You can often hear that a particular cultural heritage site is under the protection of UNESCO. The same organization patronizes various socially significant events. What is UNESCO and what tasks does it set for itself?
UNESCO (UNESCO) is an abbreviation for the full name of this organization in English: United Nations Educational, Science, Cultural Organization (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It has 195 member states and 7 staff members (territories with unrecognized sovereignty). About 60 UNESCO bodies work in all corners of the globe, and its headquarters are in Paris. UNESCO is headed by a Director-General who is elected for a four-year term. In 2009, Irina Bokova was approved for this post (representative from Bulgaria).
The history of the organization dates back to the 40s of the last century. In 1942, the Allied countries discussed the prospects for the restoration of education and cultural development, envisioned at the end of World War II. The result of the negotiations was the signing on November 16, 1945 of the UNESCO Charter and the creation of a preparatory commission. The first meetings of the UNESCO General Assembly took place in Paris in 1946.
The goal of UNESCO’s activities is to strengthen peace and establish universal security by increasing the accessibility and quality of education everywhere, developing a dialogue of civilizations, preserving the cultural heritage of all nationalities, and ensuring the equality of all inhabitants of the Earth, regardless of gender, race, language and religion. UNESCO also sees its mission in the victory over poverty and hunger, the eradication of interethnic conflicts, the preservation of the Earth’s biosphere and the maintenance of climate.
From the first years of its existence, UNESCO has been actively engaged in the problems of education and science. Today, one of the main goals of the organization is the dissemination of modern communication tools to rally the global society. In particular, UNESCO has long supported the Free Software Foundation.
Currently, UNESCO sets itself many tasks, highlighting the priority problems of African countries and the theme of gender equality.
