CURRENT CONTEXT: The United States has decided to exit UNESCO, the UN’s cultural and educational agency, under a renewed global disengagement policy.
ABOUT UNESCO:
- Full Form: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Established: 1945 (post-World War II)
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Parent Body: UN Economic and Social Council
- Members: 194 countries + 12 associate members
FOCUS AREAS: Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, Communication and Information
FUNCTIONS:
- Supports literacy and free education
- Maintains the World Heritage Site list
- Publishes global reports:
- Global Education Monitoring Report
- World Water Development Report
- World Trends in Freedom of Expression