unesco-peace

UNESCO in key figures

Genesis Of UNESCO

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

This conference gathered representatives of 44 countries who decided to create an organization that would embody a genuine culture of peace and with the common goal of preventing another world war.

On November 4, 1946 the Constitution of UNESCO came into force

birth unesco

Sustainable Development Goals

The Organization contributes towards achieving the UN’s through its work across: 

  • 2 Global Priorities 

Africa:

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.

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.

  • 6 Domains of Expertise 
sustainable development goals

6 Domains Of Expertise

Education

The heart of UNESCO’s mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development

Natural Sciences

Science for a sustainable future

Ocean Sciences

Conserving the diversity of life on Earth and ocean health is critical to global human welfare

Social and Human Sciences

Humanistic mission to help people understand each other and work together to build a lasting peace

Culture

Protecting our heritage and fostering creativity

Communication & Information

Foster freedom of expression, media development, and access to information and knowledge

Organization

194
Member States
12
Associate Members
2200
Staff members
54
Countries
136
Institutes

UNESCO Governance

The General Conference consists of the representatives of UNESCO's Member States. It meets every two years, and is attended by Member States and Associate Members, together with observers for non-Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Each country has one vote, irrespective of its size or the extent of its contribution to the budget. Its duty is to set the programmes and the budget of UNESCO. It also elects the Members of the Executive Board and appoints, every four years, the Director-General.

The Executive Board ensures the overall management of UNESCO. It prepares the work of the General Conference and sees that its decisions are properly carried out. The functions and responsibilities of the Executive Board are derived primarily from the Constitution and from rules or directives laid down by the General Conference. Every two years the General Conference assigns specific tasks to the Board.

The Secretariat is the Executive Branch of the organisation. It consists of the Director-General and the Staff appointed by him or her. The staff is divided into Professional and General Service categories. About 700 staff members work in UNESCO's 53 field offices around the world.

Our History

75 years of history in the service of peace!

A history in the service of our common humanity. 

75th anniversary Family photo

Over 75 years of work : Our achievements in a few dates

UNESCO’s pioneering work has changed the way people everywhere understand each other and the planet we live on.
1952 : The Universal Copyright Convention

The Universal Copyright Convention was adopted in 1952, and revised in 1971, under the aegis of UNESCO with a view to extend international copyright protection universally

1954 : The creation of CERN

Establishment of a European Council for Nuclear Research. And today, it's one of the world's largest and most respected centres for scientific research

1960 : Saving the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae

UNESCO launched an international safeguarding campaign to save monuments in Nubia from being flooded by the rising waters of the Nile

1964 : The General History of Africa

UNESCO invited renowned African scholars to come together and write their continent’s history from their own perspective. A total of nine volumes have been produced and three more are in preparation

1965 : The Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission plays a critical role in saving lives within communities at risk from tsunami on the coastlines of oceans

1971 : The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme

The MAB Programme set an interdisciplinary and scientific basis for the improvement of human livelihoods and the safeguard of ecosystems

1997 : The Declaration on the Human Genome and Human rights

The declaration was unanimously passed by the 77 Member States’ delegations in attendance

2003 : Intangible Cultural Heritage

Purposes of this Convention : safeguard the intangible cultural heritage; to ensure respect of the communities and provide international cooperation and assistance

2020 : The Global Education Coalition

The COVID-19 pandemic threatened the right to education of more than 1.5 B students. UNESCO launched the coalition of over 175 institutional, private sector and media partners

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