|
 |
The philosophy that underlies the ERC action is essentially that of the
UNESCO Clubs, namely "Promoting human rights
and UNESCO ideals through education, science, culture and communication".
This is characterized by :
- A constant reference to the basic rights of the human person;
- An objective to be reached : make all UNESCO Club members responsible
and capable of consciously taking their place in society;
- A project selected, prepared and realised by all with the aim of fighting
against poverty through the promotion of the underprivileged sector
of society, victims of economic and social exclusion, both in the urban
and rural areas;
- Functioning in a democratic manner and coping with rules in a reflective
way.
The action undertaken by ERC is guided by the profound conviction that
the promotion of the underprivileged masses and the fight against poverty
necessitate the investment in human capital through education, health
promotion and the support to income-generating activities.
ERC objectives and activities
The UNESCO Clubs managing an ERC (UC-ERC ) — in addition to the sharing
and propagation of the UNESCO ideals, namely peace, democracy and human
rights through the sharing and use of knowledge, by essentially ensuring
that education, science and culture take centre stage in the activities
- are more particularly committed to promote literacy and post-literacy
activities for populations in peri-urban and rural areas in order to improve
their living conditions.
It is within the framework of sustainable development actions in their
respective countries that UNESCO Clubs managing an ERC are engaged in
the :
- Promotion of a literate environment throughout life
In fact, as secular and apolitical structures, they contribute in
training citizens by helping them to adapt to the constant changes
in the world in the fields of
education, science, culture and communication, with a view to promoting
" improved living standards”;
Thus, all ERC, excepting that of Cameroon and Guinea, are built on
the basis of a standard plan, comprising a training classroom (25-30
seats), a library also used as an office and a space in the open to
organise educational, sports and cultural events.
Tle training classroom is used to organise thematic seminars
within the framework of the continuing training of literacy trainers
and communicators working in the concerned villages and focused on
Education For All, the fight against poverty, the rural press, good
governance, women’s conditions, health… and aimed at acquiring better
living conditions for the local populations. It can also serve as
a meeting place for chats-discussions on issues of concern to the
local populations.
The ERC moreover provides support to literacy trainers and communicators
by making available a reference library, equipped with teaching
and learning materials in the national and official languages, practical
guides to micro-development, magazines, novels, etc. The library is
also accessible to any other person: neo-literates, pupils, students,
teachers, professors or simple readers. It particularly provides the
neo-literate populations and basic education trainees with the possibility
to exploit the acquired elementary notions of reading, transform their
knowledge into know-how and knowing how to live better and, consequently,
self-training throughout life.
The open air space is essentially used for major events such
as the celebration of international days or for cultural shows.
- A "Hostel " at the service of neighbouring populations
and development partners
The UC-ERC may allow development partners or any other grassroots
association that requests for it, to use their training classroom
and/or their open space. ERC managers may also take care of the material
and logistic organisation of the training seminars.
|
