee at the discretion of the Chairperson.
(2) The Executive Committee meets when the Chairperson or a member finds it necessary.
(3) A quorum of the Executive Committee exists when at least half the mem-bers are present.
(4) The functions of the Executive Committee include
a) preparing for the meetings of the National Commission,
b) coordinating interdisciplinary co-operation between the sub-committees,
c) drawing up proposals for the composition of Danish delegations to UNESCO’s General Conferences and other UNESCO meetings at ministerial level, and
d) taking decisions regarding the National Commission’s participation in other UNESCO meetings, and other decisions that are not to be taken by the Na-tional Commission pursuant to Sections 1-2 (including those relating to the submission of grant applications).
Sub-committees and ad hoc committees

The National Commission may set up sub-committees in the following areas:
1) education,
2) science,
3) culture and
4) communication.
(a) A sub-committee shall monitor UNESCO’s work within its area, and prepare and formulate proposals for UNESCO’s activities (cf. Section 2 no. 4). The composition of the sub-committee shall ensure expertise within each of the programme areas in UNESCO’s programmes that fall within the purview of the sub-committee.
(b) The Chairperson of the sub-committee is nominated by the Ministry of Edu-cation on the recommendation of the National Commission, from among its members.
(c) The National Commission nominates the members of the sub-committee on the recommendation of its Chairperson. A member of the sub-committee who is not a member of the National Commission is nominated for a period of two years and may be re-appointed.
(d) The Chairperson convenes the committee.

The National Commission may set up ad hoc committees to carry out special tasks or to discuss particular questions.
(a) The Chairperson of the ad hoc committee is nominated by the National Commission from among the Chairpersons or members of the sub-committees. A Chairperson who is not a member of the National Commission may be pre-sent as an observer at the meetings of the National Commission and Executive Committee.

The Secretariat

The Ministry of Education provides secretariat facilities for the National Commission and its committees. The secretariat participates in the meetings of the National Commission and the committees.
(1) The secretariat is headed by a Secretary-General.
(2) The secretariat prepares all meetings of the National Commission and its committees and implements its decisions.

Entry into force and transitional provisions

This Executive Order comes into force on 1 December 2005.
(1) The statute of July 1998 is simultaneously repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding the provision of Section 4 (3), the members to be nomi-nated in accordance with Section 3 (1) no. 8 shall be appointed in 2006 for two years.
(3) A new Chairperson shall not be nominated from among the members until 2007.

Ministry of Education, 14 November 2005
Bertel Haarder /Claus Ulrich Schousboe