Visva-Bharati University

UNESCO to soon declare Visva-Bharati the world’s first living heritage university.

It was a college until independence, and the institution was elevated to the status of Legislative University in 1951 by a central Act.
Its first vice-chancellor was Rabindranath Tagore’s son.
Furthermore, its second vice-chancellor was the grandfather of another Nobel Laureate economist, Amartya Sen.

Overview
- It is a significant Central Government-funded independent university in Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.
- It is well-known in India as a prestigious Visual Arts practise and study centre.
- Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel Prize winner, founded the university in 1921.
- Until the Visva-Bharati Society was registered as an organisation in May 1922, it was named after Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
- A central Act granted the institution the status of a Central University in 1951.
- Its first vice-chancellor was Rabindranath Tagore’s son, and its second vice-chancellor was the grandfather of another Nobel Laureate economist, Amartya Sen.

About
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised United Nations (UN) organisation specified in a constitution signed on November 16, 1945.
- It encourages cooperation in education, research, and culture to foster peace worldwide.
Headquarters
- Paris, France
Member Countries
- It has 195 member countries, and it pursues its objectives through five major programs:
  - Education
  - Natural sciences
  - Social and human sciences
  - Culture
  - Communication and Information.
Reports Published
- Global Education Monitoring Report
- Gender Parity Index

It promotes peace via worldwide collaboration in education, science, and culture.
UNESCO’s activities help to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in Agenda 2030.
- The United Nations General Assembly adopted it in 2015.
Its goal was to aid, support, and complement member countries‘ national efforts to eliminate illiteracy and provide free education.
UNESCO also promotes the free exchange of ideas and knowledge by hosting conferences and providing clearinghouse and exchange services.
UNESCO actively aims to safeguard the natural environment and humanity’s cultural legacy.
- In addition to supporting educational and scientific activities.
UNESCO is well-known for its World Heritage Mission, encouraging countries worldwide to save natural and cultural heritage assets.
UNESCO also oversees The Man and Biosphere Programme, which works to protect Biosphere reserves around the world.

India is a founding member of UNESCO.
The Indian National Commission for Cooperation (INCCU) with UNESCO is the name of India’s National Commission that works with UNESCO.
- The INCCU is part of the Ministry of Human Resource Development’s Department of Secondary and Higher Education.
UNESCO has had a presence in India since 1948, with two offices.
Since 1946, India has been re-elected to the UNESCO Executive Board.
- Members are elected for a tenure of four years.
Every year, India makes significant financial contributions to the organisation.
UNESCO’s most significant work in India is related to the country’s cultural heritage.
- In this regard, UNESCO collaborates closely with the Ministry of Culture.

Protecting Our Heritage and Fostering Creativity
- It is becoming increasingly clear that no progress can be long-term without a substantial cultural component.
- UNESCO has taken a three-pronged strategy to ensure that culture is given its proper position in developing policies and processes:
  - Leads global advocacy for culture and development.
  - Engages the international community to establish clear policy and legal frameworks.
  - On the ground, works with governments and local partners to protect heritage, strengthen creative enterprises, and promote cultural pluralism.
- UNESCO agreements and international treaties to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural assets include:
  - The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005)
  - The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)
  - The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001)
  - The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001)
  - The Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972)
  - The Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Traffic of Cultural Property (1970)

Pic Courtesy: Indian Express

Content Source: Indian Express