A Recommitment to the Culture of Peace: Why the US Must Rejoin UNESCO

On October 12, 2017, the Department of State officially notified the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officials of its intention for the United States to withdraw, citing "the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO." Then the Presidential election of Joe Biden in 2020 was seen as a new opportunity for the US to reengage in the international community, including UNESCO. But, nearly two years later, the Biden administration has not taken official action toward rejoining UNESCO as a full member state. By not rejoining UNESCO sooner rather than later, the US is missing out on an opportunity to re-establish itself as a leader in the international community and the development of science, culture, and education.

From 1945 to 2022 

UNESCO was founded in 1945 after World War II to build peace through international cooperation in education, sciences, and culture. One of its founding members was the US. In the organization's early years, UNESCO carried out essential initiatives, such as sponsoring the passage of the Universal Copyright Convention, which created the "©" symbol, indicating that the convention protects any work with that symbol.

By the 1970s, Western members of UNESCO began to feel that the organization was heading in an undesirable direction. The US deemed that the organization "has extraneously politicized virtually every subject it deals with; has exhibited hostility toward the basic institutions of a free society, especially the free market and the free press; and has demonstrated unrestrained budgetary expansion." Therefore, in 1984, the United States withdrew from UNESCO.

Nevertheless, the United States rejoined UNESCO in 2003 following the election of UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura. He replaced the entire top management, adopted nominal zero growth budgets, and established a new oversight mechanism. With these changes, the US felt it could rejoin UNESCO with then-President George Bush stating, "This organization has been reformed, and America will participate fully in its mission to advance human rights, tolerance, and learning."

However, some critics were still concerned over the organization's politicized nature and management problems. Some of these criticisms manifested into a reality in 2011 when UNESCO member states voted to admit Palestine as a member state. As a result, the US stopped funding UNESCO as this violated Public Law 101-246 and Public Law 103-236. According to the laws, the US cannot fund any organization that “accords the Palestine Liberation Organization of the same standing as member states."

UNESCO felt the impacts of US withdrawal immediately, leading to a funding crisis and cuts to several programs. The US paid around 22% of UNESCO’s budget, about $240 million. Furthermore, when the US stopped paying its dues, it lost its voting because, according to the UNESCO constitution, a member state loses voting rights if it does not pay its dues consecutively for two years. Therefore, the official withdrawal of the US from UNESCO in 2017 did not have noticeable repercussions. Still, many saw this as the US being uncommitted to the international community.

President Biden gave his inaugural speech in 2021, expressing a strong interest in getting the US to reengage with the world, stating that "America is back. Diplomacy is back at the center of our foreign policy." One of the first actions Joe Biden took in office was signing the paperwork for the US to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, from which the US had also previously withdrawn. Many also hoped or expected for Joe Biden to take similar action with UNESCO; however, this has not yet happened.

The Benefits of Recommitment 

The US must rejoin UNESCO for two key reasons. One for the US to re-establish itself as a global leader and rebuild trust between the US and its allies. Second, to support the development of science, culture, and education, which would benefit both people across the globe and in the US.

President Biden stated in his inaugural address that, “We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again.” By rejoining UNESCO, Biden can follow through on his promise. The US has taken steps to demonstrate its commitment to multilateralism and democratic ideals, such as holding the Summit for Democracy, but traditional allies still feel wary. Michael Kergin, a former Canadian ambassador to Washington, expressed that “from a strategic calculus, countries have already started to look around at alternatives and will weigh (matters) very carefully as they go forward in their relationship with the United States.” By rejoining UNESCO, Joe Biden will assure key US allies of its commitment to cooperation. 

The US rejoining UNESCO would also mean an expansion of development for the organization's work, which would benefit people across the globe and in the US. For example, the US directly funded two programs that UNESCO had to cut, a Holocaust campaign that also covers human rights and genocide, as well as a tsunami research project. Rejoining UNESCO would also mean reviving and strengthening partnerships that directly improved the lives of Americans. For example, for several years, Three Rivers Local School District in Cleves, Ohio, benefitted from UNESCO by allowing students to participate in UNESCO-sponsored events. But since the US withdrew from UNESCO, US schools have been cut off from the organization's global resources and knowledge networks.  

The Road Ahead

There are many moving pieces in the puzzle that is the US rejoining UNESCO. By taking on the challenge, Joe Biden can demonstrate true commitment to peace building and international cooperation. For the US to rejoin UNESCO, three steps must be taken. First, Joe Biden must express interest to UNESCO in rejoining. Two, Congress must amend the two statutes prohibiting the US from rejoining UNESCO. And three, for the US to have voting rights in UNESCO, Congress must also agree on the contributions that the US will pay to UNESCO. In pursuing peace, political and economic agreements are not always enough. The development of peace also lies in cooperation and mutual understanding. Therefore, for the culture of peace to thrive, the US must rejoin UNESCO.