UNESCO Headquarters

UNESCO in brief

Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed.
UNESCO Constitution

What is UNESCO?

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in education, sciences and culture. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

 

UNESCO's History

As early as 1942, in wartime, the governments of the European countries, which were confronting Nazi Germany and its allies, met in the United Kingdom for the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education (CAME). World War II was far from over, yet those countries were looking for ways and means to rebuild their education systems once peace was restored. The project quickly gained momentum and soon acquired a universal character. New governments, including that of the United States, decided to join in. Upon the proposal of CAME, a United Nations Conference for the establishment of an educational and cultural organization (ECO/CONF) was convened in London from 1 to 16 November 1945. Scarcely had the war ended when the conference opened. It gathered together representatives of forty-four countries who decided to create an organization that would embody a genuine culture of peace. In their eyes, the new organization was to establish the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” and thereby prevent the outbreak of another world war.

Our History

75 years of history in the service of peace!

A history in the service of our common humanity. 

75th anniversary Family photo
UNESCO: the lab of ideas, the lab for change!
UNESCO Projects in the World

A better world through UNESCO's projects and activities.

Our vision

Political and economic arrangements of governments are not enough to secure the lasting and sincere support of the peoples. Peace must be founded upon dialogue and mutual understanding. Peace must be built upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity.

In this spirit, UNESCO develops educational tools to help people live as global citizens free of hate and intolerance. UNESCO works to ensure that every child and every citizen has access to quality education. By promoting cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures, UNESCO strengthens the bonds between nations. UNESCO fosters scientific programmes and policies as platforms for development and cooperation. UNESCO stands up for freedom of expression, as a fundamental right and a key condition for democracy and development. As a laboratory of ideas, UNESCO helps countries to adopt international standards and manages programmes that foster the free flow of ideas and the exchange of knowledge.

UNESCO's founding vision was born in response to a world war marked by racist and anti-Semitic violence. Seventy years later and many liberation struggles later, UNESCO’s mandate is more relevant than ever. Cultural diversity is under attack and new forms of intolerance, rejection of scientific facts and threats to freedom of expression challenge peace and human rights. In response, UNESCO's duty remains to reaffirm the humanist missions of education, science and culture.

Key achievements

A selection of UNESCO's success stories
UNESCO preserves 1073 World Heritage sites in 167 countries
UNESCO leads global efforts to reach quality education for all
UNESCO coordinates Tsunami early warning systems
UNESCO led the reconstruction in Timbuktu
UNESCO launched the SESAME world-class research laboratory
UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists
Angkor Temple removed from the List of WH in Danger
UNESCO published General and Regional Histories
UNESCO Member States, Associated Schools, ...
177 State Parties to the Intangible Heritage Convention
UNESCO builds Youth networks across 9 Mediterranean countries
UNESCO designated sites represent 10 million km2
Jeune gardien troupeau à la réserve de biosphère Toson-Khulstai

Priority Africa

UNESCO's global priorities are Africa and Gender Equality. As such, UNESCO and development partners are attentive to 54 African countries with a stronger and better targeted strategy. The African Renaissance is underway, with the adoption of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development paving the ground for the African Economic Community.

Priority Gender Equality

UNESCO believes that all forms of gender-based discrimination are violations of human rights, as well as a significant obstacle to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Gender Equality
Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples occupy some 22% of global land area.

Youth

Youth have the capacity to make change happen

SIDS

Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

LDCs

The Least Developed Countries (LDCs)