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

the Declaration and Programme of Action as an expression of the will of the international community in decisively
and consistently opposing all manifestations of force, inter-ethnic and inter-religious intolerance, and all forms of
extremism. Such opposition is particularly important today, as we face the unprecedented challenge of international
terrorism. The keen interest in Russia in the principles of the culture of peace is also prompted by specific problems
relating to the formation of democratic institutions and the building of civil society in our country in this
transitional period. In multi-ethnic and multi-confessional Russia, there has been a broad response to the ideals
inherent in the culture of peace: the ideals of tolerance and solidarity between peoples and cultures, particularly
with respect to ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. We believe that it is only by acting in the spirit of such
principles that it is possible to ensure national harmony, security and human dignity. I hope that at the presentation
several days ago at UNESCO Headquarters of the project “The culture of peace in Russia - the year 2000”, a truly
pioneering project for UNESCO, you were able to gain a sufficiently clear idea of the thrust and content of the
efforts under way in our country to foster a culture of peace. This work is being conducted under high
governmental auspices, with the broad participation of representatives of civil society, scientific institutions, social
organizations, and prominent scientific and cultural figures. In eight regions of Russia, special culture of peace
centres have been established, over 20 seminars have been held, and numerous publications and other materials
have been produced including, with very large print runs, the texts of the Declaration and Programme of Action of
the United Nations. We are now considering the possibility of turning the project into a major federal programme.
The most important thing is that the efforts to build a culture of peace have become a natural component of our
efforts to strengthen the democratic foundations of the Russian State, to establish a system of truly national values,
and to consolidate the rule of law. I hope that at the forthcoming session of the General Conference we will be able
to inform you of the practical results of this Russian national project. We support the UNESCO project for 2000-
2001 “For peace and tolerance: for a dialogue between cultures”.
(13.2) Madam President, with respect to the future of the project “Towards a culture of peace”, Russia takes an
unequivocal position. We find it difficult to imagine UNESCO’s future activities without it, especially in view of
the forthcoming International Year for the Culture of Peace and the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and
Non-Violence for the Children of the World. For us the question is rather how to make this activity more effective
and ensure that UNESCO plays a leading role therein. Above all, it seems safe to assume that the philosophical
conceptualization phase of the culture of peace has basically been completed, and that we must now move on to the
execution of national projects with concrete outcomes. It is encouraging that in the Draft Programme and Budget
for the coming biennium, the main emphasis is on support for such projects, which it is no exaggeration to say will
be a source of vital and concrete experience. We hope that the Secretariat will be able to disseminate the experience
gained from the execution of these projects, making it available to all Member States. It should then be possible to
go on to elaborate subregional and regional projects on the culture of peace, especially in regions where there is a
need for early warning and prevention of conflicts. It is our firm conviction that the culture of peace must lie at the
conceptual core of UNESCO’s activities in all its fields of competence, and above all in the field of education. In
this connection, support should be given to projects of international cooperation for the training of peacekeepers,
the establishment of culture of peace centres, education for peace, democracy and human rights, and the education
of refugees and marginalized youth. Particular attention should be paid, in our view, to efforts to prevent ethnic and
linguistic discrimination in the field of education.
(13.3) Madam President, I am certain that through our joint efforts we may make the project “Towards a culture
of peace” one of the most promising areas of UNESCO’s action, and that this will in turn further enhance the
Organization’s authority in the eyes of the international community. Thank you for your attention.
14. The PRESIDENT:
I now give the floor to the representative of Canada.
15.1 Mr CONLEY (Canada):
Thank you, Madam President. The attention given to the culture of peace during the debates of the
commissions confirms the need and the urgency to increase our efforts in contributing to the peace-building
process. The question now is not if UNESCO should pursue this goal but rather how best UNESCO can
contribute to building peace around the world. Building peace is the raison d’être of UNESCO. Therefore,
Canada believes that the concern for peace should be fully integrated throughout all of UNESCO’s activities and
within all sectors and programmes.
15.2 In the introduction to document 30 C/5 the Director-General, Mr Mayor, recognizes that UNESCO has
successfully attained its objective of highlighting the necessity and the urgency of focusing the attention of the
world on peace-building. We concur with the Director-General’s assessment that UNESCO can be justifiably
proud. But this is an ongoing process and future action must strive for effectiveness and coherence. As a result of
UNESCO’s dedicated hard work, a series of declarations on the subject has been adopted around the world and
the United Nations has adopted the year 2000 as the International Year for the Culture of Peace. In his address to
the General Conference Mr Mayor cautioned us that during his 12 years of tenure UNESCO had had many tasks
but only one mission - to build peace in the minds of all human beings. To do that effectively we must help to
consolidate democracy, humanize technological development and press for the ethical heritage, that set of
universal values which provides moral guidelines and realms for calm reflection in the midst of the most dramatic
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