Abstract
UNESCO was established in 1945 to contribute to peace and security by promoting intellectual collaboration among nations. Its work in the fields of education, science, culture and communication is firmly based on shared values such as justice, equity and respect for human rights, cultural diversity, pluralism and democratic principles, as reiterated in the latest Medium Term Strategy, 2008–13. These values also underpin UNESCO's efforts to promote dialogue among civilizations, a UN initiative. From its inception, UNESCO has considered its role to be an ethical one and this is reflected in various UNESCO Declarations and Conventions. Drawing inspiration from UNESCO's response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, which stresses the importance of a global and inclusive vision of development, this article argues that in a world characterized by inequality, on the one hand, and global interdependence, on the other, a more concerted effort is needed to inculcate a global commitment to a just world order as a precondition to a dialogue among civilizations.
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