Partnership with UNESCO Clubs,

Centres and Associations

Sector for External Relations and Cooperation

Section for UNESCO Clubs and New Partnerships

Division of Relations with National Commissions and New Partnerships

Section for UNESCO Clubs

and New PartnershipsDivision of Relations

with National Commissions and New Partnerships

Sector for External Relations and Cooperation

7, Place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SPTel: + 33 1 45 68 18 67 Fax: + 33 1 45 68 55 40

Email: clubs@unesco.org Site Web: www.unesco.org/communautes/clubs

Centres and Associations

Partnerships with UNESCO Clubs,

A broad range of initiatives

For example, the Clubs’ action

involves

Relations betweenthe Clubs, UNESCO

and its networks

World Federationof UNESCO Clubs,

Centres andAssociations

(WFUCA)

The UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations are groups of volunteers of differentages and socio-professional status who become militants in the service of UNESCO’s ideals.

These Clubs take up a position on global problems with local repercussions and thus contribute tothe process of reflection on social priorities.This movement attests to the ever-increasing role of civilsociety throughout the world and the influence that citizens can exert on socio-economic decision-makers.The 5,000 or so Clubs, spread over 120 countries, have three main functions: training, information andaction.

The activities carried out by the Clubs are varied and depend, above all, on the age and the interests oftheir members and also on the financial resources and means of action available. Irrespective of theirnature and scope, these initiatives foster the dissemination of UNESCO’s principles and objectives in civilsociety.These Clubs therefore make it possible to publicize the values represented by the Organization inlocal communities.

� the dissemination of general principles such as those set out in the Preamble and the Constitution of UNESCO, the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

� participation in the celebration of international days and years proclaimed by the General Assemblyof the United Nations and the General Conference of UNESCO

� the promotion of literacy activities, the preservation and presentation of the cultural heritage� the organization of study camps for young people� education for the prevention of AIDS� the publication of newsletters and information documents� the translation into national and local languages of the basic texts and documents of UNESCO and

the United Nations.

Although UNESCO’s name appears in the titles of the different Clubs and their federations, it does notmean that the Organization is in any way responsible for their activities. Clubs must be able to developtheir activities in their own ways. UNESCO has made a point of playing no part either in their setting-upor in their development.The different Clubs are financially and legally autonomous, thus responsible for their own operation, butUNESCO can provide intellectual, financial, and/or material assistance for specific activities that itconsiders particularly relevant. In addition, to secure external financing, many Clubs turn to the NationalCommissions for UNESCO, ministerial departments, local communities and certain national orinternationally-oriented bodies and also to companies, foundations and individuals. UNESCO helps tostrengthen the Clubs’ impact by fostering cooperation with the programme sectors, field offices and theOrganization’s main networks, such as that of the Associated Schools.

The World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations was formed in 1981. Itconsists of national federations and other national coordinating bodies and, in countrieswhere such coordination is not yet operational, an individual Club recommendedby the National Commission. As an international non-governmentalorganization, it maintains “formal associate relations” with UNESCO.WFUCA has three functions: information, coordination of thenetwork and mobilization of its members. Since itsestablishment, it has represented and promotedthe Clubs’ movement throughout theworld.

The UNESCO Clubs Movement