The United Nations Education, Social, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is working on unbiased education in Crimea. Their discussion has revolved around preservation of culture, neutrality in online education, and amending sanctions.
As a cultural organization, without major influence on financial or military matters, UNESCO has been focused on methods to preserve the culture of Crimea under Russian management. Countries have emphasized the importance of education of language and native culture, and suggested the construction of cultural monuments.
Russia has defended its ability to provide cultural education. The delegation of Russia explains that Crimean and native languages are currently taught, and $1 billion has been invested in Crimean education. Russia explains that Crimean culture is not highly emphasized because the ultimate goal is assimilation to Russia.
Countries refute Russia’s defense by pointing to Ukraine and their neglected language education, along with Crimean students being pushed away from cultural education by their administrators.
To maintain neutrality, the United States and Iceland have offered to provide educators, Spain suggests an International School Board to maintain a consistent standard, and the majority of countries point to online education as a solution. Greece suggests the aid of NGOs and private companies to aid Crimean education.
Many countries are frustrated that online education cannot be provided because of certain economic sanctions from the western world including those written by the United States. Smaller EU countries near Crimea are requesting that the sanctions be lifted to liberate Crimean education, along with improving the local economies and tourism.
The topic of sanctions has also been a point of contention within UNESCO. Developed countries and countries with ties to the United States, including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland have been taking a more moderate stance and are looking to simply amend the sanctions, without lifting them. They have explained their openness to making amendments, particularly in aiding Crimean education. Smaller nations near Crimea, including Lebanon and Hungary, prefer complete abolition of the sanctions. These nations believe lifting sanctions would improve the economy, and they further denounce the sanctions as “arbitrary and useless.” Russia has stated that the sanctions harm the Crimean society and people as well.
The two emerging blocs further disagree on the ethics of the annexation of Crimea. Countries in allegiance with Russia support the statement that “99% of Crimeans support the annexation.” The other bloc considers Russia’s actions a violation of human rights and reinforces the fact that the United Nations still consider Crimea a part of Ukraine, not Russia. Both statements have support throughout the committee, but an exact distribution is uncertain.
As a cultural organization, without major influence on financial or military matters, UNESCO has been focused on methods to preserve the culture of Crimea under Russian management. Countries have emphasized the importance of education of language and native culture, and suggested the construction of cultural monuments.
Russia has defended its ability to provide cultural education. The delegation of Russia explains that Crimean and native languages are currently taught, and $1 billion has been invested in Crimean education. Russia explains that Crimean culture is not highly emphasized because the ultimate goal is assimilation to Russia.
Countries refute Russia’s defense by pointing to Ukraine and their neglected language education, along with Crimean students being pushed away from cultural education by their administrators.
To maintain neutrality, the United States and Iceland have offered to provide educators, Spain suggests an International School Board to maintain a consistent standard, and the majority of countries point to online education as a solution. Greece suggests the aid of NGOs and private companies to aid Crimean education.
Many countries are frustrated that online education cannot be provided because of certain economic sanctions from the western world including those written by the United States. Smaller EU countries near Crimea are requesting that the sanctions be lifted to liberate Crimean education, along with improving the local economies and tourism.
The topic of sanctions has also been a point of contention within UNESCO. Developed countries and countries with ties to the United States, including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland have been taking a more moderate stance and are looking to simply amend the sanctions, without lifting them. They have explained their openness to making amendments, particularly in aiding Crimean education. Smaller nations near Crimea, including Lebanon and Hungary, prefer complete abolition of the sanctions. These nations believe lifting sanctions would improve the economy, and they further denounce the sanctions as “arbitrary and useless.” Russia has stated that the sanctions harm the Crimean society and people as well.
The two emerging blocs further disagree on the ethics of the annexation of Crimea. Countries in allegiance with Russia support the statement that “99% of Crimeans support the annexation.” The other bloc considers Russia’s actions a violation of human rights and reinforces the fact that the United Nations still consider Crimea a part of Ukraine, not Russia. Both statements have support throughout the committee, but an exact distribution is uncertain.