The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has approved Canada's request to establish a centre of the International Network on Technical and Vocational Education (UNEVOC) in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.

Initiated in 1992 by UNESCO to assist in developing and improving technical and vocational education in UNESCO's member states, UNEVOC's main focus is on information exchange, networking and international cooperation.

Canada will become the 105th UNESCO member state to join the UNEVOC network. This Canadian initiative was led by a consortium formed under the leadership of Chris Chinien from the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. The UNEVOC consortium includes many leading Canadian universities, a significant number of technical and vocational institutions, numerous public, private and non-profit sector partners, as well as some major international centres.

The Canada UNEVOC Centre will play an advocacy role for technical and vocational education and provide opportunities for Canadians to achieve and assume leadership in the field, both nationally and internationally. A Call to Participate will be launched shortly to invite all key stakeholders involved in technical and vocational education to participate in the activities of the network. The Canada UNEVOC Centre is responsible for developing and leading a national network; ensuring information flow to and from UNESCO and other UNEVOC Centres; ensuring that expertise is shared among UNEVOC Network members; providing research as requested by the UNESCO Secreteriat; and contributing to UNESCO publications and databases. The UNEVOC proposal was developed in consultation with Dianne Laberge from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and was reviewed by a panel representing various stakeholders before being submitted to UNESCO for approval. The initiative for establishing a UNEVOC centre in Canada was strongly supported by Louis Patenaude, Acting Secretary General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Emoke Szathmary, President of the University of Manitoba, Linda McIntosh, Manitoba Minister of Education and Training, Romulo Magsino, Dean, Faculty of Education, U of M, and Rosa Bruno-Joffre, Associate Dean, Faculty of Education, U of M. As a strong advocate of technical and vocational education, Bruno-Joffre played an important role in promoting the project concept. The project also received strong support from major business and industry groups such as the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters of Canada (Manitoba Branch) and the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce.

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is an autonomous agency that advises the government on its relations with UNESCO and fosters Canadian participation in UNESCO programs. The Commission has a membership of some 100 organizations and individuals across the country. It is one of the 184 National Commissions around the world. Address: 350 Albert Street. Box 1047, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5V8; Tel.: 1-800-263.

For more information, please call Chris Chinien, director, UNEVOC Canada, at (204) 474- 8271.