UNESCO has been deeply involved in promoting human rights since its inception in 1945. Its mission encompasses the advancement of education, science, culture, and communication to foster peace, security, and the respect of human rights globally.
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Human rights guide all UNESCO programmes and activities and contribute to its mission of advancing education, culture, sciences and communication across the globe. For instance, in the 20th century, UNESCO was the first UN agency to place the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) at the core of its action:
"Article I: The purpose of the Organization is to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations."
Today, UNESCO integrates human rights throughout its programmes and works in close cooperation with its Member States, UN entities, human rights institutions, and UNESCO partners and networks. This commitment underpins the 2003 UNESCO Strategy on Human Rights and the Integrated Strategy to Combat Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which affirm the relevance of the human rights-based approach (HRBA) to UNESCO’s work.
This guide highlights UNESCO's archival material related to its involvement in promoting human rights through its various programmes and through its collaboration with Member States, UN entities, human rights institutions, and UNESCO partners and networks. The following guide includes material from 1945 to the present.
Click here to explore all material related to human rights, available in the UNESCO Multimedia Video and Sound Collections.