International symposium on UNESCO’s history

Visit the website for the symposium.

"On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, UNESCO is hosting, from 16th to 18th November 2005, an international symposium on the Organization’s history, which will take place at its Headquarters in Paris.

"More than sixty historians, anthropologists, philosophers and other scholars will speak at round table sessions or in plenary on major themes of UNESCO’s history, such as the birth of the Organization, the vision of humanism and peace, the race question, ideals challenged in the context of cold war and decolonisation, reconciliation, reconstruction, dialogues, education for all, cultural heritage and the social responsibility of the sciences.

"The objective of the symposium is to inspire research on topics relating to the history of the Organization. Rather than providing official answers and final conclusions, the symposium aims at multiplying approaches to UNESCO’s history in a critical and pluralistic spirit. A concluding session of the symposium will attempt to draw up the basis for a research agenda 2005-2010."

A Round Table on "Social Responsibility of the Sciences" will be held as part of the Symposium on November, 17. An American, Jacob Darwin Hamblin, is included among the speakers, and has chosen the topic: “The Politics of International Cooperation in Science”.