UNESCO Full Form
What is the full form of UNESCO?
UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is the United Nations specialised agency to promote world peace through international collaborations in education, science, arts, and culture.
At present, UNESCO has over 193 member states and 11 associate members. Its head office is also known as the World Heritage Center. UNESCO has also partnered with various non-governmental, intergovernmental, and private sectors.
About UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established under the United Nations with the aim to promote science, education, arts, and culture so that world peace would be promoted.
Programs conducted by UNESCO are contributing to the sustainable development goals mentioned in the 2030 agenda adopted by the UN general assembly in 2015. UNESCO also promotes programs that share knowledge and idea to develop a mutual understanding among nations.
Establishment of UNESCO
It was established on November 16, 1945, as a result of the United Nations Conference On Internal Organisations held between 1-16 November 1945. After this conference, the United Nations became official in no time with the participation of 44 countries. 37 of these countries signed the constitution of UNESCO and a preparatory commission was established. The primary goal was to establish world peace so that no other world war would happen in the future.
With this preparatory commission working for 16th November, 1945 to 4th November, 1946, finally the UNESCO constitution got functional on November 4, 1946. The first official conference was held in Paris, France from Nov 19 - Dec 10, 1946. Now, UNESCO has elevated its presence across the globe with 193 member states and 11 associate members.
Roles and Responsibilities
The primary role of UNESCO is to conduct activities in education, natural sciences, social sciences, human sciences, culture and communication and information. Other activities include the following activities.
It supports educational research, provides expertise and strengthens international cooperation.
It promotes cultural integrity by protecting every nation’s heritage sites.
It also protects human rights, freedom of speech and expression, gender equality and cultural diversity.
It also develops scientific knowledge for the economic, environmental, and psychological development of a country.
It also developed various science and technology training centres as well as it promoted social science studies.
Governing Bodies
The General Conference and the Executive Board are the two governing bodies of UNESCO. General Conference conducts a meeting every two years where the UNESCO member states' representatives, non-member states, and associated organisations participate.
Executive Board members also gather once in two years, consisting of 58 members elected by the general conference. They are the managers of all operations of UNESCO and make sure that all activities are in accordance with the constitution.
The executive branch of UNESCO is the secretariat, consisting of the director general and the staff appointed by the secretariat. As of 2022, UNESCO has had 11 director-generals belonging to several nations. At present, Ms Audrey Azoulay is the director-general of UNESCO.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organisation to ensure global peace and harmony.
The United Nations day is celebrated on 24th October.
Natural sciences, social and human sciences, education, arts, and culture are the five areas that UNESCO promote.
United Nations Economic and Social Council is the parent organisation of UNESCO.
Ms Audrey Azoulay is the present director general of UNESCO.