The Italian National Commission for UNESCO, established in 1950, fosters the promotion, interconnection, consultation, dissemination and implementation of UNESCO programmes in Italy. The Commission’s composition, tasks and functions are regulated by the Ministerial Decree n. 4195 of May 24, 2007.
Art. VII of the London Convention of November 16, 1945, which established UNESCO, also established the creation of National Commissions, which operate in nearly all UNESCO member countries. UNESCO’s Constitution was signed by Italy on November 14, 1947 and ratified on January 17, 1948.
On April 4, 2022, at the Traditional Meeting of National Commissions, on the margins of the 214th session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, the world’s National Commissions for UNESCO launched an artfully informative video on the role of UNESCO and the National Commissions, describing their responsibilities and organization, and the important work they do in their respective nations. In addition, an interesting publication entitled “Architecture of National Commissions for UNESCO” is now available.
The Commission operates through:
The Assembly, which lays out the Commission’s general strategies regarding UNESCO programmes and aims, in the interests of national policies in the areas of education, science, culture and communications, and in close cooperation with the Permanent Delegation of Italy to UNESCO;
The Executive Board, the governing body of the Commission which implements strategic guidelines set by the Assembly.
Specifically, the Italian National Commission for UNESCO
- Provides advice and recommendations to the Italian government and public administrations on the development and assessment of UNESCO programmes;
- Collaborates with competent bodies to implement decisions made by the UNESCO General Conference which meets in Paris every two years to approve the Organization’s general program and budget;
- Promotes UNESCO’s ideals, supporting Italian initiatives regarding the Organization’s many programmes;
- Organizes and promotes meetings, conferences, courses and other educational and training efforts in UNESCO’s areas of competence;
- Endeavors to actively connect individuals and organizations that carry out activities in education, culture and science with UNESCO, working with competent institutions to facilitate the gathering of data and information requested by UNESCO;
- Offers its support to initiatives of significant scientific, educational or cultural value that contribute to spreading UNESCO’s values and strategic priorities; initiating the process for granting UNESCO patronage to international initiatives;
- Formulates proposals regarding the selection of members of Italian delegations to the UNESCO General Conference and other meetings or events promoted by or linked to UNESCO;
- Provides advice and suggestions at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on education, scientific and cultural aspects of projects to be implemented within the framework of development cooperation policy.
FUNDING
Costs pertaining to the administrative operations and premises of the National Commission and activities tied to the performance of its tasks are covered by the budget allocated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.