Unesco Day To Create Awareness On Malaysia's Involvement

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Unesco Day exhibition at the Central Market is set to showcase various cultural performances, traditional dances, costumes and games here, on Saturday. Held for the first time since Malaysia became a Unesco member 50 years ago, the event aims to increase the visibility and role of the Malaysian National Commission for Unesco (SKUM) as well as strengthen cooperation between the commission and government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and the public. SKUM consists of six permanent sub-committees, which are, Education Ministry; Higher Education Ministry; Information, Communications and Culture Ministry; Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; Women, Family and Community Development Ministry; and Foreign Affairs Ministry. Saturday's public event seeks to create awareness of Malaysia's engagement in Unesco. The Malaysian Unesco Day was declared open by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin at a separate ceremony here, on Friday. Meanwhile, Education Ministry secretary-general, who is also SKUM president, Dr Rosli Mohamed said he hoped the event would achieve its aim to educate and expose government agencies, NGOs and the public on Malaysia's involvement in Unesco. "We expect an estimated 3,000 visitors, including tourists," he added. Unesco is an United Nations organisation and was formed on Nov 16 1946. Malaysia became a member of Unesco on June 16 1958, a year after independence. -- BERNAMA Malaysia