Communication and Information for sustainable development

Building knowledge societies

UNESCO regards communication, information, and digital technologies as essential tools for promoting human progress, personal development, and a higher quality of life. The Organization defends and promotes freedom of expression, including freedom of the press, media independence, and pluralism, while fostering equitable access to information and knowledge. UNESCO pursues these goals by promoting universal access to information, the ethical use of innovative digital technologies, and the preservation of documentary heritage—our shared global memory.

UNESCO Programme
“Memory of the World”

Established in 1992, the Memory of the World Programme promotes the safeguarding of humanity’s most significant documentary heritage, ensuring its preservation and universal access

Freedom of Speech

UNESCO is actively engaged in ensuring freedom of expression and the press. In achieving this, the Organization prioritizes the safety of journalists, the fight against impunity for crimes committed against them, and the advancement of high-quality, reliable media globally.

Media and Information
Literacy

In an open, educated, and continuously learning information society, information and communication technologies are used effectively across all areas of life. In the digital world, society must possess the skills to use these technologies to access, evaluate, and create information—in other words, to be literate in this field. Recognizing the close link between media and information literacy, UNESCO strategically uses the composite term Media and Information Literacy (MIL), which encompasses all forms of media and other information providers, regardless of the technologies used.