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

35.8 The Government of Barbados is very appreciative of the work of the Caribbean representatives on the
Executive Board who have supported and in some cases already initiated strategies for bringing about
improvements in the work of UNESCO through, among other things, the development and adoption of guidelines
for the rational decentralization of UNESCO offices; proposals for improving the administration of the
Participation Programme by identifying sections of the Rules of Procedure which need to be changed; reflections
on processes, such as the format of the report by the Director-General and his relationship with the Board, that
would enable the Board to perform its executive role more effectively; and the implementation of results-based
budgeting. I would like especially to salute the work of Barbados’ representative, Ms Alissandra Cummins, who
has done a sterling job in representing not only Barbados but all the small island States and developing countries.
35.9 It is in this context, Mr President, that I must crave your indulgence and speak briefly to the issue of
small island States. Our challenges in the new global environment are twofold: we are trying to seek and maintain
relevant forms of economic development while trying to integrate or be integrated into global economy in which,
from its inception, we have only been allowed marginal participation. The emphasis on the dematerialization of
industrial production as opposed to the development of highly integrated structures derived from technological
innovations is one of the key features of globalization which threatens to widen the gap between the developed
and the developing countries even further. Small States often lack the resources of technological infrastructure
and, without assistance in this regard, will continue to comprise the knowledge-poor section of the globe. It is my
government’s belief, Mr President, that we must focus on seizing the opportunities that are presented to us in the
changes with which we are confronted. The time, money and effort that we expend seeking to retain a status quo
that is rapidly vanishing would be better deployed in crafting and investing in new sectors and new modalities
that will allow us to be more competitive in the global market. This requires above all else a confidence on our
part and a determination that we will not be forced into fear by the nature of the uncharted waters. However, it
does require us also to make some strategic investments in a number of key areas, the most important of which
are in education and culture. Given the nature of global production today there are means whereby small States, if
assisted, can effectively contribute to developing software components as well as management information
systems which can reach world standards.
35.10 In this regard small island States need to ensure that as many of their people as possible are productive,
independent and creative citizens who are capable of responding and adapting as effectively as possible to
changes, especially those to which I referred earlier, over which they may have little control. The education
system must meet the needs of as many of the students as possible by implementing reforms as the substance of
their programmes and not as distinct unrelated projects. We need to ensure that each child can learn to the
maximum of his or her ability and that he or she accepts learning as a lifelong responsibility.
35.11 In Barbados, we are pursuing this approach in recognition that the global economy now places a
premium on knowledge and creativity. Accordingly, we are implementing a comprehensive education sector
enhancement programme, commonly known as EduTech 2000. This seeks to integrate information and
communications technology into the teaching and learning process, to increase teachers’ productivity and
students’ interests in learning while at the same time reforming how we teach, what we teach and how we test. It
will also seek to promote cooperative learning and problem-solving. Indeed, we will spend approximately
US $200 million on top of our existing education budget over the next five years, that is approximately 25% of
our existing budget each year for the next five years, to ensure that all schools, primary and secondary, public and
private, are involved in the programme. While all of this is being done, we will also be trying to reinforce the
students’ attitudes and values so they reflect the very best and that they recognize and develop their
responsibilities to themselves, their families, their communities and their country.
35.12 Equally, the manner in which small island States treat the issue of cultural development both in terms of
the preservation of heritage and identity and in terms of the growth of the cultural industries will be critically
important in this adjustment process. While every effort must be made to preserve those aspects of our heritage
and identity that assist in strengthening who we are as a people, without fostering divisions, we must not become
myopic or intolerant of others. Indeed, to avoid this eventuality, the Government of Barbados has established this
year a National Commission for Reconciliation reflective of persons from all ethnic groupings and socioeconomic
classes. They are charged with the responsibility of consulting extensively with the public. Thereafter,
they will determine and recommend to the Social Partners - the Government, the private sector, labour and civil
society - how these sensitive issues can best be dealt with nationally and sectorally so as to ensure that all groups
feel a sense of belonging and commitment to the country and that they have the opportunities for full economic
and social enfranchisement.
35.13 It is of interest, Mr President, that these activities, EduTech 2000 and the National Commission for
Reconciliation, are contributing to the promotion of a Culture of Peace and complement two of the fundamental
programmes that we are currently implementing with UNESCO. I refer specifically to the Associated Schools
Project and the Slave Route project. In addition, we must also be cognizant that our countries, owing to their size
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