4TH MEETING OF JOINT UNESCO/PALESTINIAN COMMITTEE
Paris, April 20 {N°2000-35} - The Joint UNESCO/Palestinian Coordinating Committee held its fourth meeting at Organization Headquarters, April 19 and 20, and selected a variety of projects in UNESCO's fields of competence. Funding will now be sought for these projects.
The meeting was opened by UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura and the Palestinian Culture Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo. Notable projects approved within the framework of the UNESCO Programme for Palestine concern: teacher training; the establishment of kindergartens; development of virtual libraries; development of women's centres to eradicate illiteracy; Palestinian Memory Museum; development of national archives; second phase of the restructuring and strengthening of the WAFA news agency.
In his opening address, Mr Matsuura recalled the twin purpose of the programme: to respond to the needs of the Palestinian people in the fields of education, science, culture and communication and to continue contributing to the peace process. He said: "These roles are linked, for both contribute to the construction of a modern Palestinian society, founded on the values of peace, democracy and respect for human rights, in which all women and men may share the same opportunities to live a better life. Such a challenge, however, cannot be met without international solidarity. That is why the Programme, as prepared by the Joint Committee, will also be presented to the UNESCO Executive Board, to Member States and potential donors from the private sector."
Mr Matsuura said he recalled "with great emotion" his visit to Bethlehem on December 24 when he attended Midnight Mass and stressed that this moment "symbolised the universal dimension of spirituality and the universal experience of faith and hope." He added: "We all aspire to peace, to a world of harmony and mutual understanding. The new Palestine of the twenty-first century is trying to build its foundations on these same values of peace and mutual understanding. The Palestinian people have learned what every society will have to learn in this globalised world: the absolute necessity of living at peace with their neighbours. UNESCO stands ready to accompany you in each stage of this challenging task. We are confident that your efforts at nation-building will be an example and an inspiration for the rest of the world."
Yasser Abed Rabbo, the Palestinian Culture Minister, for his part thanked UNESCO for its support. He said: "We all agree that the most important key to development is education […]. Adult education, literacy and lifelong learning should be combined with the fundamental right of education for girls and women, which is essential to the process of development." Mr Abed Rabbo also spoke of cultural heritage: "I believe that there can be no true Palestinian development without preserving our people's history and culture, particularly in this day and age of globalisation where acculturation is becoming more and more predominant. I do not agree with certain that culture is a luxury and as such is low on the list of development priorities […] Of course, the cultural heritage of Jerusalem is not only vital for the Palestinian people but also for humanity and we request that UNESCO continue to strengthen its mission to safeguard and preserve this unique holy city."
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