UK NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO
CULTURE COMMITTEE

Terms of Reference

1. To be the formal link between civil society, relevant departments in Her Majesty’s Government (primarily the Department for Culture, Media & Sport) including the Devolved Administrations and UNESCO on matters relating to all aspects of culture. Specifically, to co-ordinate civil society’s culture-sector contribution to the biennial UNESCO general conferences, UNESCO conventions, and to UK policy on UNESCO’s programme in the culture sector.

2. To promote recognition and awareness of and participation in UNESCO’s cultural work, and to promote the work of UNESCO as an organization where all countries can learn from each other.

3. To participate, as appropriate, in UNESCO’s early development of initiatives for cultural activities.

4. To advise and work with HMG, particularly the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, on UNESCO’s cultural activities which have specific relevance to the UK (including the Devolved Administrations), including UNESCO requests and initiatives, Conventions, World Heritage Sites’ matters, and cultural education.

5. To provide independent and expert analysis, comment and advice to HMG on cultural matters relating to UNESCO, including as input to UK (including the Devolved Administrations) policy-making on key UNESCO programmes and cultural issues.

6. To advise HMG on ways of raising awareness of UNESCO’s cultural work in the UK across the whole of civil society, but in particular in the UK culture sector.

7. To encourage and facilitate the use of UK cultural expertise around the world, especially within developing countries.

8. To establish links with other National Commission Culture Committees of UNESCO Member States, to share and receive appropriate knowledge and research.

9. To undertake such actions as would enhance culture internationally.

Approved: 26 August 2005