The Need for UNESCO

By Mohammad Nazari Abdul Hamid,

December 1988

The United Nations officially came into existence on 24
th
October 1945 with a membership
of 51 nations. Now, the membership which is open to all peace-loving nations has increased
to more than triple that number. These nations are in the judgement of the organisation has
accepted, able and willing to carry out the obligations of the United Nations Charter.
Since its existence, the United Nations has led towards the changing concepts of
world priorities, towards the search for new solutions to mankinds old age problems and
ways of meeting basic human needs for food and shelter and for freedom from want and
fear. It stood as a guide along the road to international peace and security and co-operation,
for economic and social development, human rights, decolonisation and the rule of law. It is
the United Nations purpose to co-operate internationally in solving international economic,
social, cultural and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and
fundamental freedom.
Six principal organs were established in order to implement its activities according to
the objectives and purpose of its establishment. They are the General Assembly, the
Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International
Court of Justice and the Secretariat. It is under the Economic and Social Council that the
United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) was established.
The constitution of UNESCO was prepared by a conference convened in London in
1945 and it came into being on 4
th
November 1946 when 20 signatories had deposited their
instruments of acceptance with the United Kingdom. UNESCOs primary aim and objective is
to contribute towards the advancement of international peace and security and the
common welfare of mankind through education, science, culture and the communication of
peoples of the world. By looking and judging at the contributions and results of the projects
implemented, it is realised that UNESCOs function and importance became much more
needed from time to time.

It has been proved that no other such organisation on earth can do and will do what
UNESCO has done all these while. The role played by UNESCO and contributions made from
time to time in every corner of the earth has enhanced the confidence of every individual.
Contributors are assured the security of their contributions falling into good hands and
channelled towards the proper objectives. These contributions are like the technical
assistance from the World Bank or from regional development banks and funds, fund-in-
trust, the Associate Expert Scheme, special accounts and voluntary contributions. UNESCO
as a well organised organisation and well managed by experience and trustworthy
personnel has stated its objectives very clearly that everybody has confidence of its role in
contributing towards the advancement of international peace and security and the common
welfare of mankind. Everyone, no matter what ideology he or she believes in, look up at
UNESCO as a reputable, much respected and recognised organisation.
To date UNESCO has expanded and guided education so as to enable the people of
every country to take their own development in their own hands more effectively; given
assistance in establishing the scientific and technological foundations through which every
country can make better use of its resources; encouraged national cultural values and the
preservation of cultural heritage so as to derive the maximum advantage from
modernisation without the loss of cultural identity and diversity; developed communication
for a free flow and a wider and better balanced dissemination of information; and promoted
the social sciences as instruments for the realisation of human rights, justice and peace.
Through education as its major activity, UNESCO has combined literacy programmes
with a drive to make primary education universal and eliminate illiteracys root causes. It
also helps in the training of teachers, educational planners and administrators and
encourages local building and supplying of schools with the necessary equipment to
facilitate teaching and learning. It is also through the education and training programmes
that UNESCO continues in correcting the imbalance in scientific and technological
manpower of which 90 % is now concentrated in the industrialised countries.
In the natural sciences, UNESCO has implemented programmes such as Man and the
Biosphere, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, International Hydrological and
International Geological Correlation. Whereas in the social sciences UNESCO has produced
studies on subjects like tensions leading to war, racism, the socio economic factors of
development and the relationship between man and his environment.
In the cultural sector, activities of UNESCO are concentrated mainly on the
stimulation of artistic creativity, the study and the development of culture and the
conservation of the worlds inheritance of books, works of art and monuments, as well as
the preservation of cultural identities and oral traditions.
UNESCO in the field of communication surveys the communication needs and assists
countries to set up their oun news agency. Efforts are being made, to broaden international
co-operation in order to bring about a new information-order; by studying the role of the
media in establishing a new economic order; towards the co-operation of regional news
agencies and organising symposia to bring news agencies from developing countries and the
media of industrialised countries together with the aim of increasing the flow of third world
news.
UNESCO has considered that the free exchange of ideas and knowledge and, in
general the wildest possible dissemination of the diverse forms of self-expression used by
civilizations are vitally important both for intellectual progress and international
understanding and consequently for the maintenance of world peace.
It is also stated in article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that
everyone as a member of society has the right to social security and is entitled to
realisation, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with
the organisation and resources of each state, the economic, social and cultural rights
indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. Also in article 26 it
stated that everyone has the right to free education at least in the elementary stages which
is also compulsory in fundamental stages. Technical and profesional education shall be
made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all in the basis
of merit. Education shall also be directed to the full development of the human personality
and to the strengthening of respects for human rights and fundamental freedom. It shall
promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious
groups and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
In its operation, UNESCO from time to time held its General Conference with the
purpose of providing the Secretariat with the foundation for the implementation of the
organisations activities. It is also to foster co-operation with member states and their
National Commissions, with inter-governmental and international non-governmental
organisation and with the organisation and institutions of the United Nations system,
regional and national institutions and all those participants in UNESCOs activities.
The 14 major programmes conducted and ran by UNESCO are: reflection on world
problems; education for all; communication in the service of man, the formulation of
education policies; education, training and society; the sciences and their application;
information systems; principles of action for development; science, technology and society;
the human environment; culture and the future; the elimination of prejudice; peace and
human rights and status of women. By looking at those programmes can concluded that all
aspects of life and mankind has been taken care of and looked after. Thus, it is such a great
need for UNESCO to continue with all its planned activities and implementing new ones
from time to time when the need arises.