Frequently asked questions

UNESCO clubs are associations of people of all ages, all socio-professional categories who share the ideals of UNESCO, strive to promote it and participate in the activities of the international organization, carrying out activities directly related to the activities of UNESCO.

Thus, they contribute to the promotion of UNESCO’s values, ideas and practical initiatives and play an important role in the realization of its goals and objectives.

The first club was established in Sendai, Japan, in 1947, before Japan became a member state of UNESCO in 1951. This club is an example of how the local initiative has transformed into a major forum for solidarity support. Originating during the post-war devastation, this initiative was then spontaneously developed through the efforts of people from different countries who shared a common commitment to civic awareness.

The enthusiasm and speed with which such associations and clubs began to form was astonishing. A few months after the creation of UNESCO, a whole social movement arose. As of 4 November 1949, when Mr. Jaime Torres Bode, then Director-General of UNESCO, called for the establishment of UNESCO associations and clubs in secondary schools and universities during a lecture marking the third anniversary of the founding of UNESCO, more than 100 such associations and clubs existed.

Thanks to this appeal, UNESCO’s network of associations and clubs has continued to expand steadily throughout the world. There are currently more than 4,000 associations and clubs established in more than 75 countries (as of 2020)

Clubs have emerged from individual initiative: from the outset to the present day, they have been created as a response to a widespread sense among their members of the need for greater participation in international life in the areas of UNESCO competence, based on the approaches proposed by the Organization. Their activities are aimed at achieving the ideals set out in the preamble of the UNESCO Constitution.

UNESCO associations and clubs may operate in any area of UNESCO competence. However, it is important that their objectives and activities are consistent with UNESCO’s current strategic objectives and programme priorities.

Aims and role of UNESCO clubs:

• to stimulate public interest in UNESCO’s mission, programmes and activities;
• promote a better understanding of UNESCO’s goals and promote them, including at the grassroots level;
• to promote the implementation of the Organization's programme at the national and local levels in coordination with the National Commission for UNESCO;
• promote the moral values of solidarity, tolerance and respect for cultural diversity, as well as the importance of education for global citizenship, human rights and sustainable development;
• promote and promote UNESCO-proclaimed international days, weeks, years and decades;
• promote the dissemination of UNESCO ideas and initiatives through a variety of means of communication, including social media, by translating documents and information prepared by the UNESCO Secretariat into national and local languages.

Most often, UNESCO associations and clubs organize youth-oriented events in UNESCO’s areas of competence, such as sustainable development, global citizenship education, inclusive education and sport for children with special needs, world heritage and intangible cultural heritage, environmental protection, gender equality, intercultural dialogue, combating racism and xenophobia.

Anyone who wants to create a UNESCO Club should contact the National Commission for UNESCO in their country or the National Association/Federation of UNESCO Clubs. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, such a structure is the public association “Kazakhstan National Federation of UNESCO Clubs”.

A UNESCO Club can be organized if there are five or more people in the club, at least three of whom must be adults.

A statement of intent to create a UNESCO club is submitted to the President of KazFUCA to the Board of KazFUCA with the following documents attached:

• – information about the work of the candidate association for the previous period;
• – draft action plan of the UNESCO Club for the next 12 months;
• - draft action plan of the UNESCO Club for the next 12 months;
• - the list of members of the association;
• - The name of the club management with full contact information. (See UNESCO Club of Kazakhstan).

In obtaining the right to use the name UNESCO, associations and clubs undertake to adhere to the general principles underlying the activities of the Organization. Although UNESCO grants such a right to associations and clubs recognized by the national commission for UNESCO of the country concerned, this does not lead to a formal relationship between UNESCO and the relevant associations and clubs whose activities are carried out by the national commission, which assumes responsibility in its own country for undertakings and activities carried out on behalf of UNESCO. UNESCO associations and clubs are considered financially and legally independent entities.