Americans for UNESCO supports and enhances US participation with UNESCO.
AU carries out its mission in collaboration with the US National Commission, the Department of State, the UN Association, the UN Foundation, concerned government agencies, research institutes, universities and NGOs, and UNESCO itself.
US Involvement in UNESCO
We mobilize support for and actively work towards maintaining US membership and resuming full membership to UNESCO.
Support for UNESCO Programs
We provide news and information to connect Americans and the US government to the full breadth and scope of UNESCO’s principles and programs.
Building Bridges and Networks
We catalyze a robust network of collaborating organizations, institutions and individuals to engage with and support UNESCO’s work.

History of Americans for UNESCO
Americans for the Universality of UNESCO (AUU) was created in 1984, the date of the US withdrawal from UNESCO, under the leadership of John E. Fobes, former Deputy Director-General of UNESCO under Rene Maheu and Amadou Mahtar M’bow. Its purpose was to foster good US private relations with UNESCO and stimulate US re-entry into the global cultural organization. When the US announced re-entry in September 2002, AUU moved to Washington. Leadership passed to the present President, and the name changed to reflect the fact of re-entry.
Americans for UNESCO (AU) supports and enhances US participation with UNESCO, in collaboration with the US National Commission, the Department of State, the UN Association, the UN Foundation, concerned government agencies, research institutes, universities and NGOs, and UNESCO itself. Regarding UNESCO and its programs, AU aims to increase public knowledge in America, foster civil-sector support, promote institutional and individual interaction, facilitate collaborative interaction, and organize meetings where appropriate.
Board of Directors
AU President
Ms. Melinda Kimble
Vice President, United Nations Foundation
Dr. Allen Lawrence Chickering
Founder and President
Educate Girls Globally
Mr. Jay Corless
President, Techfugees France
Former UNF Senior Director for Innovation and UNESCO Staff
Dr. Frank Dall
Senior Fellow RISE Institute
CEO Human Facets International
Dr. Laura Engel
Assistant Professor
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
The George Washington University
Dr. Sylvia R. Frey
Professor, Department of History
Tulane University
Dr. John E. S. Lawrence
Adjunct Professor, School of International & Public Affairs
Columbia University, New York
Dr. Maureen McClure
Professor
Department of Administrative and Policy Studies
University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Matt Metz
Project Officer, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
US Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Susan Rauch
President, InterConnections 21
Dr. Sonja Taylor
Adjunct Professor, Public and International Affairs
George Mason University
Dr. Emily Vargas-Barón
Director, The RISE Institute
Dr. Dan Wagner
UNESCO Chair in Learning and Literacy and Professor of Education
International Literacy Institute
University of Pennsylvania