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The United States Government has withheld its funding from UNESCO since last year. It is now time to take action to encourage the government to fund UNESCO again. Write your Senator and Congressman. Sign this petition . The Problem Two parts of U.S. law are of specific concern ( US Code - Title 22: Foreign Relations and Intercourse / 22 USC 287 - Sec. 287e. Authorization of appropriations; payment of expenses ) : Pub. L. 101-246, title IV, Sec. 414, Feb. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 70: "(a) Prohibition. - No funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or any other Act shall be available for the United Nations or any specialized agency thereof which accords the Palestine Liberation Organization the same standing as member states." (b) Transfer or Reprogramming. - Funds subject to the prohibition contained in subsection (a) which would be available for the United Nations or any specialized agency thereof (but for that prohibition) are authorized to remain available until expended a...

The International Institute for Peace at Rutgers University (IIP) was approved last year to become the second UNESCO Category II institute in the United States. The IIP was co-founded in May 2011 by Forest Whitaker, Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation, and Aldo Civico, a Rutgers University anthropologist and expert in conflict resolution. The IIP’s activities are wide-ranging: it will offer graduate-level degrees in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies, promote research on cutting-edge issues relating to peace-building, and participate in real-life mediations of communities in conflict. Further, the IIP brings a unique expertise in addressing the violent conflicts that take place in cities, particularly among youth and gangs. Harnessing the talents and experience of filmmaker Forest Whitaker, the Institute will also seek to document conflict all over the world, providing people with an outlet to share their own stories of conflict and peace. The resulting documentaries s...

World-famous musicians, Danilo Perez and Placido Domingo, were appointed as UNESCO’s Artist for Peace and Goodwill Ambassador, respectively, at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris on 20 and 21 November. In a world that is increasingly connected, but at the same time more fragmented by deep inequalities, “music and culture can help people better understand and listen to one another," said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. Music creates new bridges of dialogue and respect, strengthening the ties between all. Jazz is an especially powerful example. “Jazz is much more than music. It is the song of freedom – freedom of improvisation, because jazz is reinvented whenever it is played. Jazz is the soundtrack of struggles for human dignity and civil rights – jazz is about values, human rights and action to combat discrimination. Jazz pre-eminently illustrates the power of music against violence, injustice and insularity – it teaches tolerance to our multicultural societies." ...

The award ceremony of the 2012 UNESCO/Bilbao Prize will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on Monday 10 December – Human Rights Day 2012.   The UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights carries on the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education, which was created in 1978 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Today, November 16, UNESCO marks its 67th birthday. In 1945, UNESCO was created in the firm belief of nations, forged by two World Wars in less than a generation, that political & economic agreements aren't enough to build lasting peace. Peace must be established on the basis of humanity’s moral & intellectual solidarity. Hence our motto: "Building peace in the minds of men & women"    http://ow.ly/fmjqr

LEARN ABOUT THE DAY:  http://ow.ly/fi7ZR DISCOVER UNESCO PHILOSOPHY PUBLICATIONS: http://ow.ly/fiENb  

Many young people around the world — especially the disadvantaged — are leaving school without the skills they need to thrive in society and find decent jobs. As well as thwarting young people’s hopes, these education failures are jeopardizing equitable economic growth and social cohesion, and preventing many countries from reaping the potential benefits of their growing youth populations. The  2012 Education for All Global Monitoring Report  will examine how skills development programs can be improved to boost young people’s opportunities for decent jobs and better lives. D ownload the English Full Report Summary More

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has sent America’s newly re-elected president a message congratulating him on his decisive victory and wishing him continued success in meeting the demands of the high office. In her message, Ms Bokova recalls the achievements made possible by long-standing cooperation between the United States of America and UNESCO, since the Organization was founded in 1945. She also expresses her great pleasure that UNESCO shares the same values and global priorities as the United States, particularly in the areas of peace promotion, security and respect for human dignity worldwide, and her wish that the United States will remain fully engaged in the activities of the Organization. Read full message  (PDF)

The U.S. National Commission for UNESCO will host its Annual Meeting on Monday, November 26, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. E.S.T. The meeting will convene in room 309 of the George Washington University Marvin Center at 800 21st Street NW., Washington, DC. The meeting will have a series of speakers offering information about UNESCO and the current state of United States engagement with the Organization. The meeting will also feature a public comment session, limited to approximately 15 minutes in total, with two minutes allowed per speaker. Show citation box For more information or to arrange to participate in this meeting (including requests for reasonable accommodation), individuals should contact Francine Randolph, Office of UNESCO Affairs, Washington, DC 20037. Telephone (202) 663-0026; Fax (202) 663-0035. The National Commission may be contacted via email at  DCUNESCO@state.gov ,  or via phone at (202) 663-0026. Its Web site can be accessed at:  http://www.state.go...