Crafting the Conditions for Development

An Interview with Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO

EDITORS’ NOTE Irina Bokova is a obstacles everywhere. UNESCO’s role Two priorities cut across all of these activi- Bulgarian diplomat and politician, lies in bridging the gaps in global gover- ties – gender equality and Africa. Our convic- who has held her current post since nance by fostering international coopera- tions are clear and strong. Every child and adult November of 2009. She is the first tion in education, the sciences, culture, should have the skills and the tools to respond woman to have been elected head of the and communication. UNESCO does not to the challenges of the world today and make Organization. She was also Minister deliver development fi nancial aid, but the most of the opportunities that are available. of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of we craft the conditions for development. How is UNESCO focused on the impact . Elected as a deputy of the The Organization does not itself keep the of globalization and would you provide an Bulgarian Socialist Party, she partici- peace, but works to make it last. overview of your work with United Nations pated in the drafting of Bulgaria’s What are some of the major University (UNU)? new Constitution. She also launched programs that UNESCO leads? All of UNESCO’s actions seek to help indi- the fi rst seminar of the Parliamentary In 2000, all countries agreed on the viduals, societies, and States respond better to the Assembly of the Council of Europe on Irina Bokova Millennium Development Goals to be pressures of globalization and make the most of the European Convention on Human reached by 2015. These embody an es- the opportunities it offers. We must take every Rights. During the course of her career, she has rep- sentially humanist ambition to surmount inequality chance to set the world on the path towards more resented Bulgaria at the United Nations and as and poverty and to lay the foundations for sustain- inclusive and sustainable development. This is the Ambassador to and . She is also able development for all. These are tied to the ob- importance of the Rio+20 Conference in June and a permanent delegate to UNESCO. Bokova is a jectives to achieve education for all by 2015 – the the stakes of the sustainable development goals graduate of the Moscow State Institute of international campaign that UNESCO is leading. we set to follow 2015. For this, we need long-term International Relations, the University of Maryland We have a lot of hard work ahead. Today, some 70 visions and policies based on scientifi c expertise. (Washington), and the John F. Kennedy School of million children who should be in primary school This is where our cooperation with the United Government (). are not. Illiteracy still affects close to 792 million Nations University comes into play. We share a adults – 16 percent of the world population, two vocation to build bridges among academia, pol- ORGANIZATION BRIEF UNESCO (www. thirds of whom are women. We support countries icy-makers, civil society, and the private sector. I .org) is the United Nations agency with a man- in tackling these challenges. intend to make the most of our collaboration. date to defend freedom of expression and press We work also to safeguard and protect hu- How do you measure the impact of freedom. Article 1 of its Constitution requires the manity’s cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is a your programs and track results? Organization to further universal respect for jus- source of identity and social strength; it provides Measuring impact is vital for success. UNESCO tice, for the rule of law and for human rights and vectors of development and growth, and it creates applies results-based management to ensure effec- fundamental freedoms which are affi rmed for channels for dialogue and tolerance. Humanity’s tive implementation of its programs through regular people of the world, without distinction of race, sex, tangible and intangible cultural heritage is pro- monitoring and evidence-based reporting, as well language or religion, by the Charter of the United tected through six international conventions. as systematic follow-up to the recommendations of Nations. To realize this, the Organization is re- This year, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of evaluations and audits. To create a more interactive, quested to collaborate in the work of advancing the UNESCO’s fl agship World Heritage Convention. transparent, and integrated working environment, mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples, UNESCO is the only UN agency with a we have developed an IT management tool to fol- through all means of mass communication and mandate to promote the free fl ow of informa- low and support the implementation of the RBM to that end recommend such international agree- tion and stands up for every journalist at- approach. This provides the Organization with a ments as may be necessary to promote the free fl ow tacked or killed. We are developing the legal unique entry point for sharing information on prog- of ideas by word and image. frameworks for free speech in Afghanistan, Iraq, ress against our objectives. Liberia, and Sierra Leone. We have started work As you look to the future, what are your Would you provide an overview of UNESCO in Tunisia and Egypt to strengthen media free- key priorities for UNESCO to ensure that the and its key areas of focus? doms through reform, support to journalism organization remains relevant? UNESCO was forged by the conviction that education, and pre-electoral assistance. I am determined to reform the Organization – peace needs to be built and sustained in new ways. Building solidarity between men and to increase its performance and to respond to the This idea inspired the drafting of our Constitution, women guides UNESCO’s activities in the area needs of our Member States. For this, I am intent which states that meaningful peace must be of sciences. In the social and human sciences, on sharpening UNESCO’s position on the ground founded “upon the intellectual and moral solidarity UNESCO is here to ask difficult questions, and within the United Nations family. All of my of mankind”. This was true in 1945 and is all the to explore the ethical implications of develop- efforts are directed toward reaching the priorities more relevant today, at a time of global change and ments in biotechnology, for instance. In the set in the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy – for rising pressures. Challenges pay little heed to bor- natural sciences, UNESCO seeks to harness the Africa and gender equality, and also for the Least ders. People are more connected than ever before, progress of science for the good of all. The Developed Countries, the Small Island Developing but inequalities and misunderstandings remain Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission States, and Youth. Each of these is vital for taking deep within and among societies. Human capac- illustrates our work in the crucial area of tsu- forward a new vision of development for the 21st ity is the ultimate renewable energy, but it faces nami early warning. century, guided by a new humanism.• 54 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2012 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 35, NUMBER 3