Americans for the Universality of UNESCO (AUU) was created in 1984, the date of the US withdrawal from UNESCO, under the leadership of John E. Fobes, former Deputy Director-General of UNESCO under Rene Maheu and Amadou Mahtar M’bow. Its purpose was to foster good US private relations with UNESCO and stimulate US re-entry into the global cultural organization. When the US announced re-entry in September 2002, AUU moved to Washington. Leadership passed to the present President, and the name changed to reflect the fact of re-entry. Americans for UNESCO (AU) supports and enhances US participation with UNESCO, in collaboration with the US National Commission, the Department of State, the UN Association, the UN Foundation, concerned government agencies, research institutes, universities and NGOs, and UNESCO itself. Regarding UNESCO and its programs, AU aims to increase public knowledge in America, foster civil-sector support, promote institutional and individual interaction, facilitate collaborative interaction, and organize meetings where appropriate.