The United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO is the focal point in the UK for UNESCO-related policies and activities. As an independent body, the Commission is the principle adviser to and works closely in partnership with UK government, enabling it to engage UK organisations in education, science, culture and communication & information, towards achieving UNESCO's ideal of promoting the inseparable goals of peace, mutual understanding and equitable and sustainable human development.   The Commission is part of the global community of 195 UNESCO National Commissions, each acting as an essential partner to UNESCO in its respective country. UNESCO is the only member of the United Nations System to have National Commissions performing this role in its Member States. "The Commission has an important role in improving UK input into all aspects of UNESCO policy-making and debate, and in helping build a more effective UNESCO." Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP Secretary of State for International Development January 2005

Hugh Gaitskell Memorial Lecture 2008 What kind of UNESCO for what kind of education? Professor Nicholas Burnett UNESCO Assistant Director-General (Education) Thursday, 22nd May 2008, 17.30  University of Nottingham (more)

IN FOCUS Britain's commitment to promote, defend, and protect the right of journalists re-stated on World Press Freedom Day (03/05/2008) For the first time in several years, the Foreign Secretary issued a statement on World Press Freedom Day, noting that the freedom to receive and pass on reliable and accurate information is fundamentally important to democratic government. (more) Three to one Concur - Journalism is Alive and Well - at World Press Freedom Day Debate (02/05/2008) In a debate organised by the UK National Commission, Press Freedom Network and the Frontline Club this morning, an audience of senior media practitioners, commentators and press freedom experts voted that journalism is alive and well. (more) Missed the debate? View a video of the event Publication of the Draft Heritage Protection Bill Welcomed (07/04/2008) The draft Heritage Protection Bill was published on 2 April 2008, representing a major step towards a single system in the safeguarding and management of the UK’s historic places. (click for the press statement) (click for DCMS press release) UK National Commission for UNESCO and DCMS co-host International Expert Meeting on the heritage of science (24/01/2008) An international expert workshop was held on 21-23 January to examine the recognition of the heritage of science and technology on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 45 participants from 15 countries took part in the discussion at the Wellcome Collection Conference Centre. (more) Inaugural UK UNESCO Chairs Colloquium at the University of Nottingham (18/01/2008) The colloquium took place at the University of Nottingham, 17-18 January, 2008, hosted by the UNESCO Chair of the Political Economy of Education and Centre for Comparative Education Research. The topic for the colloquium was ‘Higher Education and International Development: The contribution of UNESCO Chairs’. 24 participants examined the role of higher education in international development in the context of the UNESCO Chairs/UNITWIN Programme. (more) Education for All Colloquium draws 250 participants (17/01/2008) The UK National Commission for UNESCO, UKFIET and the Institute of Education hosted a colloquium on the EFA Global Monitoring Report 2008, 'Education for All by 2015: Will we make it?' on 17 January 2008 at the Institute of Education, London. Download: preliminary summary-report (Word, 162kb); Programme (Word, 159kb). The 2008 Global Monitoring Report was launched on 29 Nov 2007 at the UN HQ in New York. (more)

2008 World Press Freedom Day UK debate: 2 May 2008 UNESCO-L'OREAL For Women in Science Programme UNESCO Associated Schools Project UK UNESCO Chairs Programme RECENT EVENTS International expert workshop on heritage of science 21-23 Jan 08 - London Workshop materials available.  Inaugural UK UNESCO Chairs Colloquium 17-18 Jan 08 - Nottingham Conference papers and report available.   EFA by 2015: Will we Make it? 17 January 2008  Final Report and Papers now available

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