The role of intellectuals and non-governmental organizations in Britain's relations with UNESCO

Britain's return to UNESCO in 1997, 12 years after withdrawing from the organization in company with the United States, marked the culmination of a campaign by a wide variety of voluntary and non-governmental organizations. There had been concerted opposition to Britain's withdrawal, which was justified by the government on the grounds that UNESCO had departed from the spirit of its founding constitution. Many of the voices raised at that time continued to campaign for reform from within and put forward reasoned arguments in favour of an early restoration of membership. But it was not until the election of a Labour Government in May 1997 that a return was certain. Those who had campaigned for this step were then formalized into the UK-UNESCO Forum in part to offer advice on the establishment of a UK National Commission for UNESCO. The author reviews the discussion in that forum on the nature of the Commission and the debate over UNESCO's perceived function primarily as an aid agency.