Accountability
UNESCO is an organization of values and ideals. We work through various legal and advisory procedures and offices to improve and add value and accountability to our operations:
The Internal Oversight Service (IOS) provides independent and objective audits and evaluations of UNESCO's programmes and services, as well as investigations of alleged irregularities and staff misconduct. In conjunction with the Ethics Office, Bureau of Human Resources Management, and the Office of the Mediator, it shares responsibility for addressing grievances.
The Ethics Office is responsible for providing confidential advice and guidance on ethics to the Organization and its personnel. It is responsible for: conflict of interest issues, UNESCO's Financial Disclosure Programme, moral and sexual harassment issues, abuse of power or authority, and discrimination cases.
The Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs (LA) is UNESCO’s central legal service. It provides legal advice and answers legal questions for the Organization and its various bodies, represents the organization before tribunals and courts, and assists in the drawing up and application of international standard-setting instruments. In addition it handles requests via UNESCO's "Procedure for dealing with alleged violations of human rights" (Procedure 104)