The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, established in Paris on 4 November 1946, was created from the general awareness that political and economic agreements were not enough to build lasting peace and that this must be based on education, science, culture and collaboration between nations, in order to ensure universal respect for justice, the law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, which the Charter of the United Nations recognises for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.
After the atrocities and enormous loss of life caused by the international conflicts in the first half of the 20th century, the States belonging to the United Nations sought to begin the preamble that established UNESCO with the following statement:
“The Governments of the States Parties to this Convention on behalf of their peoples declare: That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.”
UNESCO is committed to building the conditions to ensure international peace and prosperity of peoples by promoting intercultural dialogue, respect for the environment and good Sustainable Development practices in pursuit of the following objectives:
Today UNESCO works to create holistic policies to address social, environmental and economic issues in accordance with Sustainable Development values through programmes aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue, universal access to new information and communication technologies and the dissemination of scientific knowledge in order to prevent the negative effects of climate change.
(Source: Italian National Commission for UNESCO)
For more information:
http://en.unesco.org/about-us/introducing-unesco
World Heritage – WHL
Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.
Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage.
What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage Sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory in which they are located.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
(Source: UNESCO)
For more information:
https://whc.unesco.org/en/about
https://whc.unesco.org/en/educationkit/