Russia and UNESCO in the Geopolitical Architectonics of the XXI Century: the Concept of Selective Cooperation

Relevance. The article considers tasks of preserving UNESCO’s role as an intellectual leader in the UN system, as a major constituent of the political mechanism of the modern world order and an alternative of the international relations’ stability. The article focuses on identifying the priorities of the perspective Russia-UNESCO cooperation that along with civilizational aspects fully serve the national interests of our country. The purpose of the article is to study institutional and functional aspects of UNESCO activities, to identify the most important and relevant goals of the mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and UNESCO in the process of the strategic transformation of the Organization. Objectives of the research consist in analyzing scientific and political capacity of UNESCO, examining the problem of its reform and perspectives of the activities, considering the possibilities of optimizing Russia’s participation in UNESCO programs for the purpose of promoting national interests of the country. Methodology. In accordance with the purpose of the article the research methods included a system-based analysis, content-analysis with its functional and empiric methods. Results. Some recommendations are made on streamlining Russia’s participation in UNESCO activities. Certain proposals have been made concerning the perspectives of the Russia-UNESCO cooperation. Conclusion. UNESCO has earned a well-deserved authority and is very popular in Russia. Its unique mandate that encompasses different problems in the sphere of science, education and culture, gives the possibility to wide range of Russian federal and regional authorities and civil society to participate in this cooperation. The perspective of the collaboration of Russia and UNESCO will depend on the ability of the Organization to adequately adapt to the contemporary challenges, staying committed to the principles of depolitization and conserving the mandate of the world leading institute of the humanitarian cooperation.