Role of UNESCO in Nepal Multilateralism in Education-2015-2019

Abstract

United Nations (UN) provides a platform for countries to build partnerships and promote common agendas for action. International development partners have promoted unprecedented socio-economic development globally and are crucial for the education sector of Nepal. UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), one of the UN’s specialized agencies with a unique mandate, has prioritized Africa and developing countries for its operation and has extended support in science, culture, education, and media globally. It also serves as a lead UN agency for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relating to quality education globally. Nepal, as a developing country and a member state of UNESCO, has benefitted from several UNESCO programs. This research paper has attempted to understand the significance of UNESCO for Nepal in the education sector. The study utilized multilateralism and institutional liberalism as critical research theories. Data from official websites, archives, articles, publications of UNESCO, the Government of Nepal (GoN), and published interviews of critical officials associated with UNESCO were secondary data for the research. The study has revealed that UNESCO is a crucial actor in education multilateralism globally. Despite its challenges, its unique mandate and position in global educational multilateralism make it a significant partner for Nepal. The technical support it has extended, research it has funded, policies it has advocated, the national capacity it has raised, and the model projects it has carried out are significant for a developing country like Nepal. Key Words: Multilateralism, Development partners, SDGs