Message of UNESCO Director GeneralKoichiro Matsuura to III Eurasian Media Forum Almaty, Kazakhstan, 22-24 April 2004
While focusing on the role of the media in Central Asia, the overall aim of the Forum is to enhance the understanding of East-West and global issues. Central Asia, as much as any other region in the world, is in need of dialogue, cooperation and understanding. To address regional challenges is a first and indispensable step in tackling these challenges, especially in this age of globalization, so as to learn to live together and to prevent the emergence of new ignorance and obstacles to international cooperation.
UNESCO has recognized the need to accelerate dialogue among cultures and civilizations. Over recent years, the Organization has broadened the scope of dialogue, with a view to making it more relevant to contemporary problems and challenges.
On 16 October 2003, the Organization's 32nd General Conference unanimously adopted a landmark resolution which endorsed the results of two important high-level meetings on the dialogue among civilizations: the "New Delhi Declaration" and the "Message from Ohrid". The resolution stipulated that UNESCO's actions should henceforth place emphasis on pursuing concrete activities - in the domain of education, especially through the pursuit of the six Education for All goals; in the area of sciences and technology, including the role of traditional and local knowledge systems; in the field of culture, especially in terms of cultural diversity in all its dimensions, including world heritage; and in regard to the media and information and communication technologies.
Indeed, the media are an important contributor to all effective dialogue among cultures and civilizations through the promotion of universal principles, ethical values and human rights. For UNESCO, this engagement is clearly linked to respect for freedom of expression and the free flow of ideas and knowledge as well as unfettered access to information. These principles have been advocated by the Organization at the World Summit on the Information Society at its meeting held in Geneva on 10-12 December 2003, where they were fully endorsed and included in the WSIS Action Plan. No doubt they will also be on your agenda during this Forum.
Due to its historical, cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as its common heritage, the Central Asian region is uniquely placed to help advance the dialogue among cultures and civilizations - and, above all, a peaceful development. I am pleased to announce that UNESCO and the Government of Kyrgyzstan will jointly organize a High-Level Conference on the theme "Eurasia in the 21st Century - Dialogue of Cultures or Conflict of Civilizations?" in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 10 and 11 June 2004. Several Heads of State of the region and of neighbouring countries are expected to attend this important event, as are a wide range of eminent scholars, decision-makers and experts.
The Conference will address a complex range of socio-political issues and parameters such as shared values, cultural diversity and heritage, and water and sustainable development. These issues overlap in important aspects with your concerns, which is why I am sincerely interested in the outcome of your meeting. Likewise, I hope that you will be able to cover, if not attend personally, the Bishkek Conference. It will be a unique event in the region, which merits and calls for a full reporting of the issues and discussions. I personally look forward to visiting the region again in June.
Please accept my best wishes for much success with your deliberations
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