UNESCO Cultural Projects

Memory of the World Programme:

UNESCO established the Memory of the World Programme in 1992. The programme aims to protect the world's Documentary Heritage, which continues to be endangered by conflicts in various parts of the world. It promotes good practice in access to documentary heritage and offers advice on technicial and preservation matters.

Of the 193 documents currently inscribed on the Memory of the World Register, one lies in Ireland: The Book of Kells.

Creative Cities Network:

UNESCO's Creative Cities Network was launched in 2004. Its aim is to promote the social economic and cultural development of cities in both the developed and the developing world. The cities in network promote their local creative scene and contribute to UNESCO's goal of fostering cultural diversity.

Ireland has two UNESCO Creative Cities designations: Dublin was made a City of Literature in 2010, and Galway a City of Film in 2014.

UNESCO Chairs in Ireland:

Launched in 1992, the UNITWIN (University Twinning and Networking) UNESCO Chairs Programme promotes international university cooperation and networking, through knowledge sharing and other related activities.

There are three UNESCO Chairs on the island of Ireland:

UNESCO Chair in Children, Youth and Civic Engagement. National University of Ireland, Galway.

UNESCO Chair on Transforming the Lives of People with Disabilities through Physical Education Sport, Fitness and Recreation. Institute of Technology, Tralee.

UNESCO Chair in Education for Pluralism, Human Rights and Democracy, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.