UNESCO National Commission Portugal

In 1945, the creation of UNESCO responds to a strong conviction of nations marked by two world wars in less than a generation: economic and political agreements are not enough to build a lasting peace. This should be established based on the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.

UNESCO contributes to building networks among nations to make this possible solidarity:

• is mobilizing for each child, girl or boy, has access to a quality education as a fundamental human right and condition of human development.
• Promoting intercultural dialogue for heritage protection and enhancement of cultural diversity. UNESCO invented the concept of World Heritage to protect the sites of exceptional universal value.
• Developing scientific cooperation projects - early warning systems for tsunamis, management of transboundary waters - that reinforce the links between nations and societies.
• Ensuring the protection of freedom of expression as an essential condition of democracy, development and human dignity.

Currently, UNESCO's message is of greater importance. Together we have to implement better integrated policies capable of addressing the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable development. Contemporary reflection on the 'sustainability' of development reaffirms the founding principles of the Organization and its role is thus naturally reinforced:

• In a globalized world, where societies are interconnected and mix, intercultural dialogue is a vital necessity, to live better together in our diversity.
• In an uncertain world, the future of the nation depends not only on its economic capital or natural resources, but its collective ability to understand and anticipate environmental changes through education, scientific research, sharing of knowledge.
• In a world unstable, marked by democratic opening movements, the emergence of new economic powers and vulnerable societies by multiple stressors, educational tissues, scientific, cultural and respect for fundamental rights guarantee the resilience and stability of societies.
• Given the emergence of a creative economy and knowledge societies, and the development of the Internet, the active participation of each in the new global public space is a condition for peace and development.

UNESCO is known to be the 'intellectual' UN organization. By the time the world is looking for new ways in order to build peace and sustainable development, we must rely on the power of intelligence for innovation, to broaden our horizons, to live the hope of a new humanism. UNESCO exists to give this intelligence the means to develop, it is in the minds of men and women that the defenses of peace must be erected, and the conditions for sustainable development.