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

HOMMAGE A M. FEDERICO MAYOR, DIRECTEUR GENERAL
TRIBUTE TO MR FEDERICO MAYOR, DIRECTOR-GENERAL
HOMENAJE AL SR. FEDERICO MAYOR, DIRECTOR GENERAL
ВЫРАЖЕНИЕ ПРИЗНАТЕЛЬНОСТИ Г-НУ ФЕДЕРИКО МАЙОРУ, ГЕНЕРАЛЬНОМУ ДИРЕКТОРУ
1.1 The PRESIDENT:
Ladies and gentlemen, it is indeed a pleasure and an honour for me to declare open this very special
plenary meeting, to pay tribute to a very special human being, Federico Mayor, Director-General of UNESCO for
the last 12 years. I invite you to listen to a choral piece by the UNESCO choir to mark the opening of this
meeting.
(The Conference hears a rendering by the UNESCO choir
of Psalm 42 set to music by Felix Mendelssohn)
1.2 Mr Federico Mayor, Mr Chairperson of the Executive Board, distinguished delegates, Excellencies,
ladies and gentlemen, a number of people will pay tribute to you, Mr Director-General, this afternoon, but I am at
an advantage, being the first one to speak. This is both a privilege and an honour. I am sure that most of the
speakers will express their appreciation for all you have done for UNESCO, all the inspired initiatives you have
taken, as they should, but I would like to pay tribute to Federico Mayor Zaragoza the man, the unique
personality, as I have learned to know you, to respect you and to like you as a friend. In a way, I am not in a
position to give an objective evaluation of the phenomenon called Federico Mayor since I am strongly biased.
Sir, in many ways, we are kindred spirits, as both of us are originally scientists, both of us were engaged in
research in the natural sciences, and both of us are strongly attached to literature, the arts and culture.
1.3 Sir, I first became aware of your qualities when I attended the 28th session of the General Conference, in
my capacity as the Secretary-General of the Czech National Commission. At that time, I was, of course, only one
of the many small stones that make up the mosaic of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization. As time went by and I had the chance to talk with you, read your works, hear you talk, I learned to
appreciate your true devotion to the aims of UNESCO, as stated in its inspired Constitution. Sir, you quote the
Constitution often, and rightly so. Its very words apply today as they applied more than 50 years ago, and I know
that your ideas are in full harmony with the introductory paragraphs that state the philosophy of UNESCO.
1.4 Only yesterday, the last of 185 eminent personalities who spoke during the general policy debate took
the floor. Sir, I did listen to the presentations, I did indeed, and I bear witness that every single one of the
speakers from all corners of the world paid you tribute, all of them appreciated what you have done for the
Organization. Needless to say, we heard the highest praise from all the representatives, but particularly those
from those parts of the world which feel the greatest need for UNESCO’s assistance. You know, Sir, that
programmes such as Priority Africa and the priority given to education have always been recognized by all the
Member States and by the Executive Board. The needs of Africa, of Asia, of Latin America, of the small island
States, and of all the countries, none of them should ever be forgotten or neglected.
1.5 Mr Director-General, allow me on this occasion to convey to you the sincerest greetings from the
President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, and his deepest appreciation for the outstanding role you have
played in our Organization, in your effort to enhance the quality of life of the human species, and enhance human
dignity in all corners of the world.
1.6 Sir, I am sure you will never stop employing your admirable energy and applying your outstanding
talents towards these aims. As you yourself have said:
I will raise my voice
each morning
each evening
each night
Non-stop
my cry will resound
in the ears
of the elite
until the whole
world is filled
with love
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