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The Canadian Commission for UNESCO actively
advances UNESCO’s mandate to contribute to peace and security by
promoting collaboration among nations through education, the natural,
social and human sciences, culture and communication and information.
It was established in 1957 as an independent division within the Canada
Council for the Arts. The Commission works as an autonomous forum of consultation
and reflection to encourage and motivate governments, individuals and
organizations at all levels of society to participate in and contribute
to UNESCO’s work in its mandated fields.
The Commission’s arm’s
length relationship to government and its broadly based and diverse membership
makes it unique among the National Commissions. The Commission has an
extensive network of approximately 400 members across the country which
includes federal departments and agencies, intergovernmental bodies which
represent the provinces and territories, non-governmental organizations,
institutions and individual members. Through these connections, the Commission
works to assist the government in defining the directions this country
will follow as it faces the challenges of globalization and a rapidly
changing knowledge society.
Many of UNESCO’s programmes
and activities benefit from extensive Canadian expertise in the areas
of education, the natural, social and human sciences, culture and communication
and information. Canada’s close involvement with UNESCO provides
an ongoing resource for information and reflection on the Organization’s
key areas of concern. Canada’s active membership in UNESCO
plays a major role in promoting Canadian values and objectives on the
international stage, reinforcing the ideals of justice, equality and human
dignity.
For more information on UNESCO’s National Commissions please visit
the Communities
Section of the UNESCO web site.
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