January, 2002

Interview with Kushiro Matsura, Director-General of UNESCO

Interviewd by Sawsan Hussein

Kushiro Matsura was elected as director-general of UNESCO on 15 November 1999 after a 40-year career in diplomacy. Matsura is the first Asian figure to assume this post since the establishment of UNESCO in 1946. Answering a question about the challenges that UNESCO faces in the new century, he replied 'that the principles stipulated in the founding charter of the organisation have become the core of the activity of the organisation. These principles have jumped to the forefront of international priorities. They are represented in tolerance, dialogue, respect for others, mutual understanding and overcoming differences that differentiate one culture from another. The charter points out as well that all cultures and religions should share a common goal that serves humanity with no regard to race or colour'.

Moving to the new strategy of UNESCO set by Matsura, he identifies the goals of the organisation in the period between 2002 and 2007. These goals are represented in the maintenance of operational diversification for the sake of adopting a more balanced reaction to globalisation, sharing information and knowledge to eliminate possibilities of marginalisation, and facilitating and encouraging dialogue between cultures to evade future clashes. He underscored the importance of working for the elimination of poverty, and stressed the urgent need to improve elementary education together with disseminating values that advocate peace, tolerance, respect for others, sharing and coexistence in a diversified society.

Matsura spoke about the reform process set for the improvement of the organisation's structures and about the difficulties that he faced and the sometimes contradictory requirements of reform, topped by reconciliation between financial austerity and a pressing need for development. Yet Matsura has managed to achieve many goals in a span of two years without adequate funding. He confirmed that reform is not a goal in itself and is meaningless unless it brings about adaptation between structures and methods of work on one hand and requirements of the world on the other. When asked about the efforts that UNESCO exerts to maintain the world's heritage, he reiterated the importance of maintaining all forms and aspects of human heritage that symbolise common identities and spread an ideology based on sharing, mutual understanding and respect. 'It is high time to start a crucially important operation for the whole world represented in the maintenance of the old city of Jerusalem,' he said. He would implement the operation by using sophisticated professional and technical methods that are not related to any political considerations. With regard to the efforts of UNESCO to make the United States rejoin the organisation, he declared that he is seriously working on this goal accompanied by all other member states. All parties concerned want UNESCO to regain more of an international feature that gives it power and dimension, and therefore UNESCO calls upon all members that have left the organisation to rejoin.

Matsura mentioned the close ties and cooperation that bind UNESCO with the International Organisation of the Francophonie. Both organisations have common goals that they endeavour to attain together in the fields of education, culture, science, media and information. A new joint agreement was signed including a list of activities that meet the needs of the age. Moving to the relationship between UNESCO and Egypt, Matsura confirmed the strength and depth of this relationship and described it as comprehensive. Egypt, besides being one of the most important owners of world heritage, shares with other organisations in many futuristic projects in several areas.

When asked about the demolition of the Buddha statues in Afghanistan, Matsura expressed his deep sorrow and distress over this incident, which was perpetrated intentionally against human civilisation as a whole. International efforts exerted on all levels to stop this catastrophe against a symbol of all cultures bore no fruit. Matsura recommends that deterrent sanctions be set so that such a catastrophe cannot be repeated.

Matsura concluded that the events of 11 September and their repercussions have shown the importance of adhering to the principles and values advocated by UNESCO. Matsura stated that if the world managed to open channels of dialogue between cultures based on tolerance and respect for cultural diversity, the world would be able to share principles and ideas in an unprecedented way.