Our Expertise
Knowledge opportunity
UNESCO Beirut is the lead coordinator for SDG 4 in the Arab Region. We strive to provide tangible support for each Member State in the region to improve the quality and relevance of education and learning and promote a holistic approach to education encompassing all levels, pathways and modes of delivery.
The office is actively engaged in implementing UNESCO’s Global Action Plan (GAP) in the Region through the sensitization, mobilization and engagement of the youth population, recognized as key to the success of GAP. The GAP aims to contribute substantially to SDG4 through the reorientation of education and learning so that everyone has the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that empower them to contribute to a sustainable future.
Literacy and Non Formal Education
Based on its extensive experience and special mandate in the field of literacy, non-formal and lifelong learning, UBO supports countries through advocacy for a stronger commitment to literacy, as well as through capacity development devoted to the reinforcement of literacy programmes at regional, sub-regional, national and community levels. UNESCO Beirut also focuses on making primary education accessible in Arab States, as well as ensuring full retention and completion, which set the grounds for the promotion of children’s continuing cognitive, creative and emotional development.
Literacy is essential for the achievement of human rights and is the foundation for lifelong learning as well as an important prerequisite of participatory citizenship and sustainable development.
Higher Education
UNESCO is the only UN body with a mandate to support national capacity building in higher education. For the first time, Higher Education (HED) has been included among the SDG4 targets in the context of implementing SDG goals, based on enhancing access to quality learning opportunities for both boys and girls including in upper education stages.
UNESCO Beirut has placed special attention to supporting Arab States in their efforts to enhance HED quality through effective mechanisms of internal and external Quality Assurance (QA). At the same time, it has organized Regional consultations and capacity development activities with regard to financing Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and systems that focus on the challenge of shifting higher education costs from the government to private sources, including financial markets, businesses, philanthropy and households.
UNESCO Beirut supports youth to become agents of positive change in their societies.
Communication and Information
UNESCO Beirut supports all stakeholders to enhance press freedom and safety of journalists, and promotes independent journalism based on professional ethics and self-regulatory principles. It also works towards fostering gender equity in the media and on empowering individuals whether producing or consuming information through Media and Information Literacy and Journalism Education.
Social and Human Sciences
UNESCO Beirut promotes the development and use of social science knowledge that contributes to better understanding and management of social transformations in the Arab region. It focuses on improving the linkage between research and policy-making, including the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of development actions and processes, the dissemination of research results, best practices and capacity building.