The work of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on internet governance is based on UNESCO’s basic approach of creating the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, a dialogue that aims to achieve sustainable development encompassing human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty.
UNESCO runs two programmes related to internet governance, namely the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) and the Information for All Programme (IFAP).
UNESCO’s work on communication and information centres on six thematic areas:
Access to Information | Capacity Building | Content Development |
Freedom of Expression | Media Development | Memory of the World
Publications of UNESCO on digital governance include:
- Freedom of Connection – Freedom of Expression: The Changing Legal and Regulatory Ecology Shaping the Internet (2011)
- Professional journalism and self-regulation: new media, old dilemmas (2011)
- The Importance of Self Regulation of the Media in Upholding Freedom of Expression (2011)
UNESCO published the World Report “Towards Knowledge Societies” (2010, pdf).
Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Information are two core areas of UNESCO’s work. Additionally, UNESCO has a strong focus on information and communication technology in education, starting from the belief that technology can contribute to universal access to and equity in education as well as efficient education management, governance and administration. The organisation maintains a Portal on Open Educational Resources and an OER-Wiki.
UNESCO’s work on internet governance is coordinated by the organisation’s Communication and Information Sector, headed by Jānis Kārkliņš.