COVID-19: social and human sciences
Protect human health and dignity, respect universal values
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global phenomenon with dramatic consequences in many areas. UNESCO, and its Social and Human Sciences Programme in particular, has responded in various ways. A major challenge prevails beyond all our potential actions: to protect human health and dignity and to respect universal values in the current context. This involves among others: combating discriminatory discourse, hatred and stigmatization; identifying the most vulnerable social groups in order to conceptualize appropriate measures and share good practices; ensuring respect for ethical rules; and, studying and understanding the impact of the crisis on social relations (within families; between generations; between social and ethnic groups, etc.).
Stories and News
Stories from the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities
UNESCO has called for COVID-19 vaccines to be considered a global public good
UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee (IBC) and the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) have called for a change of course in current COVID-19 vaccination strategies, urging that vaccines be treated as a global public good to ensure they are made equitably available in all countries, and not only to those who bid the highest for these vaccines.
Read related IBC reports
Related COMEST Report
