About UNESCO Clubs
UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations are group of people of all ages and from all social backgrounds and walks of life, who share UNESCO’s ideals, see to make them known, and associate themselves with the Organization’s work by undertaking activities directly inspired by it.
The movement, which is an expression of the enthusiasm and idealism of the people of several countries, sprang up spontaneously just after the foundation of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
The very fist UNESCO Club in the world was established at Sendai in Japan on 19 July 1947, followed by another in Kyoto on 18 September of the same year, and by a “UNESCO Group” in Denver, United States of America, on 3 December 1947. The movement gradually spread throughout the world.
Today around 5000 conduits to civil society, notably youth are active in more than 120 countries worldwide. They represent the growing voice of citizens in public life and in their increasing ability to influence social decision-making through their awareness of global issues and their local impact. Charged with stimulating debate and action related to the objectives of the United Nations system, these entities help promote a deeper appreciation for the importance of international understanding and solidarity as a guarantee of peace and sustainable human development.
• It encourages individuals to play an active role in society by following principles such as equality, tolerance, a complete rejection of violence and search for peaceful solutions to all kind of disagreements and conflicts.
• It allows everyone to practice and teach their culture to others and encourages an attitude of acceptance of all cultures and their inalienable right to exist.
• It analyses selects and acts on the basis of its particular conditions, in order to understand and to be an accountable member of the society. It is also in the field that the message of personal responsibility for human dignity can be passed along, heard, understood and even comprised in everyone's principles. The future of the race hinges on the elimination of intolerance and birth of an unshakable sense of civic duty.
• It recognizes freedom of thought, of expression and of the right to be different.
• It reminds all human beings not only that they have rights, but also that they have related duties.
• It provides for the education of free and responsible members of the society who are able to understand the world around them and to take part in its transformation.
• It compensates for the absence of a true program for a democratic society at the regional, national and international levels.
• There are over 5,000 UNESCO Clubs around the world
Why UNESCO Club?
• For the constant renewing, improving and broadening the network of men, women and children sharing the idea of common destiny tied to universal humanitarian values: a new culture, informed and unique within a common future.
• For a democracy for all members of society responsible for their destinies and for their daily life in their communities: family, region, country and the human race.
• For an association of free individuals fighting for common objectives in the diversity of their convictions. Democracy rests on the principle that individuals, through integrated action, must be able to develop their potential in complete freedom: it asserts, for all men and women, equal rights and tends to create for everybody material and spiritual conditions for the exercise of these rights; it aims at a balance between free individual self realization and an active consciousness of the integration of the individuals within humanity as a whole.
[
view less ]
The UNESCO Club of Metro Manila aims to encourage the youth of the Philippines to participate in public issues through deliberation on social issues, and by proposing suggestions to decision-makers in their regions and local communities. It also aims, through discussing different issues and organizing seminars, discussion groups, and events, to emphasize youth responsibilities towards their community and future. The activities of the club are mainly targeted to university students, young community leaders and young professionals. Currently, the club is active in organizing, in collaboration with the United Nations, UNESCO, other NGOs (local and international), activities in cultural awareness, science and environment, education, peace studies and humanities, world heritage, international intellectual exchanges, the United Nations system, international youth policy studies and exchanges. The Club coordinates directly with the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines and the United Nations Information Centre for projects and organizational matters.
The UNESCO Club of Metro Manila is only accredited UNESCO Club in the country by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - National Commission of the Philippines and is a recognized/registered youth organization by the National Youth Commission of the Philippines and the United Nations Information Centre. The Club is the Philippine Member to the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA), based in UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France.
[
view less ]
Youth Projects for Education, Science, Culture, Social and Human Sciences, Communications and Information -- UNESCO/UN Youth Activities.
For more information, please contact:
Frederick B. Epistola
President
Telephone: + 63 2 8243150
Mobile: +63 917 9680902
E-mail: unesco-club@swissinfo.org
[
view less ]