ABOUT US
Members of Staff.
Heather Munachonga is an educator who received her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from the University of Zambia and Master of International Education and Development from Oslo Metropolitan University. She has vast teaching experience at secondary school level. Currently she is the head of the Zambia National Commission for UNESCO. Her work experience at the National Commission for UNESCO spans across various sub sectors of education from Early Childhood Education to Higher Education including Adult Learning and Education. Heather is an author who has published articles in international journals, a chapter in a book and co-edited a book on Education for Sustainable Development best practices in selected Teacher Education institutions.
JAMES KABUYE
He is a science educator who obtained his Bachelor of Science with Education from the University of Zambia. His passion is in STEM education focusing on scientific literacy as a tool for sustainable development. He has twenty-five (25) years of experience in teaching in both Government and private Schools. He has been involved in setting and marking of both grade nine and twelve examinations for at least twenty-two years (22) and serves as the chief examiner and trainer of examiners for science (physics) at grade 12 both GCE and School certificate level. He has also done various presentations during Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) and Zambia Association for Science Education (ZASE) general conferences across the country.
SAMSON KANTINI
He is a teacher, development educationalist and a cultural historian. His interest is in the aims, the strategies and the content of socialisation and transformative processes we ought to have in place to create, promote and evolve the critical consciousness of wholeness in low resourced environments in order to bridge the divide between the worlds of rich and poor, and the theoretical and practical for a sustainable global village. He holds a PhD in Education from Seoul National University, Master of Education in Education and Development, Master of Arts in Literature, Bachelor of Arts with Education from The University of Zambia and is certified by the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (ZIDIS) in Diplomatic Practice, Protocol and Public Relations. He has thirteen (13) years progressive experience working in research, teaching and associating governmental and non-governmental bodies, agencies, groups and individuals concerned in UNESCO’s fields of competence for the promotion of UNESCO’s visibility in Zambia and increasing the role of Zambia as a Member State in UNESCO work globally.
Leslie Nachula Lukama isa science and teacher educator who is passionate about teachers and school administrators continuing professional development as it is one of the major factors that impact learner outcomes. She has 15 years’ experience teaching physics and environmental since in government secondary schools. She spent 14 years as an in-service teacher trainer when she served the Ministry of Education as provincial Resource Center Coordinator in charge of secondary schools and as Education Officer in charge of Teacher Education in North-western and Lusaka provinces. Her role involved coordinating and facilitating professional development for teachers and school administrator in various subject areas and the implementation of numerous ministry interventions in schools. Leslie holds a Master of Education Leadership and Management from Flinders University in South Australia and a Bachelor of Education in Science (Physics) Education from the University of Zambia.
Zambia became a Member State to UNESCO in 1964, the very year she unshackled herself from British imperialism showing the great importance the country attaches to the vision of UNESCO well summarised in the words: “Since wars begin in the minds of women and men, it is in the minds of women and men that the defences of peace must be constructed”. UNESCO was created in 1945 in order to respond to the firm belief of nations that political and economic agreements are not enough to build a lasting peace. Peace must be established on the basis of humanity’s moral and intellectual solidarity. This belief was forged by the two world wars that occurred in less than one generation. Find out more about UNESCO here
The Zambia National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (ZNC for UNESCO) is a statutory agency under the Ministry of Education established to co-ordinate UNESCO matters in the country and the work of Zambia in UNESCO. It plays a significant role in the liaison with partners, the coordination of activities and the promotion of UNESCO’s visibility at the country level and the visibility of Zambia as a Member State in UNESCO work globally.
ZNC for UNESCO activities are the outcome of its ‘purposes’ and ‘functions’ which requires it to involve governmental and non-governmental bodies, agencies, groups and individuals concerned in UNESCO’s fields of competence. It is for this reason that ZNC for UNESCO carries out a number of UNESCO programmes and projects in the fields of Education, Natural Sciences, Human and Social Sciences, Culture and Communication and Information.
- To advise the Government on matters relating to UNESCO.
- To execute and to give advice on and assistance in the execution of UNESCO projects in Zambia.
- To disseminate information concerning UNESCO and its activities.
- To provide liaison between UNESCO and institutions and individuals in Zambia interested in educational, scientific and cultural matters.
- To ensure Zambia’s participation in international conferences and training courses organized or sponsored by UNESCO.
- To make adequate preparation for Zambia’s participation at the General Conference with regard to the study of the Draft Programme and Budget and selection of delegates to the conference.
- To foster international peace and understanding through collaboration with other Member States.
- To administer the various UNESCO Fellowships
- To establish UNESCO Clubs and Associated Schools Project in schools and Teacher-Training Colleges.
The establishment of the Commission comprises Commissioners representing relevant ministries, government departments and institutions. These are appointed by the Minister of General Education who is the Chairperson of the Commission and whose vice is the Deputy Minister of Education. Commissioners serve for a period of two years and are eligible for re-appointment.
In addition to Annual General Meetings, Commissioners sit on Sector Committees according to UNESCO’s field of competence, i.e. Education, Science, Culture, Human and Social Sciences and Information and Communication. Some Commissioners serve as Chairpersons of these Sector Committees.