STU/71st Council/26/003
18 February 2026
Ongoing debates on the future of multilateralism, the UN80 reform process, and mounting political and financial pressures on the UN system are directly affecting the whole UN family. In this context, in UNESCO, a new Administration is taking office under unprecedented financial conditions. In such times, having united staff makes us stronger to safeguard our rights, wellbeing and collective future.
In this vein, over the past year, the UNESCO Staff Union (STU) has been a consistent and active player wherever staff interests were concerned.
From the early stages of policy development, in 2025, STU contributed drafting key texts that shape our daily working life: parental leave, internships, short-term assignments, internal justice mechanisms, and initiatives supporting staff wellbeing among others. We also closely monitored recruitment practices, reviewing appointment files through ARBs and advocating for merit-based decisions and greater transparency. In parallel, STU has actively championed mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, raising staff concerns, promoting a healthier work environment, and supporting measures that recognize the impact of workload, uncertainty, and organizational change. When colleagues faced disputes or personal or professional difficulties, STU defended their rights and provided confidential advice, legal guidance, and practical support.
Beyond individual cases, the Union ensured that staff voices reached UNESCO’s highest decision-making bodies, including the Executive Board[1], the General Conference[2], and committees on health and security. As member of the Federation of International Civil Servants’ Associations (FICSA), STU also strengthened staff representation in UN-wide discussions on salary scales and compensation, conditions of services and standards of conduct, ensuring UNESCO staff were not isolated but fully engaged in shaping future working conditions of the UN Common System.
STU is following the ongoing UNESCO 80 process with both interest and due attention. In this regard, STU welcomes the preliminary consultations done so far from the new Administration and reaffirms its commitment to contribute to this initiative, underlining once more that any significant restructuring of the Organization should be accompanied by meaningful consultations with staff associations, to ensure that staff perspectives are heard and that rights and working conditions are fully protected. In this crucial moment, a strong Staff Union is essential to engage constructively with management, and to stand firm should these reforms place staff at risk.
For this reason, we are reaching out to invite you to become a member. By joining the UNESCO Staff Union (STU), you strengthen our legal representativity, institutional legitimacy and collective negotiating power. At the same time, as a member, you can benefit from free legal advice, support to access internal justice, and, within the continued attention of STU to wellbeing, have access to discounts to theaters, cinemas, sports and health services through HelloCSE platform, DYNAFI complementary health coverage, and discounted Paris Saint-Germain match tickets.
If you are not yet a member, now is the time to act. Join as soon as possible! If you are already a member, you are encouraged to invite colleagues to join: our collective strength lies in numbers.
Coming soon: STU Council election announcements for members.
Mark your calendars: join STU's Annual General Assembly after the Executive Board spring session.
Wishing you a year of health, determination, and collective success.
In solidarity,
The STU Council
[1] STU Addenda to 222nd, 221st, 220th and 219th sessions of the Executive Board; STU Oral Statements to 222nd, 221st, 220th and 219th Sessions of the Executive Board
[2] STU Addenda to the 43rd session of the General Conference; STU Oral Statement to the 43rd session of the General Conference