The UNESCO Centre of Catalonia – Unescocat was created in 1984 to bring UNESCO to Catalonia and Catalan language and culture to UNESCO. Today, the Centre aims to become a reference in managing diversity and is committed to the essential values of human rights, the culture of peace, cultural plurality, biodiversity and dialogue between cultures. Unescocat works at “building bridges, breaking boundaries” in Catalonia, the Mediterranean and among intergovernmental platforms, through innovative, interdisciplinary action based on the principles of sustainable development, social cohesion, national identity and promoting democracy. Unescocat maintains official relations with UNESCO and has consultative status with ECOSOC and the United Nations Department of Public Information.
The official founding ceremony of the UNESCO Centre of Catalonia was held on 12 December 1984. The initial articles of association were registered at the Catalan Government's Directorate General for Law and Legal Entities of the Ministry of Justice on 25 February 1985 and were updated on 6 September 1996.
The Centre's working structure is organised around departments, areas and services. The departments generate thought and projects on linguistic diversity, religious diversity and dialogue, human rights and cultural diversity, education, heritage and sustainability. The content produced by the departments is given projection and visibility by four areas; the Consultancy, the Learning Centre, the Observatory and the coordination of the UNESCO Civil Network in Catalonia. The services provide support for the development of programmes.
AREAS OF WORK
Social Action
Unescocat’s Social Action Area is aimed to develop and apply ideas and projects designed by the different departments of the UNESCO Centre at a local level. The Area’s technical experts help organisations and local areas prevent or intervene in conflict situations, and they provide advisory services on managing diversity.
Unescocat’s Social Action Area:
Educational Action
All people are entitled to a quality education that guarantees diversified subject matter and is geared toward fully developing individual personalities and instilling values of peace, democracy, tolerance and understanding between cultures.
Unescocat's educational programmes are currently coordinated from the Area of Social and Educational Action. Priority is given to
Learning Centre
The Learning Centre is a training centre focused on UNESCO topic areas: cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, human rights, heritage and sustainability.
The Learning Centre:
The Observatory
The Observatory aims to be a “watchtower” from which it provides information connected to reality, and theoretical and practical knowledge that contributes to decision making and the development of actions for Catalan public administrations and civil society.
The Observatory:
UNESCO Civil Network
Catalonia is home to a highly active civil society. The sheer number and level of activity of Catalan organisations and institutions belonging to civil society networks promoted by UNESCO serve as a model to follow around the world.
As a result of its separate status with UNESCO and its established structure, Unescocat is able to offer technical support to, and co-ordinate, these networks in Catalonia.
The civil network in Catalonia is made up of the following organisations: