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

INSTALLATION DE M. KOÏCHIRO MATSUURA DANS LES FONCTIONS DE DIRECTEUR GENERAL
INSTALLATION OF MR KOÏCHIRO MATSUURA AS DIRECTOR-GENERAL
TOMA DE POSESIÓN POR EL SR. KOÏCHIRO MATSUURA DEL CARGO DE DIRECTOR GENERAL
ЦЕРЕМОНИЯ ВВЕДЕНИЯ Г-НА КОИТИРО МАЦУУРЫ В ДОЛЖНОСТЬ ГЕНЕРАЛЬНОГО
ДИРЕКТОРА
1.1 THE PRESIDENT:
I declare open the twenty-second plenary meeting of the General Conference. Ladies and gentlemen, this
plenary meeting will be devoted to the investiture of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura.
(Applause)
1.2 Mr Chairperson of the Executive Board, Director-General, distinguished delegates, Excellencies, ladies
and gentlemen, I would first of all like to congratulate His Excellency Mr Koïchiro Matsuura on his appointment
as the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for the next six
years. You will be leading this Organization not only into the next century, but also into the next millennium, in
the spirit of the resolutions of the 30th session of the General Conference, the highest authority of the
Organization. However, knowing you to be a wise, highly learned and enlightened person, I am confident that
you will work in close cooperation with the Executive Board and the National Commissions in order to achieve
our common goals.
1.3 Please be assured, Sir, that all of us wish you success, as your success will be UNESCO’s success. As
was stated by many speakers during the general policy debate, at this time of globalization it is of the utmost
importance that the globalization of trade and economy be balanced by a globalization of enlightenment, of
efforts to improve the quality of life of each and every human being and, above all, to enhance human dignity,
protect culture and promote cultural cooperation.
1.4 In fact, all the tools of UNESCO aim at enhancing human dignity - by making education accessible to all
who are marginalized; by promoting knowledge and pride in individual cultures and developing models and
cultural spaces that are traditional, indigenous and wholesome; by protecting endangered natural and cultural
heritage, be it tangible or intangible; by facilitating communication between nations and traditions; by promoting
democracy; by giving priority to those that need it most. I am sure, Sir, that under your guidance and leadership,
not even the smallest island will be forgotten, because you know that all nations, all languages, all the diverse
cultures and traditions are an invaluable part of the rich mosaic of our world.
1.5 Mr Matsuura, a predecessor of yours in the position of Director-General - Mr René Maheu - once said of
UNESCO: “Contributing to the building of peace is the essential task of the Organization, which draws its raison
d’être from the conviction that peace cannot be brought about solely through the balancing of forces … It is
therefore UNESCO’s vocation to promote and strengthen this fellowship of conscience. For UNESCO,
education, science, culture and information, the immediate objects of its endeavours, are not ends in themselves,
no matter how noble they may be; they are only means to ends and areas for moral action in the service of peace.
The peace we want to help build in adult wills and in the hearts of children, so that it may be transmitted from the
actual lives of people to the order of States, is the peace of the reign of justice”. This still holds true today. The
role of UNESCO in this world is growing in importance, though many do not see it yet. Sir, it will be your task to
contribute to the visibility and recognition of the Organization and the work it does with the help of us all. Please
be assured that we are prepared to render all possible assistance in this respect.
1.6 Your task will not be an easy one, we all know that, but we also know that you are resolved to deal with
all matters that have been frequently criticized, and we wish you the very best in your future fight with
Parkinson’s law, which seems to govern all big international institutions. As of now, you will have to suspend
your adherence to your country, as you will become a citizen of the blue planet Earth. It is so stated in Article VI,
paragraph 5, of UNESCO’s Constitution. I am sure, Sir, that you will abide by this and all other articles of
UNESCO’s Constitution, and that you will uphold the enlightened ideas that are contained in the introductory
paragraphs of this historic document.
1.7 To conclude, Sir, please accept once more my personal congratulations and best wishes. Accept also my
assurance that I shall be more than happy to be of assistance to you in your demanding tasks. I wish you, I wish
us all - the Member States also - all the best for the future, the next century and the next millennium.
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