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

(24.4) Secondly, as regards the field of science, the State of Qatar is endeavouring, in the framework of
UNESCO’s principles, to narrow the gap between science and society and to restore confidence in scientific
institutions, in the hope of enabling those institutions to play a larger role in overcoming the problems which are
likely to confront the various sectors of society through the application of appropriate scientific solutions. Qatar
has also wasted no time in making carefully planned efforts to endow science and technology with a leading role in
the country’s development planning, which is aimed at promoting our country into the ranks of scientifically and
industrially advanced States. The new century will thus see Qatar making confident strides towards the optimal use
of science and technology for the development of every aspect of society, despite the challenges that may confront
us as a result. As regards science teaching, Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education has made
substantial progress in the field of curriculum development. Science teaching is now firmly tied in with the real
world, and new scientific developments are taken into account. Emphasis is consistently placed on practical
applications, research, investigation and creativity in science. Students are trained to acquire and develop scientific
skills.
(24.5) Thirdly, as regards the field of culture, this is a major concern of His Highness the Emir. He has recently
issued a decree establishing a National Council for Culture, the Arts and Heritage, whose mandate is to develop
cultural gains, nurture intellectual production and creativeness, maintain the national heritage, encourage the fine
arts and preserve national traditions and antiquities. The Council is currently working on a permanent cultural
strategy aimed at activating cultural activity at the local level. It is also seeking to strengthen relations with
specialized international organizations in the field of culture, and to foster participation in international events that
enhance cultural interaction between peoples. By way of illustration, the Council accepted the invitation of the
Director-General of UNESCO to participate in the celebration of the International Year for the Culture of Peace,
and in that connection organized an event at which a number of highly regarded Qatari intellectuals expressed their
views on the culture of peace, the concept of coexistence, tolerance and non-violence. In addition, a number of
cultural, educational, social, scientific and youth-oriented institutions and centres are currently engaged in
preparing various programmes and activities in the context of Qatar’s celebration of the International Year for the
Culture of Peace through the UNESCO Associated Schools.
(24.6) Ladies and gentlemen, this session of the General Conference is the last session of the twentieth century,
which has been characterized by both sweetness and bitterness, both achievement and disaster. Since the last
session of the Conference, points of tension have continued to appear in various parts of the world, resulting, in
most cases, in violations of human rights, including the right of peoples to self-determination, and losses of lives
and property. There can be no doubt that we must respond to this situation, difficult as it is, and bleak though its
consequences are, by holding more firmly to the aims that this Organization was established to pursue, so that it
will, we must hope, sow the seeds of peace in the minds of human beings.
(24.7) Ladies and gentlemen, the proposed programme for the coming biennium, which is the last part of the
implementation of the Medium-Term Strategy, constitutes an extension of the previous programme, in my view,
inasmuch as it is not characterized by any major changes or innovations. However, the programme has taken the
orientations outlined at recent international conferences organized by UNESCO and related United Nations
organizations and the commitments associated with those orientations, and translated them into practical reality. I
refer in particular to the International Conference on Adult Education, the World Conference on Higher Education,
the Intergovernmental Conference on Cultural Policies for Development, the International Congress on Technical
and Vocational Education and the World Conference on Science. The programme has also sought to take the
resolutions adopted by those conferences and the international appeals issued by them calling for support for
UNESCO, and convert them into continuing projects and programmes, in the framework of the Draft Programme
and Budget for the 2000-2001 biennium, with a view to enhancing UNESCO’s role as an educational, cultural and
scientific forum for debating human rights issues, promoting dialogue among different cultures and different
religious and spiritual traditions and working to prevent conflict between civilizations.
(24.8) The proposed programme also reiterates the importance of consolidating ethical gains in the coming
biennium, as well as the consequent commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the need to
make appropriate preparations with respect to the responsibilities of the present generation towards future
generations. This prompts me to add my backing to the General Assembly’s expression of renewed support for the
Universal Declaration and its Programme of Action for the year 2000 as the International Year for the Culture of
Peace. The implementation of this pioneering programme will undoubtedly change behaviour, consolidate values
and result in the institutional changes that are essential if the roots of violence and conflict are to be extirpated.
Accordingly, I support the relevant proposal contained in document 30 C/5. It is my view that education will
continue to be the cornerstone of any activity in this field, provided this aim permeates the Organization’s activities
in all sectors, and provided education continues to be a fundamental element in all UNESCO programmes without
exception. Document 30 C/5, the Draft Programme and Budget for the 2000-2001 biennium, marks an
improvement as regards presentation, as it is clear, readable and transparent, and it also shows how much progress
has been made towards results-based programming and budgeting. Moreover, it is consistent with the principles
and guidelines laid down by the General Conference in accordance with 29 C/Resolution 87. Lastly, document 30
C/5 corresponds to Qatar’s own strategic orientations in the field of education, science, culture and communication.
(24.9) Finally, I should like to make a few additional observations of a general nature. First, my delegation
would like to reiterate the importance of the policy of decentralization, which, together with the delegations of
many other States, it supported at the 29th session of the General Conference. I should also like to re-emphasize the
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