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

(6.7) L'un des axes d'activité de l'UNESCO consiste à aider les pays dans le domaine des moyens
d'information, de l'informatique et des derniers progrès des technologies mondiales. On en trouve un exemple
éloquent dans l'aide apportée par l'UNESCO pour équiper la faculté de journalisme de l'Université d'Etat de Bakou
et, conjointement avec le Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement, pour créer des centres
d'information et d'éducation dans les villes de Bakou, Nakhitchevan, Soumgaït, Giandja et Lenkoran.
(6.8) En conclusion, je prie les participants à la session en cours d'appuyer la candidature de la République
azerbaïdjanaise au Conseil international de coordination du programme sur L'homme et la biosphère et au Conseil
intergouvernemental du Programme hydrologique international. Cela permettra à notre pays, aux côtés d'autres
pays riverains de la Caspienne, d'être associé aux programmes mondiaux de préservation et de protection de
l'environnement, ainsi que d'étudier de façon intégrée les questions et problèmes de la mer Caspienne.
(6.9) Ces huit années d'indépendance ont été pour l'Azerbaïdjan une période de démocratisation et de
renouvellement accéléré ; par leur richesse et leur intensité, ces huit années représentent autant de siècles. Nous
sommes reconnaissants au Directeur général de l'UNESCO et à l'ensemble des secteurs de l'Organisation d'avoir été
à nos côtés sur ce chemin. Je vous remercie de votre attention.
7. The PRESIDENT:
Thank you, Sir, we heard the voice of culture. I am glad that at long last music has been mentioned and
congratulate you for the prize awarded by UNESCO and the International Music Council. We do appreciate the
losses that your country has suffered and we hope that the future will bring better days. I now call on our next
speaker, His Excellency Mr Gerassimos Arsenis, Minister for Education of Greece.
8.1. Mr ARSENIS (Greece):
Madam President of the General Conference, Mr Chairperson of the Executive Board, Mr Director-
General, dear colleagues, Ministers of the Member States, distinguished delegates and observers, ladies and
gentlemen. I would first like to congratulate you, Madam President, on your election as President of the General
Conference. I would also like to thank the Chairperson of the Executive Board for the important work which has
been carried out. Finally, I extend my congratulations to the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Federico Mayor,
and through him to the Secretariat for the excellent preparation and organization of the General Conference.
8.2 Ladies and gentlemen, this UNESCO Conference is the last of this century. This is a time of transition
for the world, for our own countries and for this institution. It is a time for reflection on our past achievements
and failures, a time for deliberation and strategic thinking, a time for the exercise of leadership and effective
management.
8.3 All of us present here agree that UNESCO’s goals are even more relevant today than they were 53 years
ago. Dramatic changes have taken place in the space of a few decades, affecting the everyday life of billions of
people. Economic and social transition has proven to be a painful process for millions of people. Recent
developments in Yugoslavia have demonstrated that innocent people can still become victims of cruel wars, often
fought in the name of higher principles, which are easily bypassed and discarded once the exigencies of politics
require it.
8.4 The concentration of political and economic power in supranational institutions and enterprises, not
accountable to democratic processes, has eroded the legitimacy and effectiveness of existing political institutions
at both national and international levels. Rapid technological innovation has changed not only productive
processes themselves but, more fundamentally, the nature and quality of work. The ongoing globalization of
production has contributed to the expansion of trade and growth but has also brought about increased uncertainty
and greater inequality, both across and within countries. Poverty and economic deprivation nurture racism and
xenophobia and contribute to social marginalization, alcoholism and drug addiction.
8.5 At this time of increased risks and opportunities, UNESCO needs to play a leading role in shaping our
collective vision for the future. In this context, it seems to me that three areas of concern appear to stand out as
requiring our special attention.
8.6 The first one concerns the quality, pace and implementation of educational reforms. The extension of
basic education for all and the introduction of high quality lifelong learning, education and training programmes
remain the most important goals on our agenda. However, as most of us ministers of education know all too well,
attempts to reform our education systems face many difficulties and involve considerable political cost. Indeed,
reforms of this kind presuppose that societies have the capacity to change and governments the ability to manage
this change successfully. Often, these are heroic assumptions to make. Yet in the twenty-first century every
conceivable strategy for development presupposes educational reform. UNESCO can take initiatives to support
reform processes actively. It can help inform the public, shape the attitudes and expectations of families, and
assist policy-makers and educators in their efforts.
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