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

My country is particularly attached to peace, which we have genuinely taken to heart. For us it is a challenge and
an aspiration, a way of being and living, an attitude that we resolutely assume and uphold in our everyday lives.
(19.4) As a result of the misguided economic systems and ideologies of the wasted decade of the 1980s,
Nicaragua became deeply indebted and impoverished; accordingly, we have introduced a responsible economic and
social policy in order to take advantage of the cancellation of our heavy inherited debt through the Heavily
Indebted Poor Countries Debt Initiative, for which we have requested the support of all nations.
(19.5) Following its recent return to democratic life, Nicaragua has learned to focus its priorities: education
comes high on our agenda and in the State budget. We realize that it is only through education that we can
eliminate the hateful gap between rich and poor.
(19.6) For this reason, the struggle against illiteracy, the marked expansion and higher quality of educational
provision for the less privileged sectors of the population, continuing adult education, the promotion of human,
ethical and moral values, genuine educational decentralization and the involvement of civil society, higher status
for long-suffering teachers - our apostles of education - an ongoing effort to prevent drop-out, the promotion of
pre-school and special education, curriculum reform and adaptation, the protection of the environment, the
recognition of indigenous peoples and their rights, and a sustained effort to rehabilitate and promote our rich
national identity are all part of our daily work and bear witness to our efforts.
(19.7) These are the tasks that were left undone for many long years in our much-loved country. If they are our
chief concern and priority today, it is quite simply because education is our only hope.
(19.8) We greatly appreciate UNESCO’s work for its broad scope, its impact and its outstanding importance.
We must all participate and be involved.
(19.9) We also believe that the proposed programme for 2000-2001, the final stage in the Medium-Term
Strategy, should be a continuation of what went before. We support the view that during this biennium an effort
should be made to consolidate the gains of decentralization and the Participation Programme, while ensuring that
the culture of peace pervades and guides all our actions.
(19.10) In this way document 30 C/5 will gather the strength to go more deeply into problems, that is, to go to
their very heart, by focusing imaginatively on ever-topical concerns such as tackling the root causes of violence,
exclusion and conflict, with education as the basic thrust, measures to protect the heritage and restore a common
identity, action to preserve the environment, emphasis on priority groups and imaginative responses to the
challenge posed by young people, among many other issues.
(19.11) The year 2000 will be the International Year for the Culture of Peace. This is a wise decision – no other
will do – if we are to usher in a new millennium based on hope. All peoples must work together to eliminate
poverty and achieve lasting peace. The culture of peace must become an integral part of our own cultures, part of
our way of viewing the world and our way of being. UNESCO must continue with renewed enthusiasm to show the
way and make its contribution to the building of more just societies and a new, secure and peaceful world.
(19.12) Nicaragua is ready and willing to play its part. Together, if we so wish, we can achieve this goal.
Humanity deserves a better future. Thank you.
20. The PRESIDENT:
I should like to thank most sincerely the Minister for Education, Culture and Sports of Nicaragua. Your
Excellency, I know the difficulties your country is facing, I know you need assistance. I had the privilege of
visiting your country, and we do understand the challenges before you. Thank you again. Now, I should like to
call as the next speaker Ms Suvi Linden, Minister for Culture of Finland.
21.1 Ms LINDEN (Finland):
Madam President, Mr Chairperson of the Executive Board, Mr Director-General, distinguished
delegates, on behalf of the European Union, I should first of all like to congratulate you, Ms Moserová on your
election as President of the 30th session of the General Conference.
21.2 This session of the General Conference marks a turning point in the history of the Organization as we
are going into a new millennium and as we shall – at the same time – elect a new Director-General for UNESCO.
These factors constitute together a great challenge. We wish to take every advantage of them, but we should also
all of us accept the responsibility involved in shaping the future of UNESCO. The question of what the main
tasks of the Organization should be and how it should be managed does not depend only on the Director-General
but on all of us – the Member States of UNESCO. The European Union Member States of UNESCO are ready to
face this challenge and to contribute to the reform and development of UNESCO. They attach great importance
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