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UNESCO in the UK
UNESCO was established on 16 November 1945 as much of the world was emerging from the devastation of the Second World War. The UK played an important role in this historic day and has helped shape the Organization and its work ever since.
- The UK was one of the founding members of UNESCO.
- 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.
- 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.
- The UK rejoined UNESCO in 1997 after leaving the Organization in 1985.
Today UNESCO and its values have a strong presence in the UK. From UNESCO Chairs to World Heritage Sites, UNESCO is more a part of our lives in the UK than many people realise.
Read more about the value of UNESCO to the UK by downloading the 'Wider Values' paper from the documents sidebar.
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