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

educational management and planning course here in Paris. We are fortunate also to be represented here by two
students and a teacher at the World Parliament of Children.
23.8 Fiji agrees that the renewed structure and thrust of the major programme on science will facilitate
greater synergy between both realms of the sciences in addressing complex issues relating to the environment and
social development. With regard to the three-pronged approach of supporting training, research and cooperation
in the various disciplines, encouraging the application of scientific discoveries to the solution of environmental
and societal problems and promoting multidisciplinary thinking on the ethical implications of transformations
that affect the environment and human societies all three will need to work together and strengthen each other
with a view to nurturing an ethics of development. There has, however, been an unusually long delay in the
appointment of a science adviser for the Apia Office and this has placed undue stress on the office staff and may
also have delayed projects and professional advice from which Fiji and other Pacific countries would have
gained.
23.9 In the field of culture, Fiji is thankful to UNESCO for ensuring the further safeguarding and
revitalization of the heritage and promoting living cultures. We place high priority on UNESCO’s activities in
this sector not only because of the intrinsic merit of our intangible cultural heritage as part of our daily lives, but
also because of its value for many of us in relation to the promotion of tourism which is nowadays a key
economic sector in Pacific States.
23.10 The “Towards a culture of peace” initiative has certainly gained popularity in promoting the
development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that express and embody cultural values. Post-conflict peacebuilding
activities have certainly gained a great deal of meaning in war-torn parts of the world where the basic
aim has been to facilitate national reconciliation and lay the foundations for a democratic, pluralist and
participatory society.
23.11 On the Organization’s twofold mandate for Major Programme IV, “Towards a communication and
information society for all”, Madam President, Fiji is thankful that UNESCO keeps striving to further strengthen
the promotion of the free flow of ideas and universal access to information, and to strengthen communication and
information capacities in Member States with a view to enabling all nations and communities to participate in the
world communication process.
23.12 Fiji will continue to support work done in the social and human sciences, especially in the Management
of Social Transformations (MOST) programme in its interdisciplinary social science research.
23.13 UNESCO, as we all know, is one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations and we all share the
vital task of bringing peace to the world. This is not a dream about the absence of war or physical conflict, it is
much more. It is a dream about a time when all resources and activities are used to make life safe, comfortable
and worthwhile. We shall be able to claim peace on our planet when every human being is able to share the
rights, responsibilities and resources of her or his country; when the material, physical, social and cultural wellbeing
of all citizens is an integrated part of every nation and every nation is able to share in the knowledge and
resources of the world. How can we achieve this goal? We shall recognize peace when the rights described in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights are enjoyed by all. Peace is a powerful goal for UNESCO and we are
partners in the work.
23.14 All that said, Madam President, and as we move into the last stage of the execution of the Medium-Term
Strategy, it is pleasing to note that there is no major change of direction envisaged, except for the consolidation
of the intellectual, political and ethical progress made since the Strategy’s adoption in 1995, emphasizing
continuity as together we reach out towards the future, opening the way to a new biennium, a new century, a new
millennium and a new Medium-Term Strategy.
23.15 I offer many sincere thanks, Madam President, to UNESCO Headquarters and the two field offices in
Bangkok and Samoa for a fruitful biennium of sharing and working together. It has been a time when we have all
witnessed dramatic changes in the world economy and society brought about by rapid globalization and
exponential advances. Increasing international and national conflicts and significant degrees of inequality call for
a new focus on social capital that maintains and promotes peace, equality and social cohesion. As a result of this
globalization, Fiji has now become closely integrated into the international system where, in order to succeed,
UNESCO can in many ways help us to acquire a more skilled, creative and flexible human resource base.
23.16 Finally, Madam President, as the mandate of the Director-General, Mr Federico Mayor, after his very
successful term draws to an end on 14 November 1999, on behalf of my government and the people of Fiji, I
wish Mr Mayor, Sir, to express our most sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks for your outstanding contribution
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