Statement by Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner
27 Aug 2009
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Sehr geehrter Herr Bundespräsident,
Herr Vizekanzler,
Herr Bundesminister,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honour that Austria has proposed me for the post of UNESCO Director-General. It is a particular pleasure that Colombia has from the outset co-sponsored this candidacy, and a further delight that Peru has formally endorsed it.
Equally, it is an honour to be proposed by Austria, a nation of culture, with its many cultural heritage sites, ranging from my hometown of Salzburg and the City of Vienna to our natural riches.
I have accepted to run for this important function because I deeply believe that UNESCO is a key player in today's multi-polar world, and has an even greater contribution to make in the future.
Education, science and culture, communication and information are not only ends in themselves. They are vital instruments to tackle the root causes of some of the most pressing global challenges which we all face, from political instability to a lack of economic opportunities. Therefore, UNESCO is as relevant as ever!
Let me just highlight four key points of my vision for UNESCO:
One central ambition is to strengthen UNESCO as a bridge-builder between cultures, faiths and civilizations. This dialogue, which fosters respect and understanding, is thus a crucial means of conflict prevention.
I see UNESCO as a natural forum for this dialogue and, as the backbone of the international community's ethical conscience and common values. Clearly, respect and tolerance must remain the basis of UNESCO's work. UNESCO must be a forum to unite, not a divider.
Promoting education for all is another of my priorities. Education is the surest path out of poverty. It also lays the foundations for peace and good governance by combating radicalism and extremism.
Drawing on my successful work in building EU external aid, I intend to strengthen UNESCO as a global education agency: Through stronger literacy programs, more teacher training, political lobbying for educational access – esp. for girls - and education for sustainable development.
Education also needs to better employ new tools of communication. Innovative methods can make a greater contribution to bridging the digital divide.
Thirdly, supporting women is crucial for building safe and just societies. I want UNESCO to play an even stronger role in empowering women to play their full part in our societies. The world cannot afford to leave the potential of half of its citizens untapped if it wants true peace and prosperity.
Building on my current and previous work and my network of female leaders, I would continue to use development instruments to create opportunities for women, like special scholarship and education schemes and business financing facilities. Also, I will continue pressing for the international protection of women, notably in conflict- and post-conflict societies (UNSCR 1325). UNESCO has a role to play in this regard.
Fourthly, the spread of science and technology is crucial to advance sustainable development. UNESCO can play an even bigger role in helping us move towards a global knowledge society, and regarding the ethical basis of science (building on the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights)
Excellencies,
This is just a short glimpse on my ambitious ideas for UNESCO.
More could be said about UNESCO's specific role in tackling new threats, from climate change to energy insecurity, and not least its position as a promoter of human rights.
All this shows how extremely important the organization remains, and that there is a unique opportunity to give new life to its mandate and draw on its yet untapped resources.
It is my strong ambition to raise UNESCO’s political profile and public visibility. UNESCO must take its rightful place at the forefront of the UN system and punch its real weight.
For that, it needs a compelling vision, clear priorities, political leadership and sound management.
As a long-standing foreign-policy maker, diplomat and a former UN official, I have always defined diplomacy as the art of opening doors and delivering results.
I would therefore be honoured if I could help UNESCO to better deliver its undeniable added value.
UNESCO's mission since 1945 is clear: to strengthen a global culture of peace through cooperation. This is even more relevant at the beginning of the 21st century.
That is the vision and ambition that lies at the heart of my candidacy.
