What it is and What it does:
UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) was founded on 16 November 1945. For this specialized United Nations
agency, it is not enough to build classrooms in devastated countries or to
publish scientific breakthroughs.
Education, Social and Natural Science, Culture and Communication are the
means to a far more ambitious goal : to build peace in the minds of men.
Today, UNESCO functions as a
laboratory of ideas and a standard-setter to forge universal agreements on
emerging ethical issues. The Organization also serves as a
clearinghouse – for the dissemination and sharing of information and
knowledge – while
helping Member States to build their human and institutional capacities in
diverse fields. In short, UNESCO
promotes international co-operation among its 191* Member States and six
Associate Members in the fields of education, science, culture and
communication.
*As of March 2005
UNESCO is working to create the conditions for genuine dialogue based upon
respect for shared values and the dignity of each civilization and culture.
This role is critical, particularly in the face of terrorism, which constitutes
an attack against humanity. The world urgently requires global visions of
sustainable development based upon observance of human rights, mutual respect
and the alleviation of poverty, all of which lie at the heart of UNESCO’s
mission and activities.
Through its strategies and activities, UNESCO
is actively pursuing the
Millennium Development Goals, especially those aiming to:
halve the proportion of people
living in extreme poverty in developing countries by 2015
achieve universal primary
education in all countries by 2015
eliminate gender disparity in
primary and secondary education by 2005
help countries implement a
national strategy for sustainable development by 2005 to reverse current trends
in the loss of environmental resources by 2015.
