БССР і ЮНЕСКА на пераломе эпох: 1985 - 1991 гг.

Abstract

The author analyzes the problems of Belarus' engagement in the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO) activities at the end of the 1980"s. In the middle of the eighties the Cold War influenced all aspects of international relations, including the functioning of universal international organisations like UNESCO. The USSR as well as the West used the UNESCO rostrum as a n arena for ideological confrontation. During this period the USSR and socialist countries enjoying support from the developing countries significantly strengthened their positions within UNESCO, which provoked the US and Great Britain's withdrawal from the Organisation and put UNESCO on the brink of a crisis. The detente in the Soviet-American relations at the end of the eighties improved the political climate in Europe and facilitated cooperation between the Soviet Union and the Western countries in UNESCO. In the second half of the 20t h century Belarus occupied a unique position in the system of international relations. A part of the USSR, Belarus became the U N founding member and j o i n e d most of the U N specialised agencies, including UNESCO (from 1954). In the political sphere the BSSR representatives advanced the Soviet policy aimed at pressing the West through the Organisation on the issues of peace and arms race, establishing a new international economic and information order, the rights of peoples, etc. In practical sense, thanks to the BSSR membership in UNESCO Belarusian specialists could participate in the Organisations^ various activities and promote Belarusian science, culture and education achievements as well as enjoy UNESCO's financial and technical assistance (at the end of the eighties). Many spheres of cooperation within UNESCO such as mitigating Chernobyl aftermath or cultural heritage protection, which were initiated in the Soviet era, have been promoted by Belarus after gaining independence.