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

significant for all of us, as it is the last one of the twentieth century. This fact invites us to reflect on a number of
different issues - the state of the world, the plight of humanity, the appropriateness of the programmes and
policies of this Organization and the efficiency with which it does its business with the resources at its disposal.
35.2 The process of globalization is on the lips of all of us who reflect on the state of the world today. There
is no doubt that the improvements in the technology of transportation and communications have totally altered
our concepts of space, geography and time. What confronts our populations on a daily basis is not determined
solely by domestic concerns but is now shaped largely by events that occur thousands of miles away. Our
capacity to adapt to an agenda that we have not shaped for ourselves is now critical if we are to survive the
impact of globalization and all the consequential changes that are taking place in the international economy. It is
however incumbent on all of us to think of the many paradoxes which now characterize the world in which we
live.
35.3 One paradox lies in the juxtaposition of a world where the ideals we seek to pursue evince a greater
compassion for the welfare and quality of life of the ordinary citizen than ever before and a world which has also
seen an unprecedented level of senseless and baseless violence and consequential deprivation that has surpassed
previous eras in history. Another is reflected in the advanced development of international jurisprudence and
polity that provides a most complex infrastructure for nation-states and at the same time a great challenge to
nation-states to maintain concepts of sovereignty. Another paradox lies in the fact that as globalization threatens
to further marginalize small island States and the least developed countries, it also offers them the most exciting
opportunities that many of them have ever had for sustainable growth and improving the quality of life of their
people. It is a paradox that in the fight by countries to protect their cultural identity, they at the same time
espouse the need to open all the barriers in their minds to create the tolerance so necessary for peaceful
coexistence. A final paradox preaches the orthodoxy of the need to respect the basic human rights of individuals
and the sovereignty of countries yet remains silent when might is shown to be right or when unilateral actions and
decisions replace the process of building consensus.
35.4 Where do we stand in the midst of these paradoxes? What paths must be trod to ensure the survival of
our people? And where do institutions like UNESCO stand in this process? All these paradoxes did not appear
overnight out of nowhere. They are the cumulative development of the attitudes of individual men and women
who shape policies in the names of institutions and governments. How do we alter the extent to which these
persons, through their thoughts and deeds, reflect the hypocrisy that impedes the advancement of humanity?
35.5 These are not esoteric topics on which we should ruminate. They are the reality of what we must address
if we are to be faithful to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For those rights have been
the bedrock for the formation of the United Nations system of which UNESCO is not only a critical part, but the
part that treats of the minds, ethics and attitudes of the people whose utterances and deeds are the crux of our
problems. It is so easy for us to forget that it is about people, about individuals, at the end of the day. Education,
culture, science and technology are only modalities for us to attain these principles. This means that we must ask
ourselves whether this Organization is effectively attaining its objectives or whether it has become more
concerned with the process without reference to the objectives. Are the scarce resources at its disposal spent with
this level of consciousness reflecting the need to place a human face on globalization?
35.6 These are the questions we must ask, Mr President. We are constantly being told that the funds
originally promised for programmes consistent with this Organization’s principles and mandate are no longer
available, yet we see the contracting of over 64 eminent persons without the discussion or approval of the
Executive Board. It should be noted that we are not questioning the contribution of these persons. However, the
transparency and the cost of their appointment must be of concern to us when the funds promised for the
completion and printing of the General History of the Caribbean or for the projects under the Focus on the
Caribbean initiative are no longer forthcoming by reason of the inadequacy of resources.
35.7 It is hoped, Mr President, that the Task Force for the Twenty-first Century, which has been established
by the Executive Board, will assist the Organization in meeting these challenges. Is it also not time for us to
ensure that we can meet the principles of UNESCO by doing less but by doing it better rather than trying to be all
things to all people? It must be remembered that even where the Task Force does assist in advancing the process
and even where the Secretariat has clear ideas of where and what it wishes to see happen, the Member States
must direct and structure the reflection process and must also determine what identity UNESCO should have in
the future. We must not simply react to the recommendations of the Task Force and the Secretariat. To this end
the States of the Caribbean and other small island States must in particular examine the extent to which their
needs can be more effectively met by this Organization. We cannot complain on the sidelines and then not be
prepared to play a critical role in restructuring when we have the opportunity to do so.
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