United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established in 1945 and aims to achieve international collaboration in the fields of education, science and culture. UNESCO is a key contributor to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. Currently responsible for the preservation of 1073 World Heritage sites in 167 countries, UNESCO’s founding vision includes protecting the past in hopes that it will benefit the future. Furthermore, UNESCO leads efforts to ensure quality education globally with their wide network of institutes. 

UNESCO plays an active role in Africa through its support for preserving biodiverse landscapes, historical centers, and cultural heritage sites. The organization’s primary function in the region is to support peace-building and reconciliation initiatives while realizing its founding mission to strengthen and support civil society, human rights, and free speech. It has helped African states recover from political, demographic, and social disruptions that have affected the accessibility and quality of education through its support. In addition, it has collaborated with regional organizations and government institutions to strengthen the region’s social and cultural integrity.