U.S. to pull out of UNESCO again, 2 years after rejoining

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, established in 1945, with the objective of promoting world peace, sustainable development, and human rights through international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, and communication.

• Headquarters: Paris, France

• Membership: 194 member states and 12 associate members

• Governance: General Conference, Executive Board, and a Director-General (chief administrator)

• Programme Areas: Education, Natural Sciences, Social & Human Sciences, Culture, and Communication & Information

Key Contributions and Programmes:

• Education and Literacy: Promotes universal access to quality education and lifelong learning.

• Cultural Heritage: Protects both tangible and intangible cultural heritage and designates World Heritage Sites.

• Media and Communication:

  • Promotes the “free flow of ideas by word and image” to counter wartime propaganda.

  • Started journalist training in the 1950s.

  • Established the International Commission for the Study of Communication Problems, which produced the MacBride Report (1980).

  • Launched the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) for media development in the Global South.

  • Endorsed the Windhoek Declaration (1993) leading to the celebration of World Press Freedom Day (3 May).

  • Since 1997, awards the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

Environmental Initiatives:

• In 1968, UNESCO organized the first intergovernmental conference on environment and development, leading to the launch of the Man and the Biosphere Programme, a pioneering initiative in sustainable development.

Key UNESCO Initiatives

1. World Heritage Convention (1972)

• Links nature conservation with cultural heritage preservation.

• Defines criteria for inclusion in the World Heritage List.

• Globally: 1,154 sites in 167 countries.

• India: 40 World Heritage Sites

  • 30 Cultural, 7 Natural, 1 Mixed

  • Notable: Dholavira (Gujarat), Ramappa Temple (Telangana), Khangchendzonga National Park (Sikkim)

2. Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme

• Aims to improve human-environment relations.

• Promotes sustainable development.

• 701 biosphere reserves in 124 countries (21 transboundary).

• India: 18 reserves, 12 recognized internationally.

3. International Geoscience and Global Geoparks Programme (IGGP)

• Focuses on sustainable development through Earth heritage management.

• 177 Global Geoparks in 46 countries.

4. International Hydrological Programme (IHP)

• UN's only intergovernmental water research and management initiative.

5. World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)

• Assesses freshwater availability and management.

• Publishes the World Water Development Report (WWDR).

6. International Basic Sciences Programme (IBSP)

• Strengthens intergovernmental cooperation and capacity in basic sciences.

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📄 Important Reports by UNESCO

1. UNESCO Science Report

   • Published every 5 years (on 10 November).

   • Tracks global STI (Science, Tech & Innovation) governance.

2. Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report

   • Assesses global progress toward SDG 4 (Quality Education).

3. MacBride Report (1980) – “Many Voices, One World”

   • Highlights media inequalities; proposed a New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO).

4. State of the Education Report for India

   • 2019: Focus on children with disabilities (CWDs).

   • 2021: Based on PLFS & UDISE data; aligns with NEP & SDG 4 (Target 4c – Qualified Teachers).

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UNESCO and India

• Member since 1946.

• Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU) coordinates India’s engagement.

• UNESCO Offices in India:

  • New Delhi Cluster Office: Covers 11 South & Central Asian nations.

  • MGIEP (Mahatma Gandhi Institute): Focuses on peace and sustainable education.

• India elected to UNESCO's ICH Committee (2022–2026).

• Previous ICH recognitions include Durga Puja (Kolkata).