Prof. Pearl Sithole, Vice-Principal: Academic and Research at the University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa campus, has another feather in her cap after being appointed to serve on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). Her appointment as the newest member of Unesco’s Management of Social Transformation (MOST) scientific advisory board was announced yesterday, 2 November.
Sithole’s appointment followed a nomination by Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former executive director of UN Women and chairperson of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE). The board consists of nine internationally recognised experts representing various disciplines in the social sciences. The advisory board is concerned with the critical role of social sciences in influencing policies in the international space as a key strategic focus.
Sithole believes her appointment is Africa’s opportunity to influence the global agenda and ties in with transformation globally. “I am humbled by the confidence shown in me by Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka and the colleagues towards headhunting me. It is a massive responsibility; one that adds to Africa’s opportunity to influence the global agenda. I am hoping to do what I can to work with other colleagues and to learn new ways of thinking about the world from colleagues sitting in other spaces,” said Sithole.
The MOST programme works with national authorities, scientific communities, and civil society to help Unesco member states strengthen the connection between research and policy, and between knowledge and action, which is key to fostering positive social change towards inclusive and sustainable development.
Last year, Sithole was appointed by Pope Francis as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences for her stellar work in social sciences. Academicians are appointed on the basis of their competencies in the social sciences and their moral integrity.
