Privacy Notice

UNESCO is committed to protecting personal data in line with its Principles on Personal Data Protection and Privacy.

This Privacy Notice explains how UNESCO uses the personal data we collect from you when you use our main digital platforms, eg. Web, Marketing and eCommerce.

What data do we collect?

UNESCO collects the following data:

  • Personal identification data you directly provide Name, email address, phone number, postal address, function/position, organization, country of residence and other relevant information depending on the context.
  • Data generated by your activity: Log information such as Internet protocol (IP) address, navigation behaviour through the website, device and software used, the time/date/duration of your visit, and other similar information and parameters related to your operating system and computer environment.

How do we collect your data?

We collect data and process data when you:

  • Visit our website, subscribe to newsletters or make a purchase.
  • Register for events (see separate Events Private Notice).
  • Make a donation
  • Voluntarily complete a crowdsourcing form.
  • Use or view our website via your browser's cookies.

How will we use your data?

In some circumstances we make your data available outside UNESCO, such as for:

  • Analytics: We use third-party services Google Analytics, USA (privacy policy)
  • eCommerce: We use third-party services Shopify, Canada (privacy policy)
  • Payment processing: We use third-party services:
    ° PayPal, USA (privacy policy)
    ° Mollie, [France/Netherlands] (privacy policy)
  • Marketing & Newsletters: We use third party services Mailchimp, USA (privacy policy)

When UNESCO processes your purchase, it may send your data to, and also use the resulting information from, credit reference agencies to prevent fraudulent purchases.

How do we store your data?

UNESCO securely stores your data at UNESCO Premises (Paris, France) or on cloud services used by UNESCO. Your data will not be published for general access nor disclosed or sold to third parties. UNESCO, however, assumes no responsibility for the security of this information.

Data you provide directly is typically kept until either (1) you unsubscribe from the service requested or until (2) two years after your last transaction. We store data about your activity on our websites for 11 months, after which time it is deleted. We keep data on email activity for 24 months after which time it is deleted.

What are cookies?

Cookies are text files placed on your computer to collect standard Internet log information and visitor behavior information. When you visit our websites, we may collect information from you automatically through cookies or similar technology. For further information, visit allaboutcookies.org.

How do we use cookies?

UNESCO uses cookies in a range of ways to improve your experience on our website, including:

  • Keeping you signed in
  • Understanding how you use our website

What types of cookies do we use?

There are a number of different types of cookies, however, our website uses:

  • Functionality - UNESCO uses these cookies so that we recognize you on our website and remember your previously selected preferences. These could include what language you prefer and location you are in. A mix of first-party and third-party cookies are used.

UNESCO websites use the following cookies:

SourceNameURLExpiration after
Cookie barCookie-agreed.www.unesco.org3 months
Alert bannerHide-banner.www.unesco.orgClosure of browser
Google Analytics_gid.unesco.org1 day
Google Analytics_ga.unesco.org2 years
YoutubeNID.google.com6 months
YoutubeCONSENT.youtube.com2 years
YoutubeYSC.youtube.comClosure of Browser

How to manage cookies

You can set your browser not to accept cookies, and the above website tells you how to remove cookies from your browser. However, in a few cases, some of our website features may not function as a result.

Changes to our Privacy Notice

We will revise or update this Notice if our practices change, or as we develop better ways to keep you informed about them. Please refer back to this page often for the latest information and the effective date of any changes. If we decide to change this Notice, we will post a new Notice on our website and change the date at the bottom. Changes to the Notice shall not apply retroactively.

How to contact us

You may request access to your personal data in order to verify its accuracy and may request correction. To do so in connection with your use of this website please contact info@unesco.org.

For any other questions regarding the processing of your personal data, contact privacy@unesco.org.