UNESCO has a cultural treasure that celebrates its 75th anniversary this year: the UNESCO Courier.
Always relevant throughout the decades, this publication dazzles by the richness and diversity of the themes and iconic figures that populated its pages. Victoria Ocampo was one of them. We not only find her imprint in the magazine, but also that of numerous illustrious artists and intellectuals who shared her friendship or were her guests at Villa Ocampo. Its history is a journey through time through the arts, thought and science.
As part of the 75th anniversary of the Courier and the 50th anniversary of Villa Ocampo's donation to UNESCO, an exhibition will be inaugurated to explore the intrinsic link between the two institutions.
Victoria Ocampo, a leading Argentinean intellectual of the 20th century, was a key figure in the promotion of culture and intellectual exchange. Her legacy and ideas are significantly intertwined with the UNESCO Courier, a platform that shares a mission to foster intercultural understanding and the dissemination of knowledge.
Ocampo, founder of the literary magazine "Sur" (“South” in English) in 1931, worked tirelessly to disseminate ideas and create spaces for cultural dialogue. Her vision embraced the diversity of artistic perspectives and expressions, as well as the promotion of tolerance and understanding between different cultures. These principles resonated with the mission of UNESCO, an international organisation that seeks to build peace through science, education, communication and culture.
The UNESCO Courier, created in 1948, stands as a means to facilitate the exchange of ideas and the promotion of fundamental rights such as education, science and culture. This means of communication shares a spirit akin to Ocampo's purpose in fostering dialogue between diverse cultures and intellectual actors.
Both the work of Victoria Ocampo and the UNESCO Courier converge in the idea that culture and knowledge are key elements in building a more just and understanding world. The connection between these two expressions of intellectual exchange underlines the importance of global collaboration to address contemporary challenges and build bridges between diverse societies.
The special issue of the Courier dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Villa Ocampo's donation to UNESCO and the opening of the exhibition at Villa Ocampo, which reviews the legacy of the 75 years of the UNESCO Courier and Victoria Ocampo's connection with the Organization, not only in Latin America and the Caribbean, but worldwide, is presented as a bridge to build a more inclusive and respectful world of diversity.
The UNESCO Courier
The Courier was born in 1948, immediately after the creation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), when the world longed for lasting peace after the Second World War.
UNESCO grew out of that vital need, as a beacon of hope. The magazine thus became a witness to that era of change, capturing the essence of an organisation that has worked tirelessly for peace and international cooperation from its 51 founding countries to the 194 Member States, plus the 12 associate members, that comprise it today.
Seventy-five years after its founding, the Courier remains true to its original vision and is committed to building peace through intercultural dialogue, education and culture.
The magazine persists in addressing global issues in education, science and culture, serving as a platform for intellectuals and artists.
Impact in Latin America and the Caribbean
The UNESCO Courier has played a crucial role in Latin America and the Caribbean, leaving a significant footprint in the region by facilitating the exchange of ideas, promoting cultural diversity and contributing to sustainable development.
First and foremost, the importance of the UNESCO Courier lies in its ability to amplify Latin American and Caribbean voices and perspectives on the global stage.
By providing a platform for the expression of the region's thoughts, concerns and achievements, the Courier has contributed to breaking down communication barriers and has strengthened ties between the diverse cultural and linguistic communities present not only in the world, but also in the region.
The Courier's impact also extends to the field of education. Through its publications and collaborations, the magazine has promoted access to education in the region, advocating for the importance of literacy, educational inclusion and the preservation of cultural heritage.
These issues are vital to the sustainable development of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Courier has been a valuable vehicle for disseminating these ideas.
In addition, the UNESCO Courier has played a key role in the conservation of the region's cultural and natural heritage. The promotion of cultural diversity and the protection of the environment are core values for UNESCO, and the publication has contributed to raising awareness of the importance of preserving the cultural and natural wealth of Latin America and the Caribbean.
In terms of social impact, the Courier has served as a catalyst for intercultural dialogue and bridge-building among the region's diverse communities. By highlighting similarities and differences, the Courier has fostered greater understanding among Latin American and Caribbean countries, promoting peace and collaboration in the region
"The UNESCO Courier has been a transformative agent in Latin America and the Caribbean, strengthening cultural identity, promoting education and contributing to sustainable development. Its importance and impact endure as a testament to the power of international collaboration to promote a more inclusive and equitable world," says Alcira Sandoval Ruiz, UNESCO Culture Specialist for Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The exhibition is open to the public in Villa Ocampo from 30 November 2023 and will run until the end of February 2024.
