UNESCO'S 35TH GENERAL CONFERENCE: REVIVING CULTURE OF

UNCLAS PARIS FR 001489 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: SCUL PREL UNESCO SUBJECT: UNESCO'S 35TH GENERAL CONFERENCE: REVIVING CULTURE OF PEACE AT UNESCO ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A draft resolution asking the Secretariat to plan a new "Culture of Peace" program was put forward by Morocco and Guatemala in the final days of the 35th General Conference. Concerns were raised regarding the potential cost of any new program, which resulted in amendments to the resolution asking for the Secretariat to come up only with proposals for consideration by the spring 2010 Executive Board. End Summary. AN IDEA REBORN ¶2. (SBU) Morocco and Guatemala put forward a draft resolution on the "Culture of Peace" during the final days of the 35th General Conference for review by the Joint Meeting of the Commissions. The original draft resolution was co-sponsored by more than 61 Member States, including the United States. The resolution made reference to the United Nations Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace that was approved by the UNGA (ref: A/RES/53/243). The Moroccan resolution called for the Secretariat to prepare for consideration a draft program on the subject for consideration and possible approval by the upcoming spring Executive Board. Ultimately, the "Culture of Peace" proposals were meant to be integrated into the consultation process for the preparation of UNESCO's next Draft Programme and Budget for 2012-2013 (36 C/5). CONCERNS RAISED ¶3. (SBU) While Morocco explained the "Culture of Peace" concept as an "umbrella" covering all of UNESCO's work, the vague language of the resolution created a situation for many where it was difficult to say no to supporting such an idea, yet not clear what it would mean in practical terms. Specifically, the initial language called for the Director-General to prepare for consideration "a draft interdisciplinary and intersectoral programme for a culture of peace". ¶4. (SBU) Members of the Secretariat staff told us privately that the "Culture of Peace" concept had been a key part of UNESCO's strategy under Director-General Federico Mayor (1987-99). They also noted that both the Moroccan and Guatemalan ambassadors had been close to Mayor in promoting this idea, despite the fact that it never saw any lasting results in its previous incarnation. ¶5. (SBU) With the Secretariat raising concerns both about "turning the clock back" as well as questioning what programs would have to be killed in order to pay for any "Culture of Peace" related program, several Member States began to press the authors of the resolution to make some adjustments. Both Japan and Norway, along with the United States, held discussions with the Moroccan and Guatemalan ambassadors in order to find language that would satisfy all sides. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS VICE PROGRAMS ¶6. (SBU) After negotiations, language calling for the Secretariat to submit proposals for consideration, rather than a draft program, was agreed to by key sponsors. It is worth noting that UNESCO's newly elected Director-General Irina Bokova, added Bulgaria's name to the co-sponsors of the draft resolution. NEXT STEPS ? ¶7. (SBU) What happens next will depend greatly on the nature of the proposals that the Secretariat will put forward before the spring Executive Board. The underlying issues of cross-cultural understanding and tolerance can be counted on to receive enormous support, and the United States has also promoted UNESCO programs designed to discourage religious extremism. Much will depend on how the "Culture of Peace" is defined in this new context, and whether it is able to flourish in this new reincarnation. ENGELKEN