About UNESCO in Venice
The UNESCO Venice Office fosters cooperation, to contribute to capacity building and to provide specialized expertise in science and culture with special emphasize to SEE and the Mediterranean.
It contributes to peace, stability and sustainable development in Europe, especially in South East Europe and the Mediterranean area, through activities in the field of Science and Culture, considering the political, social and environmental changes, by providing policy advice, capacity building, communication and supporting territorial management as well as risk and conflict prevention.
Its functions: 1) Development; 2) Information collection, analysis and dissemination; and 3) Capacity building.
Starting point : the disastrous floods of 1966
Following the floods in Venice and Florence and the Italian Government's invitation one year later for UNESCO to play an international action, the Liaison Office for the Safeguarding of Venice was established in 1973 on the occasion of the UNESCO International Campaign for the Safeguarding of Venice. UNESCO Scientific Co-operation Bureau for Europe was established in 1972 as a separate unit attached to the office of the Assistant Director General for Sciences of UNESCO in Paris
Agreements governing UNESCO Venice's programme
1976 - Seat Agreement between the Italian Government and UNESCO concerning the UNESCO Liaison Office in Venice
1995 - Agreement between Italy and UNESCO concerning ROSTE
1996 - Agreement between UNESCO, Italy and the Municipality of Venice for the availability of premises in Venice for ROSTE
2002 - Memorandum of Understanding between UNESCO and the Government of Italy concerning ROSTE