New UNESCO National Commission chair
Former Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Silvia Cartwright, has been appointed as chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. UNESCO is a United Nations organisation that promotes co-operative action between 194 member states in the fields of education, science, culture and social science. The New Zealand commission provides a leadership role within the South Pacific region – including in education and world heritage – and plays an important role in the organisation's work worldwide.
Dame Silvia replaces Hon Margaret Austin who has held the position of Commission Chair since 1999. Dame Silvia joins the five elected specialist members – Laurence Zwimpfer (communications), Andrew Matthews (science), Alison Broad (education), Rosemary Du Plessis (social science) and Keri Kaa (culture). Her appointment is for a three-year term starting immediately.
