38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO

Transformations are upon us in education, in the sciences, in culture and – above all – in the innovation-driven communications and information field.

Transformations are upon us in education, in the sciences, in culture and – above all – in the innovation-driven communications and information field.

This is why I believe that UNESCO now faces a new test of unusual proportion: a review of our relevance, our existence, and our role. Most importantly, we need to adopt a dynamic approach in reviewing, our strategy and our plans of action.

We must seriously and honestly undertake a reflection about our future vision, our focus and priorities and our modus operandi for the next 15 years and beyond.

We all know that structural and conceptual changes are difficult to implement and that it is often hard to change our habits including also the need to leave marginal activities aside. BUT this change has to come from a bottom-up approach, emerging from a space for exchange and thought. And we need to provide support to accompany this process.

We must ensure that ‘sustainability’ is written into the genetic code of our Organization.

I would suggest that we must concentrate our efforts to pursue other intellectual and creative dimensions – like, for example, in the field of the arts, in literature and books, in creativity, and in the linkage to the creative economy and so on, to name just a few.

Our concept of a Culture of Peace and Intercultural Dialogue, which are based on the principle of living together better and on respect and acceptance of one another – were born here at UNESCO – and which gave rise to the Rapprochement of Cultures must be much more than well-meaning slogans. 

We must re-gain our moral and intellectual leadership of these meaningful concepts to establish the harmony of civilizations.

Our work in the Sciences must become more visible. For example, the research and analysis undertaken by the UN Secretary General’s Scientific Advisory Board, housed here at UNESCO must be further promoted.

We must encourage and facilitate the spread of ideas by today’s young and dynamic thinkers.

UNESCO must be the House of close collaboration amongst all generations so that all experiences are mutually beneficial and that knowledge and creativity are transmitted between the generations.

The use of ICTs is an efficient means to reach this objective through greater efforts towards mobile and e-learning so that through their use we are able to reach the un-reachable, in particular, in Africa and the Arab region.

Key Themes: Future vision

Date : 2015-Nov-03