UNESCO Full Form

UNESCO is a specialised agency of the United Nations. The United Nations General Assembly chose to set up UNESCO on 16 November 1945 by a decision of the General Assembly. UNESCO is the only UN specialised agency with a legal personality under international law. As the legal body it has its headquarters in France. 

UNESCO is a specialised agency of the United Nations for promoting international peace education, education for sustainable development and intercultural understanding. The organisation is composed of 193 members and 11 associate members and is headquartered in Paris. The recently elected  Director-General of the organisation is Ms Audrey Azoulay. 

What is UNESCO ?

UNESCO provides a unique global vision and sustainable approach to education for all, and ensures that the benefits of education, scientific and technological research, and culture are available to everyone, in all parts of the world, and for all periods, and that its values are preserved and transmitted.  UNESCO is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary international organisations that works for peace, human development, education, science and culture. It is also a unique scientific and cultural organisation devoted to the world’s developmental wellbeing and also to safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations. Our rich heritage is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

This organisation aims to promote peace, security, sustainable development, and the preservation of cultural diversity in this world. In order to accomplish its goals, UNESCO works toward the sustainable development of everyone and the preservation of cultural diversity. UNESCO has grown to represent many of the countries in the world now, and enjoys the support of 193 member states and 11 associate member states from governments of different nations and organisations. 

UNESCO has an important mandate in assisting Member States to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in developing, together with the countries that share our diverse cultural and natural heritage, new generations of responsible, proactive stewards of our planet and all the world’s people. 

UNESCO Formation 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is an intergovernmental agency of the United Nations (UN). The primary purpose of UNESCO is to promote international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication in the service of peace, security, and sustainable development. UNESCO is mandated to encourage respect for diversity and to promote equal rights for women and children. The UN General Assembly requested UNESCO to be entrusted with the coordination of international relations in the fields of education, religion, science, and culture and the furtherance of other UN activities.

UNESCO was founded in response to the Second World War and the collapse of European empires, which led to the breakup of cultural heritage that was being controlled and appropriated by the victors. To prevent a recurrence, the United Nations General Assembly proposed a new international organisation to foster the preservation and dissemination of the world’s cultural heritage, and UNESCO was created on 16 November 1945.

UNESCO was formed in response to the need for global protection of cultural values and materials of great importance to humanity. It was founded by the General Conference of the United Nations UN and came into force on the 16 of November, 1945. UNESCO was formed in 1945 to promote international cooperation in education, science, and culture. UNESCO is primarily funded by contributions from its member states; however, it also has a separate budget funded by the UN budget and donations.

UNESCO Development

UNESCO has been a leading force for social and economic development for more than 70 years. Since its creation in 1945, UNESCO has pioneered and promoted the integration of culture, education, science and communication for the benefit of all. UNESCO-supported activities include international cooperation, capacity-building, the promotion of scientific research and innovation, and the protection of the world’s cultural heritage. 

The organisation plays an important role in global information networks, promotes scientific research, and helps achieve sustainable development through its many programs and activities.    

Aims and Goals of UNESCO

UNESCO strives to develop political and economic arrangements of governments that are insufficient to assure the people’s long-term and sincere support. Dialogue and shared understanding must be the foundations of peace. Humanity’s intellectual and moral unity must be the foundation of peace.

 UNESCO creates educational resources to assist individuals in living as global citizens who are free of hatred and intolerance. UNESCO strives to guarantee that every child and citizen has access to a high-quality education. UNESCO fosters national relationships by fostering cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all civilizations. UNESCO promotes scientific programmes and policies as development and cooperation platforms. UNESCO advocates for free expression as a basic right and a prerequisite for democratic values and development. As an idea factory, UNESCO assists nations in adopting global standards and runs programmes that promote the free exchange of ideas and information.

The original idea of UNESCO arose in response to racist and anti-Semitic atrocities during World War II. UNESCO’s mandate is more vital than ever, seventy years and countless liberation movements later. UNESCO’s leader realised Cultural diversity is under attack, and new kinds of bigotry, denial of scientific truths, and dangers to free speech put peace and human rights at jeopardy. In response, it remains UNESCO’s responsibility to reassert the humanistic objectives of education, research, and culture.

Conclusion

UNESCO is an intergovernmental organisation which was founded in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations. It is composed of the United Nations, the Member States, the International Bureau, the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and an Advisory Board. UNESCO is dedicated to education for peace, sustainable development, freedom of expression, culture and knowledge in a globalised world. The organisation promotes scientific research, maintains archives, and works to preserve cultural heritage.