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

people have said that one always learns something in UNESCO, that you always leave enriched by something,
and this is a fact which is hard to explain. It is perhaps because there are so many countries here, the whole
richness of the world. I had my husband here for a few days, and he knows of course all about my attachment to
UNESCO, which I have talked so much about. But you know, it was only when he was sitting here during the
roll-call vote when we were electing you, Sir, and he heard the names of the countries, some of which he did not
even know existed - and the marvellous geographical jumble that the French alphabetical order causes, as you
can see when you look around - he suddenly discovered the world and learned to appreciate it, at 75 years of age.
He discovered and learned to appreciate Africa, and the Caribbean that he has never visited. You know, it is quite
an experience.
19.3 I used to be angry during my political career when people would use the expression “ordinary people”
when talking about the general public. There is no such thing as ordinary people. Every person is unique and
there is no such thing as an ordinary country, an unimportant country, because each one of them is unique, as are
its culture and traditions. I know that many countries have had, are still having and may yet have a very difficult
time, and this is mostly caused by hate, prejudice and misunderstanding. This is what Mr Federico Mayor always
used to say and he was right. And these are the things that can be overcome by education. Some of you who were
here during the general policy debate know that I listened to every single one of the speakers in the debate, and I
can tell you that each and every one of them attached the greatest importance to education and most of them to
ethics, and they go hand in hand, as they do with culture and science as well, of course, that is well understood. I
must say that this Conference has been a historical conference, even though - if I may be allowed a pun - it has
also had its hysterical moments.
19.4 I must say that my parliamentary experience has stood me in very good stead and I do think that it would
be a very good idea for the countries and for UNESCO as such to develop more contacts with parliaments
because, after all, it is the legislatures that work on legislation, and if we need legislation that would answer our
needs, we would do well to be in touch with the legislators and not only the governments - though of course I
concede that UNESCO is an intergovernmental organization.
19.5 So our family has grown, we have the Federated States of Micronesia, we have Palau, and we have a
new Director-General. I know that many people are wondering what this is going to be like. Well, I am sitting
right next to him and one thing I can sense is his human warmth. We have a Director-General who will be able to
manage what has to be done. He will work in a different style, no doubt. A quieter style, perhaps, but I have no
doubts about the efficiency and about his listening to people. He will listen to the Executive Board, to the
National Commissions, I know he will. So I am really optimistic about the future and I wish you would be, too,
because it is only when one is an optimist and is firmly resolved to have faith and not to give up that things can
actually be achieved. What we want to achieve we very well know, so let us not be sceptical, because scepticism
is absolutely paralysing, it is deadly. Let us hope for the future. We are indeed at the end of the century, and
before I meet many of you again we shall be in the next millennium. I would like you to know that I am at your
disposal at any time and, Mr Director-General, Sir, you know that of course, too, and I thank you again very
much for your confidence.
(The President continues in French)
19.6 Et puisque nous n'aurons pas l'occasion de nous retrouver d'ici la fin de l'année, je voudrais vous
présenter mes meilleurs voeux pour l'an 2000 et pour le nouveau siècle. Je vous souhaite à tous une excellente
santé et j'espère que lorsque nous nous reverrons régnera dans le monde la paix que méritent tous les peuples.
(La Présidente poursuit en anglais)
19.7 I shall now close the thirtieth session of the General Conference. I thank you all.
(Applause)
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La séance est levée à 16 h.35
The meeting rose at 4.35 p.m.
Se levanta la sesión a las 16.35
Заседание закрывается в 16.35
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