Culture and Education

Ambassador Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, presided at the 22nd Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1998.

The promotion of educational, scientific, and cultural relations among nations is an important factor contributing to world peace and welfare. Japan is actively engaged in international cooperation in these areas, particularly through its participation in UNESCO activities.

Japan Contributes to UNESCO Activities

One of the objectives of the United Nations is "to achieve international cooperation" for world peace and welfare common to humankind through "promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion." To accomplish this objective, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), established with the mission of promoting educational, scientific, and cultural relations of the peoples of the world, conducts various activities in the fields of education, science and culture.

Following the end of the Cold War, regional conflicts continued to break out frequently throughout the world. As globalization progresses, the importance of dialogue and the spirit of tolerance is being discussed. Under such circumstances, in November 1998 the 53rd UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to proclaim the year 2001 the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations. Further, in 1997 the 52nd UN General Assembly proclaimed the year 2000 the International Year for the Culture of Peace. For projects to be undertaken in this context, UNESCO was designated as the main coordinating body. At present in Japan, educational and public relations activities for the Culture of Peace are being conduct under cooperation with UNESCO, and NGOs are collecting signatures for a "Manifesto 2000" campaign for the Culture of Peace.

In the area of culture, UNESCO has long engaged itself actively in cooperation for the preservation and protection of cultural heritage in the world, with the view to respecting cultural diversity and promoting coexistence among different cultures. Furthermore, in light of the importance of protecting cultural and natural heritage of universal value, UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972. Japan accepted the Convention in 1992, and for six years from 1993 served as a member of the World Heritage Committee, hosting the 22nd session of the World Heritage Committee in Kyoto in December 1998. Also, through Japanese trust funds established within UNESCO, Japan conducts a variety of cooperative activities not only toward the preservation and restoration of tangible cultural heritage such as historic monuments throughout the world, but also toward the preservation and the promotion of intangible cultural heritage such as traditional arts and crafts.

In the field of education, UNESCO has exerted efforts to promote "Education for All," for example by serving as the secretariat and organizing the World Education Forum in April 2000 in cooperation with other international organizations. Japan has always cooperated actively with UNESCO in such areas as literacy education, the Asia and the Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development, education for international understanding in primary and secondary schools, preventive education projects against HIV/AIDS, environmental education, and higher education.

Assessments for the UNESCO Budget Financed by Major Countributors (2000)