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

27.8 As this vision of the world is more and more widely shared, over and above differences of approach and
feeling, I see a sign of progress that should give us courage and confidence in the future: progress with regard to
human rights. For in a world which is less and less compartmentalized, the fundamental value which is taking on
more and more importance is human dignity and the essential rights which are attached to human beings,
wherever and in whatever circumstances it is their fate to be born. The “intellectual and moral solidarity of
mankind” which our Constitution assigned us the difficult task of building is becoming progressively a reality as,
over and above the differences that remain, the shared identity of all men and all women as subjects of human
rights is more and more strongly asserted. This is for me one of the more important aspects of the debate in
plenary.
27.9 If the fundamental unity of humankind is expressing itself so strongly in this debate, it is because it is
rooted in respect for, and indeed the passionate cultivation of, diversity. In the face of the risk of uniformization,
we have heard the unanimous affirmation of a vigilant desire to enhance creativity, authenticity and the features
that are our own individual characteristics. The unity of the world which you have outlined and which will take
shape in the future will not arise from the abolition of differences but from their harmonious interaction. The
globalization of problems and solutions, the agreement on clearly defined lines of force and the universal
affirmation of human rights as a vector of the unity of mankind - these are the three intellectual pillars which
emerge very clearly from your debates as a whole, and they establish a framework for action for the international
community which you represent.
27.10 The agreement on clearly defined lines of force and the universal affirmation of human rights and of our
diversity, our unicity, the unicity of each and every human being. Several delegates stressed the unique role of
UNESCO in ensuring that human rights are fully respected in cyberspace. Actually, the issue of a legal
framework for cyberspace is being discussed in other international organizations alike, such as ITU, OECD,
WIPO and WTO from the prevailing commercial and technological standpoint of highly developed countries.
The mission of UNESCO is to offer a forum of reflection for all countries, with the aim of reaching a world
agreement on the core values of cyberspace. If the new century succeeds in establishing such an agreement for
cyberspace, then education, science, culture and economic welfare will be accessible to all the people of the
world. The ethics of behaviour in cyberspace is therefore an essential issue for those who care about the future of
humankind in the next biennium.
27.11 UNESCO is but one of the actors which must carry out this programme of action that you have set for
yourselves during the debate, by sketching out a picture of tomorrow’s world. For there is much to be done. No
one can be unaware that at the end of this millennium the dominant mood is one of pessimism. Instead of
receding, inequalities are being accentuated. At the last six sessions of the General Conference we have warned
about the reasons for these disparities, but so far this warning has not been heard by the world decision-making
bodies. The overall progress which has been noted is the rather artificial result of very rapid progress in some
areas and countries, accompanied by stagnation, or even regression, in many others. Concern for future
generations, for non-renewable assets, for equity in sharing the benefits of progress, is not the force that is
driving the world. The progress to which we aspire will not occur unaided. It calls for clear and unambiguous
action by States and their citizens, and also, of course, for action by UNESCO. You have set very clear directions
for this action. Your debates indeed legitimize the thrust of the efforts made during the past biennia and confirm
the main lines of emphasis of the Medium-Term Strategy of which the next biennium will be the third and last
stage. This continuity takes its place within a broader context, that of the follow-up to the major international
conferences which have, in UNESCO’s various spheres of competence, set the longer term strategies. It
emphasizes therefore the need for continuous efforts, the imperative need for consolidation. Now we cannot say
any more that we do not know what to do. We cannot ask ourselves any more what kind of development we want.
We cannot ask ourselves any more how we can help to implement a culture of peace and non-violence, because
we have approved in the United Nations or here in UNESCO the relevant Declarations and Plans of Action.
27.12 To ensure continuity by the United Nations - and I would like to emphasize that UNESCO starts with
“UN”, United Nations. Here we are in UNESCO, in Paris, to ensure continuity for you, for your nations, that are
united in the task of building peace in the minds of men through education, science and culture. We must know,
first of all, what has been done and what is being done. Sometimes I have had the impression that people have not
had the time to read and inform themselves about ongoing activities, about what is already in the pipeline, about
all that we have so far achieved, particularly the most important programmes in science, including the human
sciences, the Man and the Biosphere programme, the programme of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission, the International Hydrological Programme, the Management of Social Transformations (MOST)
Programme - all these are existing activities for which we must be very thankful. I associate myself with the
views expressed to the General Conference. These various programmes concerned with geology, with hydrology,
with oceanology, with various aspects of the environment, with social transformation, give us good examples of
coordination. We must also take into account our excellent cooperation on an equal footing with very relevant
non-governmental organizations, or with the Biotechnology Action Council which was created by UNESCO and
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