This book traces the history of UNESCO from its foundational idealism to its current stature as the preeminent international organization for science, education, and culture, building a well rounded understanding of this important organization.

The book:

• provides an overview of the organization and its institutional architecture in the context of its humanistic idealism
• details the subsequent challenges UNESCO faced through cold war and power politics, global dependence and interdependence, and the rise of identity and culture in global politics
• analyses the functioning of UNESCO administration, finance, and its various constituencies including the secretariat, member-states, and civil society
• explores the major controversies and issues underlying the initiatives in education, sciences, culture and communication
• examines the current agenda and future challenges through three major issues in UNESCO: Education or All, digital divide issues, and norms on cultural diversity
• assesses the role of UNESCO in making norms in complex world of multiple actors and intersecting issue-areas.

Reflecting on UNESCO's vision, its everyday practices, and future challenges; this work is an essential resource for students and scholars of international relations and international organizations.