US withdraws from UNESCO
The future of UNESCO and what everyone is thinking.
On October 12th, the Trump administration struck the world with some big news — the US Department of State is planned to leave the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
This withdrawal from the organization they helped found was impelled by budgetary and political reasons, alleging major problemswith financial past-dues and the group’s “anti-Israel bias”.
The State Department announced U.S. plans to withdraw from UNESCO, for its “need for fundamental reform” and “anti-Israel bias.”
So what might this decision mean for everyone? And why exactly did President Trump decide to pull out of yet another international organization?
What exactly is UNESCO?
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (UNESCO) acts as a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), based in Paris, France.
Their purpose, according to the UN Charter, includes being an advocate for the equality and self-determination of nations, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the obligation of member countries to obey the Charter as well as to cooperate and to use peaceful means to resolve conflicts.
The organization strives to strengthen the international ties between nations and societies, and mobilizes the wider public to advocate and campaign for:
• Widespread access to quality education;
• Communities that grow and live in a cultural environment rich in diversity and dialogue, “where heritage serves as a bridge between generations and peoples”;
• Society-beneficial scientific advances;
• The freedom of expression as the basis of democracy, development and dignity.
The international organization is also famous for designating World Heritage sites, which protect and restore certain cultural centers that have been threatened in the midst of war and conflict.
Why is the US withdrawing from UNESCO?
Many see this decision as a component of POTUS Trump’s “America First” campaign and disagreement with such multilateral organizations.
The US Department of State released a statement on October 12th pertaining to their departure from UNESCO, citing three main reasons for its significant decision: To protest against UNESCO’s “continuing anti-Israel bias”, because of the organization’s need for reform, and the mounting American financial debt to organization.
“This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO.”
— US Department of State
Experts in the history of UNESCO explains in TIME magazine that the US simply doesn’t have as much power in the organization, or as much need for UNESCO’s work, when group first culminated.
You may find that some individuals are experiencing déjà vu with the US departure of the Paris-based UNESCO.
The departure administered by the Trump Administration reminded some of us of the same decision made by former president Ronald Reagan in December 1983, during the Cold War. Under the administration of Reagan, the US announced their withdrawal of the international organization.
“UNESCO has extraneously politicized virtually every subject it deals with. It has exhibited hostility toward a free society, especially a free market and a free press, and it has demonstrated unrestrained budgetary expansion.”
The US later rejoined in 2002, under the presidency of George W. Bush.
Both decisions were made in citation of political corruption, although Trump alleges anti-Israeli sentiments, rather than a political tilt towards the Soviet Union.
Alright, so what?
Though the departure will have little immediate impact, many quickly criticized the US for their decision.
François Delattre, France’s U.N. ambassador, stated:
“For us, it is important to have the United States on board, including at UNESCO at this critical juncture,” he added. “We consider the U.S. must stay committed to world affairs.”
Rush Holt, CEO of AAAS and publisher of ScienceInsider, also criticized the decision stating that the US administration’s aversion from active international participation in diplomacy would be concerning to the scientific community.
And UNESCO’s director general, Irina Bokova, responded in a similar fashion as she expressed her “profound regret” over the US decision. “This is not just about World Heritage,” she said, describing the withdrawal as “a loss to both the organisation and the US”.
“At the time when conflicts continue to tear apart societies across the world, it is deeply regrettable for the United States to withdraw from the United Nations agency promoting education for peace and protecting culture under attack…This is a loss to the United Nations family. This is a loss for multilateralism.”
However, there were some that applauded the US decision of departure.
Among many Republicans such as Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Marco Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his solidarity and agreement with the decision, even following suit and withdrawing Israel from UNESCO as well.
And although the US will withdraw from UNESCO, they will still be able to participate their American opinions, instead as a “non-member observer state” in the group.
The US departure from UNESCO will formally take effect on December 31st, 2018. However, until then, the United States will remain as a member of UNESCO.
