United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Flag of UNESCO In the first days after the Second World War delegations of forty-four countries met in London to discuss the creation of an organization that would contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law and the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter.

The UNESCO Constitution was signed in London on 16 November 1945. It came into force after twenty countries ratified it on 4 November 1946. The First General Conference of UNESCO was held at the Sorbonne. The Conference began on 20 November and ended on 10 December 1946. (photo: UNESCO/Éclair Mondial, ID: 50054241, CD: 056)

The UNESCO Headquarters is on the Place de Fontenoy in Paris. Its inauguration in 1958 was a reason for many countries to issue special stamps.

At the moment UNESCO has 193 member states (including Cook Islands and Niue) and 6 associate members (Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Macao, China, Netherlands Antilles and Tokelau). After a conflict on management and spending the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore left the organization in 1984 and 1985. All three countries have returned after internal reforms of UNESCO.

Opening conference of UNESCO, Paris, November 1946 Some of the best known activities and organs are the World Heritage List, the Man and Biosphere Programme, the International Oceanographic Commission, the relocation of the Abu Simbel temple complex. The number of activities, programmes, conferences and publications is endless.

UNESCO awards 35 international prizes for outstanding merit in the fields of education, science and culture.

A number of goodwill ambassadors promote the various fields of interest, such as Claudia Cardinale, Catherine Deneuve, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, Kim Phuc Phan Thi, Wole Soyinka, and Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover (Princess Caroline of Monaco).

Since 1961 special stamps are issued by France for use on mail from the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. These stamps can be found in the stamp catalogue.

Links

The official UNESCO website.

Flag of UNESCO in Flags of the World.

Article on UNESCO in Wikipedia.

Related subjects

UNESCO 20th anniversary

UNESCO 30th anniversary

UNESCO 40th anniversary

Inauguration of UNESCO Headquarters, Paris

International Book Year

International Literacy Year

International Year of Freshwater