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UNESCO was founded in 1945 right after World War 11 to rebuild destroyed schools, libraries and museums in Europe.  Today, UNESCO continues to promote peace through global cooperation on education and science innovations and to honor and promote cultural preservation according to a 4 1/2  page paper released from The Brookings Institution on August 15, 2025.

But on July 22, 2025, the US announced its third withdrawal from the United Nations Educatioal, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  The announcement came in a press release that “continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States.:”  Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay responded that the US withdrawal was “regretable” and “anticipated…..

The actual withdrawl  comes on December 31, 2026.  That will mean losing the chance to be part of fast-moving and future conversations on global education, culture and science and being a collaborator and partner in facililtating peaceful solutions to pressing world challenges…”

Currently, UNESCO has 194 member states, 200 national commissions and employs over 2,300 people worldwide who run hundreds of programs and networks that advance science, education and culture.  For example, one uch program leads cross-national effors in science, like a nework of parks and reserves in 136 coundtries – 28 of which are located in the US – spannig from the Appalachian to the Rocky Mountains and that aim to ensure land and water remains healthy and communities continue to benefit from farming, forestry, fishing and tourism.

Being a member of UNESCO has benifited the US in myriad ways.  They include:  Safer commuities, Guidance on generative A1, Planning for the future of education, Better data for better decisions, and keeping peace on the horizon and war at bay.  “The US will be at a significant disadvantage with this withdrawal,” said Barbara Finlayson-Pitts, an atmospheric chemist at the University of California, Irvine.

The paper ends with:  “Regardless of strength, power, or size every country needs friends, peace, and progress.  We are no exception.  The US does not become more innovative, more creative or more prepared for the future by exitig the UNESCO alliance – it just steps into the periphery with no clear vision of the horizon.”

The Brookings Institution is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC.  Its mission is to conduct in-depth, non-paritisan research to improve policy and goverance at local, national and global levels.