National Commissions for UNESCO
National Commissions are “UNESCO’s most important partners.
UNESCO General Conference, 27th Session
There are 196 National Commissions for UNESCO, set up by Member States to engage civil society in UNESCO’s work.
National Commissions are unique to UNESCO in the UN system. Their existence is given official status by UNESCO’s Constitution. This reflects an understanding that unless civil society is intimately involved in UNESCO’s decision making and programmes, the Organization will struggle to fulfil its objectives. National Commissions continue to be a forward looking trait of UNESCO within the UN family, enabling civil society to have a clear voice and presence in an intergovernmental institution.
No two National Commissions are the same: their structure, membership and operation are as diverse as Member States themselves. In most cases National Commissions are governmental, with their secretariats functioning as an internal part of ministries or other government bodies. The UK’s National Commission is an independent body, with its secretariat and volunteer experts based entirely outside government.
To learn more about National Commissions globally, download the UNESCO report Architecture of National Commissions from the sidebar or visit UNESCO’s National Commission website.
Pages in this section
- ENA Regional Consultation
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- The UK National Commission is pleased to be hosting the UNESCO Director-General's Regional Consultation with National Commissions for UNESCO of Europe and North America on the Preparation of the Draft Programme and Budget for 2012-2013 (36C/5)
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