WHEREAS, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has undergone major reforms over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, the concerns with UNESCO corruption, mismanagement, bias and attacks on freedom of information, cited in a previous 1980 AFT resolution as bases for U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO, have now been addressed and resolved; and

WHEREAS, there is a pressing need for U.S. leadership to enable UNESCO to meet its mission to fight illiteracy and advance information and cultural exchange; and

WHEREAS, membership in UNESCO would permit the United States to appropriately weigh in on crucial discussions on global standards for education, bioethics and cultural norms; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. House of Representatives, on May 16, 2001, passed an amendment that inserts funding for UNESCO membership into the 2002-2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Bill (H.R.-1646) so that the U.S. could reclaim its seat in UNESCO in 2003:

RESOLVED, that the AFT, as educators, public servants and trade unionists, express support for U.S. re-entrance to UNESCO; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT call upon the U.S. government and the U.S. Senate to support legislation that authorizes the payment of assessed UNESCO membership dues so that the U.S. can promptly regain admission to UNESCO.

(2002)