Irina Bokova, following her election at the head of UNESCO on September 22nd
The election of UNESCO’s new Director-General was carried out in a context of controversy around the candidature of the Egyptian Farouk Hosni, and has given rise to considerable diplomatic turmoil. Irina Bokova’s election is to be openly applauded, as the first woman at the head of UNESCO: what a symbol, especially when one bears in mind that two thirds of the world’s illiterate are girls and young women!
The controversy and the suspense of the vote counting which have made the headlines over the last few days have boosted UNESCO’s media coverage in France to levels it is unlikely to have experienced before, giving it an almost unwitting visibility. The controversy and the soap opera of an election with so many twists and turns have however blinded us to the most fundamental question: a true debate on the future of the organization and its mandate. Hiding behind the austere and unattractive façade of the building at Place de Fontenoy, far from the diplomatic negotiations and vote counting, there perhaps lies a treasure.
Never in the course of history has the mission entrusted to UNESCO been more important or vital for the future of mankind and the wellbeing of men and women. Indeed, our world is confronted with an unprecedented number of threats: to the ecology, economy, foodstuffs, security and health, which represent a series of dangers and barriers to improving the human condition.
Faced with these multiple challenges, mankind needs more than ever a forum, a platform to reconsider the world, a place to learn to recreate links between nations and to promote cultural diversity. A country without schools is a nation without a future, and it is not enough to decree more democracy and human rights; the social prerequisites must be provided. “Building peace in the minds of men”, that is indeed what is at stake with the educational efforts which must be carried out around the world. Ignorance being the mother of all extremism, the edification of knowledge to a society represents the indispensable basis for human development, an essential condition for the economic development of nations and the best vaccination possible against violence and warfare.
Defending education for all is a battle that must be fought worldwide. How can we sit by and watch as 125 million children are deprived of schooling, while more than one billion adults are illiterate? Who other than UNESCO could better advocate this cause worldwide?
However, UNESCO does not have the means of its ambitions. Indeed, the institution is seriously lacking the appropriate resources: it has an regular annual budget of around 300 million Euros, which represents only 10% of the budget of the French Ministry of Culture!
Furthermore, UNESCO is currently suffering from a paradox: that of being without doubt the UN agency with the most understated media presence in France. Relatively unknown and misunderstood, UNESCO must clearly undergo a reform, but it must also urgently carry out an audacious and clear communication policy. The organization, which includes favouring the freedom of expression and communication among its missions, has to be exemplary in this area.
Obtaining new sources of funding will only be possible by winning over public opinion. UNESCO’s public relations policy must now constitute a strategic element of its new vision: links must be renewed, people be helped to see and understand, stories shared about cultural diversity, education, science, cultural heritage, etc. This treasure to be shared is an exceptional mirror on the world, a call for future generations. A new vision for UNESCO is currently vital for itself and for the improvement of the human condition.
