The US-UNESCO tragedy

Clovis Maksoud

Nov 10, 2013

A general view of the UNESCO headquarters before a ceremony for the "UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences" in Paris July 17, 2012. Rights groups said on Monday UNESCO's decision to award a science prize sponsored by the president of Equatorial Guinea was "shameful and utterly irresponsible". Despite calls to abandon it, the governing council of Paris-based UNESCO voted by 33 to 18 with six abstentions to approve awarding what was originally called the "UNESCO-Obiang — A general view of the UNESCO headquarters before a ceremony for the "UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences" in Paris July 17, 2012.

عربي

What a pity? Or what a shame? United States loses its voting rights at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which is perhaps the least funded and the most empowering agency of the United Nations.

The most powerful nation, the US, which has spread knowledge, built universities and colleges, helped in scientific research, would suspend its membership because Palestinians seek the benefits that membership in UNESCO provides.

And why?

Because Palestine is a full member? Should it not be recognized as a legitimate organization, when it has been accepted by most countries in the world as legal? Should it not be allowed to have access to this instrument that promotes education, culture, and scientific research, and seeks to animate culture to all the world communities?

The US-UNESCO tragedy

Is the US role in UNESCO a casualty of Palestine's membership?

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