Abstract EN:

The United Kingdom was at the origin of the creation of Unesco in 1945 and was also the first signatory state of its constitution. But on the other hand, the British government contemplated withdrawal as soon as 1956. All along this period, the international scene witnessed important events and crisis which diversely affected British foreing policy and Unesco couldn't but bear the brunt of these fluctuations. At Unesco, more than in the united nations or any other specialized agency, the so-called third-world countries' votes and choices were almost as influent as the superpowers'. Therefore, the united kingdom, not being able to assert its influence in the organization, started to question its financial contribution to the organization because it doubted not only of its usefulness to its own political and colonial interests but also of the concrete results of its costly programs. This research aims at identifying the factors which affected most the relationship between Great Britain and Unesco bearing in mind the contribution of the main Britihs actors ranging from scientists and intellectuals to government officials.