The Better World Campaign reacted to the announcement that the United States will once again withdraw from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the end of next year.
“UNESCO isn’t some distant agency — it works right here in America. It boosts tourism in small towns, promotes our cultural heritage and improves education for thousands of students nationwide,” said Peter Yeo, President of the Better World Campaign. “That’s why you see UNESCO signs at the Grand Canyon and the Everglades. When we walk away, we’re not just abandoning global leadership — we’re shortchanging American communities.”
“UNESCO isn’t some distant agency — it works right here in America. It boosts tourism in small towns, promotes our cultural heritage and improves education for thousands of students nationwide.”
Peter Yeo, President of the Better World Campaign
The Administration’s decision reverses the 2023 move to rejoin the agency — a return prompted by UNESCO’s increased alignment with American priorities and increased evidence that withdrawal from the agency had been highly detrimental to U.S. interests.
UNESCO’s work provides both global value and direct benefits to towns and cities across the country. Its World Heritage Program drives tourism at 26 U.S. sites, while its educational and scientific initiatives support freedom of the press, digital literacy and the ethical development of artificial intelligence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, UNESCO offered essential guidance to help schools, including those in the U.S., navigate safe reopening.
Jordie Hannum, Executive Director of BWC, emphasized the consequences of past disengagement. “When the U.S. previously withdrew and defunded UNESCO, it disrupted programs we had long supported. It also limited our ability to shape decisions from within,” Hannum said, “When we rejoined, we immediately saw increased resources for Holocaust education, journalist safety and STEM education.”
U.S. engagement also led to meaningful reforms and renewed investment in initiatives ranging from shaping international AI standards to reinvesting in global education and cultural diplomacy.
Hannum added, “History has clearly shown that when we give up our seat, others fill the gap — often with very different priorities. China has already stepped in to fill the void once. We shouldn’t repeat that mistake.”
“We understand that decisions around multilateral engagement are complex,” Yeo remarked. “But let’s be clear: abandoning UNESCO weakens our hand on the world stage. If we want to defend democratic values and lead on issues like AI ethics or education, we have to be at the table — not on the sidelines.”
“History has clearly shown that when we give up our seat, others fill the gap — often with very different priorities. We shouldn’t repeat that mistake.”
Jordie Hannum, Executive Director of the Better World Campaign
Media Contact: Kathryn Kross | kkross@unfoundation.org | 202-887-9040 ext 8577
