The Institute Of World Politics

About the Debate: In Nov 1945, the U.S. joined UNESCO, a new post-WWII organization designed to promote world peace and security. In Dec 1984, President Reagan took the U.S. out of UNESCO citing corruption and mismanagement. In Oct 2003, President George Bush rejoined UNESCO to advance human rights, tolerance, and learning. In Dec 2018, President Trump took the U.S.out of UNESCO citing anti-Israel bias, and the U.S.’s mounting arrears to UNESCO resulting from Palestine’s election as a full member. In July 2023, President Biden rejoined UNESCO for the third time to combat increasing Chinese influence at the organization. Given the problematic relationship between the U.S. and UNESCO, and the organization’s history of controversial initiatives, was this a wise decision? What are the pros and cons for the U.S. of being a member of UNESCO once again? About the Presenters: Gerald C. Anderson served as Director of Administration and Finance at the Pan American Health Organization in Washington, DC, from M