What are UNESCO Clubs?

  • Groups of people sharing UNESCO’s ideals and promoting peace through education, science and culture
  • Clubs’ members are all ages and come from all walks of life
  • Clubs undertake projects inspired by UNESCO base on sharing, solidarity and exchange
  • Clubs help create national awareness for development rooted in cultural values unique to each country or group

Historical Background

  • Following the creation of UNESCO in 1945, a Clubs movement developed as a symbol of support for the new organization
  • The first UNESCO Club was formed in Sendai, Japan on July 19, 1947
  • In November 1949, then Director-General of UNESCO, Jaime Torres-Bodet, launched an international appeal for the creation of UNESCO Clubs in schools and universities
  • The movement grew and today there are over 3,700 UNESCO associations, centres and clubs in more than 100 countries

What is UNESCO’s Association with UNESCO Clubs?

  • National Commissions are the link between UNESCO and individual countries, providing information for their governments and citizens
  • Each National Commission for UNESCO is responsible for the Clubs in its member state
  • UNESCO respects the freedom of the Clubs thus there is no official link between the two
  • UNESCO does provide intellectual, material or financial help for the Clubs as appropriate
  • Occasionally, UNESCO may suggest study themes or activities fro the Clubs to pursue

World Federation of UNESCO CLUBS, Centers and Associations (WFUCCA)

  • The WFUCCA was founded in July 1981, its General Secretariat is located in Paris, France
  • WFUCCA is an NGO that has official relations with UNESCO. A World Congress of WFUCCA is held every four years to evaluate, coordinate and integrate the Federation’s programmes
  • The WFUCCA brings together inter regional Club activities and encourages active cooperation among National Federations

Local and Regional Clubs

  • In the Caribbean, UNESCO Clubs are active in Aruba, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, St.Lucia and Jamaica
  • The Jamaica Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (JFUCCA) was recently established as an NGO but was a meber of WFUCCA sunce 1981
  • JFUCCA monitors all the individual clubs recognised by the national commission; Coordinates and facilitates and facilitates the registration process of UNESCO Clubs; Recognize exceptional contributions of individuals and clubs/organizations in fostering the ideals of UNESCO or advancement of UNESCO clubs movement

History of UNESCO Clubs in Jamaica

  • In 1978, Jamaica established its first UNESCO Clubs
  • It was the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish UNESCO Clubs

Goals of UNESCO Clubs

  • UNESCO clubs have three goals: training, public outreach and action
  • Clubs aim to function in a climate of trust and tolerance without discrimination based on sex, nationality, race , religion, social background, or political opinion
  • Clubs work to preserve cultural values and demonstrate the contribution of these values in local and global contexts

Activities Organized by UNESCO Clubs

UNESCO Clubs host a wide variety of activities depending on member’s interests. Activities must be non profit and consistent with the ideals of UNESCO. Some examples are listed below:

  • Celebration of: International Days
    International Years
  • Participation in: Literary Campaigns
    Cultural Outings
    Competitions in the Arts
    Sports and Musical Events
  • Studies of: Racism and Discrimination
    International Relations
    Youth and Gender
    Environment and Nature

How Can I Participate?

  • Contact the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO
  • Ask out about existing clubs in your area and how you can join their activities
  • If there is no UNESCO Club in your region, the Jamaica National Commission can provide you with the required information to set one up