ISSN 1993-8616
2009 Archives
2009 - Number 10 - Climate change: where are we going?
The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) now taking place in Copenhagen (Denmark) is deciding the fate of the planet. Everyone agrees on the substance: only a concerted global effort can meet the climate challenge. But when it comes to form, opinions diverge. More
2009 - Special issue - 60 years of Friendship with India
"November 29th, was celebrated widely in India as UNESCO Day", read the June 1948 edition of The UNESCO Courier. Six decades later, on 11 November, 2009, India is inviting our Organization to celebrate its National Day. We are proud to do so, since education goes to the heart of UNESCO's mandate. (More)
2009 - Special issue - Let's talk
This special issue, which is published to coincide with the 35th UNESCO General Conference, brings together a number of articles that have already appeared in our magazine: Languages matter (2008 - 1) and Endangered languages, endangered thought (2009 - 2). (More)
2009 - Special issue - Meeting People and Sharing Héritage
When well-managed, tourism need not pose a threat to the cultural or natural environment. On the contrary, it can be a source of sustainable development, helping to combat poverty, safeguard our heritage and preserve cultural diversity. This special issue, which is published to coincide with the 35th UNESCO General Conference, brings together a number of articles that have already appeared in our magazine, illustrating various issues surrounding this question. (More)
2009 - Number 9 - Memory and History
The cruel dictatorships of Latin America, the conquest of the Burgundian kingdom, the constructive failure of the League of Nations – memory and history wend their way through this issue of The Courier, revealing the extraordinary wealth of the documentary heritage inscribed this year on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. More
2009 - Number 8 - History of Peoples: recasting the past
UNESCO’s historiographic collections on humanity, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the civilisations of Central Asia and Islamic culture are the result of forty years of international cooperation, involving some 1600 specialists from all corners of the world. Read about the history of these Histories. (More)
2009 - Number 7 - Enigmas of the universe
Four hundred years ago, Galileo looked up at the dark spots on the face of the Moon and identified them as seas. He was wrong. Today, we send missions to the Moon in search of water. Yet in spite of such extraordinary technological advances, much about the universe remains unknown. Experts believe we know only 5% of all matter. Surprises are in store, they predict. (More)
2009 - Number 6 - Man and Nature: living in harmony
Of the 32 million tons of carbon produced in the world, our natural ecosystems can absorb approximately 18. Without this natural sponge, the global ecological situation would be far more desperate.
This month’s edition focuses on several of the 22 new biosphere reserves within UNESCO’s world network. (More)
2009 - Number 5 - Diversity, a synonym for culture
A long-distance voyage from China to Iran, using calligraphy as a compass; a dive into Parisian melancholy, guided by a Japanese photographer; a Turkish escapade with background music from Brittany….This month the UNESCO Courier dedicates its pages to cultural diversity. More
2009 - Number 4 - School for the future
Preserving the environment, respecting biodiversity and safeguarding human rights represent new dimensions for education. Since the 2005 launch of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, ESD is becoming reality through myriad initiatives, evoked in this month’s UNESCO Courier. More
2009 - Number 3 - Troubled water
Increased demand, waste and insufficient investment: water shortage may come sooner than we think. Although water covers three-quarters of the world’s surface, only 0.0075% of this immense volume is available for humanity’s use. The UNESCO Courier examines some strategies for better management. (More)
2009 - number 2 - Endangered languages, endangered thought
Some 200 languages have become extinct in the last three generations, according to the new “UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger”. When languages die out, not only words disappear, but ways of seeing and describing reality; we lose valuable knowledge and worlds of thought. (More)
Number 1 - Submerged memory
More than three million shipwrecks are lying on the ocean floor today. Hundreds of underwater decorated caves, towns and monuments remain to be discovered. How can we make use of the knowledge contained in these remains? How can they be presented to the general public? This issue of the Courier tackles these questions. (More)