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Message of Greeting
by Horst Köhler, President of the
Federal Republic of Germany, on the
occasion of the 60th anniversary of the
founding of UNESCO
For 60 years now, UNESCO has
been helping the international community
recognize, preserve and
expand the cultural wealth of our
world. Over and above day-to-day
politics and current international
crises, UNESCO is working around
the world on important issues such
as education and science, freedom
of the press, access to communication,
scientific ethics, the preservation
of culture and intercultural
dialogue. UNESCO is thus playing its
part in strengthening the co-existence
of states and nations rooted in
peace and solidarity.
The most recent reforms – which
shall remain associated with the
name of Director-General Matsuura –
have underpinned UNESCO’s work,
winning back its universal membership.
On behalf of my fellow citizens, I
would like to congratulate UNESCO
on its achievements. Germany will
continue to play an active role in
UNESCO’s work.
Our daily lives are ever more bearing
the hallmark of globalization to which
we need to lend political shape.
Freedom can only work on the basis
of solidarity. Much is in a state of
flux and it is precisely at such times
that intellectual forums are important
for taking stock and setting common
objectives. UNESCO is a key space
to this end within the United Nations
system. It is also a major player in
the drafting of international norms,
as has been proven once again by
the draft UNESCO Convention on
Cultural Diversity.
UNESCO is right to build its work on
the vitality of civil societies. This is
no different in Germany. Here, interest
in UNESCO’s work is not confined
to specialist circles, but extends
to the public sphere as a
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whole. The German Commission for
UNESCO, set up as early as 1950,
plays a central role here. It coordinates
the contributions of German
civil society players and forms an important
link between German civil
society, German state bodies and
UNESCO. This anniversary is thus
for me also an opportunity to express
thanks and recognition to the
German Commission for UNESCO
for its successful work.
UNESCO is devoted to the elements
that make up the true value of our
co-existence: culture, education,
science, peace in freedom and the
common striving for a better world.
The objectives of UNESCO are more
important than ever. Its work shall
thus continue to command our
special attention.
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