About

UNESCO’s work and vision

UNESCO is the UN specialized agency building peace in the minds of people through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. Our mission is to foster intercultural dialogue and sustainable development, by promoting the free flow of ideas.

By adopting a multi-disciplinary and inclusive approach, UNESCO works with both duty-bearers and rights-holders across the world to develop and implement targeted actions that are born out of local needs, which ensures a holistic and results-based approach for sustainable change.

In the field of communication and information, UNESCO defends and promotes freedom of expression, media independence and pluralism, and the building of inclusive knowledge societies underpinned by universal access to information and the innovative use of digital technologies.

Through capacity-building, policy advice, international cooperation, monitoring and foresight in the fields of freedom of expression, access to information, and digital transformation, UNESCO will continue to empower key actors with a view to ensuring that fundamental freedoms are guaranteed online and offline, in line with international standards.

This is all the more relevant to ensure the ethical development and use of emerging technologies, which have a growing impact on all aspects of the world’s societies. Citizens will also be empowered to enjoy these fundamental freedoms through the development of 21st century skills and the fostering of enabling environments for media pluralism and diversity.

Contribution to the 2030 Agenda

Through its unique and transversal mandate in the area of communication and information, UNESCO contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, thereby supporting the international community in its efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

SDG 4

UNESCO contributes to SDG 4 on quality education for all.

SDG 5

Gender equality, enshrined in SDG 5 and a key enabler to achieve all other SDGs, is mainstreamed throughout our work.

SDG 8

UNESCO also contributes to SDG 8 on economic growth.

SDG 9

SDG 9 calls for the enhancement of scientific research and innovation especially in developing countries.

SDG 10

SDG 10 calls for reducing inequalities.

SDG 11

SDG 11 calls for making resilient and sustainable cities.

SDG 13

SDG 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change and it's impacts.

SDG 16.10

UNESCO contributes to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.

SDG 17

SDG 17 calls for partnerships for the Goals.

Global Priority Gender Equality

Gender equality is an essential component of UNESCO’s work and vision. For UNESCO, Gender equality is an essential component of UNESCO’s work and vision. For UNESCO, gender equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women gender equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men and girls and boysand men and girls and boys.

It implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration, recognizing the diversity of different groups among women and men.  

Achieving gender equality means overcoming systemic, skewed power dynamics and societal vulnerabilities. It requires the reimagining and remaking of structures and systems. By recognizing the challenges at hand and taking a transversal, thematic approach across its mandate, UNESCO and its partners aims to contribute to a dynamic global agenda to advance human rights and gender equality in all its fields of competence.  

UNESCO’s work in the area of communication and information lays a particular emphasis on overcoming gender imbalances. This include promoting gender equality in media policies, practice and content, and enhancing the safety of women journalists online and offline; building capacities and knowledge of women and girls in digital technologies; and reinforcing gender inclusive access to information and knowledge, including through documentary heritage. 

Gender equality

Gender equality is a human rights principle, and a precondition for sustainable, people-centered development, as well as a goal in and of itself.

UNESCO’s Priority Gender Equality Action Plan 2014-2021

Global Priority Africa

Gender equality is an essential component of UNESCO’s work and vision. For UNESCO, Gender equality is an essential component of UNESCO’s work and vision. For UNESCO, gender equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women gender equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men and girls and boysand men and girls and boys.

It implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration, recognizing the diversity of different groups among women and men.

Achieving gender equality means overcoming systemic, skewed power dynamics and societal vulnerabilities. It requires the reimagining and remaking of structures and systems. By recognizing the challenges at hand and taking a transversal, thematic approach across its mandate, UNESCO and its partners aims to contribute to a dynamic global agenda to advance human rights and gender equality in all its fields of competence.

UNESCO’s work in the area of communication and information lays a particular emphasis on overcoming gender imbalances. This include promoting gender equality in media policies, practice and content, and enhancing the safety of women journalists online and offline; building capacities and knowledge of women and girls in digital technologies; and reinforcing gender inclusive access to information and knowledge, including through documentary heritage.

UNESCO's Operational Strategy for Priority Africa 2014-2021
75%
of the African population

is under 35

it's 20%
of the world's youth population