United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is an international organization that particularly serves the objects and ends of the United Nations. The scope of the organization covers programs and activities that are related to natural science, education, social and human science, culture, and information and communication. The aim of the organization is to sponsor and promote media freedom; encourages conservation of monuments, works of art and books; and promote the development of scientific, cultural and educational programs. The organization’s goals are focused on the idea that “since the war begins in the minds of men, it is in the minds of the men that the defenses of peace must be constructed” (UNESCO Archives). Therefore, the organization also formulates mechanism for adoption, drafting, and reviewing various international commissions and conventions, such as Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Over the years, UNESCO has been able to maintain its relationship with the foundations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and private sector. Significantly, more than 20 foundations and 360 NGOs across the globe have acquired an official relationship with the organization. In addition, many more organizations coordinate with UNESCO on programs and specific issues at the national, international, and domestic level. Different private organizations and companies work with UNESCO through sponsorship and traditional philanthropic relationships (Blanchfield et al., 2). Among the prominent organization that collaborates with UNESCO is the European Union and different multilateral development banks. Furthermore, through the memoranda of understanding and system-wide coordination mechanism the organization coordinates with other global parts of the U.N. system.
The aim of the UNESCO is to develop networks across the world that can facilitate solidarity in different areas. For instance, UNESCO enhances mobilizing for education so that every child can access quality education as an essential element for human development and fundamental human right (Australian Government 4). In addition, the organization facilitates scientific corporation, such as Trans-boundary water management agreements and early warning systems to reinforce ties between societies and nations. The UNESCO organization also ensures that the freedom of expression is protected as a prerequisite condition for human dignity, development, and democracy. The organization identified the significant of understanding universal values and consequently developed strategies to build and enhance intercultural understanding. In order to achieve this, the company facilitates the support for cultural diversity and protection of heritage. Therefore, UNESCO is among the most influential organization in the world that can be used to accelerate the necessary processes of reconciliation through promotion of “higher activities of a man and their practical application.”
The UNESCO conference on higher education had failed to address the major setbacks facing education institutions across the globe. The complexity of education issues has gone unnoticed by the organization. UNESCO needs to stand up and address the gaps in education to ensure equality and fairness in all parts of the world. Though the government is expected to provide equitable access to education and honor the set standards in higher education, quality in education is still not guaranteed. Institutions have not reached the expected levels in which they can prepare students to compete equally in the globalized context (Rumbley & Reisberg, 2013). The legislation of the organization indicates a high degree of inefficiency due to discrimination experienced by individual regions. UNESCO must devise ways to conduct forums that will address the burning issues and offer ready-made solutions to problems in education.
According to Albert Einstein, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” UNESCO needs to up the game to cope with the rapidly changing conditions affecting the world. The existing institutional and legal frameworks do not provide a platform that boosts the operation of the organization (ERLANGER, 01). For several decades, UNESCO has ignored merging their organization structure with the existing structures to minimize confusion. Members of the organization are not fully committed to working in line with the set goals and objectives. Those who violate the organization legislation still continue to enjoy the help given by UNESCO without facing disciplinary actions. Also, the organization has failed to develop a balanced formula that will guide them in operations. For a long duration, science and culture receive less priority from UNESCO.
UNESCO has been termed a political grouping that benefits several member states. With such perceptions, the goal to change the world remains a hard nut to crack. The organization lacks the mandate to subject sanctions to member countries. Other areas of UNESCO subjected to antics include the lack of an operational budget to finance its operations in a smooth manner (Rumbley & Reisberg, 2013). Evidence demonstrates that UNESCO has complicated its management bureaucracy placing itself in a very challenging situation. As a matter of fact, the executive board must transform the operations so that they can eradicate the perceptions tarnishing the name of the organization. Changing the management of the organization can be assertive and beneficial to UNESCO if the current leadership does not take the task to perform and deliver.
Works Cited
Australian Government. "United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)." Australian Multilateral Assessment (2012): n. pag.www.usaid.gov.au. Web. 3 Oct. 2014.
Blanchfield, Luisa, and Marjorie A. Browne. "The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)." Congressional Research Services (2013): 1-17. Web. 3 Oct. 2014. <http://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42999.pdf>.
ERLANGER, S. (2012, January 6). What Does UNESCO Recognition Mean, Exactly? New York City [NEW YORK].
Rumbley, R. E., & Reisberg, L. (2013, July 13). Opinion: Unesco conference stresses importance of higher education in development | General | Times Higher Education. Retrieved from http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/opinion-unesco-conference-stresses-importance-of-higher-education-in-development/407338.article
UNESCO Archives. "Building peace in the minds of men: UNESCO | UNESCO history."UNESCO Multimedia Archives. Multimedia Services, 18 Apr. 2014. Web. 3 Oct. 2014. <http://www.unesco.org/archives/multimedia/index.php?s=films_details&pg=33&id=265#.VC4DQPmSxXs>.
