In the framework of its broad commitment towards freedom of expression, UNESCO is on the forefront of all UN activities in the field of Safety of Journalists and Impunity (towards crimes committed against journalists). Italy has a special focus on this issue which is one of its foreign policy priorities, and is a member of the Group of Friends for the Safety of Journalists.
The Communication and Information Sector (IC) was founded in 1990 with the purpose of promoting « the free flow of ideas by word and image ».
It works by means of two intergovernmental programmes : the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) and the Information for All Programme (IFAP).
The CI Sector has three strategic objectives:
- promoting the free flow of ideas and universal access to information
- promoting pluralism and cultural diversity on all communication means and global information networks
- Promoting a universal access to ICT technologies.
In the frameworks of its IC Sector, UNESCO implements numerous interregional, regional and national projects which are funded with extra budgetary resources, namely in Africa, in the Arab countries, in Asia, in the Pacific area, in Latin America and the Caribbean. It works with all UN Agencies, bilateral development agencies, as well as regional and international NGOs.
