UNESCO is the only United Nations Organization that has a system of National
Commissions in 193 Member States and 11 Associate Members.

The National Commissions for UNESCO are national bodies established by Member States to disseminate the Organization’s programmes and priorities, as well as to link governmental and non-governmental organizations with its work. The National Commissions implement a variety of initiatives aimed at raising public awareness on issues of Education, Science, Culture and Communication, establish Committees and collaborate with the private sector. Furthermore, they are an important source of information for UNESCO regarding national needs and priorities, thus allowing the International Organization to design its Programmes accordingly.

Characteristically, the Director-General of UNESCO, in the context of the 2009 General Conference, emphasized the added value and the significant importance of the National Commissions, noting characteristically: “The National Commissions are a unique institution within the framework of the United Nations and, as such, deserve full support and recognition of their important work. For this reason, I intend to strengthen and enhance the links of the National Commissions with UNESCO and to contribute to the better utilization and promotion of the institution.” The Greek National Commission for UNESCO is a Legal Entity of Private Law, supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was established by Law 1971/1991 (Government Gazette A’ 173 on 20 November 1991) for the “Ratification of the Statute of the National Commissions for UNESCO and on the establishment of the Greek National Commission for UNESCO”.

Its main bodies are the President, the Board of Directors and the Plenary, which is composed of academics, representatives of Ministries, executives of educational, cultural and research Institutions as well as distinguished personalities.

Since October 2004, the position of President has been held by Ms. Maria – Ekaterini Papachristopoulou – Tzitzikosta, with many years of experience in the public and private sectors, as well as in the field of NGOs. The main priorities of the Greek National Commission are the strengthening of its relations with bodies at national, regional and international level, the promotion of networking, the cooperation with governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as with civil society. More specifically, the National Commission for UNESCO, which is in close cooperation with the 7 co-responsible Ministries (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education & Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture & Sports, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Ministry of Environment, Energy and Ministry of Development & Investments) for the implementation of its actions and initiatives, organizes International Conferences and Workshops, grants its patronage to educational, cultural, environmental and scientific actions, participates and is represented in major International Conferences and Forums, develops new collaborations with the private sector, grants Awards, establishes UNESCO University Chairs throughout Greece, promotes the institution of Collaborating Schools (ASPnet), organizes exhibitions and creates City Networks.

President: Ms. Maria Aikaterini Papachristopoulou-Tzitzikosta