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

While I still live
and still have the power of speech
I will shout to the winds
of each new day
that there should be no truce
until every yoke
has been lifted.
These words were written in Paris on 21 September 1988 by Federico Mayor, the poet.
(The President continues in Spanish)
Estimado Federico Mayor, le estamos muy agradecidos. Extrañaremos su habilidad para pensar como científico,
sentir como poeta y actuar como una gran personalidad cuyo incuestionable carisma se reflejó en la vida de la
Organización. Espero conservar su amistad. Muchas gracias.
(Traduit de l'espagnol)
Cher Monsieur Mayor, nous vous exprimons ici toute notre reconnaissance. Le talent avec lequel vous
savez penser comme un scientifique, ressentir les choses comme un poète et agir avec ce charisme indiscutable qui
a marqué la vie de l'Organisation nous manquera. J'espère conserver toujours votre amitié. Je vous remercie.
(The President continues in English)
1.7 I now invite the Chairperson of the Executive Board to address the plenary.
2.1 Mr CHETSANGA (Zimbabwe), Chairperson of the Executive Board:
In 10 days’ time, Mr Director-General, your mandate will come to an end. The General Conference has
convened this solemn event to thank you for your invaluable service and to express its collective best wishes for
your future. I stand here to symbolize the desire of the Executive Board to join hands with the General
Conference to pay tribute to you today.
2.2 Madam President of the General Conference, distinguished delegates, Excellencies, ladies and
gentlemen, it is my privilege as Chairperson of the Executive Board to pay tribute to the Director-General,
Mr Federico Mayor, who has faithfully presided over the destiny of UNESCO for 12 good years. I wish to report
to the General Conference that the Executive Board, on 22 October 1999, paid tribute to the Director-General in
the eloquent statements made by more than 30 speakers on that memorable occasion. The Board rounded off the
proceedings by adopting, by acclamation, a resolution paying tribute to him. On that solemn occasion the
Executive Board paid tribute to Federico Mayor the man, his vision, his passion for social justice, science and
creative work, his deep understanding of art and literature, and that quality that identifies a human being by his
highest spiritual values. He is truly a humanist by temperament and natural inclination. He is recognized on every
continent as a man of integrity, sound judgement, determination and devotion to duty.
2.3 His notable talents for leadership resulted in his appointment as UNESCO’s Director-General in 1987,
at a point when UNESCO had been experiencing difficult times. In a few years, not only has he helped our
Organization to regain the confidence of the international community, but his proactive skills have also enabled
him to place it right in the forefront, where it enjoys the respect and admiration of all. Board Members used the
session on 22 October to enumerate Mr Mayor’s achievements, such as world conferences, major UNESCO
international declarations, etc. Mr Mayor has an acclaimed passion for promoting understanding, in a manner that
transcends national, cultural and intellectual boundaries. The ethical core, the priority given to education for all
and UNESCO’s mission to disseminate information remain his credo and message.
2.4 I would be remiss if I failed to make reference to his passion for the culture of peace, a project on which
he has diligently laboured, with the patience of an architect and the craftsmanship of a master-builder. Overall,
the driving force behind his actions has been a sense of mission, prompted by the palpable expectations of the
international community, especially the developing world. He is the kind of man who, once he perceives the
opportunity to promote the cause of development, does not wait passively for the future to happen, but seizes the
moment, and proceeds to make things happen. He is an activist under whose leadership, complacency has no
part. The adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace by the United Nations
General Assembly on 13 September was, in my opinion, the finest tribute that could be paid to Federico Mayor
by the United Nations system for his role in crafting the transdisciplinary project on the culture of peace.
2.5 All of us here today wish you, Mr Director-General, an exciting future driven by your admirably
characteristic enthusiasm, optimism and intellectual energy. I am sure that you will continue serving the ideals
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