UNESCO

Since its inception, UNESCO has envisioned itself primarily as a facilitator of communication and knowledge sharing between member states. Indeed, promoting harmony across diverse societies and cultures lies at the heart of UNESCO’s mission. As the organization states on its website: “Political and economic arrangements of governments are not enough to secure the lasting and sincere support of the peoples. Peace must be founded upon dialogue and mutual understanding. Peace must be built upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity.” In promoting solidarity among diverse societies and cultures, UNESCO strives to inspire a spirit of giving rooted in tolerance, creativity and shared prosperity.

Early Expansion and Impact

In November 1945, representatives from 44 nations came together for a United Nations Conference in London to discuss the formation of a multinational cultural institution committed to promoting world peace. UNESCO was formally inaugurated a year later, on November 4, 1946, with an initial membership of 20 countries. During the 1950s, as more low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) joined the organization, the UNESCO mission widened its focus to include anti-poverty initiatives, literacy campaigns and economic development.

In 1960, when the newly-constructed Aswan High Dam threatened to flood several ancient Egyptian historical sites, UNESCO launched the International Campaign to Save the Monuments. Funded by donations from 50 countries and led by some of the world’s leading archeologists, architects and engineers, the initiative played a central role in relocating and preserving a number of important structures, including the Temple of Abu Simbel. The effort ultimately led to the implementation of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972.

Confronting a Spectrum of Global Issues

Today UNESCO operates through five principal program areas: Education, Natural Science, Social and Human Sciences, Culture and Communication and Information.

The organization’s Education sector focuses on helping people gain the knowledge and skills they need to achieve economic prosperity. Major programs in this area include Education for All, which promotes early learning, adult literacy and improved global standards for math and science education; and the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), which seeks to expand school access in areas of the world where girls struggle to attain educational opportunities.

The UNESCO Natural Sciences project deploys scientific learning to tackle pressing global concerns, with a focus on LMICs impacted by natural disaster and climate change. Toward these ends, the sector pursues advances in the fields of engineering and renewable energy. UNESCO Natural Sciences also oversees the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (ICO), an initiative launched in 1961 to monitor and conserve the world’s marine resources. 

Through its Social and Human Sciences program, UNESCO encourages intellectual cooperation to support human rights and racial justice initiatives in its member states. The project also aims to spur economic activity by promoting ecotourism in various regions.

In addition to maintaining and expanding the list of World Heritage Sites, the UNESCO Culture initiative strives to preserve artistic treasures throughout the globe. The sector focuses on both tangible artifacts – such as paintings, relics and historic structures – and intangible cultural assets such as rituals and dance traditions. The sector is also dedicated to protecting threatened natural ecosystems such as glaciers and coral reefs, as well as rebuilding sites damaged or destroyed by natural disaster or conflict.

The UNESCO Communications and Information initiative strives to facilitate open and free access to communication and diversity of viewpoints. Beyond these five core areas, UNESCO also develops programs defined by Special Themes such as gender equality, humanitarian aid and climate change. These Special Theme projects frequently draw resources and ideas from one or more of the core areas. 

Conclusion

Originally created as a post-war rebuilding program, UNESCO has evolved into a global campaign dedicated to cultivating a more cooperative and peaceful world. By nurturing communication, cultural exchange, educational advancement and generosity among its 193 member states, the organization seeks to foster a sense of shared purpose – and responsibility – in addressing the most urgent issues confronting the international community.

Contributor: Stephen Meyer