Thirtieth anniversary of Unesco Speeches and messages

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

1946-1977

Thirtieth Anniversary of

the Organization Nairobi. 4-5 november 1976

speeches and messages

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Published in 1977 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, place de Fontenoy, 75700 Paris

Composed and printed in Unesco 's workshops

Introduction

The thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization was celebrated on the morning of 4 November 1976 in the main hall of the Kenyatta Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, at the conclusion of the seventeenth plenary meeting of the nineteenth session of the General Conference.

In addition to the delegations to the General Conference, those present included H . E . M r . James Manchan, President of the Republic of Seychelles, the newest of the Organization's Member States, and the Director-General's guests of honour, Lady Huxley, widow of Sir Julian Huxley, first Director-General of Unesco, Sir Ronald Walker, President of the fourth session of the General Conference, and M r . Luther H . Evans, Unesco's third Director-General.

Below are the speeches made at the ceremony together with the messages sent to mark the thirtieth anniversary by Member States, by one non-Member State, by the organizations of the United Nations system, by other intergovernmental organizations and by international non-governmental organizations.

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Table of contents

Introduction V

I. S P E E C H E S

M r . Amadou-Mahtar M ' B o w Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 3

M r . Taaitta Toweet President of the nineteenth session of the General Conference . . . 9

M r . Hector Wynter Chairman of the Executive Board 13

M r . Munyua Waiyaki Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya 17

M r . James Manchan President of the Republic of Seychelles 21

II. M E S S A G E S

M r . Mohamad Daoud Head of State of the Republic of Afghanistan 25

M r . Walter Scheel President of the Federal Republic of Germany 26

M r . Cesar Augusto Guzzetti Minister for Foreign Affairs and Public Worship of the Argentine Republic 27

M r . Willibald Pahr Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria 28

M r . Ernesto Geisel President of the Federative Republic of Brazil 29

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M r . Todor Jivkov President of the Council of State of the People's Republic of Bulgaria 30

M r . Ahmadou Ahidjo President of the United Republic of Cameroon 31

M r . Don Jamieson Secretary of State for External Affairs of Canada 32

Admiral Arturo Troncoso Daroch Minister for Education of Chile 33

His Beatitude Archbishop Makarios President of the Republic of Cyprus 34

M r . Alfonso López Michelsen President of the Republic of Colombia 35

M r . Félix Houphouet-Boigny President of the Republic of Ivory Coast 36

M r . Raúl Roa García Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba 37

M r . Ritt Bjerregaard Minister for Education of Denmark 38

M r . Enrique Ezcurra Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in the Dominican Republic 39

His Majesty Juan Carlos I King of Spain 40

Brigadier-General Teferi Bante Chairman of the Provisional Military Administrative Council in Ethiopia w . 41

Mrs . Marjatta Vaananen Minister for Education of the Republic of Finland 42

M r . Valéry Giscard d'Estaing President of the French Republic 43

M r . El Hadji O m a r Bongo President of the Gabonese Republic 44

Colonel R . A . Felli Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana 45

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General Elhadj Aboubakar Sangoule Lamizana President of the Republic of Upper Volta 46

M r . Pal Losonczi Chairman of the Presidential Council of the Hungarian People's Republic 47

General Soeharto President of the Republic of Indonesia 48

His Imperial Majesty Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Aryamehr Shahinshah of Iran 49

M r . Vilhjalmur Hjalmarsson Minister for Culture and Education of Iceland 50

M r . William R. Tolbert President of the Republic of Liberia 51

M r . Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Public Education of Mexico . . 52

His Majesty Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev King of Nepal 53

Lieutenant-General Olusegun Obasanjo President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 54

M r . Knut Frydenlund Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway 55

M r . Ferdinand E . Marcos President of the Republic of the Philippines 56

M r . Henryk Jablonski President of the Council of State of the Polish People's Republic 57

M r . Mario Soares Prime Minister of Portugal 58

M r . Erich Honecker Chairman of the Council of State of the German Democratic Republic 59

M r . Reginald Prentice Chairman of the National Commission for Unesco of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland . . . 60

Major-General Habyarimana Juvenal President of the Rwandese Republic and Founder-President of the National Revolutionary Movement for Development 61

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M r . Giancarlo Ghironzi Secretary of State for External Affairs of the Republic of San Marino 62

M r . Leopold Sedar Senghor President of the Republic of Senegal 63

M r . Siaka Stevens President of the Republic of Sierra Leone 65

M r . Jan Erik Wikstroem Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs of Sweden 66

M r . Lubomir Strougal Chairman of the Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic 67

M r . A . N . Kosygin Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 68

M r . Carlos Andrés Pérez President of the Republic of Venezuela 70

M r . K . D . Kaunda President of the Republic of Zambia 71

His Holiness Pope Paul VI 72

M r . Yves Lambert Secretary-Gene ral of the International Civil Aviation Organization 73

M r . Georg Kahn Ackermann Secretary-General, Council of Europe 74

M r . E . Van Lennep Secretary-General, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development 75

The Hon. M r . Shridath Ramphal Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat 76

M r . Georges Malempré Chairman of the Conference and Standing Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative relationship with Unesco 77

World Congress of Esperanto 78

M r . Romesh Chandra Secretary-General of the World Peace Council 79

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M r . Preben Kirkegaard President of the International Federation of Library Associations 81

World Federation of Teachers' Unions 82

M r . Jean-Charles Negre Secretary-General of the World Federation of Democratic Youth . . 84

M r . Enrique Pastorino, President, and M r . Pierre Gensous, Secretary-General, of the World Federation of Trade Unions 86

M r . Otto Kersten Secretary-General, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions 88

Father Ekwa bis Isal, S.J. Secretary-General of the Catholic International Education Office . . 89

Mrs . Yvonne de Hemptinne Secretary-General of the International Catholic Film Organization. . 90

Catholic International Union for Social Service 91

Mrs . Lovatt Dolan President-General of the World Union of Catholic Women ' s Organizations 92

Father Jean Desauteis, S.J. Secretary-General, International Catholic Association for Radio and Television 93

Staff Association of the International Civil Aviation Organization . . 94

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I

Speeches

Mr. Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow Director-General of the United Nations Educational,

Scientific and Cultural Organization

M r . President of the Republic of Seychelles, M r . President of the General Conference, M r . Chairman of the Executive Board, Your Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all I should like to offer m y warmest greetings to the guests of honour who have so kindly come specially to Nairobi to attend this ceremony.

I must begin by conveying to His Excellency, M r . James Manchan, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, whose country became a member of Unesco only a few weeks ago, m y sincere gratitude for his presence with us here on this great day.

I would next thank Lady Huxley who, as the lifelong companion of the late Sir Julian, the Organization's first Director-General, personifies the early days of Unesco for all of us here.

I also welcome most cordially Sir Ronald and Lady Walker. Sir Ronald Walker, I would remind you, is the most senior Chairman of the Executive Board and the most senior President of Unesco's General Conference, whose work he directed at its fourth session. His presence among us, M r . President, seems to m e to symbolize the con­tinuity of an Organization which, though developing apace, recognizes how much can be learnt from the example of its early years.

Lastly, while I a m very sorry that M r . Vittorino Veronese, the fourth Director-General of the Organization, has most unfortunately been unable to accept m y invita­tion to him, I have the pleasure of greeting his predecessor, M r . Luther Evans, who has just arrived from the United States of America to join us.

Ladies and gentlemen,

O n 20 November 1946, when the eminent French statesman, Léon Blum, addressed the first session of the General Conference which had just elected him its President, he said:

"The United Nations and the various agencies gravitating about it form a single whole, a whole conceived for the sole purpose of securing peace among the nations and human progress. Within this group, the part to be played by Unesco is neither the least important

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nor the least noble, since it consists in establishing the conditions, in people's minds, consciences and hearts, on which the working of the entire system depends."

Thirty years later, those words which, in their simplicity, admirably define Unesco's place in the United Nations system and the magnitude of the ethical role de­volving upon it, are still as relevant as ever. It is indeed an ambitious role, for Unesco is in duty bound to be the moral conscience of the whole system, whose own mission is to help in guiding mankind along the path of progress and of peace.

That, on this thirtieth anniversary day, is a theme on which we might all profitably ponder. W e should, in particular, ask ourselves whether we have always been faithful to the ideals set before us by the Constitution, and whether we have really done every­thing in our power to implant an appreciation of the ultimate purposes of Unesco not only in the minds of those who - like all of us here - are directly associated with the Organization's life, but well and truly "in the minds of men" .

A point needing emphasis here is that the establishment of Unesco was an act of faith andofhopeinman, in all men, wherever they may live upon this earth - which in the space of 30 years has shrunk so much - and in their ability to rise above what sets them apart from one another in order to build their common future together.

For the first time - if we except the short-lived International Institute of Intellectual Co-operation and the establishment of the International Bureau of Education - the enormous tasks that international co-operation in education, science and culture entail were then assigned to an intergovernmental organization.

Now it is to the very fact of its being intergovernmental that ourOrganization owes many of the successes, but also some of the difficulties, that it has met with since it started life. Being linked to the world, its history has in many respects reflected the history of the world during the 30 years which have just passed.

Meeting in London, as early as 1942, the Conference of Allied Ministers of Edu­cation started roughing out an initial scheme for an international organization. That was followed by the Preparatory Conference which, also in London, in 1945, was to give birth to Unesco. Emerging from a "great and terrible war", strife-torn mankind yearned for peace, understanding and reconciliation. But that hope of universal brother­hood was to be partially disappointed.

Between the victors from the West and those from the East, the "cold war" set in almost as soon as hostilities were over. Many Socialist countries held aloof from the nascent Organization. Those which had been among the founder States began withdraw­ing in 1950. It was not until 1954 that Socialist Eastern Europe - with the exception of the German Democratic Republic, which joined us only at the seventeenth session of the General Conference - began to take an active part in Unesco's work. And you know for how many years the People's Republic of China was ostracized, its legitimate rights being at last recognized only in 1972.

At the same time, the virtually general maintenance of colonial domination, run­ning counter in practice to some of the major principles that the founding fathers of Unesco had just reaffirmed, and the shifting of the area of clashes between the indus­trialized countries of the northern hemisphere in the direction of the poor countries -an historical phenomenon whose flagrant injustice speaks for itself and which is still, alas, very much with us - from the very beginning curbed the spontaneous movement

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of fellowship of what was not yet, it must be acknowledged, an international community in the full sense of the term.

During the first ten years of its existence, the Organization, whose world-wide mission was obvious, had, on account of the general political situation, taken on a distinctly "Western" character. It is only fair to point out, however, that the Organi­zation did endeavour during that period to remain true to some of its ideals since, to quote only one example, the first Statement on Race and Racial Differences dates back to 1951.

The turning point which was reached when a considerable number of Socialist countries began to play an active part in Unesco was succeeded by another phase in the Organization's history, the great surge of emancipation sweeping over the nations previously under colonial domination. The very recent admission of Angola constitutes a further stage in this continuing process, and there is every reason to hope that it will soon culminate in the universal membership of an organization for which univer­sality is the very breath of its being. Allow m e to quote a few figures. At the first session of the General Conference, there were 34 States participating with the right to vote. Ten years later, in 1956, Unesco already had 70 Member States. In the year 1960 alone, 16 new African States were admitted. In 1964, the Organization numbered 117 Member States. Today the total is 141.

As a result, the representation of the various parts of the world gradually grew, in the General Conference to start with and subsequently in the Executive Board, until those same countries which for so long had been subject to one form or another of domination and many of which were experiencing to the full the tragedy of underdevel­opment were soon in the majority.

I shall not dwell on the inordinate bitterness felt by those who, looking back with nostalgia to a time when the community of States still mirrored only very imperfectly that of the nations of the world, sometimes refuse not only to understand but even to consider ideas which are different from their own.

I shall not dwell on this subject because today we must look to the future with con­fidence and also because I a m firmly convinced, despite the enormous obstacles still to be overcome, that the Organization is about to enter successfully upon a new phase.

Throughout the years of Unesco's past experience, there has been an observable shift in ideas, whereby what was unthinkable only yesterday has become the reasonable solution of tomorrow. W e have only to recall the perfectly clear conscience with which the rich not so very long ago looked upon the poor, in their own and in other countries. Slowly but surely that complacency has given way to concern. The more favoured have finally realized the moral and material impossibility of maintaining a situation which they had previously considered a normal and unchangeable fact of life. Let us recall the process whereby, even within Unesco, "aid to development", initially seen as charitable assistance, the well-intentioned utilization of surplus resources, has given place - by no means completely, it is true, but these are still early days - to the con­cept of co-operation for development which corresponds to requirements that are no longer those of charity but those of mutual aid and justice, based on a recognition of the unique quality of each nation.

What ha.s happened is that world-wide political and economic developments in re­cent years have spotlighted more than ever before the close de facto interdependence

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of all nations in a world where the poverty of some, whether ascribable to the unequal distribution of natural resources throughout the world or to the vicissitudes of history, cannot go on coexisting with the affluence of others for much longer without the very serious risk of tensions and conflicts which, because of modern scientific developments might assume disastrous proportions.

This more realistic view of mankind, bound together, for better or for worse, by a common destiny, must have its counterpart in a new humanism, one that is maturing today in each of your countries, in the United Nations system where they are repre­sented and within this Organization itself. Some of the lines of force of this new humanism are already discernible: I am thinking - to quote only these examples - of the dawning awareness which is now everywhere apparent of the importance of cultural identity, the affirmation of which is now recognized as one of the keys to harmonious development; of the idea now emerging in the industrialized countries that growth measured solely in quantitative terms leaves man's basic needs unsatisfied; and of the new concept of a universality which is respectful of the plurality of cultures and is enriched and en­hanced by their marvellous diversity.

This grounds well of potent and generous ideas has taken concrete form in the de­termination to establish a new international economic order, a determination which the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed and to which the General Con­ference has fully subscribed, while at the same time stressing that this new order requires an unprecedented effort to achieve social progress, and hence a considerable increase in Unesco's action.

The obstacles to be overcome are, as I have said, enormous. Selfishness must be vanquished, doubters need to be won over and a new confidence in the United Nations system must be breathed into all. Public opinion is all too often, and sometimes quite rightly, pained to see in the United Nations system what seems to it to be a marked discrepancy between the speeches and resolutions calling for peace, respect for human rights and international mutual assistance on the one hand, and on the other, the actual situation in many place« in the world.

The United Nations system, and Unesco as an integral part of it, would not, how­ever, be able to carry out their mission in the real sense unless each State felt itself responsible for the system as a whole and made a point not onlv of reinforcing its capacities and means of action but. also of contributing, within and beyond its own borders, to the progress of the ideas the system proclaims. In the present world situation, there are in fact only two alternatives open to us: either we allow existing problems and conflicts to worsen, or we work together for free acceptance of a change in international relations and in the situation of individual countries which will produce greater justice.

The dangers to which I a m referring obviously extend far beyond the bounds of our Organization. But if we are to institute juster and more fraternal international rela­tions, to meet the pressing needs of many nations, to strengthen the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind, and to build up the defence of peace with all due regard for human rights, we have in the present-day world nothing other than the United Nations system on which to rely; and nothing can take its place.

For that reason, on this thirtieth anniversary, I would ask you to go back to our basic principles, to meditate afresh on the spirit which prompted Unesco's founders, and to look deeply into your own consciences. Over and above the very onerous tasks

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which you have to assume at this session, you have also come together to bear witness to the faith of your governments and your peoples in the possibility of building a differ­ent world, a world in which patient and persevering efforts will gradually eliminate ignorance and poverty, and in which all men and women will see their share of dignity, their share of freedom and their share of happiness increase with justice.

There is not a single nation whose history does not teach us that justice, dignity, freedom and happiness are never achieved without effort. W e have to win them anew each day, drawing our inspiration from the very heart of our cultures and depending for the means we use on the extension of human knowledge.

This can no longer be considered Utopian when mankind has so often shown that where there's a will, there's a way. All we need is to agree on our aims, on the choice of our methods, and on the political determination to use them. It is m y most earnest wish that this determination should be strengthened and affirmed, for every­thing depends upon it. May you, as Unesco enters on the fourth decade of its exist­ence, unite your energies to enable our Organization - which now counts among its members almost all the States of the world - to make its full contribution to the advent of an era in which, with the peoples united, man will at last become the master of his destiny.

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M r . Taaitta Toweet President of the nineteenth session of the General Conference

Your Excellency the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is the greatest honour and privilege for m e to take the floor, in m y capacity as the President of the nineteenth session of the General Conference, to address you on this historic and momentous day marking the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco.

November 4th each year can well be regarded as marking another step in the his­tory of the Organization. But November 4th 1976 is of special significance not only because the Organization is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, but also because it is doing so on the African continent - the continent which has recently provided, and continues to provide, new Member States to the Organization.

I have personally participated at various anniversary ceremonies of Unesco as a representative of the Government of Kenya. To be present at this ceremony, as your President, adds a special pleasure and prestige and I a m sure that we are all glad that on this occasion the President of Seychelles - the most recent State to sign our Consti­tution - has been able to join us and add more flavour to the celebration.

This is a celebration day, a day of jubilation and a day of rededication to the ideals for which our Organization was formed.

Today is a time of celebration, an occasion for rededication that requires us to take a moment for reflection. Like a family of pioneers who have ventured across an unexplored and unmapped plateau and reached a high mountain pass, let us pause briefly to gather renewed strength, to gaze back over the terrain already covered and to peer ahead and to ask: from where have we come? Where shall we go?

Even from this privileged vantage point, it would be impossible to examine all facets of Unesco's life and action. So I propose to discuss a single one that is both crucial in itself and, I believe, representative of many others that could have been chosen. I refer to the Organization's work in attempting to help eradicate illiteracy.

When we look back over 30 years of Unesco's action against illiteracy what do we see? W e witness a multitude of documents, meetings, programmes and projects - all contributing to our determination to wipe out illiteracy, and to our knowledge of how to go about it. But, on the whole, we have only succeeded in reducing the percentage of illiterates among the world's adults. Despite this, the absolute number of illiterates continues to rise practically unabated.

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This worsening situation is, of course, nobody's fault. Unesco could not have been expected to eradicate world illiteracy in a single combat. Indeed, international agencies "probably go awry if they try to replace the muscle of national governments. At best they can prick the conscience of national governments". . . .

Thinking in terms of the next three decades, let m e ask: is it possible to imagine that the world's governments would not hearken to a sustained Unesco call of conscience thereby reversing the spread of illiteracy? (It may be pointed out that recent studies indicate that this spread is beginning seriously to affect industrialized as well as de­veloping countries. So this is a problem of increasingly global dimensions.)

No! I a m one of those who consider that Unesco has awakened the conscience of the world in respect of many problems. W e should draw encouragement from this awareness. Today, we should renew our resolve that Unesco's ethical influence will be strengthened and broadened so as to become a significant and dominant voice in the concert of nations - a voice calling them to a victorious assault on the problems in its fields of competence whose solution is technically within the world's grasp.

Overcoming those problems is, then, a question of will. With the will, the necess­ary resources - intellectual and material - can be mobilized nationally and internationally But we should have learned that it is also a question of the kinds of resources that are necessary, and to the manner in which they can be used most productively. One lesson from the past is clear: there is no place in the framework of international co-operation for the design and export by Unesco, or any other agency, of a single answer to the diverse problems of illiteracy of primary education, or cultural development, or sci­entific progress, or improvement of communications, or any other area of Unesco's competence.

It is good that so many lessons have begun to emerge from Unesco's own careful look at its past work in the field of literacy. I have suggested that these lessons apply also to its other spheres of action. In still broader terms - and looking resolutely forward from the mountain pass where w e , pioneers of international co-operation have paused to gather strength and chart our path ahead - one can only concur with the following statement made by the Director-General in his inspiring introduction to the booklet Moving Towards Change:

"There is no pre-established pattern for a new international economic order which simply has to be applied. It has to be discovered on the basis of the most legitimate aspirations of the world's peoples".

Ladies and gentlemen, that is m y vision of the way forward through the next 30 years: a continued voyage of exploration, of adventure and, above all, of discovery -and this together as "the Unesco family".

When we celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary, man had just set foot on the moon. Soon after, there was the shaking of hands of friendship between American and Soviet astronauts in space. Today we celebrate Unesco's thirtieth anniversary, when man has landed a functioning machine on Mars and when man has synthesized in the laboratory those determining factors of the nature of life called genes. These are big achievements which came as a result of prolonged planning and research - accompanied with determination, hard thinking and a longing for achievement.

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I a m confident that if mankind concerted its resources in a demonstration of human solidarity, our lives could be transformed for the better, within a very snort time.

Ladies and gentlemen, let us renew our commitment to Unesco. Let us emerge from our brief pause and reflection to celebrate and then to face, with new vigour, the challenges and realities that make deep and continued change the only possible path forward for our Organization.

It is good that so many of us from so many parts of the world are together, thank­ful to the Director-General and his staff for the fine commemoration arrangements they have made.

With these observations, I thank you for your attentive hearing.

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M r . Hector Wynter

Chairman of the Executive Board

M r . President, M r . Director-General, Ladies and gentlemen,

As we celebrate Unesco's thirtieth birthday, we are doing so happily in a region which we may well call the cradle of mankind. For here, in this region of Africa, in Olduvai Gorge, have been discovered fossil traces of H o m o sapiens. In the face of such vast history, what are 30 years in the life of our Organization, 30 years since the nations of the world decided to co-operate actively in the fields of education, science, culture and communication? It is indeed a very short time.

But it is also the time span of more than one generation. And today is far different from 1946. Then, there were no computers, there were no satellites, no closely knit communication networks. Truly, the giant leaps taken by technology are breath-taking, and mankind is now engaged in seeking how technology, how science and the advance­ment of knowledge can be used to promote peace, for they could so easily destroy the world in war.

How can we forget that barely 30 years ago, a catastrophic war had been concluded by the unleashing of the first fruits of the new technology, the atom bomb?

And so mankind declared 30 years ago that never again should the world face such a catastrophe, and the United Nations and its kindred organizations came into being . . . and among them Unesco, with the ringing declaration that since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.

Allow m e , M r . President, ladies and gentlemen, to look back even further than 30 years in the history of our world, back to 1815 when, after bitter wars, the begin­nings of modern, organized multilateral relations were attempted, when nations in Europe tried to settle their problems around a conference table in the Congress of Vienna. And a century later, at the end of the First World War which had destroyed millions of lives, the international community created the League of Nations, which might have failed but did lay down the roots for our own attempts at international co­operation. A few years later, an organization was founded which might be considered as Unesco's precursor, the Institute for Intellectual Co-operation. But alas - in our own time - the Second World War broke out in spite of these efforts at international dialogue and negotiation. It was at the end of that war, 31 years ago, that the community of nations decided to create the United Nations as a forum for political negotiation and agreement and for the maintenance of peace. One year later, on 4 November 1946,

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30 years ago today, Unesco, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, came into being in London.

Created by its founding members for the "purpose of advancing, through the edu­cational, scientific and cultural relations of the peoples of the world, the objectives of international peace and the common welfare of mankind" as stated in the preamble to the Constitution, its purpose, is defined in Article 1, and in view of still widespread misunderstanding of our Organization, let m e quote it again. It is "to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations". But these same founding members - whom we grate­fully remember today - also proclaimed that

" A peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of govern­ments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world, and that the peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind .

A thirtieth anniversary is a good opportunity for taking stock of our Organization and of ourselves. And by ourselves, I mean the Member States, for we are Unesco. Have we demonstrated in our actions and initiatives the noble ideals and purpose of Unesco which we quote so frequently? What have we done to keep alive the spirit of Unesco, always seeking international co-operation for the furtherance of peace and of mutual understanding? Have we been prepared to place the success of the Organiza­tion as a whole over our own particular desires to score points at the expense of others? Have we accepted at all times that the creation of universality of outlook depends on the willingness of each to transform narrow views to the wider canvas of intellectual international collaboration? I believe, M r . President, that we have succeeded more often than we have failed. In this respect, M r . President, we have humbly come to realize that in the same way that nations in the exercise of their sovereign rights are not infallible, so in our exercise of our sovereignty in our Organization, we are not infallible. And hence while the majority may not always be right, yet neither can the minority claim infallibility. Slowly - oh! so slowly, but surely, M r . President, we are learning to respect majority decisions, in the same proportion as those who exercise the power of being in the majority have come to realize that that power carries very great responsibility. This is after all the essence of justice and is at the very basis of international collaboration. And it is from this combination of respect for majority decision, and the acceptance by the majority of respect for the views of the minority, that international consensus arises.

Our Organization has grown tremendously, in numbers, in the diversity of its activities. But so have the problems and needs of the world. Thirty years ago, there were about half as many people to be educated in the world as there are today. Thirty years ago, vast regions of the world were still suffering under the rule of colonialism. W e have witnessed with pride and emotion the great movement of emancipation which began as the war ended and gathered irresistible momentum from the mid-fifties on­wards, and has brought so many peoples who had been subjected to colonial rule to the dignity of sovereign States and equal members of the international community. I should like to recall especially the eleventh and twelfth General Conferences of Unesco, in 1960 and 1962, when membership of Unesco grew from 81 to 113 States, through the massive entry of many newly independent African countries. And since those days,

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the struggle for independence has been carried on valiantly and our membership has grown in consequence. But there still are colonial territories to be liberated, peoples' dignity and independence have to be restored and colonialism, racism and apartheid have to be fought wherever they exist. And other violations against human rights must be resisted.

W e continue to believe that the most effective method for dealing with these evils and to promote universal and individual respect for human rights and human dignity is to tackle the material and psychological conditions which, as long as they prevail, will make it possible for these evils to persist. I suggest that discrimination in any field whatsoever is a real sign of man's underdevelopment, is a sign that Unesco's collective intervention, assistance and study are needed. And we should be ready and willing to provide such assistance.

W e may look back with a certain pride on our Organization's past achievements, on its evolution from a hesitant, searching and very experimental venture in interna­tional intellectual and cultural co-operation and exchange, its first steps in learning to walk so to speak, to a still adolescent but conscious agent in the cause of develop­ment, material and spiritual, of all peoples. Naturally, as I said before, there have been errors, but I do think that we , as an Organization have learned from our errors, have kept up with the evolution of an ever changing world and despite the relatively limited financial resources, may perhaps even presume to say that we have contributed to some of these changes in and through education, science, culture and information. In education, expansion has led to increasing equality in access to education, while we seek in our countries to reform and enrich that education.

I believe also that we can take some pride in the contribution to the growing acceptance of the concept of individual dignity and hunger for the development of full respect for human rights in every part of the world.

On this our thirtieth anniversary, we can say that we are coming to grips with the major world problems and we are at this Conference going to determine our Organization's medium-term future, its contribution to the solution of these problems, its contribution to a more just international order, based on equality and mutual re­spect and understanding, based on the sharing of our knowledge, of our resources while preserving our diversity.

It is not for m e to retrace the evolution of Unesco, to enumerate its achievements in the fields of education, science, culture and communication, through studies, expert advice, operational projects and standard-setting activities, or its failures to achieve some short-term goals. The balance is positive, but let us never forget that we have to go beyond policy formulation, beyond law and legislation. It would be wrong to assume that matters of human rights and racial discrimination, of inequalities can be solved through legal and political action only. They are equally matters of the mind and it is Unesco's special responsibility to contribute to the education and harmonious development of the minds of men.

Unesco has benefited greatly from the intellectual contribution brought to its work by the world of learning, through its contacts with the many and varied non-governmental organizations, from the dedication of its successive Directors-General and the Secre­tariat staff and from the assistance of those who have served in the Executive Board. In this respect, may I pay special welcome to a former member of the Board who be­came Director-General - M r . Luther Evans of the United States of America. It is a

15

great pleasure also to welcome Lady Huxley, and Sir Ronald Walker, of New Zealand, who was one of m y predecessors as the second Chairman of the Board and Lady Walker, and M r . Paulo de Berredo Carneiro.

M r . President, some may ask what cause is there for satisfaction when the gap between developed and developing countries, between the rich and the poor is widen­ing, and when the basic needs of millions of people remain unsatisfied; when two-fifths of the world are still trapped in the intellectual prison of illiteracy? A sobering question. M r . President, the studies of our Organization and of other international bodies are illustrating the problems, but it is our responsibility in the Member States relentlessly to continue and to increase our individual and collective efforts to improve the material and cultural, intellectual, spiritual environment and living conditions of individuals and of nations.

The fire of international collaboration through education, science, culture and communication was lit in London in 1946, after the holocaust of a monstrous war. Since then, the flame has shone at times, at times flickered almost as if it were dying. But it has always continued burning. The spirit of Unesco will not die as long as there is need for nations to work together to prevent war and to promote justice. But it will only gain in strength»through our common will to improve our world, to make it a better place to live in for all peoples, in peace and security, in harmonious diversity.

M r . President, the problems are many, and their solution difficult. But let us be wary of adopting solutions which carry in themselves even more serious problems; but at the same time let us not be afraid to act only because we fear criticism. Let us pledge ourselves anew today to contribute effectively to this noble experiment of col­laboration - one which allows us to talk our differences, and from them to acknowledge the richness and the uses of our diversities. In saluting our founders, and all those who have laboured in and for Unesco since 1946 - Member States, National Commissions, permanent delegates, Directors-General, members of the Executive Board, Secretariat staff of all categories, Conference delegates, scholars, experts and so on - let us pledge to make their dream of justice a reality. On behalf of the Executive Board I give that pledge today.

16

Mr. Munyua Waiyaki Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya

M r . President of the General Conference, M r . Chairman of the Executive Board, M r . Director-General of Unesco, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is m y pleasure and honour to be with you this morning, and associate myself with this memorable day in the history of Unesco. This day, 30 years ago, saw the legal founding of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

It will be recalled that in 1946 at the founding of Unesco, the Second World War had just ended and its destructive effects were to be seen everywhere in Europe. I a m told that it was a joyous moment of achievement for those 40 or so nations who participated at the preparatory meetings in 1945, and for those 28 who had pledged their membership of the new organization by 4 November 1946. For days on end the founding of Unesco was the subject of talk in educational, scientific and cultural circles. The atmosphere was enlightened as people celebrated, and the celebrations were mag­nified by the fact that people had just emerged from a dreadful war.

1946 is a long way off when many nations of the Third World, especially of Africa, had not come into being. W e were mere colonies. However, the fact that we were still colonies did not mean we were not aware of Unesco's importance. Africans understood well the meaning and the message of Unesco and we wished it well.

Since its inception, Unesco has gradually grown in terms of number of Member States. This growth was accelerated in the 1960s when the "wind of change" began to blow all over the world. One by one, the colonies became politically independent and on assuming independence they lost no time in joining the United Nations, and its spe­cialized agencies including Unesco.

Unesco's theme was, and still is, universality of membership. Today, I a m told, Unesco consists of about 140 Member States representing all corners of the globe, and embracing nearly all human cultures. This is a significant achievement and should be so recognized. Indeed it is a measure of its universality. That we now have an African, M r . M ' B o w , as the Director-General of Unesco signifies the fact that Unesco lives up to its universality without discrimination, and is prepared to have the best man or woman as its head regardless of his or her race.

W e know that there are few areas still under colonial rule. And we know that these areas aspire to achieving their independence so that they can join Unesco as fully-fledged

17

members. I a m convinced that Unesco and its Member States have an important role to play in these circumstances to see that these areas are emancipated.

Ladies and gentlemen, I a m sure you will agree with m e that this is an opportune moment to mention the name of the late Sir Julian Huxley. Sir Julian was associated with the founding of Unesco, and was its first Director-General. He was so much in­volved in the ideals of Unesco, that for years he continued travelling to various parts of the world advising, and addressing scientific organizations. He further advised nations on preservation of wildlife, and the creation of National Parks and Game Re­serves. In Kenya we try hard to preserve our wildlife although we have our share of the poacher.

I know that Unesco has since the days of Sir Julian continued and I hope will con­tinue, to go out to Member States to assist them in the spirit of international brother­hood. I wish to remind you that Unesco was established "for the purpose of advancing, through educational, scientific and cultural relations of the peoples of the world, the objectives of international peace and the common welfare of mankind". Within the framework of this statement of international intellectual co-operation; operational assistance especially to recently independent countries; promotion of peace, human rights and international understanding. I do not wish to dwell on operational assist­ance although I would like to invite you to visit and inspect some of Unesco's assisted projects in this country to judge for yourselves what the Organization has done in col­laboration with the Government of Kenya.

I would, however, like to talk a little about Unesco's role in international intel­lectual co-operation and promotion of peace, human rights and understanding. W e know Unesco has the capacity for intellectual work. W e know that Unesco does not operate in a vacuum but within Member States. W e also know that the Member States are at different development stages, and have different political ideologies. But what I wish to emphasize is that these differences should not interfere with, or deter Unesco from, its legitimate duty of giving assistance in the promotion of knowledge, informa­tion and ideas. In its pursuit of knowledge Unesco should always press for the truth and take its own stand as dictated by its belief and knowledge of the point in question. Under no circumstances should Unesco deviate from the truth for the sake of accommo­dating the views of a Member State. Knowledge and truth are the key to intellectual progress, and should be upheld even if th-ey happen to hurt.

Unesco, like the United Nations itself, undertakes its various activities aimed at contributing to the promotion of peace, human rights, and international understanding. This is commendable and one should encourage Unesco to continue and intensify its activities in these areas. But I should like to sound a note of warning. Unesco can indulge in purely academic exercises and speculation in its effort to develop and con­tribute to intellectual activities, and this is possibly feasible but undesirable. Unesco's struggle for peace and human rights is priceless. A peaceful country means peaceful minds and a peaceful society. For the word peace can mean everything and so Unesco should redouble its efforts to try to overcome any frustrations or dangers to world peace.

Men continue to manufacture weapons of war and even compete to see who can produce the most powerful and sophisticated ones. Nations acquire these war weapons. They stockpile them and begin flexing their muscles. They train more and more men for armed services, and as they do so they acquire yet more and more weapons, thus encouraging the manufacturers to produce more and more, and even diversifying their

18

production and makes, But these activities are dangerous and the world must find a way to end these activities and devote the world's resources to peaceful development for the sake of us all.

Then there are the internal problems in many of our States. W e read of curtail­ment of individual freedom and liberty. W e know of countries where human rights mean nothing. W e are aware of torture of human beings being practised in some parts of the world. This is unfortunate, and all this indicates the magnitude and nature of. the problems Unesco has to cope with. W e should all alongside Unesco as Member States, play our effective role in trying to alleviate the condition of man in our various States. It is indeed up to each Member State to positively contribute to peace and human understanding both at the national and at the international levels. This is a job that all of us must agree to do. The world's population is increasing fast, life is get­ting more and more complex and to ensure and preserve peace, we have first of all to guarantee human rights, human freedom and human dignity within our States.

Ladies and gentlemen, when one turns 30, one considers oneself to be mature and hopefully wise. One reflects on what one has done and has not done. One considers one's achievements, one's failures, and one's aspirations for the years to come. Now Unesco is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. Unesco can look back to what it has done over the past 30 years - its successes and failures, its positive and perhaps nega­tive contributions. This is important but more important is to look to the future. After assessing the past and present situations it should outline afresh a plan of operation to enhance its effectiveness. One can easily be forgotten as one grows old, especially if one becomes inactive. This cannot, and should not, be the case with Unesco. As the Organization grows older let us hope it will become wiser and more efficient and as we celebrate its thirtieth anniversary let us expect the best of service from it in the coming decades.

Ladies and gentlemen, that this important day is being celebrated, in one way or the other throughout all the Member States of Unesco means that all of us have faith in the body and we believe in its ideals. In the spirit of oneness we should endeavour to play an active role in enhancing these ideals and principles. W e should always re­gard Unesco as providing a forum whereby all of us can come to reason together in an atmosphere of brotherhood and understanding.

Let our celebrations of Unesco's birthday fill us with new joy, with new ideals, new determinations, new outlook and act in light as dignified men and women. Let us all move forward shoulder to shoulder in our search for knowledge, truth and a digni­fied social life.

Long live Unesco, and may Unesco lead the United Nations family in the areas of intellectual co-operation and moral values.

HARAMBEE

LET US ALL PULL TOGETHER

THANK YOU

19

Mr. James Manchan President of the Republic of Seychelles

M r . President,

Thank you very much for asking m e to be a guest speaker on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of this august Organization. Yes, Unesco is 30 years old this year. I was therefore only seven years old when the Organization was founded. On an occasion such as this, it is opportune to look back at the past and reflect as to what we have achieved and what has transpired during this last 30 years.

Personally, I remember it well, when I was seven years old, the year that Unesco was born. I left the Seychelles for the first time with m y family for a visit overseas. For a visit where? M r . President, it is ironical but a fact, that the first country I ever visited was Kenya, and that the first city I ever saw, was Nairobi. Kenya 1946 . . . . a land where a small minority of people ruled over the vast majority. A country where the population came under four classifications: (i) Europeans, (ii) Asians, Goans and mixed blood, (iii) Africans (iv) and Arabs. M r . President, how well do I remember the inequities of racial discrimination when in an ice cream parlour called "Polar Bear" a Seychellois classmate and I were refused service! Those, of course, were the days of rampant colonialism when, almost everywhere in Africa, racial discrim­ination was the order of the day. But it came to pass that 15 years later I returned again to the same land of Kenya, this time to participate as a guest representing m y country in Kenya's independence celebrations under the wise leadership of His Excel­lency Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. I remember it well, too, the atmosphere then prevailing among the people of Kenya. The Africans were all jubilant and full of hopes, but others, particularly Europeans were fearful for the future. What did an independent Kenya portend for them under African control?

But God blessed Kenya in that she was given a leader of wisdom, who refused to allow the past to blind him from realities. Instead of calling his people to revenge the past, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta called for the spirit of Harambee, for unity among all the people of Kenya, in the task of building a new nation. Because of this matured, and enlightened approach, President Kenyatta has today made his mark in world's history, and Nairobi has become a city of active multiracialism, the proud seat for this 1976 Unesco Conference, where delegates from all over the world, of all colour, of all races work, mix and relax together.

M r . President, the wisdom of President Kenyatta and his government is needed today with respect to solving some of the outstanding problems of Africa. At the m o ­ment a Conference is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, to try and work out a solu­tion to the problems of Rhodesia where some years ago Ian Smith illegally, and

21

unilaterally declared independence. In legal parlance, Ian Smith is a traitor to, and a criminal vis-à-vis the international community. But M r . President, all of us who are in this august assembly are intelligent beings and we must realize that Ian Smith seized independence in order that a privileged minority to which he belongs cling to power forever. This phenomenon has not been unknown elsewhere.

Now, if it is true that Ian Smith has agreed to capitulate, if in Geneva majority rule is confirmed, must Africa or the world community call for his skin? If we get him down on the floor, must we step over his face? I say N O . Africa and indeed the world must look at the Rhodesian problem with a sense of maturity and objective en­lightenment and Ian Smith and the group he represents must be given the opportunity of contributing their share in an independent Zimbabwe.

M r . President, at the southernmost tip of Africa lies a beautiful country, richly endowed in climate and resources and currently enjoying considerable economic boom. But beneath the beauty and the boom lies a problem of human relations, ugly in its present reality and uglier still in its violent and destructive potentiality. I submit that a Zimbabwe which succeeds to become an example of happy multiracialism would do much to reinforce the faith of those who, like myself, deeply believe in the brother­hood of man.

What has been achieved here in Kenya and in many parts of the world over the last 30 years give us hope for the future. During that time modern technology has turned the world into a village, so that today more than ever before, there is no more place left for those who wish to keep their world a village. The message of today is loud and clear - the future requires all races and all colours to work together in a universal community where the individual will be judged strictly on his individual merits as a human personality. But in order to bring this about, the hour urgently calls for integrity of mind, honesty of purpose and the gift of seeing ourselves as others see us and also the gift of seeing others as they see themselves.

In this area Unesco has still a vital role to play. There is the urgent need for a code of education and behaviour that would transcend national differences, ideological purposes and prejudices and all forms of religious, racial or colour discrimination, aimed at fostering at the root level the true spirit of friendship and respect among all the people of the world, and at clearly demonstrating the fact that boundaries in human experience are humanly made. And once this code is promulgated, Unesco would have to ensure that it is used as a basis for educating all the children of our worjd that they are brothers of the same mankind family.

22

II

Messages

Mr. Mohamad Daoud Head of State of the Republic of Afghanistan

I offer Unesco m y congratulations and most sincere wishes on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of its foundation. For 30 years Unesco has been effectively serving mankind by furthering the promotion of international co-operation in the fields of culture and science, and always endeavouring to ensure, within the framework of the United Nations Charter, universal respect for justice, human rights and funda­mental freedoms for all, without discrimination or distinction. Afghanistan will con­tinue to give its full support to Unesco's activities and expresses the wish that inter­national co-operation will develop even further in the fields of education, science and culture for the well-being and progress of mankind.

25

M r . Walter Scheel President of the Federal Republic of Germany

On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany I wish to convey to you and to the Gen­eral Conference of Unesco m y sincere congratulations for 30 years of dedicated work for peace through education, science and culture as well as m y best wishes for Unesco's future endeavours to this end.

26

M r . Cesar Augusto Guzzetti Minister for Foreign Affairs and Public Worship of the Argentine Republic

On the occasion of 4 November, date on which the United Nations Educational, Scien­tific and Cultural Organization was established 30 years ago, I a m happy to send m y cordial greetings and congratulations to Your Excellency and to associate myself with the celebration of this happy event.

M r . Willibald Pahr Minister for Foreign Äff airs of the Republic of Austria

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco, I have the honour to express, on behalf of the Austrian Federal Government, our gratification at the work accomplished by the Organization in pursuit of the high goals embodied in its Constitution.

The Austrian Government as well as Austrian public and private bodies and indi­viduals engaged in work related to education, science and culture have contributed, to the fullest possible extent, to Unesco's activities in their respective fields. They con­tinue to take pride in sharing in the work of Unesco.

I wish to take this opportunity to reaffirm our sincere dedication to the principles and ideals to which Unesco is so firmly committed. Just because this Organization is of such importance to us, and - as we believe - to progress and peace throughout the world, we must try to correct and overcome shortcomings that could limit its effectiveness.

The Austrian Government, fully aware of the achievements of Unesco during the three decades of its existence, desires to convey through you, Your Excellency, its warmest wishes for the continued success of Unesco, as a world-wide venture in the co-operation of minds.

28

M r . Ernesto Geisel President of the Federative Republic of Brazil

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Brazil reaffirms its faithful support for its noble objectives which will be attained through the ever more active assistance of Unesco under your eminent leadership.

29

Mr. Todor Jivkov President of the Council of State of the People's Republic of Bulgaria

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of Unesco, I extend m y sincerest good wishes, on behalf of the Council of State of the People's Republic of Bulgaria and on m y own behalf, for further successes and still more fruitful activity on the part of Unesco. Over these last 30 years, Unesco has become a sure support and an important factor for international co-operation in the fields of education, sci­ence and culture. This co-operation, which is growing constantly more extensive and varied, is assuming more effective forms and finding new openings, as the Organiza­tion itself gathers strength and develops. I should like to emphasize once again that we value very highly Unesco's contribution to the consolidation of peace and security in the world and to the complete elimination of colonialism and racialism, as well as its contribution to development and progress towards mutual understanding between peoples. Unesco's lofty ideals have always touched a chord of sympathy among the Bulgarian people and we are happy to say that participation by the People's Republic of Bulgaria in carrying out the Organization's tasks and programmes is constantly broadening and growing more effective. W e are ready to support, in the future as well, all activities by the Organization which aim at safeguarding and enhancing human dignity and at extending access to knowledge, art and culture, while never losing sight of the great duties and lofty responsibilities that fall to the Organization in these modern times. W e are convinced that Unesco will continue to work for the strengthening of peace and for co-operation and progress throughout the world.

30

Mr. Ahmadou Ahidjo President of the United Republic of Cameroon

It is a particular pleasure for m e to send you m y warmest congratulations on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the foundation of Unesco. Thirty years ago, indeed, ended the Second World War which, like its predecessors, had resulted from the thirst for power and the desire to dominate of certain States.

The idea then arose that a just and lasting peace could be based only on the recog­nition of man's irrepressible aspiration after freedom, dignity and progress and on the realization that men share a common destiny. Thus the United Nations came into being with its Specialized Agencies, among which was Unesco whose more especial task was to encourage peoples to draw closer to each other through education, science and culture since, as is stated in the preamble to the Organization's Constitution, "wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed". Thirty years after its foundation, we should pay tribute to the work of Unesco which has managed to overcome the obstacles encountered on its path and remain faithful to its purpose as a body called upon to contribute to the civilization of the universal. I should like here to stress how much the people of Cameroon justly appreciate the encouraging help which Unesco provides to them, particularly in educa­tion which is one of the crucial problems confronting with developing countries. Although we must feel satisfaction with Unesco's activities, we are nevertheless obliged to admit that it is far from having completely attained the aims which it has set itself. Enormous resources in fact continue to be absorbed by the arms race. Inequality is still a characteristic of international relationships, especially in cultural exchanges between nations. Colonialism and racial discrimination, which are a negation of the most ele­mentary human rights, still flourish in southern Africa. Indeed, as I said a few years ago at the International Labour Conference in Geneva on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the International Labour Organisation, mankind today is facing the greatest challenge in history, that of banishing poverty and injustice from the world. Indeed, what meaning can there be for future generations in the conquest of space if we bequeath to them an earth which is inhospitable to the majority of men, an inheri­tance which is not that of a completely human civilization, by which I mean one that guarantees to every man and to all men the conditions for complete self-fulfilment? On the material solidarity of mankind must be constructed a moral solidarity based on common values. A civilization of the universal must be constructed made up of the original contributions of every people and bidding all nations share its benefits in an equitable way. Because this is Unesco's objective and because it has shown its effective­ness in its fields of competence, it deserves the firm support of all nations desirous of peace and freedom.

31

Mr. Don Jamieson Secretary of State for External Affairs of Canada

Unesco marks this month its thirtieth anniversary.

Anniversaries are occasions not for recalling earlier achievements but rather, as you noted in your report on the activities of this Organization in 1974, for looking resolutely to the future.

Canada shares your hope that Unesco may be instrumental in increasing interna­tional co-operation, based upon genuine understanding among people and respect for the rights of others and for justice and may discharge effectively the intellectual and moral responsibilities inherent in its role in the world community.

I a m pleased to pledge continuing Canadian support for and participation in the highly important programmes of Unesco.

32

Admiral Arturo Troncoso Daroch Minister for Education of Chile

Admiral Arturo Troncoso Daröch, Minister for Education of Chile, presents his compliments to M r , Amadou¿JVtahtái* M ' B o w , Director-General of Unesco, on the occasion öf the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and, on behalf of the Government of Chile whose delega­tion he has the honour to lead, wishes to extend to the Director-General his most sincere congratulations and to wish him all possible success in his very important work.

33

His Beatitude Archbishop Makarios President of the Republic of Cyprus

On the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco we convey our cordial greetings and warmest wishes for the successful continuation of its efforts in the achievement of its noble objectives. Education, science and culture are the means for the formation of higher moral and spiritual standards in the world.

Cyprus looks upon Unesco with confidence and pledges its full support to your per­sonal endeavours for the universal acceptance of the principles of the charter of Unesco.

34

M r . Alfonso Lopez Michelsen President of the Republic of Colombia

As President of the Republic of Colombia, I have pleasure in extending congratulations on the work accomplished over 30 years in the field of education by Unesco of which you are now the worthy Director-General. I a m quite sure that this institution will, in the future, add further important achievements to its name for the promotion of culture and hence of peace and of development throughout the world.

35

M r . Félix Houphouët-Boigny President of the Republic of Ivory Coast

I have pleasure in taking the opportunity of its thirtieth anniversary to express to Unesco the full sympathy of the Ivorian people, the Government of Ivory Coast and its President.

In the course of a recent official visit to the Headquarters of the Organization, I had the great satisfaction of stating the privileged role that we assign to Unesco in the progress of nations towards a more just universal order which accords to everyone a place commensurate with human dignity.

The efforts made by all peoples for their economic development have shown how artificial and sterile such development would be if it failed to estimate at their true worth, which is signal, the social and cultural elements in the well-being of individuals and nations.

In this difficult process, the issues debated by your illustrious assembly seem to m e more than any others to bear the seeds of greater universal understanding through dialogue and to provide sustenance for the legitimate aspirations of the world towards solidarity and peace.

By holding its General Conference today in the heart of Africa, in the beautiful capital of Nairobi, Unesco pays a tribute to our beloved continent. I a m deeply touched personally by the recognition thus shown to the depth, wealth and value of our traditions and our cultural future.

I should like to confirm that Ivory Coast, as ever in the past, will continue to con­tribute by all the means in its power to the success of your so noble and exalting task.

I address to your illustrious assembly m y warmest wishes for the successful accomplishment of its work.

In this way you will be adding new undertakings and fresh prospects for universal understanding to an action that has already proved most fruitful.

36

Mr. Raúl Roa García Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Edu­cational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, I a m happy to convey to you, on behalf of the Revolutionary Government of Cuba and in m y own name, heartiest congratula­tions on the praiseworthy work Unesco has done to further the progress of education, science and culture.

The Revolutionary Government of Cuba greatly appreciates the part played by Unesco in the service of the aims set forth in the Preamble to its Constitution and trusts that, under your wise guidance, the Organization will apply itself to meeting the urgent needs of the underdeveloped peoples in its fields of competence. Your per­sonal role at the head of the Organization during the past two years of your term of office testifies to the importance you attach to ensuring that Unesco pursues loftier goals and achieves them more effectively in the fulfilment of those purposes which underlie its activity. This personal commitment deserves the congratulations and encouragement of Member States.

37

M r . Ritt Bjerregaard Minister for Education of Denmark

Thirty years ago, Denmark was among the founders of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and it gives m e profound pleasure today to be among those who, meeting on African soil, are presenting sincere congratulations on the thirtieth anniversary of our Organization, personified outstandingly by yourself. It is m y firm wish that Unesco in future, as in the past, will signify the finest expression of international co-operation in those humane fields where all people should easily be able to unite their efforts.

38

M r . Enrique Ezcurra Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in the Dominican Republic

The thirtieth anniversary of Unesco was celebrated by a solemn meeting of the National Commission, presided over by the Secretary of State for Education and in the presence of the Vice-President of the Republic, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of State for Industry, the diplomatic corps, the Auxiliary Bishop, various other prominent'figures and M r . Rafael Herrera, director of the newspaper "Listin Diario". In his speech, the Secretary of State for Education requested m e to convey to you his best wishes for success in your work and to tell you of the hope which he places in the continued strength of the Organization. The ceremony was followed by the opening of the centre for the inventory of the cultural heritage and an exhibition of folk art.

39

His Majesty Juan Carlos I King of Spain

Spain endorses all efforts on behalf of peace, particularly when based, as is the Constitution of Unesco, on the paramountcy attaching to the values of culture and knowledge. I therefore extend to you m y warmest congratulations, together with those of the Spanish people and Government, on the occasion of the thirtieth anni­versary of this noble intergovernmental organization of the United Nations system, whose task it is to serve education, science and culture throughout the world.

At this moment we are together engaged in preparing the future of the world. Spain has confidence in the future which must emerge from these efforts provided we are all imbued with a sincere desire for mutual tolerance. Enriched by the common heritage of culture, strengthened by science and technology in a natural world for whose conservation we are responsible, and assisted in our individual and collective development by education, we may look forward with confidence to a brighter future.

Unesco must continue to fortify the will of the peoples and governments who are seeking to unite around the ideals we hold in common, in the face of the not inconsid­erable forces born of selfishness, hatred and ignorance that divide us.

For this reason, mutual tolerance has become a priority national goal in Spain, as it must for the international community as well. It is in this way only that peace and equality among all peoples will triumph.

Such is the earnest of our trust today in the work of the nineteenth session of the General Conference, meeting in a reborn Africa at a time when this important anni­versary is being celebrated; and such is the collective responsibility of a staunch political will to bring about the complete rebirth which the world in so many respects requires.

40

Brigadier-General Teferi Bante Chairman of the Provisional Military Administrative Council in Ethiopia

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of Unesco it gives m e great pleasure to extend the best wishes of the Provisional Military Government and People of Socialist Ethiopia for the continuing success of the Organization in its con­stant endeavours to promote the cause of peace, freedom and justice for all mankind. The Government of Ethiopia will continue to support and actively participate in the realization of the noble objectives of the Organization.

41

Mrs. Marjatta Vaananen Minister for Education of the Republic of Finland

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco, the Finnish Ministry of Educa­tion pays tribute to the work of Unesco and expresses its best wishes for the future of the Organization.

42

M r . Valéry Giscard d'Estaing President of the French Republic

On this day when, with the circumstances befitting such an event, Unesco is celebrat­ing the thirtieth anniversary of its foundation, France has at least two reasons for adding its voice to the tributes and good wishes arriving from all over the world. Being a Member State, and one of the oldest and most faithful, it is honoured to have been among the founders of the Organization and to have actively and staunchly co­operated with it throughout the past 30 years. France is also honoured to have been chosen, 30 years ago, as the host country for Unesco and it is ever mindful that this choice, while conferring on France a privilege, imposes on it certain especial duties.

At the height of the war, the representatives of certain States, ours among them, had already laid plans for an international institution devoted to the maintenance of peace and to the world-wide furtherance of human rights through close co-operation between all nations of the world in the intellectual fields of education, science and culture. Although, at the time, this project may have seemed rather Utopian, we see today, on the contrary, in the light of experience, how realistic it was, and how necessary.

Unesco has become a genuinely universal organization in which almost all States in the world, pursuing freely determined objectives, come together to seek practical forms of co-operation, while respecting their independence and with a clear awareness of their diversity in terms of their geographical size, their political regimes and levels of economic development and the fruitful diversity of their ways of life. All together, and each according to its own means, our countries have succeeded in establishing practical co-operation to provide the weakest and the most deprived with access to a more harmonious development and pointing the way to a more human, more generous and more just international order. In this collective effort, which, though always difficult, has often met with success, our government, supported by the living forces of education, science and culture represented within our National Commission, con­tinues to play a role which is in conformity with our best traditions.

Our country, the Organization's host State, and its capital, the ancient but ever youthful city of Paris, intend to remain, for Unesco, as they have never ceased to be throughout their long history, a welcoming land, a focal centre for encounters and exchanges and for the free activity of the mind.

By giving practical expression to this pluralism and co-operation, Unesco pro­vides us with opportunities for making a reality of the promise held out in its Consti­tution of genuine intellectual and moral solidarity among all mankind.

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Mr. El Hadji Omar Bongo President of the Gabonese Republic

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco and of its nineteenth General Conference, it is a particular pleasure for m e to extend to you personally and to the Organization of which you are Director-General, m y warmest congratulations and wishes for complete success.

W e , as Gabonese, are very honoured that this anniversary is being celebrated in a sister country of Black Africa under the guidance of someone originating from another sister country of Black Africa. W e see in this convincing evidence of the esteem in which the international community holds African civilization and the values of negritude.

44

Colonel R . A . Felli Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco, it is m y pleasure to extend to Your Excellency, on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana and on m y own be­half, our warmest greetings and best wishes.

W e in Ghana are proud to belong to an Organization that has, in the short span of 30 years, contributed so much to the improvement of the quality of life for millions of peoples all around the world, by promoting collaboration among nations in the educa­tional, scientific and cultural fields.

That Unesco is holding its General Conference for the first time ever on the African continent is a glowing tribute to its growing concern for the peoples of Africa, and Ghana would like to record its appreciation for this forward-looking move.

W e , ourselves, have enjoyed very cordial relations with Unesco and recall, with a deep sense of satisfaction, the privilege of hosting the first International Conference on Cultural Policies in Africa exactly a year ago. It is our prayer, therefore, that the Organization, under your very able directorship, would continue to offer hope and fulfilment to the developing world as a whole.

On this historic occasion, Ghana rededicates herself to the noble ideals of the Organization and hopes that the spirit of co-operation which has characterized the activities of Unesco will continue to guide the Organization in all its endeavours.

45

General Elhadj Aboubakar Sangoule Lamizana President of the Republic of Upper Volta

The celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scien­tific and Cultural Organization gives m e a pleasant opportunity to extend to you, on behalf of the people of Upper Volta and its Government and on m y own behalf, m y warmest and most cordial congratulations. Founded to ensure the spread of universal culture and to bring its benefits within reach of all men and all countries, Unesco is, among all the Organizations of the United Nations system, the one that has responded in largest measure to the hopes of States and particularly those which have recently entered the international scene. W e seize this opportunity to remind you of our com­plete readiness to assist in the achievement of the Organization's aims, and beg you to accept our warmest wishes for your personal happiness and for Unesco's ever-increasing success.

46

M r . Pal Losonczi Chairman of the Presidential Council of the Hungarian People's Republic

On this day when the General Conference of Unesco is holding a ceremonial meeting to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Organization, I extend m y most cordial greet­ings, on behalf of the Presidential Council of the Hungarian People's Republic and on m y own behalf, to those attending the session in Nairobi. Unesco has already made a valuable contribution to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the na­tions through education, science and culture. These lofty aims, proclaimed in the Organization's Constitution, are in keeping with the principles of our Constitution and with the foreign and cultural policies of the Hungarian Government. The government of m y country therefore considers its constructive participation in Unesco's work as a natural part of its policy in the cause of peace and social progress. I should like to express the hope that Unesco will continue and expand its activities for the strengthen­ing of understanding and friendship among peoples, the relaxation of international tension, the complete elimination of the legacy of colonialism and racialism, and the broadening of scientific and cultural co-operation. It is in this spirit that I wish Unesco further success in carrying out its extremely responsible work.

47

General Soeharto President of the Republic of Indonesia

W e are at present in the middle of the United Nations Second Development Decade. In the past five years a great deal has happened in the world. Unesco itself has felt that the tremendous impact of these events call for changes, though not too drastic, in the objectives of the Second Development Decade.

In view of changing the objectives of the Second Development Decade, Unesco has also paid attention to the resolution on a new international economic order. This shows Unesco's deep concern for the developing countries. W e would be happier still if Unesco would also take into account the cultural problems now faced by the world be­cause of the changes in the decades to come.

The problem of population explosion, for instance, is not merely a matter of family planning and population education. There are more important cultural factors to be dealt with. No matter how successful we are in the implementation of family planning and population education, we cannot deny the fact that before long the popu­lation will have doubled. How to face a world with an ever growing population without experiencing a disaster, is first and foremost a moral and cultural problem while technological solutions are determined by how successful we have been in solving those moral and cultural problems.

W e are confident that Unesco is an international body capable of participating in the enormous moral and cultural problems which will undoubtedly require innovative solutions. These innovative solutions may not be tangible now, but in the near future they can be felt and realized through a genuine international co-operation.

In conclusion, I would like, on behalf of the Government and people of Indonesia, to convey m y high expectations on the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco. I a m convinced that the goodwill of all its Member States will help Unesco to be even more effective in strengthening international co-operation in its field.

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His Imperial Majesty M o h a m m a d Reza Pahlavi Aryamehr Shahinshah of Iran

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco, it is with deep satisfaction that I convey to you, in m y own name and on behalf of the Iranian people, m y warm­est congratulations and most sincere wishes.

Founded at a time when the world was barely recovering from the havoc of a murderous war, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has endeavoured, during the 30 years of its existence, to fulfil a peace-making pur­pose by constructing the defences of peace "in the minds of men" . It has striven to eliminate ignorance and prejudice, to preserve and extend the cultural heritage, to encourage both economic and social development, and to narrow the gap between rich and poor countries. In the pursuit of these tasks, it has succeeded in reconciling its objectives and initial structure with the requirements of a changing world and the ever renewed problems of a mankind seeking to improve its condition.

W e have pleasure in extending our congratulations also to all those who, by their devotion and constant effort, have enabled Unesco to attain the mature age it is cele­brating today, and it is with justified confidence that, in the light of the experience amassed in years gone by, we wish the Organization fresh success.

For our part, we shall continue in the future, as in the past, to make our contri­bution to the attainment of Unesco's objectives, which represent a true pledge of understanding and brotherhood among peoples.

49

M r . Vilhjalmur Hjalmarsson Minister for Culture and Education of Iceland

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco I have the honour to extend to you, M r . Director-General, m y sincere congratulations expressing the hope that the Organization may continue to achieve great results in its work in a field of vital im­portance to all nations of the world.

50

M r . William R . Tolbert President of the Republic of Liberia

Greetings on the unique occasion of its thirtieth anniversary, the Government and people of Liberia extend hearty congratulations and best wishes to the Unesco family. Unesco was justly conceived in the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations and has made, since its founding, significant contributions to international understanding and exchange in the fields of education, science and culture, to the betterment of the entire human family. The Liberian Government and people share with many other Member States the firm belief that Unesco should remain unimpaired in its vital functions and contributions. W e observe with pardonable pride that a distinguished son of Africa, M r . Amadou M ' B o w , has been chosen at this crucial and challenging period of world history to provide the characteristic dynamic leadership now being received, and we in Liberia are profoundly grateful for the quality assistance of Unesco in the imple­mentation of our human developmental programmes. It remains our fervent hope that the Organization will continue its most impressive work in bringing greater enlighten­ment and upliftment to the whole family of man and of nations in this our one world.

51

M r . Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Public Education of Mexico

M r . Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Public Education of Mexico, presents his compliments to His Excellency M r . Amadou-Mahtar M ' B o w , Director-General of Unesco, on the completion of the Organization's 30 years in the service of education, science and culture, and has the honour to convey to him, on behalf of the Government of Mexico, his most sincere congratulations and to wish him all success in the performance of his important duties.

52

His Majesty B¡rendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev King of Nepal

Thirty years ago, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization was founded with the aim of securing peace based on the intellectual and moral soli­darity of man. W e admire the role Unesco has played in bringing about greater harmony among nations to work for the promotion, preservation and advancement of education, culture and science making these benefits available to every man, woman and child in every nation of the world.

W e congratulate Unesco on its thirtieth anniversary and look forward to an era when the vision of a world united in a common purpose to peace and fulfilment can be achieved through still greater collaboration and understanding.

53

Lieutenant-General Olusegun Obasanjo President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

On behalf of the people of Nigeria and myself, I send you sincere greetings on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. I believe that Unesco can look back on its first 30 years with genuine satisfaction and happiness for the significant contribution it has made towards meeting its noble objectives. Over the period the ambivalences and contradictions of the world have, however, tended to vitiate and obscure the noble ideals which inspired the founding of the Organization. Extreme want and severe poverty are still the experi­ence in many countries and education, science and culture have not yet succeeded in bringing respect for justice, human dignity and the fundamental freedoms upon which peace and security should be built. Rather than waning in strength, the considerations for establishing Unesco are, without doubt, as valid today, if not more so as they were 30 years ago. As you rejoice this day you must continue to reach forward as ever before for the abiding principles of your charter looking forward to the future with hope, courage and renewed dedication. With goodwill and determination on all sides your efforts will be largely successful. Let m e assure you of the continued support of the Government and people of Nigeria in your endeavours.

54

Mr. Knut Frydenlund Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scien­tific and Cultural Organization the Government of Norway wishes to convey its sincere congratulations and expresses the hope that your Organization in the future will con­tinue to play an important part in the United Nations family of organizations.

55

Mr. Ferdinand E . Marcos President of the Republic of the Philippines

I join our people in felicitating along with the rest of the world the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on the occasion of its thirtieth anni­versary on 4 November and wishing it the best of everything in its continuing service to humanity as an active member of this vital United Nations agency. M y nation is a witness to the laudable accomplishments of Unesco in the field of international devel­opment through well conceived programmes geared to the establishment of a more just and enlightened global economic order. Its major achievement lies in the vigorous and constructive role it has played in the promotion of co-operation and understanding among people of the world. Unesco has thus become a symbol and the hope of the Third World in its struggle against ignorance, poverty and underdevelopment. For this Unesco deserves the congratulations and the continued support of all.

56

M r . Henryk Jablonski President of the Council of State of the Polish People's Republic

On behalf of the Polish People's Republic, I should like to offer m y cordial greetings to participants at the nineteenth session of the General Conference of Unesco, held in Nairobi, at the moment when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary.

Allow m e to recall that Poland was among the first 20 States to ratify the Consti­tution of Unesco.

During the 30 years of its existence, Unesco has developed and extended its pro­gramme but its objectives have remained the same: the strengthening of peace and respect for human rights, the promotion of international intellectual co-operation, assistance for development, the struggle against illiteracy and ignorance, and the dissemination of science and culture. These objectives can be attained only in a cli­mate of lasting peace and international security, marked by effective measures in support of general disarmament.

Unesco has made a considerable contribution to the cause of peace and the struggle against racism, colonialism and apartheid. W e deeply appreciate Unesco's efforts to eliminate inequalities between peoples and to base mutual relationships on the prin­ciples of justice and equality. I should like to express the wish that it will make even greater efforts to solve the problems of the modern world, and to strengthen peace, international security and scientific and cultural co-operation on the basis of the prin­ciple of peaceful coexistence. The decisions of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe open fresh prospects for the development of Unesco's activities. The results of these decisions are of importance not only to Europe but to the other continents.

Poland attaches great importance to co-operation with Unesco. Mindful of its tragic experience in the past, it will spare no efforts to develop this co-operation in the interests of peace and international security. The foreign policy of the Polish People's Republic has always served these noble aims.

With deep appreciation for the 30 years of accomplishments by Unesco, I should like to offer to the Director-General and the Secretariat of the Organization m y wishes for new and even greater success in carrying out its important mission.

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M r . Mario Soares Prime Minister of Portugal

The celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco gives us a unique opportunity to reaffirm our confidence in the Organization and our desire to contribute further to solidarity among the peoples of the world.

The Organization has progressed beyond the stage of facile enthusiasm and beyond the trial phase. The extension of participation in Unesco by the entry of new sovereign States has enriched the Organization by adding to the diversity of cultures represented within it, but it has also increased its complexity.

W e see this complexity as the prime challenge facing the community of nations as well as all members of the Secretariat of Unesco and its subsidiary bodies in their daily work. W e sincerely hope that the inevitable differences inherent in such richness will be continually overcome by means of dialogue and co-ordination and, if necessary, by the meticulous comparisons that produce creative cultural acts which are alone capable of reconciling dialectically opposed contradictions.

At this period in the world's history when Unesco is reaching maturity, it is of no small importance for Portugal that the thirtieth anniversary is being celebrated on the African continent to which we are bound by close ties, renewed after the Portuguese and African liberation process which led to decolonization. Culture is becoming one of the great hopes of mankind. Supported by educational systems which meet the aspirations of individuals and in which individuals are regarded as the centre of devel­opment, culture is also taking over the scientific and technological development of societies which are increasingly world-wide in dimension.

Culture of this kind is very closely associated with the political aspects of man's individual and collective existence. Whilst acknowledging this political aspect, we consider that culture has intrinsic and unique potentialities for providing answers on its own ground. Hence we feel that in this period of maturity which the Organization has reached, the major problems dividing men must not be pushed into the background and we very much hope that Unesco will be able to contribute to their solution by the fusion of cultures and other human endeavours. This is the context for its irreplaceable ethical role, not only within the United Nations system but throughout the world at large.

W e pay tribute to the endeavours of all those attending the nineteenth session of the General Conference and of all those who have preceded them, and we affirm our desire to link our destiny more closely with that of other peoples, so that together we may blaze the trail for a new type of relationship between cultures, races, peoples and nations, leading to the new international order that is dawning.

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M r . Erich Honecker Chairman of the Council of State of the German Democratic Republic

O n the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization permit m e to extend to you and to the General Conference warmest congratulations from the people of the German D e m o ­cratic Republic and myself.

With the founding of Unesco the peoples reiterated their will forever to preserve peace which was achieved at a heavy cost, and to save succeeding generations from the scourge of a new war.

Owing to international changes in favour of peace and social progress, there is today a real chance to banish war from the life of mankind and eliminate the last bastions of colonialism and racism. It is being more and more realized that there is no alternative to the policy of peaceful coexistence among States with different social systems. Thus possibilities have improved also for Unesco to work in the sense of the principles of peaceful coexistence.

As a socialist State focusing all its efforts on ensuring that its people live in peace and prosperity and on steadily increasing their material living standards and spiritual level, the German Democratic Republic pays tribute to the activities of Unesco to secure peace, promote human rights and make use of the achievements of science and technology for the benefit of mankind, and will render effective support to these activities in future, too.

Permit m e , M r . President, to seize this occasion to wish Unesco, the major international organization in the fields of education, science and culture, fresh success in its work for peace, understanding among peoples, and social progress.

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M r . Reginald Prentice Chairman of the National Commission for Unesco of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

I send m y warmest greetings and those of the Government and the people of the United Kingdom to you and the Organization which has achieved so much in the time since it was first conceived. The role of Unesco in advancing the cause of peace is a proud one and it is m y sincerest wish that the Organization will remain in the forefront of the struggle to preserve this most precious possession of mankind. W e must never forget the opening words of the preamble of the Constitution "That since wars begin in the minds of men it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed".

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Major-General Habyarimana Juvenal President of the Rwandese Republic and Founder-President of the National Revolutionary Movement for Development

At a time when the entire world is celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco, it is a special pleasure for us to extend to you, on behalf of the Government and people of Rwanda united within the national revolutionary movement for development, and in m y own name, our heartfelt and cordial congratulations. The Government and people of Rwanda take a special interest in the work carried out by Unesco for the well-being of mankind in general and the overall progress of the developing nations in particular. W e offer our sincere wishes for the complete success of the nineteenth session of the General Conference of Unesco and hope that the Nairobi Conference will achieve prac­tical results that will strengthen the Organization's contribution to the development of the peoples. W e take this favourable opportunity of repeating to you our wishes for success, happiness and prosperity.

61

M r . G ia near lo Ghironzi Secretary õf State for External Affairs of the Republic of San Marino

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the foundation of Unesco, the Captains, Government and people of San Marino, fully aware of the great moral and material significance of the event for the Organization and those States which have understood its message of peace and universal brotherhood, wish to extend, through m e , their warmest good wishes that Unesco may attain its noble aims of progress and develop­ment of the world community as a whole, through ever growing co-operation between Member States in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. To these sentiments, they join their congratulations on the tireless efforts the Director-General has made to arouse and stimulate world opinion. They also express to the President of the nineteenth session of the General Conference, at present taking place in Nairobi, their ardent hope that the important decisions which will be adopted on African soil will mark another fundamental stage for the future of Unesco and in achieving the aims of progress and peace, in the atmosphere of co-operation and justice which all peoples long for.

62

Mr. Leopold Sédar Senghor President of the Republic of Senegal

Thirty years have already passed since the Second World War left the world in ruins. The combats which, for two thousand years, had shaped Europe in the image of its genius, this time left it exhausted. The struggle had extended to all parts of the globe and had caused the death of Americans, Africans, Asians and people from Oceania. The total of between 35 and 65 million dead represented the fantastic failure of diplo­macy and it was something which could not have been imagined in 1938 when Nazi troops entered Prague.

The lesson had to be learned and what was learnt, put into practice. The Consti­tution of Unesco states that peace cannot be "based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of governments" and that such peace "must therefore be founded . . . upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind". The first step was taken but what has happened since?

There is such a dichotomy between this assertion of principle and the arms race, between the vast stock of knowledge and illiteracy, between the refinement of the search after the aesthetic and the cultural alienation of millions of human beings, that one might despair. There exists, however, no other solution to guarantee the survival or, better still, the development of mankind than the application of the principle stated in 1946. One should not smile at the idealism of the Organization's founding fathers since either they were right or we are already as good as dead.

Among the grounds for hope and hence for giving support to Unesco and its mission, I should like to mention two things.

To begin with, what has already been done is far from inconsiderable. In educa­tion, for example, the sustained efforts of the Organization's experts have enabled many States of the Third World to establish a new and original system adapted to the conditions of their development and, above all, their culture. Unesco has also made a remarkable contribution in the field of literacy, the applied sciences, the social sciences and human rights.

In the specific field of culture, which to begin with was Unesco's sole area of activity, Unesco has participated in the preservation of the monuments of classical civilizations. I say "classical" in the sense of human models. Nothing to m e is more indicative of the greatness of its mission than the preservation of the monuments in the Valley of the Kings which enables Egypt, without foregoing the opportunities for economic development, at the same time, to offer all Africans a model of human civilization, based not only on biological but above all on cultural interbreeding.

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There is something else, too, however, which is more essential and touches on the human condition. It was recognized in 1946, and for the first time, that man's salvation lay in his cultural solidarity. This implies the diversity of cultures. For two thousand years, the West had lived under the impression that true humanity, or culture, was based on the discursive alone. And this idea was traced back to the Greeks with their distinction between intuitive and the discursive reasoning. Besides that, as everyone knows, they claimed that their ancestry lay in three directions, Europe, Africa and Asia. In 1946, however, Unesco, in advance of the colonial nations, shattered this image of man. Discursive reasoning was not, of course, to be abandoned but was to be broadened to include all aspects of human reasoning, thought, will and feeling, as René Descartes, the founder of modern rationalism, recommended. This is the direction in which we think Unesco should pursue its mission, that is to say in the direction of the civilization of the universal which will be composed of the complementary contributions of every race, continent and nation. This is the new world cultural order which, in the opinion of the most far sighted economists like Mesarovic and Pestel of the Club of Rome, can alone allow of the establishment of that new world economic order which nations have begun to search for in order to emerge from the greatest economic and social crisis of modern times.

For us Senegalese, Unesco is the institution which embodies the highest promises of freedom, peace and dignity restored to all peoples on earth. Over and above the differences, misunderstandings and contradictions which separate men in the darkness of our crisis-stricken world, Unesco remains for us a centre of vigorous action and spiritual communion.

W e have thus followed, with feeling and pride, the celebration of the Organiza­tions thirtieth anniversary in Nairobi - in Africa.

64

M r . Siaka Stevens President of the Republic of Sierra Leone

M r . President, on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone and on m y own behalf I send you hearty felicitations on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco and pray that this Organization will continue to strive towards the attainment of the ob­jectives for which it was established.

65

M r . Jan Erik Wikstroem Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs of Sweden

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Seien- • tifie and Cultural Organization I wish to convey to you the sincere congratulations of the Swedish Government and its firm support for the valuable work carried out by the Organization.

66

M r . Lubomir Strougal Chairman of the Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic

Permit m e to congratulate you on behalf of the Government and the people of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic and on m y own behalf on the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization which in the past years has effectively contributed to the universal promotion of edu­cation, science and culture and has achieved international authority for the consist­ency and genuineness of its efforts towards international co-operation, prevention of wars, the ensuring of human dignity and fundamental human freedoms, without dis­tinction as to race, sex, religion or language. The people of our country which in the Second World War has experienced all horrors of occupation, lack of freedom and fascism, highly appreciates and fully supports the active assistance provided by Unesco to countries struggling for the elimination of colonial domination and the achievement of full national and economic independence, as well as for the promotion of education and science and the preservation of national cultures and traditions as an indivisible part of the cultural heritage of all mankind. The fact that for the first time in the history of Unesco the session of the General Conference is being held in the African continent is a proof of the support provided by Unesco to the peoples of the African countries. W e believe that the Conference will strengthen the determination of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America to bring their struggle to victorious con­clusion. I should like toassureyou, dear M r . Director-General, that the Czechoslovak delegation to the nineteenth session of the General Conference will support every effort of the Organization to further promote international co-operation to strengthen peace and progress in the world, and I should like to wish the nineteenth General Conference and you personally many successes in your further activities.

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Mr. A . N . Kosygin

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

On behalf of the USSR Council of Ministers I greet the participants at the nineteenth session of the General Conference of Unesco, which is opening on the eve of the Organization's thirtieth anniversary.

This is the first time that the General Conference has met on African soil. This underscores not just the growing role of the African countries in the work of Unesco, but the need to eliminate forthwith and finally the last vestiges of colonialism, racism and apartheid on the African continent, through the joint efforts of all democratic forces.

As one of the major and most influential bodies of the United Nations system, Unesco has its part to play in promoting détente and strengthening international peace. This positive role of Unesco is referred to in the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, an event of great importance for other continents as well by reason of the results obtained and experienced amassed from it and the example it affords.

Unesco's long years of experience have convincingly shown that the Organization's authority depends on how active a part it plays, within its fields of competence, in solving such fundamental and topical problems as the maintenance of international security, the struggle for the final elimination of colonialism and its consequences and the development of broad international co-operation in the fields of education, science, culture and communication in the interests of the peoples of all countries.

The Soviet Union considers that Unesco can and should make more purposeful use of its influence and ability to act on public opinion in the interests of terminating the arms race, curtailing military expenditure and progressively moving towards disarma­ment. Solution of this problem will allow mankind to release enormous material and spiritual resources for socio-economic and cultural progress and considerably speed up the task of establishing and strengthening equitable political and economic relations between countries all over the world.

By putting into effect the programme for the further struggle for peace and inter­national co-operation, freedom and independence of peoples, adopted by the XXVth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union will do all in its power to support Unesco's activities relating to these humanitarian goals and ideals.

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The Soviet Government wishes participants at the nineteenth session of the General Conference every success in formulating Unesco decisions which will effectively con­tribute to the materialization of détente, its consolidation and translation into specific forms of equitable, and mutually advantageous international co-operation in culture and science.

69

M r . Carlos Andrés Pérez President of the Republic of Venezuela

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco, I should like to reaffirm the support of Venezuela, a democratic nation, for the vital work which this Organization is doing in the cause of world peace. It is a work which aims to promote spiritual values and human creativity and to bring peoples closer to each other through the dissemination of knowledge in order to conquer ignorance, inequality and poverty and in order to create a better world. Implicit in the important tasks which Unesco is ful­filling, and which are visible in the agenda of the nineteenth session of the General Conference at present being held in Africa, is a vast programme of international co­operation corresponding to the efforts being made to open up new prospects which will enable mankind to plan a happier future in a more convincing way. Among the questions on the agenda are problems of vital importance for developing countries such as the presentation of news and the right of peoples to information which must be true and authentic since, if it is not, it is a threat to national identity. There is also the Organization's contribution to intensifying efforts to establish and effectively main­tain a new international economic order and to achieve the objectives of the Second Development Decade. The activities which the Organization is encouraging in these fields are an invaluable contribution to what is being done to reach these aims and objectives. I a m convinced that at the conclusion of the present session of the Confer­ence, Unesco will be even more certain of its mission and more able to impart a new impetus to its various undertakings. I take this opportunity of confirming the full support of the Venezuelan people and Government and their resolve to contribute to the achievement of these aims.

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Mr. K . D . Kaunda President of the Republic of Zambia

On behalf of the party, Government and the people of Zambia, and indeed on m y own behalf, I wish to congratulate you, M r . Director-General, on the occasion of the thir­tieth anniversary of Unesco.

Like other Specialized Agencies of the United Nations, Unesco has played its role in the realization of the ideals and objectives of the United Nations since its establish­ment. The principles of freedom and human rights which the United Nations has so strongly supported and cherished since its establishment are intricately involved and concerned inter alia with freedom of individuals to pursue educational and scientific objectives within the framework of the cultural heritage of each Member State. Unesco must, therefore, continue to play its role actively so that its work may, ultimately, through Member States, benefit the individual.

In congratulating you, therefore, I wish to extend m y recognition and appreciation of the work of the United Nations itself from which Unesco draws its inspiration.

Although Unesco has its Headquarters in Paris, its work has spread out to every Member State throughout the world. However, the present Conference appears to be the first such conference to be held outside Europe and within an African developing country. I wish to pay tribute, therefore, to all Member States and indeed, to you, M r . Director-General, for highlighting the problems of African development by choos­ing to hold the nineteenth session of the General Conference of Unesco in Nairobi, Kenya. It is m y hope that through the discussions and deliberations of this Conference, a num­ber of typically African problems would be brought to light and proposals or resolutions leading to practical solutions within the aegis of Unesco would be put forward.

I wish the nineteenth session of the General Conference of Unesco great success.

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His Holiness Pope Paul VI

In this year which marks the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco, we are happy to associate ourselves with all those who look with confidence towards this international organiza­tion. Our wish is that, through the diversity of attitudes and immediate interests, it may continue to promote effectively for all men a style of education and culture cap­able of supplying their minds with more substantial sustenance, a more universal out­look and an elevation worthy of their spiritual vocation. By so doing, Unesco is able to make a weighty contribution to mutual understanding, peace and co-operation among peoples. W e wholeheartedly renew our sincere encouragement to the officials who are responsible for carrying on this outstanding task in a spirit of impartiality. W e should like to extend special wishes for the work of this nineteenth session of the General Conference. W e are convinced that the promotion of free, accurate and comprehensive information and the international exchanges this implies are entirely compatible with the authority and responsibility of leaders who are legitimately concerned for the well-being of their own countries and with the banning of all propaganda in support of hatred, war, violence, racism and apartheid. Reiterating our satisfaction̂ at seeing these problems dealt with by Unesco, we commend to Almighty God the efforts now being undertaken for concerted progress towards greater truth and fraternity.

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Mr. Yves Lambert Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization

O n this thirtieth anniversary of Unesco we send you the very sincere congratulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization for the invaluable services rendered by your Organization since its foundation.

With best wishes for success in pursuit of your activities

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Mr. Georg Kahn Ackermann Secretary-General, Council of Europe

On occasion thirtieth anniversary of Unesco, please accept for yourself and the entire Secretariat m y warmest wishes for the fulfilment of your important and difficult mission.

Trust our two organizations will continue to co-operate in pursuance of our joint ideal of culture, tolerance and freedom.

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Mr. E. Van Lennep Secretary-General, Organization for Economie Co-operation and Development

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco, I wish, in the name of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, to pay tribute to the tire­less efforts of your Organization towards the betterment of mankind.

I wish also to express every good wish for the successful achievement of your future undertakings at a moment in our history when common understanding and co­operation amongst nations are so much needed.

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The Hon. Mr. Shridath Ramphal Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Unesco I send you our heartiest con­gratulations and good wishes for the continued success of your Organization in its efforts to promote world peace and understanding through education, science, culture and communication. In this we share a common goal and I look forward to increasing co-operation between Unesco and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

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Mr. Georges Malempré Chairman of the Conference and Standing Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative relationship with Unesco

As is stated in the Constitution of Unesco, a peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of governments cannot secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world and peace must therefore be founded upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.

To reach this end, the founders of Unesco sought the means to associate the peoples of the world more closely with the preparation and implementation of the Organization's policy. Participation by international non-governmental organizations in Unesco's activities has thus enabled it to go beyond its intergovernmental framework by establishing links with voluntary associations, representative of national and inter­national public opinion.

Today more than ever, the non-governmental organizations have a considerable role to play at both national and international level, thereby making a vital extra con­tribution to the efforts and activities of governments and official bodies. They are profoundly attached to the defence of peace and the promotion of human rights, and their activities accordingly fit quite naturally into Unesco's programme.

On behalf of the Conference and the Standing Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative relationship with Unesco, I have the honour to extend to M r . Amadou-Mahtar M ' B o w , Director-General, m y warmest congratulations on this thirtieth anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

I take this opportunity to reassert the will of international non-governmental organizations to make their loyal contribution to the achievement of Unesco's ideals and aims in accordance with the Constitution and the Directives of the Organization, with a view to the establishment of a new world economic and social order which favours justice, development and peace among men.

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World Congress of Esperanto

The 61st World Congress of Esperanto in meeting in Athens, Greece, from 31 July to 7 August 1976, notes that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) will celebrate on 4 November 1976 the thirtieth anniversary of its foundation.

Congratulating Unesco on this occasion, the Congress attentively and thankfully notes the important work carried out by Unesco during that period, and wishes it con­tinuing success in the furtherance of education, science and culture on a world-wide scale.

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Mr. Romesh Chandra Secretary-General of the World Peace Council

The World Peace Council sends warmest greetings to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on the occasion of its thirtieth anniversary, and expresses its wish for further successful work of all those who stand for the noble aims of this Organization, to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security by promoting co-operation among the peoples in the fields of education, science and culture.

Today 136 countries are represented in Unesco which co-operates with over 360 international non-governmental organizations. The objectives and tasks which the Organization has undertaken are of far-reaching diversity. The universal character of the activities of Unesco is one of the fundamental guarantees of its effectiveness.

The growing effectiveness and increasing activity in the various fields of educa­tion, science and culture are of great significance. Since its inception Unesco has always remained faithful to the basic principles on which it was founded. At the same time, it is characteristic of the Organization that it continues to demonstrate a readi­ness to use all means at its disposal to act on those principles in accordance with new social developments and topical demands.

Our epoch is characterized by the involvement of an ever broader mass of people into the shaping of their own lives. The struggle for the maintenance of peace, for national sovereignty, self-reliance and independence, for the improvement of social, spiritual and material living conditions is gaining in strength and will continue to do so until all over our globe a truly humane society will have been established.

Recognizing the interrelationship of many social and economic factors there is a growing solidarity for the creation of a new order of international economic relations which will bring greater justice, greater fraternity and greater respect for the sover­eignty of peoples and which will render hunger and poverty a thing of the past.

There is an ever growing struggle against ignorance, against all types of slavery, against illiteracy and against the heritage of colonialism and imperialism, a struggle to make available to all peoples the great spiritual, cultural, scientific and technologi­cal achievements of the human race.

Since its foundation the World Peace Council upheld the great concept formulated in the preamble to the Constitution of Unesco, that the defence of peace must begin in the heads of people, reaching over idealogical, political, professional and regional frontiers. Accordingly, the W P C has done everything in its power to mobilize all

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peace-loving humanity to avert the terrible dangers threatening us and to build a peaceful world. Now there is a world movement for ending the arms race, for dis­armament and détente and for convening a world disarmament conference seeking to ban war and preparations for war once and for all, to unmask the conspiracies of war makers and to show clearly those circles who profit by war.

In this world movement, it is Unesco in particular which continues and preserves the humanist traditions of the past in all its spheres of work and which combines with them the new ideas and achievements springing from the conscience of the peoples, from their spiritual and material potential employing them towards shaping the pres­ent and the future.

Permit m e please, to thank the Director-General, M r . Amadou-Mahtar M ' B o w , the Executive Board and all workers of Unesco for their faithfulness to the noble aims which guide their activity and to wish them success in their work for the future and personal well-being.

The World Peace Council will always support your work to the best of its ability.

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M r . Preben Kirkegaard President of the International Federation of Library Associations

On the occasion of Unesco's thirtieth anniversary the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions sends its very warm congratulations, grateful for the co-operation that has taken place over the many years between Unesco and our Federation, and hoping for its continuation in years ahead.

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World Federation of Teachers' Unions

On the occasion of the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of Unesco, a Specialized Agency of the United Nations for education, science and culture, the World Federation of Teachers' Unions (FISE) conveys to Unesco, to M r . Amadou -Mahtar M ' B o w , its Director-General, and to the Secretariat its congratulations and best wishes for success in their future activities.

For 30 years we have appreciated Unesco's outstanding work to promote the ideals of peace and respect for human rights and to foster progress in education, science and culture for the benefit of mankind.

The world has changed radically in the course of these 30 years; dozens of new States have become independent and now play their part in the life of Unesco; the forces working for peace, national independence and the dignity of nations have made remarkable progress throughout the world. At the same time, the rapid advance of science and technology, in conjunction with contemporary social and political trans­formations, has increased the need to train men and women educated to a high scien­tific level, combining general education and occupational training.

Teachers, like all other workers and the people at large, are concerned that young people and adults should have access to literacy skills, to knowledge and to technical training. They are also concerned to defend their material and moral interests.

This is why FISE will continue to work in ever more active co-operation with the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, and in particular with Unesco, in order to make the right to education effective everywhere and to defend teachers' interests.

FISE is deeply interested in policies and measures in favour of development and the establishment of a new international economic order, as well as in literacy work and adult education.

Unesco cannot fail to play a major role in establishment of the new international economic order in all its spheres of competence.

FISE is also very much concerned by the action taken to promote disarmament and peace and to defend human rights, trampled in the dust by fascist, racialist and apartheid regimes, and will always co-operate actively in whatever measures Unesco takes in this field.

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Trade union organizations represent an important part of the world's working population, and Unesco should work in ever closer co-operation with them.

Workers, teachers and their unions have new responsibilities to bear in effecting radical economic, social and political transformations, and particularly in countering the crisis in developed capitalist countries and the harmful influence of transnational corporations, especially in developing countries.

There is great scope for extending the co-operation between Unesco and interna­tional organizations of workers and teachers. FISE, for its part, hopes to strengthen its contacts and co-operation with Unesco, and welcomes the results already achieved particularly in collaboration with the International Bureau of Education.

The World Federation of Teachers' Unions is firmly convinced that Unesco, after its first 30 years of existence, is on the threshold of a new era, and will continue to win ever more support from the people at large, from workers, teachers, young people and all other forces working for progress and change in the world, in order to fulfil the universal ideals of its Constitution.

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M r . Jean-Charles Nègre Secretary-General of the World Federation of Democratic Youth

Allow m e to submit to you the warmest greetings of the Bureau of the World Federa­tion of Democratic Youth, its member organizations and the millions of young people it represents and wish the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organi­zation all success in its efforts to contribute to solving the great problems of our world.

Unesco in the past 30 years of its existence through its activities all over the world in the field of education, science and culture has contributed successfully to the promotion of peace, international understanding and co-operation among the peoples of the world.

The relations between Unesco and the non-governmental organizations have been improving and thus their contribution to realizing the aims of Unesco has become of real importance. W e feel that Unesco is fully appreciating the efforts of the non­governmental organizations.

W e as a youth non-governmental organization are aware of the attention Unesco is paying to the importance of involving young people especially in the solving of those problems which concern their rights, their education, their living and working con­ditions - to improve their possibilities to participate in the social and economic devel­opment of their countries.

Our world today is characterized by positive changes in favour of those wishing to live in peace, security and co-operation. Great achievements have been made in the struggle of the peoples against imperialist domination, colonialism, neo-colonialism and apartheid.

W e are convinced that the creation of a new international economic order which would base co-operation among States on the principle of equality and mutual respect is a contribution to the safeguarding of peace.

Still there are major problems which endanger this positive process.

W e see that the arms race has reached unprecedented heights and presents a direct threat to the existence of humanity. They are still regions of the world which are hotbeds of war.

W e hope Unesco will utilize all its possibilities in the future as it has in the past to contribute to strengthening the achievements in favour of peace and international understanding.

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Young people, being the heirs to this world, are ready to take part in carrying out the often difficult tasks of Unesco, for the sake of peace, security, co-operation and social progress.

Allow us lastly to express our appreciation of the work of the Director-General, M r . Amadou-Mahtar M ' B o w , and the whole of Unesco for doing their best to act in the spirit of the noble constitution of the Organization.

Our organization, representing the young people of the world, will remain your true supporters in the future.

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M r . Enrique Pastorino, President M r . Pierre Gensous, Secretary-General World Federation of Trade Unions

The World Federation of Trade Unions sends greetings to Unesco on the thirtieth anniversary of its foundation, wishing it every success in its future activities.

Having co-operated with Unesco since its constitution on 4 November 1946, and enjoying consultative and associate status with it, the W P T U appreciates the true worth of Unesco's work for the benefit of mankind in the educational, scientific and cultural fields and desires to see a further development of the ties of co-operation between the two organizations.

In view of the many radical changes in every sphere, which are the mark of our time, efforts are required to satisfy humanity's needs for a broad culture, both in general and in technical terms.

The right to vocational training to the highest level, as well as to general educa­tion, science and culture is among the leading demands of workers and their trade unions. Satisfaction of this right would make the workers' other rights more meaning­ful, such as the right to work, to more skilled employment, to higher wages and to better living and working conditions. Finally, it would give their leisure greater scope.

In active co-operation with the whole of the international trade union movement, the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, Unesco among them, are contributing effectively to the attainment of the great and noble aims inscribed in their programmes. In this connection, the W F T U is of the opinion that the international community should take greater account of the role that the trade unions could and ought to play-in con­temporary society.

The W F T U is following with interest Unesco's efforts to bring about a strategy for development and a new international economic order, with a view to giving more effec­tive aid to the developing countries in the fields that it covers, particularly those of literacy and adult education.

In this regard, new tasks fall to the workers and trade unions connected with pro­moting and putting into effect democratic structural reforms in the economic, political, social and cultural fields, especially in view of the harm caused by the transnational corporations' activities in the Third World.

On this thirtieth anniversary, the W F T U reaffirms its readiness to strive for a further development of co-operative relations between our two organizations. In this context, it reiterates its proposal for placing the annual consultative meetings between

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Unesco and the international trade union organizations on a regular basis, by includ­ing them officially in the Unesco programme.

The World Federation of Trade Unions is convinced that in the future, Unesco will display renewed dynamism and vitality by drawing on the sources of wisdom, ingenuity and creative spirit of the world's working people, so as to successfully pro­mote the noble ideals embodied in its Constitution.

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M r . Otto Kersten Secretary-General, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

Behalf free trade union movement send you sincere good wishes for success of your efforts, for fruitful work of nineteenth session and for celebration worthy of Organi­zation's thirtieth anniversary.

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Father E k w a bis Isal, S.J. Secretary-General of the Catholic International Education Office

On 4 November, in Nairobi, Unesco will officially celebrate its thirtieth anniversary. The Catholic International Education Office, conscious of the decisive role played by the Organization in the development of mankind, is happy to associate itself with all who rejoice with you in what has been accomplished.

During these 30 years which have been marked by a gradual broadening of the Organization's views, Unesco has served mankind well by harnessing science, edu­cation and culture in the service of peace and human rights.

More impressive still is the achievement of bringing together peoples and nations, torn apart by so many conflicts, in one and the same ideal in which the demands of a world consciousness seeking for unity must go hand in hand with the aspiration of groups and peoples for recognition of their own identity.

Beyond the recognition of the respective rights of individuals and communities, which could still lead to confrontation since these rights must be placed in order of importance and what that order should be is a matter of constantly renewed dispute, the message of the Gospel speaks to us of an unconditional love in which even one's enemy is acknowledged as a brother.

Catholic education wishes to place the whole power of this message at the service of the international community by using for the fulfilment of man the means made available to it by the modern world.

May the ever keener perception possessed by Unesco of the irreplaceable con­tribution made by the values of the spirit in man's development enable it to make irreversible progress in the fight against all kinds of discrimination and in the estab­lishment of a more equitable world order.

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Mrs. Yvonne de Hemptinne Secretary-General of the International Catholic Film Organization

International Catholic Film Organization congratulates Unesco work accomplished. Assures interest and co-operation for future. Best wishes anniversary.

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Catholic International Union for Social Service

The Executive Committee of the Catholic International Union for Social Service joins with all those working in co-operation with Unesco in extending to the Organization its congratulations on the occasion of its thirtieth anniversary.

It expresses the hope that the decade now beginning will enable it to continue with its fruitful labours.

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Mrs. Lovatt Dolan President-General of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations

World Union of Catholic Women ' s Organizations offers best wishes for thirtieth anni­versary and assures continuation work collaboration educational activities carried out throughout world by Unesco.

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Father Jean Desauteis, S.J. Secretary-General, International Catholic Association for Radio and Television

International Catholic Association for Radio and Television (UNDA) offers sincere congratulations on occasion thirtieth anniversary Unesco with assurance of continued collaboration.

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Staff Association of the International Civil Aviation Organization

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of Unesco, the Cultural Committee of the ICAO Staff Association extends its wishes to you for success in carrying out your wide-ranging programme.

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