The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) was founded in 1945 to strive for peace on the basis of humanity’s moral and intellectual solidarity. UNESCO builds networks among nations that enable solidarity, by:

• Promoting access to quality education as a fundamental human right
• Building intercultural understanding: through the protection of heritage and support for cultural diversity (e.g. UNESCO World Heritage)
• Pursuing scientific cooperation and
• Protecting freedom of expression as an essential condition for democracy, development and human dignity.

Since the 1970s, UNESCO’s involvement in the field of bioethics has reflected the international dimensions of this debate. Founded on the belief that there can be no peace without the intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind, UNESCO tries to involve all countries in this international and transcultural discussion.