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

poverty and the necessity to support women in attaining autonomy, and consequently to include gender
considerations in the MOST programme as a whole.
41.25 The Libreville Colloquium on Social Sciences in Africa, which was organized in June of this year on the
initiative of France and which sought to identify ways of strengthening social science research and teaching for
African scholars received particular mention. It was suggested that a sister colloquium would be very useful for
the Arab States. In summary, distinguished delegates, it is fair to report that there is strong support for the social
and human sciences programme as it moves to tackle contemporary social problems in the coming biennium.
41.26 Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the Commission then took up Programme II.3, Philosophy,
ethics and human sciences, including agenda item 7.1 on the agenda about the Universal Declaration on the
Human Genome and Human Rights. The Commission welcomed the reintegration of the philosophy programme
into the Social and Human Sciences Sector, and expressed pleasure at the renewed emphasis given to human
sciences such as history and linguistics. It also expressed its expectation that philosophy will be able to play a
catalytic role in enabling the disciplines of philosophy, human and social sciences and natural sciences to work
together in a transdisciplinary manner.
41.27 The ethical mandate of the Organization was recalled by virtually every speaker. Many delegates stated
that UNESCO should give greater emphasis to monitoring the changes in ethical values through education in this
age of globalization. Several delegations expressed support for the Universal Ethics project. Cultural diversity
should be the key consideration in the further elaboration of the project. The importance of cooperation not only
with NGOs, but also with universities and research institutes, was highlighted. Several delegates expressed
particular pleasure in seeing philosophy applied in the practical concerns of everyday life, and stressed that it
should be made more accessible. The importance of research and teaching in philosophy was supported, in
particular, by the network of UNESCO Chairs in philosophy.
41.28 Ladies and gentlemen, with respect to item 7.1 on the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and
Human Rights, general support was expressed for the importance of pursuing the recommendations contained in
the Universal Declaration. A majority of delegates mentioned the actions of the International Bioethics
Committee (IBC) and the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology
(COMEST), as pertinent responses to pressing problems generated by the rapid advancement of science, and to
UNESCO’s role in promoting ethical reflection. Delegates expressed their wish to see the ethics, science and
technology programme address other key areas such as the ethical implications of animal and vegetal
biotechnologies.
41.29 Many speakers expressed concern over the number and timing of the meetings of IBC and the
intergovernmental group of experts. Delegates felt that it was not yet opportune to prepare a world report on
bioethics, nor to hold a third world summit of national bioethics committees, and cautioned against overlap.
41.30 In referring to COMEST, Member States voiced their support for the expansion of its range of interests,
especially to the ethics of communication. Several speakers underlined the importance for decision-makers to
consult with an expert body on ethical principles before any decision is taken that may modify the human
environment. They also pointed out that it was important for COMEST to work in cooperation with existing
specialized scientific networks to avoid duplication. In this connection, delegates said that they wished to see a
set of ethical principles developed that should refer to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, taking
into account the cultural diversity of societies. Several delegates expressed concern about the limited time
available to study in detail the general orientation and guidelines for implementing the Universal Declaration.
Finally, the Commission adopted the guidelines in document 30 C/26 Add. on the implementation of the
Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights.
41.31 Finally, on item 4.1, our Commission discussed the issues facing UNESCO in the twenty-first century.
Delegates warmly welcomed this opportunity to give voice to their views of UNESCO’s main challenges for the
future, but regretted the severe time constraints to which this debate was subjected. Many recognized that
UNESCO must sharpen its vision. Mention was made of UNESCO’s unique role as a “laboratory of ideas”.
Referring to the process of United Nations reform, many delegates stressed the need to enhance the visibility of
UNESCO’s action by optimizing its unique comparative advantage as a multifaceted entity within the United
Nations system. Several delegates called for the continuation of UNESCO’s sectoral structure, with intersectoral
collaboration as the norm. Delegates indicated different models for achieving this “integration and rediscovery of
the intellectual community”. The need for a more action-oriented approach, delivered in the field, was also
underlined. Several delegates called for increased transparency and efficiency.
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