UNESCO

We explain what UNESCO is and what its objectives are. Also, its history, its achievements and the programs it currently coordinates.

What is UNESCO?

UNESCO It is an institution of the United Nations (UN) that is dedicated to the promotion, dissemination and defense of scientific and cultural knowledge of humanity. Its full name is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and it is known as UNESCO by its acronym in English: United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Its mission and objectives are based on the certainty that education, science, culture, communication and information are key tools to build peace, eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development.

UNESCO It was created at the end of World War II along with other UN organizations (such as UNICEF and the International Monetary Fund), with the mission of establishing a new international order. In the global context of devastation by war, we sought to create institutions that were dedicated to working for stability and preventing future conflicts.

UNESCO's headquarters are located in Paris, France. Currently, it has more than fifty offices and 2,300 employees around the world. Its work focuses on protecting cultural heritage, improving access to education, supporting scientific research and promoting cultural diversity.

See also: OAS

UNESCO objectives

The objectives of UNESCO are:

• Equitable and inclusive education. Promote access to quality education for all people, without distinction of gender, race or socioeconomic condition.
• Sustainable development. Support initiatives that promote the responsible use of natural resources and environmental care.
• Cultural and natural heritage Caring for cultural and natural sites and practices of universal importance.
• Freedom of expression. Support the development of free and independent media.
• Access to information Guarantee equitable access to scientific, educational and cultural information.
• Science and technology. Promote international cooperation in scientific research and the use of advanced technologies to solve global problems.
• Cultural diversity. Celebrate and protect the world's different cultures to promote intercultural understanding.

History of UNESCO

At the end of World War II, the international community dedicated itself to creating different institutions dedicated especially to avoiding future conflicts. The confrontation between countries had generated unprecedented levels of humanitarian and material devastation.

In this context, the UN and other auxiliary organizations were founded with the objective of having institutions that would face the different facets of international conflicts.

In the 1960s and 1970s, UNESCO's work focused on fstrengthen its influence at a global level in the areas of education and culture

In the context of decolonization of European empires in Africa and Asia, UNESCO's work focused on creating programs aimed at improving access to education in developing countries and try to reduce educational disparity. At the same time, it focused on the assessment of the cultural heritage of the different societies of the world. In this sense, his work was dedicated to identifying and preserving cultural and natural sites of great international importance.

In the 1980s and 1990s, UNESCO broadened its focus to include new international realities and challenges, linked to the growing impact of globalization. So, developed programs aimed at preserving cultural diversity and to promote access to technological education in an equitable manner.

At the same time, it maintained its work in the protection and promotion of heritage, culture and science, but incorporated new strategies aimed at facing challenges such as climate change and the digital revolution.

Directors General of UNESCO

The list of directors of UNESCO throughout history includes the names of:

• Julian Huxley (United Kingdom), from 1946 to 1947.
• Jaime Torres Bodet (Mexico), from 1948 to 1952.
• Luther T. Evans (United States), from 1953 to 1958.
• Vittorino Veronese (Italy), from 1958 to 1961.
• René Maheu (France), from 1961 to 1974.
• Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow (Senegal), from 1974 to 1987.
• Federico Mayor Zaragoza (Spain), from 1987 to 1999.
• Koichirö Matsuura (Japan), from 1999 to 2009.
• Irina Bokova (Bulgaria), from 2009 to 2017.
• Audrey Azoulay (France), 2017 (ongoing).

UNESCO programs today

Currently, UNESCO focuses its work on different areas through specific programs. The impact of these programs benefits many communities globally.

Education

With the aim of promoting inclusive and equitable quality education, UNESCO seeks ensure that all people, especially the most vulnerable, have access to an education that allows them to develop their potential.

In this sense, the Education for All (EFA) program is one of the most important. It helps increase school enrollment in many regions of the world (especially developing countries) and works to reduce inequalities in education, focusing on disadvantaged groups such as girls, ethnic minorities and rural communities.

Additionally, through the Global Literacy Initiative, UNESCO works to reduce illiteracy rates, with special attention to girls and adults.

See also: Literacy

Culture

In the cultural area, UNESCO has the objective of ensure that sites and practices of great cultural value are preserved and cared for for present and future generations.

In this aspect, the World Heritage Program is one of the most outstanding. It administers the World Heritage list, which protects cultural and natural sites of great importance. This program not only ensures their preservation, but also promotes sustainable tourism and community development around them.

Furthermore, the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage focuses on the protection and promotion of living cultural traditions and expressions. Through this convention, we seek to preserve cultural practices, such as festivals, traditional arts and skills, that are vital to the cultural identity of communities and peoples around the world.

Science

Regarding science, Unesco's objective is foster international cooperation in scientific research and promote the responsible use of science and technology.

The Basic Science Program (BSP) promotes research and education in fundamental sciences such as physics, chemistry and the life sciences. The BSP supports the creation of scientific networks, the training of researchers and the dissemination of knowledge essential for the advancement of science and technology in general.

On the other hand, UNESCO encourages the creation of networks of research centers and laboratories. For example, the Network of Social Science Research Centers facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and supports research in key areas such as poverty, social change and governance.

Another project of great importance in the scientific area is the International Program for Science and Technology (PST), which promotes the development of new technologies and research in fundamental areas such as health, energy and the environment. This program promotes international collaboration to find innovative and sustainable solutions that respond to current global challenges.

See also: Scientific knowledge

Communication and information

In the field of communication and information, UNESCO proposes promote free and equitable access to information and support the development of free and independent media.

In this sense, the Program for Open Information and Communication assists the development of independent media and promotes the creation of accessible and diverse information environments.

For its part, the Memory of the World Registry project is dedicated to the preservation of documents and archives of historical and cultural importance. Through this programme, UNESCO protects and ensures access to invaluable documentary heritage, such as ancient manuscripts and historical recordings, which are essential for global research and education.

See also: Media

Sustainable development

With the aim of integrating sustainability principles into global policies and practices, UNESCO focuses on promote economic and social development that respects the environment.

To achieve this, the Education for Sustainable Development Program (EDS) is dedicated to integrating sustainability principles into educational systems. The goal is for new generations to have the awareness and skills necessary to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices.

For its part, through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UNESCO works in collaboration with the governments of different countries and provides support and assistance to programs that implement specific initiatives aimed at sustainable development.

UNESCO achievements

Thanks to constant effort, UNESCO has had significant achievements in its different areas of work:

1. world heritage. More than 1,200 sites are protected by UNESCO as world heritage sites for their cultural or natural value. Among them are sites such as Machu Picchu in Peru, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India, Chichen Itzá in Mexico, the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia, the Mountains of the Moon in Uganda and the Acropolis of Athens in Greece.
2. Inclusive and equitable education. The global primary education enrollment rate reached 91% in 2019, a significant increase from 82% in 2000, thanks to the efforts of EFA and other global initiatives.
3. Reduction of illiteracy Between 2000 and 2015, the global illiteracy rate among adults aged 15 and older decreased from 16% to 14%.
4. Biosphere care. Today, there are more than seven hundred biosphere reserves in 124 countries, protecting approximately 5% of the planet's land surface. These reserves combine conservation and sustainable development, with more than one hundred research and management projects underway.
5. Memory of the world. Since its creation in 1992, the Preserved Documents program has inscribed more than four hundred documents and archives on the Memory of the World list, including ancient manuscripts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Magna Carta.
6. Education for sustainable development. Education content and strategies for sustainability were integrated into school curricula in more than sixty countries and ten thousand schools.
7. Cultural diversity. Since 2003, more than five hundred cultural practices and expressions have been inscribed on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for their promotion, celebration and protection.

See also: Human rights

UNESCO Challenges

Currently, UNESCO faces different challenges.

Inequality in education remains a fundamental problem. Despite the achievements achieved by different programs, there is still a large number of people who cannot access elementary education. The gap is especially worse in regions affected by conflict, poverty or humanitarian crises, such as Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, Afghanistan and South Sudan.

On the other hand, these critical contexts also affect other areas related to UNESCO, such as the protection of cultural heritage. Armed conflicts and natural disasters threaten the conservation of historical and cultural sites.

Another of Unesco's fundamental problems has to do with their own financing and access to resources. The organization depends on financial contributions from member countries and donors. Currently, some countries are reducing their contributions and this complicates the sustainability of their initiatives.

References

• Mingst, K. (2024). UNESCO. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com
• UNESCO. (2005). Towards knowledge societies. https://repositorio.minedu.gob.pe
• UNESCO. (2005). Towards Knowledge Societies. UNESCO World Report. https://unesdoc.unesco.org
• UNESCO. (2009). Our world heritage. https://unesdoc.unesco.org
• UNESCO. (2015). Education for All, 2000-2015. Achievements and challenges, EFA worldwide monitoring report. https://unesdoc.unesco.org
• UNESCO. (2020). Education for Sustainable Development. To Roadmap. https://unesdoc.unesco.org
• UNESCO archives. https://atom.archives.unesco.org/
• «Mobile libraries». Unesco archives https://atom.archives.unesco.org/