United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation [UNESCO]

INTRODUCTION

 

          United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation [UNESCO] came into being on 4^th November 1946.  Head quarters is in Paris in France.  This organization comes under the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund [UNICEF].

 

 

Purpose

          The main purpose of UNESCO defined in its constitution is to contribute to peace and security in the world by promoting and collaborating among nations through education, science, culture and communication in order that people may have respect for justice, for human right and for fundamental freedom, irrespective of race, sex, language and religion.

 

Functions:

1.    In the field of education.

a.     UNESCO focuses attention towards elimination of world illiteracy.

b.    It helps in the production of text book.

c.     Development of new education technique.

d.    Training to teacher by developing training colleges in various country.

e.     It helps translating rare manuscripts.

f.       It trains educational administration in its international institutes of educational planning Paris.

 

2.    Scientific activities:

USESCO promotes co-operation in scientific persicuts by braining scientist of various countries together and by circulating information through journals press and exhibitions.

 

·        It encourages basic research

·        It organizes seminars and conference of world scientist.

·        It encourages the study of social science in order to focus attention on selected problems to diagnose the cause tension leading to war, racism and relationship between man and his environment

3. Culture and communication

·        It helps to conserve and protect world’s inheritance of books, works of art and ancient monuments.

·        It promotes cultural exchange between people of different countries by traveling, art exhibitions and similar activities.

·        It encourages original artistic creations in the field of literature and fine arts.

·        It helps to translate rare manuscripts.

·        Helps to set up infrastructure in that field.

UNESCO ACTIVITIES IN INDIA

          UNESCO, New Delhi office, the organization first decentralized office in Asia was established in 1948.

          As indicated earlier, in the field of science, UNESCO has particularly close relationship with India.  In this field, the department of science and technology is the nodal office for interaction with UNESCO, UNESCO’S Regional Office of Science and Technology for South and Central Asia [ROSTSCA] is located in New Delhi.  More than 900 specific activities have been undertaken by UNESCO in this region.  These activities could be discussed broadly wider four heads.

1.    Strengthening the capabilities in science.

2.    Science policy related activities.

3.    Information systems for science and technology

 

1) Strengthening the capabilities in science.

          The major focus of UNESCO’s activities has been strengthening the scientific capacity of India through organizing a large number of training and workshop activities and providing fellowships in diverse disciplines of pure and applied sciences.

 

 

a) Financial support

          UNESCO has also provided financial assistance to various scientific institutions in India, some of which include central electronics and engineering research institute, Pilani and National Research Laboratory for conservation of cultural property, lucknow.  A ten year long UNESCO aid to Indian.   Institute of Technology, Bombay greatly helped its educational and research capabilities.

 

b) Supporting regional research network

          As part of the capacity building activity, UNESCO has also supported India’s participation in regional research networks in some areas of science.  In recent years, the establishment, of UNESCO chairs in selected arm has recognized India’s expertise in these areas, programmes drawn up around these chairs have greatly enhanced the activities in these areas.

 

2) Science policy related activities.

          As a part of UNESCO’s efforts to redress the imbalance between developed and develop countries, it has sponsored debates and discuss which have helped member countries to evolve their science policies depending on their individual developmental needs.  UNESCO has published several country papers on the science policies of its member countries.  The major conferences sponsored by UNESCO in the Asian region Viz., the CASTASIN – I held in New Delhi in 1968 which was followed later by CASTASIA – II held in Manita in 1982, proved to be extremely important for countries in the region, to appreciate various issues involved in making policies for application of science and technology for national development.

 

          In 1988, UNESCO initiated the forum of  science and technology policy asian network [STEPAN] which is an official Asia – wide network of people and institutions involved in research and training support for national science and technology[S & T] Policy and management.

 

3) Information systems for science and technology

          UNESCO has catalysed the development of national information system for science, and technology in India.  National information system in science and technology (NISSAT) of Ministry of science and Technology, which represents India in the Regional Network for Exchange of Information of Experience in science and Technology in Asia and the Pacific (ASTINFO), is implementing specific activities under the UNESCO’s General Information Programme (PGI).  Greater support from UNESCO is required for conducting regional training on Information management, bringing out never versions of software package by UNESCO for distribution, in India, and utilization of cyber space concept and linking of countries through information highways for enhanced information exchange.

 

CONCLUSION

 

          United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization [UNESCO] Plays an important role in maintaining peace and security in the World by promoting and collaborating among Nations through education science, culture and communication.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

1.          K.Park’s, Text Book of Preventive and Social Medicine, Edition, 18^th, Pg.No.709.

 

2.          B.T.Basavanthappa, Community Health Nursing, edition 2^nd Pg.No.947.