About UNESCO
since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed
– from preamble to UNESCO’s Constitution
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a UN Specialized Agency which contributes to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, culture, sciences, and communication.
In a world which urgently requires global visions of sustainable development, poverty eradication, and intercultural dialogue, UNESCO works to create the conditions for cooperation among civilizations, cultures and peoples.
Download the 'UNESCO at a glance brochure' here (PDF, 2.53 MB).
What it does
From its initial focus on education, science and culture, UNESCO has developed five programme areas in Education, Natural Sciences, Social & Human Sciences, Culture, and Communication & Information.
Download '65 ways UNESCO benefits countries all over the world' here (PDF, 4.3 MB).
UNESCO is not a funding agency. Instead, its work in these five programme areas focuses on:
- standard-setting – forum for informed exchange and debate, working towards agreed international standards
- monitoring – helping demonstrate progress and weakness on key development and human rights issues, such as the Global Monitoring Report on Education for All, attacks against journalists and media professionals, endangered languages and freedom of information
- policy research and development – works with Member States on policy, legislation and good practice in UNESCO-related fields. Also acts as a ‘clearing house’, gathering and disseminating information on best practice and identifying innovative solutions to current challenges.
- capacity-building in Member States – provides technical expertise and facilitates international cooperation to assist countries in building human and institutional capacity
- develops international cooperation – uses its powerful convening role to encourage and support international cooperation
Membership
With 193 Member States and seven Associate Members UNESCO has the widest membership of any UN Agency.
Structure
UNESCO is headquartered in Paris with 52 field offices and several institutes and centres throughout the world. UNESCO’s 11 institutes and centres undertake world-class research and training in select areas of UNESCO’s work.
Since 1999 UNESCO has been undergoing major reforms to restructure and decentralise its staff and activities.
Member States establish Permanent Delegations to UNESCO to act as the formal liaison between the UNESCO Secretariat and government. A global network of National Commissions for UNESCO provides a formal link between UNESCO headquarters and filed offices and civil society in Member States.
