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

VISITE DE S. EXC. M. JAIME DAVID FERNÁNDEZ MIRABAL, VICE-PRESIDENT DE LA
REPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE
VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY MR JAIME DAVID FERNÁNDEZ MIRABAL, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
VISITA DEL EXCMO. SR. JAIME DAVID FERNÁNDEZ MIRABAL, VICEPRESIDENTE DE LA
REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
ВИЗИТ ЕГО ПРЕВОСХОДИТЕЛЬСТВА Г-НА ХАЙМЕ ДАВИДА ФЕРНАНДЕСА МИРАБАЛЯ,
ВИЦЕ-ПРЕЗИДЕНТА ДОМИНИКАНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ
(The Vice-President of the Dominican Republic and Mrs Campos de Fernández
enter the hall and are escorted to their places)
29.1 The PRESIDENT:
Mr Vice-President, Mr Chetsanga, Chairperson of the Executive Board, Mr Director-General,
distinguished delegates, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour and a pleasure for me to welcome in
this house of culture and peace His Excellency Mr Jaime David Fernández Mirabal, Vice-President of the
Dominican Republic, and Mrs Carmen Campos de Fernández. Your Excellency, if I may say something on a
more personal level, my pleasure is particular because I am not just welcoming you within the context of this
august gathering, but also as a kindred soul, a kindred spirit who has followed almost the same path that I chose,
from medicine to politics (I am also a doctor), from the care of the individual to the care of the community at
large.
29.2 Your presence at this 30th session of our General Conference, the last of this millennium and perhaps
we can say the first of the next, is of particular significance. The Dominican Republic is one of the founding
countries of UNESCO, one of its greatest allies. For more than 50 years, it has given its unwavering support to
the Organization. And, now, as we enter a new era, as we reassess our role in the future and the message which
we have to bear to the world, it is fitting that those who were present at UNESCO’s inception, be here to assert
their continued commitment to the Organization.
29.3 Sir, you form part of the future generation of which I speak very often and this is why I have great
hopes. I have hope when I observe the determination with which your country has taken to the path of democracy
in a bid to build a durable peace. I have hope when I see the efforts that you put into ensuring that your fellowcitizens
have the most fundamental basis - education - for making informed choices in the exercise of the
freedom which they now enjoy. I have hope when I see your efforts, at home and within the global forum, which
aims to fight corruption at all levels. When I observe all this, Mr Vice-President, then maybe I can permit myself
to believe that the legacy which we will leave our children is not too bad; that the ideals which we have
stubbornly upheld for more than 50 years and for which we have fought continue to have value.
29.4 Your Excellency, allow me to reiterate my pleasure in welcoming you here today and thank you,
yourself and the Dominican Republic, for your unfailing support. We extend our warmest welcome to both you
and Her Excellency. May the collaboration which UNESCO enjoys with your great country continue to grow and
remain fruitful. Thank you for being with us.
29.5 I now give the floor to the Chairperson of the Executive Board.
30.1 Mr CHETSANGA (Zimbabwe), Chairperson of the Executive Board:
Mr Vice-President of the Dominican Republic, Madam President of the General Conference,
Mr Director-General, distinguished delegates, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the
Executive Board of UNESCO, it is a great honour for me to welcome His Excellency Mr Jaime Fernández
Mirabal, Vice-President of the Dominican Republic, one of the founding Member States of UNESCO.
30.2 Mr Vice-President, your visit to UNESCO is very important to us. The current session of the General
Conference has had the great privilege of receiving several eminent political personalities. UNESCO is an
organization dedicated to the development of international intellectual cooperation helping to understand better
the changes occurring in the world today and to devise innovative strategies for the future. The role of the
Organization is to encourage, stimulate, advise and facilitate this process. We innovate and formulate the
strategies required for the implementation of programmes that we initiate. It is the Member States that are the
lifeblood of UNESCO. One of its major assets as an intergovernmental organization is the facility that this
affords UNESCO to interact with national leaders. It can support the efforts of its Member States and galvanize
their will to act. Without that will, no player has a chance of succeeding.
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