Syllabus:
GS2: Important International institutions, agencies, and fora- their structure, mandate.
Context: Recently, the United States has once again withdrawn from UNESCO, reigniting a decades-old pattern of disengagement with the United Nations’ cultural agency.
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• The trigger this time is familiar is that the organization’s recognition of Palestine as a member state.
• The inclusion of Palestine fuels anti-Israel rhetoric within the organisation, according to the USA.
• Palestine was added as a member state of the agency after 107 members voted in favour of it to 14 against, with 52 abstentions during UNESCO’s General Conference in 2011.
History of USA with UNESCO
• 1945: The U.S. was a founding member of UNESCO in 1945.
• 1984: The Reagan administration withdrew, citing corruption, mismanagement and a pro-Soviet bias.
• 2003: The US eventually re-joined under George W Bush.
• 2011: In 2011, under Obama, the USA withdrew from UNESCO ironically over Palestine’s membership issue.
• 2018: In 2018, the US withdrew from UNESCO again, citing anti-Israel bias.
- Both the US and Israel halted funding after UNESCO voted to admit Palestine as a member.
- The funding cut left UNESCO with nearly 20% less of its budget, forcing significant program cuts.
• 2023: After Biden took office, the US rejoined UNESCO, citing concerns over China filling its policymaking void.
Impact of the USA withdrawal on UNESCO
• Losing nearly 8% of its budget poses immediate operational challenges for UNESCO.
• The withdrawal reflects broader struggles of global institutions amid rising populism and nationalism.
• The withdrawal coincides with UNESCO’s heritage expansion, undermining its efforts on digital literacy and cultural preservation without broad support.
UNESCO’s Contribution in GAZA
• It has helped around 1,580 displaced children in shelters across Khan Younis and Rafah in Southern Gaza through mental health and psychosocial support activities.
• In addition, 810 caregivers have attended psychosocial support workshops, improving their ability to care for themselves and the children they support.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works to promote international cooperation in education, science, culture and communication.
• HQ: Paris
• It aims to build peace through these collaborations and is dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Establishment: In 1942, during World War II, the governments of European countries fighting against Germany and its allies met in the UK for the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education (CAME).
- Based on CAME’s proposal, a United Nations Conference was held in London in November 1945 to create an organization focused on education and culture.
- As a result, UNESCO was established on 16 November 1945.Its first General Conference session took place in Paris between November and December 1946.
• The organization has 194 full members and 12 associate members.
• Countries that are not part of the United Nations can still join UNESCO if the Executive Board recommends them and two-thirds of the General Conference members vote in favor.
• UNESCO’s work includes preserving cultural heritage, promoting education, advancing scientific programs, and advocating for freedom of expression.
• Key Areas of Focus:
- Education: UNESCO works to strengthen education systems, develop educational tools, and promote gender equality in education.
- Natural Sciences: It advances scientific programs and policies, particularly in areas like biodiversity conservation and climate change.
- Social and Human Sciences: UNESCO promotes social inclusion, human rights, and intercultural dialogue.
- Culture: It focuses on preserving cultural heritage (both tangible and intangible), promoting cultural diversity, and fostering creativity.
- Communication and Information: UNESCO works to ensure access to information, promote freedom of expression and combat misinformation.
Source: Indian Express
https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-pulls-us-out-un-cultural-agency-unesco-second-time-2025-07-22