UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO (stands for: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). www.UNESCO.org
UNESCO was established on November 16, 1945 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. The stated purpose of UNESCO is to promote international collaboration through culture, science and education to contribute to peace by pushing for worldwide respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law, as well as the fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter.
As of 2007, UNESCO serves as a "laboratory of ideas and a standard-setter to forge universal agreements on emerging ethical issues". UNESCO also functions as a clearinghouse for the distribution of ideas and sharing of knowledge and information. The organization helps Member States to build their human and institutional capacities in various fields. UNESCO pursues its goals through five major programs that are:
- Education
- Natural sciences
- Social and human sciences
- Culture
- Communication and information.
Some of the projects promoted by UNESCO include literacy, technical, and teacher-training programs; international science programs; the promotion of independent media and freedom of the press; regional and cultural history projects, the promotion of cultural diversity; international cooperation agreements to secure the world cultural and natural heritage, to preserve human rights; and attempts to bridge the world-wide digital divide.
See also: UNESCO World Heritage Sites