EXECUTIVE BOARD HOLDS THEMATIC DEBATE ON UNESCO IN A GLOBALISING WORLD
Paris, May 17 {No.2000-50} - A thematic debate on UNESCO in a Globalising World was held today - as part of 159th session of UNESCO's Executive Board which opened on May 15 - on the initiative of Sonia Mendieta de Badaroux, Chairperson of the Executive Board, with the participation of Jean-Claude Trichet, Governor of France's central bank; Kuwaiti writer Mohammed Al Romaihi; and Luc Montagnier, President of the World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention.
Sonia Mendieta de Badaroux opened the debate recalling that "today's Utopias are tomorrow's reality". She stressed that it was the economic sector which was the first to benefit on a large scale from the ongoing revolution represented by globalisation. She said that other fields of activity, education, culture and science, had to "meet these new challenges and [utilise] these new opportunities." She evoked the two vectors which underscore the dynamism and innovative force of globalisation. An intellectual vector: "The acceleration of scientific and technical development, due to the perfecting of research methods, and the quasi instantaneous application of the fruit of knowledge in industrial production." A socio-political vector: "Over the past two centuries the spread of democratic principles which have taken root and allowed human beings to be included in public life in large numbers."
The Chairperson of the Executive Board further said: "The very speed of these phenomena raises problems which concern both rich and poor countries. One of the major problems concerns the upset in the indispensable balance between change and continuity within each society. […] The faster the pace of change, the more important is the social cement constituted by culture and shared values." Speaking of another fundamental problem of globalisation - the ever greater imbalance within each society and - on the global scale, between countries and regions - Ms Mendieta de Badaroux declared that this was closely linked to its financial and mercantile aspects: "Those who see globalisation as a purely economic process are wrong. Firstly because no human phenomenon of such scope can be limited to the sole production and consumption of goods and services […] and because even the smallest economic transaction occurs against a backdrop of beliefs and is conditioned by its socio-political context."
"In this new context, what must UNESCO's commitment and modus operandi be?" asked Ms Mendieta de Badaroux. She insisted that UNESCO must modernise if it is to meet the requirements of the new age. Such modernisation must involve the rejuvenation and renewal of installations, structures, personnel and programmes. But it must also be carried out without losing sight of the Organization's essential values.
The Governor of the Banque de France, Jean-Claude Trichet started by explaining the difference between internationalisation and globalisation. Internationalisation, he said, is not new, each period featured exchanges between
peoples. Globalisation, on the other hand, has accelerated over the past decade due to technological progress which represents a real revolutionary force and "has given birth to a world that is united in real time." Globalisation is a phenomenon much more complex than internationalisation: It involves relations which are not limited to States and economies; it weaves a rich web based on the multiplicity of partners and actors.
He added: "Since the development of science is unpredictable, the world [itself] is unpredictable." Some have difficulty living with permanent risk and the constant possibility of crisis, Mr Trichet said. He argued that we must accept the world as it is, unpredictable, and educate people to that end. He spoke of the attitudes that can be adopted to face these risks: "Not a miracle cure but some sort of multi-therapy to minimise risk." He spoke of the globalisation of the concepts of prudentialism and surveillance and invoked 63 codes of conduct, or best practice, that are being, or have been, developed and of the work of international institutions.
Mohammad Al Romaihi mainly emphasised the cultural aspects of globalisation. He stressed the discrepancies that emerge in defining this phenomenon and said that they are particularly striking in the Arab culture. According to the Kuwaiti writer, just as we can speak of the end of history, we can also today speak of the end of geography: "Just as globalisation has abolished the borders between countries and economies, we can assume it will abolish the frontiers between cultures."
He expounded on the idea that globalisation is "a double-edged sword": "Some think that globalisation has positive cultural effects, that it spreads ideas, visions and practices which encourage modernity and favour integration and tolerance […]. Globalisation also has negative effects: It gives rise to cultural exclusion and disseminates ethnic and religious conflicts."
Mr Al Romaihi also spoke of the inequality inherent to globalisation: "The development and spread of the means of communication has led to a 'global village', a concept reinforced by globalisation. But in this small global village, some streets are well-paved, lined with skyscrapers while others have no drinking water and are full of mud." He added: "Unless we change our view of the other, of modernisation and culture, we cannot understand globalisation, we cannot avoid the damages it can cause or profit from its benefits."
Luc Montagnier mainly spoke of the scientific, notably biomedical, aspect of globalisation. Saying that, for the first time in the history of humanity, we have an overall view of our origin and of our place in the universe, he argued: "The new conscience which should result from this rational knowledge does not yet exist and globalisation carries dangers and negative consequences in its wake." He mentioned unchecked demographic growth, the levelling of all cultures to the lowest standards, the gap between countries, the abyss that separates scientists who make giant strides forward and the rest of the population."
Mr Montagnier spoke in favour of using education to disseminate new information on how to prevent the spread of epidemics such as AIDS. He also called for the defence of culture, "to enable all to have access to the scientific and cultural heritage of humanity while preserving cultural diversity which, as much as genetic diversity, constitutes the wealth of humanity." He also urged facilitating technology transfers to the places where problems arise and said: "AIDS is ravaging Africa, South East Asia, [and] South America. It is therefore there that we should create centres for research and treatment".
He concluded: "Globalisation is making its mark on all areas of life, social, cultural and economic. We must accept the clear fact that even epidemics occur in an economic, cultural, educational, [and] social context which requires a new, interdisciplinary and - above all - inter-cultural co-operation. UNESCO, which is the only intergovernmental agency within the United Nations system with an intellectual and ethical mission, must see to it that this globalisation is mindful of humane ethical values and facilitates co-operation instead of domination."
The debate was continued with questions and answers by the member of the Executive Board and the three speakers. Many delegates voiced concern regarding the effects of globalisation, notably over the widening gap between societies that benefit from globalisation and those left by the wayside of the information and communication highways. There was also concern about the ability of developing countries to benefit from the economic, scientific and cultural potential of globalisation and for the preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity. Strong emphasis was placed on UNESCO's role in assisting Member States to preserve their cultures and take part in scientific and technological exchanges.
The debate was held to contribute to the work of a group appointed by the Executive Board to reflect on UNESCO's missions in the 21st century.
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