Curacao NATCom signs memorandum of understanding with Curacao Media Organisation (CMO) on world press freedom

May 25, 2012 9:53 AM

Memorandum of Understanding

On May 3rd, World Press Freedom Day, during a press conference, the Curacao NatCom and the local press association Curacao Media Organisation (CMO) signed Memorandum of Understanding.

Within the context of the World Press Freedom Day established by UNESCO and taking into consideration that Freedom of Expression is on of our fundamental rights, CMO and Curacao NatCom have agreed upon to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the objective of: Establishing a bilateral agreement on developing apprenticeship and training within the media sector of Curacao and on the other hand to establish a longstanding relationship between mentioned organizations with the objective of promoting local acknowledgement of existence of UNESCO in Curacao.

The collaboration is directed towards developing continuous and not ad hoc consultation processes between participating organizations on quality enhancement of the local media.

Furthermore to result in a general change towards: "A more comprehensive and respectful image of the local media in Curacao and more effective media communications", The MoU was signed by the Secretary General for the NatCom Marva C. Browne, the President of CMO Stanley Ignacio and the Programme Coordinator Educational Training, Merrill Sulvaran.

First National Commission for Curacao
On 15 March 2012 the first Curacao National Commission for UNESCO was established. Curacao obtained Associate Membership last year (25 October, 2011) and as part of the responsibilities of a new member to UNESCO, the UNESCO Constitution in Article VII states that each country that becomes a Member of the Organization must undertake to form a National Commission (NatCom) and to ensure that it functions properly.

The Curaçao National Commission for UNESCO consists of the following persons: honourable Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Mr. Carlos Monk, Sonia Westerveld, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Dr. Roland Antonius, Policy director, Marva Browne, Secretary General, Sahayra Braun-Nisbet, education specialist, Dr. Francis de Lanoy, Dr. Richene Ansano, sciences, Reinoudt Karsdorp, Worl Heritage, Irene Dick, Winifred Raveneau, Culture, Henry Veeris, Communication & Information and Janike Maria, youth matters.

www.unesco.org

(Source: Curaçao National Commission for UNESCO - Newsletter May, 2012)