The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based in Paris. It currently has 186 Member States.

Body:

Mandate:

The main objective of UNESCO is to contribute to peace and security in the world by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, culture and communication in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.

Significance of UNESCO:

• That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.
• That ignorance of each other’s ways and lives has been a common cause, throughout the history of mankind, of that suspicion and mistrust between the peoples of the world through which their differences have all too often broken into war.
• That the great and terrible war (World War 2) was a war made possible by the denial of the democratic principles of the dignity, equality and mutual respect of men, and by the propagation, in their place, through ignorance and prejudice, of the doctrine of the inequality of men and races.

In such scenario, 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 so that each child and citizen has access to quality education.
• By promoting cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures, UNESCO strengthens bonds among 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. Serving as a laboratory of ideas, UNESCO helps countries adopt international standards and manages programmes that foster the free flow of ideas and knowledge sharing.

Initiatives of UNESCO: World Heritage Sites, Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, Creative Cities Network, MAB program and World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Global Education Monitoring Report, World Press Freedom Day- May 3.

Conclusion:

UNESCO’s founding vision was born in response to a world war that was marked by racist and anti-Semitic violence. Seventy years on and many liberation struggles later; UNESCO’s mandate is as relevant as ever. Cultural diversity is under attack (Palestinian issue: US & Israel walk out of UNESCO) and new forms of intolerance (Protectionism, Racism), 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.