Italy is among the most committed Member States in supporting UNESCO’s activities.
Italy’s contribution to the Organization is significant both from an organizational and financial standpoint, and also relies on the work of a dedicated National Commission.
Our country is often present and plays a leading role in many of the bodies that guide UNESCO’s strategies and actions, starting with its Executive Board. Moreover, Italy ranks second among the top global contributors to the UNESCO system.
Italy’s objectives within UNESCO largely coincide with those set out in the Millennium Declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2000:
– promotion of universal primary education (EFA);
– equal access to all levels of education;
– environmental and resource protection and ethics (beginning with water resources);
– fight against AIDS and other major pandemics;
– universal access to new information and communication technologies (IFA).
Italy’s leadership is particularly recognized in the Culture Sector, especially regarding the protection of cultural heritage in times of peace (see the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which established the World Heritage List—where Italy traditionally holds the top spot for number of sites; the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage; and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions), as well as in cases of illicit actions (see the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols—1954 and 1999; the 1970 Paris Convention on Measures to Prohibit and Prevent the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, complemented by the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects; and finally, the 2001 Paris Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage against acts of piracy).
In this sector, the operational work of the Ministry of Culture and Italian Cooperation is especially appreciated, along with the training activities of the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.
Italy has signed and ratified nearly all international Conventions promoted under UNESCO’s framework and actively participates in many of them through regular presence in the governing bodies.
In the scientific sector, UNESCO operates in the fields of oceanography (IOC), hydrology (IHP), biosphere (MAB), bioethics, and the fight against global health emergencies (such as AIDS). Recently, sport and anti-doping activities have also been included (Convention Against Doping in Sport). Italy takes an active part in the intergovernmental committees through which UNESCO operates in these sectors, also through national committees: the National MAB Committee and the National Committee for the International Hydrological Programme (coordinated by the Ministry for the Environment), and the Italian Oceanographic Commission (coordinated by the National Research Council – CNR).
The UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Culture in Europe – BRESCE (based in Venice)
The Venice Regional Office is hosted and substantially funded by Italy. Its purpose is to support and assist countries in Central and Eastern Europe, with a particular focus on South-East Europe (SEE).
In the cultural field, the office prioritizes safeguarding and restoring artistic heritage damaged by conflict in the Balkan region, especially through on-site training of experts and operators.
In the scientific field, priority is given to activities related to environmental protection and water resource management. In this context, Venice is not only the home of BRESCE, but also one of its most important areas of intervention.