On 22 September, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, took part with John F Kerry, United States Secretary of State, in an event on Heritage in Peril: Iraq and Syria, highlighting protection and preservation efforts of Syrian and Iraqi cultural heritage. The event was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, in a…(Read More)
On September 19, 2014 George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, DC formally announced a new UNESCO Chair – joining 21 other US institutions in this flagship program. GWU administrators and faculty, 2 other UNESCO Chairs participated in the event. Participants from a variety of science, education and United Nations advocacy networks were also in attendance.…(Read More)
The Board of Directors of Americans for UNESCO considers the continuation of US funding for and active participation in UNESCO to be in the national interest. We urge the Administration and Congress to make a national interest finding to continue such funding and participation, and encourage other organizations and individuals to communicate their concern as…(Read More)
CHICAGO – The Council of the American Library Association (ALA) recently passed a resolution urging Congress to approve a national interest waiver, so the United States can again pay its dues to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and become a fully functioning UNESCO member. The resolution, adopted Jan. 29 at the ALA…(Read More)
“…After UNESCO’s members voted, against the advice of Ms. Bokova, to grant the PLO that standing, the law was triggered and U.S. funding abruptly ended. This is illogical and self-defeating. First, although the PLO was a terrorist organization in the 1990s, it is no longer. Second, by cutting off our contribution to…(Read More)
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Irina Bokova on “cultural cleansing” of Iraq and Syria – Interview
Christiane Amanpour named Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova praised Ms. Amanpour for “her efforts to promote free, independent and pluralistic media, having the right to work free from the threat of violence, and contributing through this to peace, sustainability, poverty eradication and human rights.”
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