UNESCO. General Conference; 30th; Records ... - unesdoc - Unesco

whatsoever. Germany therefore urges that a top priority must be to provide everybody with a basic education,
especially those who have been disadvantaged so far, for example women and girls. Fighting poverty through
education is the key to UNESCO’s mission and the guarantee of sustainable development and finding ways out of
poverty. UNESCO will have to come up with convincing concepts in order to better play out its strengths here.
2.8 From the German point of view, sustainable, long-term viable economic and social development must be
supplemented by technical and vocational education, which will become increasingly important to UNESCO in
the future. Germany will continue to support UNESCO’s activities. Thus, we have offered to host the central part
of UNEVOC – the network of international long-term vocational training programmes – in Bonn as of 1 January
2000. This network and its implementation unit need to be developed into a joint UNESCO/ILO programme for
the development of technical and vocational training, open to other agencies willing to participate. We therefore
welcome UNESCO’s readiness to assume more conceptual and financial responsibility in this respect; at the
same time, we call for an optimal use of synergies with other international organizations.
2.9 One of the highlights of UNESCO’s activities in the past two years was the World Conference on
Science in Budapest.
2.10 With its Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights endorsed by the United
Nations General Assembly last year, UNESCO has strengthened its role as a forum for discussing bioethical
issues. The ethical principles enshrined in this Declaration have been noted worldwide. We hope that UNESCO’s
International Bioethics Committee (IBC) and the intergovernmental committee of governmental experts will soon
continue their discussions in a spirit of trust and cooperation.
2.11 UNESCO’s programme “The sciences in the service of development” is its single most important
contribution towards implementing Agenda 21 and preserving the world’s ecosystems. We are gratified that
UNESCO is thus helping to raise awareness of the meaningful use and management of natural resources. With
respect to this science programme too, however, we see potential for streamlining and for closer coordination
with other United Nations institutions when it comes to conceptual development and implementation. What was
said before applies in this case as well: wherever possible, we should avoid any duplication of effort.
2.12 Ladies and gentlemen, many Member States, including my own, are confronted with a difficult financial
situation. Our Organization must face up to this problem. Enhanced efficiency is the order of the day. From the
point of view of my country, which is the Organization’s second largest contributor, UNESCO’s Programme and
Budget for 2000-2001 must show zero nominal growth. We therefore welcome the Executive Board’s decision in
that respect. My government sees this decision as the only acceptable way out of UNESCO’s current financial
difficulties. These problems have in no small measure been caused by high arrears in contributions, and I urge the
defaulting countries to pay their dues.
2.13 Regular and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of all UNESCO activities must in future be the
prerequisite for making financial resources available. We are convinced that focusing on UNESCO’s key areas
will release funds that can be used for specific projects in developing countries. In the interests of our programme
work, we should also do without expensive events such as world conferences. The External Auditor made the
wholly justified criticism that words are often not followed by deeds.
2.14 Madam President, Mr Director-General, ladies and gentlemen, the efforts to create a culture of peace
initiated by you, Mr Director-General, have lead to the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a
Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. Now UNESCO has to contribute in its fields of
competence to the implementation of this Programme of Action. In promoting a dialogue among civilizations the
United Nations General Assembly touched upon another task for UNESCO. UNESCO is called upon to take
account of both of these ideals, culture of peace and dialogue among civilizations as integral parts of its
programmes.
2.15 There are promising signs, too: the worldwide Associated Schools Project familiarizes young people
with UNESCO’s ideals and teaches them early in life to uphold these values actively. This project deserves even
more of our attention and support. The commitment shown by over 100 UNESCO Associated Schools in
Germany to reconciliation and peace in the Middle East and South East Europe is impressive.
2.16 Madam President, let me assure you once again that Germany is and will remain a committed member of
UNESCO. The Organization means a great deal to my government and to my fellow German citizens. Over the
past 12 years, Germany has shown initiative and commitment in support of the reform process in order to
enhance UNESCO’s credibility and improve its image. We will continue to do so. Thank you.
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