UNESCO New Zealand

21 February 2011

Today is International Mother Language Day, every 21st February the mother tongue's of our world have been celebrated by United Nations member states since 2000.

Hundreds of community languages are spoken throughout New Zealand and IMLD celebrations are being coordinated by the Community Language Association of New Zealand (CLANZ).

Please click here to visit CLANZ's website and find out about resources and classes

Please click here to visit English Language Partner's website and download our poster

"Exploring Nature's Medicine Chest"

A lecture by UNESCO L'Oreal Laureate, Professor Margaret Brimble

When: 6pm, Thursday 24 February 2011

Where: Te Marae, Te Papa, Cable St, Wellington

Download and read more about this lecture

Click here to go to the Convention on Biological Diversity Website

Where: Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Wellington

When: Wednesday 9 February 2011, 6pm-7.15pm

Featuring: Merino Gold Fashion Parade and presenation by Sir Richard Friend, Cambridge University

Please click here to register

Saturday 5 February 2011 @10am -

Sunday 6 February 2011, 5pm

He Kakano: Te Reo O Moana-Nui-A-Kiwa

Language Forum

During Te Wiki o Te Reo Mäori, the Human Rights Commission and the NZ National Commission for UNESCO are holding a forum to look at the relationship between Mäori and Pacific languages. It will focus on the preservation of these languages in Aotearoa. A panel of guest speakers will start the discussion.

Who: Tangata Whenua and the Pacific Community
When: Thursday 29 July 4:15pm - 6:15pm
Where: The Human Rights Commission,
Level 1, 44 The Terrace, Wellington.
Video Conference available from Auckland and
Christchurch on request.
RSVP: Naomi Taylor, Human Rights Commission
04 471 6756 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Evaluation and culture in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific: a sharing of evaluation and cultural perspectives across the Pacific

Organised by the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO in association with the Australasian Evaluation Society this workshop is designed for those working as evaluation practitioners, in, government agencies and community groups and NGO’s working with Maori and Pacific peoples.

Date: Tuesday 31st August 2010

Time: 9am - 4.30pm

Venue: Rutherford House, Victoria University of Wellington, Bunny St, Wellington

Cost: Free

Click here to register and find out more information

Celebrating the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures 2010

Friday 21 May, 2010

Venue: Fo GuangShan North Island temple, Botany Downs, Auckland

Visit the Manukau Pacific Art Summit's website

"O le Tātou gagana Sāmoa I Niu Sila"
"Our Samoan language in NZ"

Sunday 30 May - Saturday 5 June 2010

Visit our Facebook Page

Visit the Human Rights Commission's Page

3 May 2010

May 3rd has been officially designated by the United Nations General Assembly as World Press Freedom Day.

All around the world on this day, supporters of media freedom celebrate the fundamental principles of press and media freedom that are articulated in Article 19 of the University Declaration of Human Rights.

From the Pacific Islands to Europe, from the continent of Africa to the countries of Asia, from the Americas to the United Kingdom, media workers and their supporters hold a myriad of events to celebrate the day.

World Press Freedom Day's annual conference is held in a different location each year and this year the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia holds the honour.

UNESCO's promotes freedom of expression and freedom of the press as a basic human right, through lobbying and monitoring activities.  It highlights media independence and pluralism as fundamental to the process of democracy by providing advisory services on media legislation and by making governments, parliamentarians and other decision-makers aware of the need to guarantee free expression.

UNESCO World Press Freedom Day 2010

UNESCO & Freedom of the Press