Our Role

The core functions of the UK National Commission for UNESCO are to support:

• UK Government in achieving its objectives through UNESCO
• UK society and communities to maximise the benefits of UNESCO’s mission and programmes; and
• UNESCO to be a competent and relevant UN agency able to deliver its mission and fulfil its objectives

The UKNC supports the UK Permanent Delegation to UNESCO to strengthen the ties between the UK’s educational, academic, scientific, cultural, and creative communities and UNESCO’s global programmes and policies.

Through our networks and partners, the UK National Commission contributes to, and shapes, UNESCO’s global policy and programmes.

From media literacy and the safety of journalists to protecting cultural heritage and gender equality, we work with experts in education, science, culture and communication & information to ensure the advice provided to UK and devolved governments on UNESCO’s programmes and activities is of the highest quality.

The Commission represents the UK, and advocates its priorities and needs, at UNESCO meetings and fora.

At the official National Commission for the United Kingdom, we are tasked by the UK Government to build and retain a pool of high-level expertise - known as our Expert Network - with a mandate to monitor UNESCO’s programmes and provide a forward-looking role in UNESCO’s fields of competence.

The National Commission oversees the network of UNESCO Designated Sites in the UK, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.

Our work includes developing and delivering Projects to create a strong, effective and resilient network of UNESCO sites, and to lead national initiatives and international partnerships to enable sites to fulfil their own objectives and those of the UNESCO Programmes of which they are part. We assist the UK’s designations with collaboration with the global UNESCO network so they can access new programmes, partnerships, and funding opportunities, and influence key decision-makers.

For those individuals and institutions in the UK looking to gain UNESCO recognition we provide guidance and assistance through the Accreditation processes. We also provide Patronage to events and initiatives and manage UK submissions to UNESCO Prizes.