UNESCO launched the Slave Route Project in 1994 in order to break the silence about the slave trade. Today, the Organization also fights against the contemporary forms of slavery. More

• UNESCO Project to Fight Human Trafficking in Africa
• The Slave Trade: A Peculiar Cultural Odyssey
  The UNESCO Courier, Dec. 2004
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format)
• UNESCO's Culture Portal

Traditional knowledge is much more than just a reflection of mainstream knowledge. It is a cumulative and dynamic body of knowledge possessed by peoples with long histories of interacting with their natural milieu. More

• UNESCO's Culture Portal
• The Inuit: First Witnesses of Climate Changes
  The UNESCO Courier, Nov. 2005
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format)

Cultural policies respond to the challenges posed by all forms of cultural diversity, including heritage, intercultural dialogue and contemporary or creative activities.

One way that UNESCO fulfils its mandate in the field of culture is through its work in cultural policies. More

• UNESCO and Cultural Diversity
• Cultural Diversity
  The UNESCO Courier, November 2005
• Observatory of Cultural Policies in Africa
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format)

The recognition of cultural diversity as a factor for social cohesion, sustainable development and stability is at the heart of national and international political concern. More

• Legal Instruments
• A Burst of Creativity
  The New Courier, November 2005.
• Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity
• Infosheet (PDF Format - 78K)

How to ensure that creators are paid for their work while promoting public access to culture? This is the purpose of copyright. More

• 23rd of April
  World Book and Copyright Day
• Seeking the right balance
  The New Courier, November 2005
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format)

What do the Pyramids of Egypt, Iguazu National Park and the Temple of Angkor have in common? They are among the 812 sites that have been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1972. More

• UNESCO/NHK Partnership
  Video clips of sites
• A Tribute to the Past
  The New Courier, November 2005
• World Heritage and climate change
  Media advisory
• Infosheet (PDF Format - 210K)

Cultural industries play a key role in cultural diversity, but trade is far from equal between North and South. This is why UNESCO endeavours to facilitate access to the global market while respecting copyright laws. More

• Copyright
  Culture Sector
• Developing countries losing out in cultural trade
  Press Release
• Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity
• Seeking the Right Balance
  The New Courier, November 2005.
• Infosheet (PDF Format - 138K)

Half of the world's 6,000 languages are in danger of disappearing in just a few generations. In recognition of International Mother Language Day, UNESCO underlines the importance of linguistic diversity and preservation of cultural traditions. More

• Watch the webcast
  Events at UNESCO Headquarters
• Multilingualism in Cyberspace
• Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Education
• Anna’s quest
  The new Courier, April 2003
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format - 85K)

Handicrafts and design can be tools for development. In an age of increasing industrial standardization, UNESCO promotes the diversity of cultural traditions expressed through craftsmanship and design. More

• UNESCO Crafts Prize
  2004-2005
• Infosheet on Crafts & Design
  (PDF Format - 184K)
• Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity

Museums and documentary heritage reflect our world’s past. Because of the fragile nature of this heritage, UNESCO launched Memory of the World to promote conservation of archive collections and libraries. 

• Memory of the World Register
• Museums
  Culture Portal Section
• Museum International
  Quarterly publication
• Infosheet (PDF Format)

On 25 November, UNESCO will proclaim the Third List of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This international distinction rewards popular and traditional forms of heritage such as oral traditions, music, rituals, and craftsmanship. More

• Safeguarding Measures
• Masterpieces website
• Infosheet on Intangible Heritage
  (PDF Format)
• Webcast On-demand of the Proclamation of Masterpieces