The constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was prepared by a conference convened in London in 1945. UNESCO came into being in 1946.
UNESCO's primary objective is to contribute to peace and security in the world by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, culture and communication.
To realize this objective, UNESCO seeks to foster a culture of peace and human and sustainable development. It promotes education for all; fosters environmental research through international scientific programs; encourages national cultural values and the preservation of cultural heritage so as to derive the maximum advantage from modernization without the loss of cultural identity and diversity; promotes the free flow of information, press freedom and the development of pluralistic media; supports the strengthening of the communication capacities of developing countries; and promotes the social sciences as instruments for the realization of human rights, justice and peace.
In education, its major activity, UNESCO's priorities are to achieve basic education for all adapted to today's needs, and to develop higher education. It also helps train teachers, educational planners and administrators and encourages local building and equipping of schools.
In the natural sciences, UNESCO's programs include Man and the Biosphere; the program of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission; and the International Hydrological and International Geological Correlation programs. In addition, through education and training programs, UNESCO helps to correct the imbalance in scientific and technological manpower, 90 percent of which is concentrated in the industrialized countries.
In the social and human sciences, UNESCO focuses on teaching and promoting human rights and democracy, combating all forms of discrimination, improving the status of women and encouraging action to solve the problems faced by youth, such as education for the prevention of AIDS.
UNESCO's cultural activities are concentrated chiefly on safeguarding cultural heritage. The World Heritage List includes 400 sites, both cultural and natural, in 100 countries. Cultural activities also concentrate on promoting the cultural dimension of development, encouraging creation and creativity, preserving cultural identities and oral traditions, as well as promoting books and reading.
In communication, UNESCO surveys needs and assists developing countries, through its International Program for the Development of Communication, to set up infrastructures in that field. It is multiplying efforts to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image among nations and within each nation and to advance the principles of the freedom of the press and the independence, pluralism and diversity of the media.
UNESCO cooperates with more than 600 nongovernmental organizations and foundations, as well as international and regional networks.
The General Conference of UNESCO, composed of representatives of the 183 member states, meets biennially to decide the policy, program and budget of the organization. The Executive Board, consisting of 51 members elected by the General Conference, meets twice a year and is responsible for supervising the program adopted by the Conference.
From Basic Facts About the United Nations. Published by United Nations Department of Public Information. Copyright 1995 United Nations.
