The UK National Commission for UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is one of 15 specialized agencies within the United Nations System. It was established on November 16, 1945, as much of the world was emerging from the devastation of the Second World War.

The UK was one of the founding members. Two British scientists Sir Julian Huxley (biologist, 1887-1975) and Dr Joseph Needham (scientist and sinologist, 1900-1995) put the “S” into UNESCO, ensuring science was included in the founding of the Organization in 1945.

Sir Julian Huxley was the first Director-General of UNESCO (1947-8) and Dr Joseph Needham the first head of UNESCO’s Science Division.

The Constitution of UNESCO was signed in the Great Hall of the Institute of Civil Engineers in London on 16 November 1945 by 37 countries and came into force on 4 November 1946 following ratification by 20 signatories.

UNESCO was formed to create an organisation that would embody a genuine culture of peace by promoting collaboration among nations through education, the sciences, culture, and communication and information.

UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue and cooperation between the peoples of the world, based upon commonly shared values and respect for individual civilizations and cultures. The Organization also serves as a clearinghouse to share knowledge and ideas with its 193 Member States and six Associate Members.

Through diverse and extensive strategies and projects, UNESCO is actively pursuing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, placing particular emphasis on initiatives which focus on eradicating poverty; achieving universal primary education and eliminating gender disparity in education; helping countries to implement national strategies for sustainable development; and halting the loss of environmental resources.

Since its inception, UNESCO has worked to inspire, encourage and sustain the principles of democracy, cooperation, non-violence, respect for human rights and cultural diversity. As the developing countries of the world struggle to find their place, as globalisation continues to grow and the world moves rapidly towards knowledge based societies, the work of UNESCO becomes ever more vital. Through its efforts in the sectors of education, science, culture, information
and communication, UNESCO is committed to attaining an ambitious goal:
to build peace in the minds of men.

For more information on the work of UNESCO please visit the UNESCO web site.