Canadian Commission for UNESCO


The Canadian Commission for UNESCO actively advances UNESCO's mandate to contribute to peace based on the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind by promoting cooperation among nations. Its role is to involve government departments and agencies, institutions, organizations and individuals working for the advancement of education, science, culture, communication and information, in its activities. UNESCO is the only UN agency to have a system of National Commissions. As part of this international network of 195 National Commissions, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO is in a unique situation to effectively contribute to Canada's positions on UNESCO issues.

Status and Function

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO was established by Order in Council on 14 June 1957, in conformity with UNESCO's Constitution and pursuant to the Canada Council Act. It operates under the general authority of the Canada Council for the Arts, which provides its Secretariat. The Commission's role is to involve government departments and agencies, institutions, organizations and individuals working for the advancement of UNESCO's mandated fields of education, science, culture, communication and information, in its activities.

Structure

The Commission's arm's length relationship to government and its broadly based and diverse membership make it unique among National Commissions. The Commission has an extensive network of approximately 325 members across Canada which includes government and non-governmental organizations, institutions and individual members. The 17-member Executive Committee, including representatives of government and civil society, sets out and approves the general policy and programme directions of the Commission. Through these connections, the Commission coordinates UNESCO programme activities in Canada, consults Canadians and provides advice to the Canadian Government on UNESCO matters.

UNESCO presence in Canada