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)

Desertification affects one quarter of the earth’s surface and over a billion people. UNESCO is working to reverse one of the world’s most alarming processes of environmental degradation. More

• Turning back the sands of time?
  UNESCO Courier – June 2006
• The Future of Drylands Conference
  Tunis, Tunisia 19 - 21 June 2006
• Infosheet on desertification
  (PDF format - 100K)
• 2006 - UN International year of deserts and desertification

Representing 20% of UNESCO's Member States, small islands face unique social and economic challenges. More

• Sustainable Development in Coastal Regions and Small Islands
• Small islands, big issues
  The New Courier, April 2004
• Infosheet (PDF - 70K)

The World Water Forum (taking place in Mexico from 16-22 March) reminds us of the fragile nature of this resource which is threatened by pollution, population growth and poor management. More

• The UNESCO Courier
  New online magazine:
  Water Issue - "To the last drop"
• Webcast from Forum in Mexico
  22 March - 17-20h GMT+1
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format - 76K)
• Message from the Director-General

To better the relationship between people and their environment: this is why UNESCO launched the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme in 1971. Three decades later, over 482 biosphere reserves span the globe in hopes of preserving our planet’s biodiversity . More

• Latest additions to list of Biosphere Reserves
  Press Release - July 2005
• Taking the Pulse of the Planet
  The New Courier - November 2005
• Explaining Biosphere Reserves
  Children's book
• Infosheet
  (244K - PDF Format)

Scientific knowledge and technology can dramatically change people’s lives and also contributes to development. One of UNESCO’s programmes aims to push these advances and, at the same time, fight poverty. 

• Natural Sciences Portal Section
• Projecting the planet into the future
  The new Courier, May 2005
• Infosheet
  (PDF Format - 184K)
• Science and technology education

Oceans cover some 70% of the Earth’s surface and transcend national borders. International cooperation is essential for studying them. This is precisely the role of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). More

• Oceans
  The New Courier, November 2005
• Infosheet (PDF Format - 278K)

Many countries find themselves excluded from the benefits of science-based technologies. For this reason, UNESCO endeavours to better share scientific knowledge resources. More

• Infosheet on Scientific Knowledge
  (PDF - 183K)
• Sciences lose their glamour
  The New Courier, October 2004
• Science education in danger?
  Education Today, October-December 2004
• Fellowships for young researchers