King Jigme of Bhutan's speech at the Diet in Japan

[Qatar] Sheikha Moza pledges more support to UNESCO

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Unesco’s Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education, has pledged to increase her support to Unesco’s core education activities as a direct response to the financial difficulties faced by the organisation.

Sheikha Moza is particularly concerned that the decision of some member states to withhold contributions will have serious and adverse consequences on Unesco’s core programmes and mark setbacks for sustainable development and peace, at a time when international cooperation is critical for achieving quality universal education, a statement posted on the Unesco website said.

Sheikha Moza has called upon all partners to join her in this initiative given the challenges ahead, four years short of the 2015 target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and following the commitment made by the Heads of States at the Millennium Development Goal Summit in New York in 2010.

Sheikha Moza has stated that the financial difficulties faced by the organisation stands to affect all its core programmes.

“This marks a very strong sign of Her Highness’ deep commitment to education for all, which is the foundation for building more peaceful and sustainable societies.

“Unesco will put every effort into ensuring that this support translates into opening educational opportunities for the most marginalised, improving the quality of education systems in least developed countries, and forging new partnerships,” said Unesco’s Director-General Irina Bokova.

This emergency initiative will support the programme and budget adopted by the 36th General Conference, in particular the reinforcement of leadership for Education for All, through advocacy, partnership and monitoring, with a special emphasis on girls and women.

Concerted attention will be placed on the least developed countries, which are furthest away from reaching the Education for All goals.

The modalities for this important initiative will be worked out in the next few weeks with all the speed and urgency required to minimise the possible negative impact to Unesco core programme adopted by the 36th General Conference of Member States.

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who is also the United Nations’ Secretary-General’s special advocate for Millennium Development Goal 2 on primary education, has provided long time support to Unesco’s activities, notably for literacy, curriculum development, teacher education and rehabilitation of higher education in Iraq, emergency support to education in Gaza, and support to the publication of the Education under Attack series.

Director-General Irina Bokova expressed her gratitude to Her Highness for her positive and timely support to Unesco.

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[Sweden] Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel surrounded by children

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel were in Järfälla, just outside Stockholm, this weekend.

Despite the biting cold that welcomed Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, it was with great warmth that they were welcomed to the town as they arrived shortly after 10 o'clock. The couple was greeted with a wedding gift (after a year?) given by the municipality.

The first stop of the day was the playground of Kalhällsparken which is praised for its accessibility. Around the fence all the present children greeted the CP with a "Hello princess!" and Victoria took the time to talk to everybody, even to stop by six-month-old baby Cecilia Rozmeijer. With her twinkling eyes, she gave the princess a gift and the expectant CP could not have been happier.

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This photo is just too cute! #royallove

Princess Charlene of Monaco denies "runaway bride" rumours in TV Interview

She should be enjoying the first few giddy months as a newlywed. Unfortunately, Princess Charlene of Monaco is still being forced to address unkind rumours about her marriage.

In New York with new husband Prince Albert, the feisty former Olympic swimmer from South Africa, told the US media that she'd ignored the 'runaway bride' reports.

Charlene – who has been in North America promoting an exhibition about the most famous princess of Monaco, the late Grace Kelly – branded the gossip "hilarious".

Sitting side by side with Grace's son, the prince who made her his wife in July before a global audience, the new royal answered questions with the confidence she learned during her top-flight athletic career.

Speaking to US show Today Charlene, 33, said: "(I) obviously focused on what the day meant for the two of us," she said.

"Why would he go through the effort to have our most intimate dearest friends join us for us to be reluctant. It sounded a bit hilarious."

Asked why they appeared so serious during their lavish open-air ceremony, her supportive 53-year-old husband jumped in.

"I thought I paid attention to you and smiled at you many times, but maybe that's not enough for some people."

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I don't know exactly what, but there is something in this picture I just love!

[VIDEO] Crown Princess and Princess of Denmark unite with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to raise awareness on plight of children in East Africa

Giving their admirers a treat, two of the most charismatic ladies on the royal scene met this week.

Mary of Denmark welcomed royal rookie, the Duchess of Cambridge to Copenhagen. (...)

But it wasn't a social occasion – the elegant pair have joined forces to help crisis-hit African children.

The duo – joined by their husbands Prince William and Crown Prince Frederik – toured UNICEF's global crisis center in the Danish capital.

After attending a briefing, the royal visitors were due to roll up their sleeves and pack emergency medical kits, which are being sent to malnourished children in East Africa.

During a talk on nutrition, the couple were offered a taste of a special high-protein peanut paste being included in the packages.

William scooped up some of the paste with his finger before passing it on to his wife, who declined the offer to taste it.

Kate looked elegant in a long red coat for the occasion while Mary stepped out in a navy blazer.

Helping Africa is a cause close to both Mary and Kate's hearts.

Denmark's future queen visited Kenya recently on an emotional mission to a refugee camp housing women and children fleeing the famine in conflict-ridden Somalia.

And the Duchess and her husband have a long-standing affection for the part of the world. It was in Kenya where they became engaged just over a year ago.

William said the crisis had been going on for 100 days and with the rains about to come, disease would become a huge issue.

He said that despite the financial troubles going on around the world what was happening in east Africa would really "put everything into perspective".

His wife added that she'd been "shocked" by the scale of the disaster. "Hopefully this (visit) will put the light back on this terrible crisis," she said.

video by Unicef (youtube)

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to help, go to eastafricacrisis.org