UNESCO group project
Puniith: Good morning everyone, my name is Puniith
Nikhilesh :My name is Nikhilesh
Mikul: My name is Mikul
Harsh: My name is Harsh
All together: We are group 5
Harsh: Today we are going to talk about UN and UNESCO
Puniith: The United Nations, also known as the (UN) is an international organization founded on
October 24th 1945, aimed at fostering international peace, security, and cooperation among its
member states. It consists of 193 member countries and works across a broad spectrum of global
issues, including development, human rights, and climate change.
Nikhilesh: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization also known as
(UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the UN, established in November 16th 1945. It focuses on
promoting international collaboration in education, science, culture, and communication to foster
peace and sustainable development.
Mikul: The benefits from UNESCO:
Education
[Link] promotes inclusive, and quality education for all through programs like Education for All (EFA).
[Link] also leads global initiatives like the Global Education Monitoring Report and fostering technical
and vocational training.
[Link] it focuses on literacy, teacher training, and access to education in marginalized communities.
Science
[Link] international scientific cooperation and policies for sustainable development.
[Link] in water security (e.g., the International Hydrological Programme), biodiversity, and
disaster risk reduction.
[Link] ethical research practices and open science initiatives.
Harsh :Culture
o It Preserves cultural heritage through the World Heritage Convention (1972), which
designates World heritage sites
o It also Safeguards intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional music, dances, and
languages.
o And Promotes cultural diversity and creative industries.
Nikhilesh: The “Decade of Education for Sustainable Development” (DESD)
UNESCO led a global movement for a decade (2005–2014) to promote Education for Sustainable
Development (ESD). While the term "sustainable development" is widely used today, this initiative
was one of the first coordinated efforts to embed sustainability into global education systems. It
aimed to integrate environmental, economic, and social sustainability into schools, university
programs, and community education worldwide. This decade-long initiative shaped much of the
global conversation about sustainability in education.
The legacy continues with a “Global Action Programme,” which pushes for a shift in how education
systems tackle climate change, environmental justice, and poverty reduction — all through the lens
of sustainability.
Mikul: UNESCO’s Role in Peacebuilding Through Culture
One of UNESCO’s foundational goals, sometimes overlooked, is the promotion of "culture of peace."
This concept goes far beyond education and involves addressing global conflicts through cultural
understanding and dialogue. UNESCO has invested heavily in fostering peace, especially in post-
conflict areas.
For example, the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Conflict Zones has been a significant focus.
During wars, many cultural artifacts and sites are destroyed. UNESCO works to not only preserve
tangible artifacts but also intangible aspects of cultures that are at risk during conflicts, such as oral
traditions, languages, and rituals. Through peace education, human rights promotion, and conflict
resolution programs, UNESCO often operates in areas with deep social or political divides — using
culture to heal wounds and promote mutual respect.
Puniith :The Influence of UNESCO in Global Biodiversity Efforts
UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program is a ground breaking initiative that has
transformed how we approach environmental preservation. The concept of biosphere reserves is
incredibly innovative because they combine conservation of ecosystems with sustainable human
development. Over 700 biosphere reserves exist in over 120 countries, and these sites aim to achieve
three objectives: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development, and research.
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Galapagos Islands are some of
the most well-known UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. But many lesser-known biosphere reserves in
countries like Russia, the Philippines, and Bhutan play a quiet yet crucial role in preserving
biodiversity. UNESCO’s network of biosphere reserves is also an experiment in sustainability that’s
applicable worldwide, inspiring innovative conservation practices across industries and communities.
Harsh: UNESCO’s Efforts in Digital Preservation and Access
In the age of information, UNESCO also plays a key role in digital preservation. This includes
supporting projects like the Digital Library of the Caribbean and the World Digital Library, both of
which provide free, global access to digitized cultural and historical materials.
As physical archives around the world face threats such as natural disasters, political instability, and
deterioration, UNESCO works with national governments and local organizations to digitize important
cultural documents and make them universally accessible. This allows global access to rare texts,
manuscripts, and records that would otherwise be inaccessible to most people. The creation of
digital archives ensures the longevity of critical cultural and historical data, expanding global
education and research.
Puniith: The problems UNESCO has faced:
Funding Issues 💰 – Struggles to Stay Financially Strong
UNESCO relies on member countries' contributions to fund its projects. However, political
disagreements have caused major funding shortages.
In 2011, UNESCO accepted Palestine as a full member. The United States and Israel strongly
opposed this decision and stopped their funding, cutting about 22% of UNESCO’s total
budget.
In 2017, both the US and Israel officially withdrew from UNESCO, accusing it of bias against
Israel in its decisions about heritage sites in Jerusalem and Palestine.
Without these contributions, UNESCO had to cut staff, slow down projects, and rely on
donations from other countries.
Although the US rejoined UNESCO in 2023, the damage had already been done, and
UNESCO still faces budget limitations.
👉 Why it matters: Without enough money, UNESCO struggles to fund education programs, protect
world heritage sites, and support scientific research.
Nikhilesh: Political Conflicts – Accusations of Bias and Controversial Decisions
UNESCO often gets caught in international politics, leading to disagreements among countries.
One of the biggest conflicts is between Israel and Palestine.
o Israel and the US accuse UNESCO of being biased against Israel, especially in
decisions about Jerusalem.
o UNESCO has labeled historical sites like Hebron and East Jerusalem as Palestinian
heritage sites, angering Israel.
China-Taiwan Conflict – Taiwan, which is not recognized as an independent country by the
UN, is not allowed to be a member of UNESCO. This prevents Taiwan from fully participating
in global scientific and cultural programs.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict – Russia has been accused of damaging UNESCO-listed sites in
Ukraine, leading to tensions within the organization.
👉 Why it matters: Political conflicts make it harder for UNESCO to stay neutral and focus on its
mission of protecting heritage and education.
Harsh: Protecting Cultural Heritage 🏰 – War, Terrorism, and Illegal Trafficking
One of UNESCO’s biggest challenges is saving historical and cultural sites from destruction.
Wars and Terrorism Destroy Heritage Sites:
o Syria and Iraq: The terrorist group ISIS deliberately destroyed ancient sites like
Palmyra (Syria) and Mosul’s Al-Nuri Mosque (Iraq).
o Yemen: Ongoing war has damaged UNESCO-listed sites in Sanaa and Shibam.
Illegal Trafficking of Artifacts:
o Stolen artifacts from war zones are smuggled and sold in black markets.
o UNESCO tries to stop this, but enforcing laws is difficult in unstable regions.
Lack of Protection & Neglect:
o Many governments don’t invest enough in maintaining historical sites.
o Tourism and pollution also damage heritage sites (e.g., the Great Wall of China is
eroding due to foot traffic).
👉 Why it matters: Once a heritage site is destroyed or stolen, history is lost forever.
Mikul :Climate Change & Environmental Challenges 🌍 – Natural Disasters Threaten UNESCO Sites
Climate change is one of the biggest threats to UNESCO-protected sites.
Rising Sea Levels 🌊 – Many heritage sites near coastlines are at risk.
o Venice (Italy) is sinking due to flooding.
o The Sundarbans (India & Bangladesh), home to the endangered Bengal tiger, is
shrinking due to rising ocean levels.
Coral Bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef 🪸
o The Great Barrier Reef, one of the most famous UNESCO sites, is dying due to rising
ocean temperatures.
o UNESCO warned Australia that the reef could be removed from the heritage list if
action isn’t taken.
Forest Fires & Deforestation 🌳🔥
o Amazon Rainforest (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, etc.) is a UNESCO-listed site, but
deforestation threatens its biodiversity.
o Wildfires in Greece and the USA have destroyed historical forests and landscapes
protected by UNESCO.
👉 Why it matters: If governments don’t act, many UNESCO sites could disappear within decades.
Puniith: Despite these problems, UNESCO continues to play a vital role in protecting education,
culture, and science. It has had great successes, such as preserving world heritage sites, promoting
literacy, and fighting climate change. However, to be more effective, it needs more funding, better
enforcement, and less political interference.
Quiz:
Puniith:1st question. When was UN found?
Answer: It was found on October 24th 1945
2nd question. When was UNESCO found ?
Answer: It was found on November 16th 1945
3rd question. How many countries are there in the UN ?
Answer: 193
4th question. What are the main goals of the UN ?
Answer:
1. Promote Peace and Security
2. Promote Sustainable Development
3. Protect Cultural Heritage
4. Promote Universal Access to Knowledge
