Activities of UNESCO and its co-operation with the Council of Europe
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 1 and 2 October 1984 (16th and 17th ittings) (see Doc. 5274, report of the Committee on Culture and Education). Text adopted by the Assembly on 2 October 1984 (17th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
The Assembly,
1. Having noted the report of its Committee on Culture and Education on the activities of Unesco and its co-operation with the Council of Europe (
Doc. 5274) ; On the activities of Unesco
2. Underlining the importance of Unesco and its universal character, and recognising the contribution made by Unesco on the world level to mutual understanding between peoples and between persons, to respect for cultural identity and towards a fairer balance in world terms between the developed and the underdeveloped nations in the field of education, science and culture ;
3. Regretting the conflict situations in Unesco as a result of a lack of internal coherence and of deep political differences, which also find expression in administrative methods ;
4. Regretting the conflict situations in Unesco as a result of a lack of internal coherence and of deep political differences, which also find expression in administrative methods ;
5. Supporting efforts to ensure that Unesco reflects both political realities and intellectual values, while recognising the serious difficulties of incompatible ideologies on the world level ;
6. Noting with interest the possibilities of regional co-operation in Unesco and the setting up of regional offices responsible for multiple programmes ;
7. While welcoming the practical proposals put forward by Unesco itself regarding personnel matters, budgeting procedures and the rationalisation of programme activities, calls for a better consultation between political, diplomatic and intellectual circles in order to define more balanced and less controversial fields of action for Unesco, and draws attention in particular to the need to reinforce the role of the National Commissions for Unesco in this context ;
8. Regretting the threat by the United States to withdraw in 1985, and expressing the hope that the decision will be reconsidered, bearing in mind, however, the fact that it has prompted Unesco to define more clearly, and refocus, some of its functions,
9. Invites national parliaments of member states to hold specific debates on Unesco and international cultural co-operation ; On co-operation with the Council of Europe
10. Recalling the 1952 co-operation agreement between Unesco and the Council of Europe ;
11. Recalling that the total sum of the contributions of member states of the Council of Europe represents one-third of the ordinary budget of Unesco ;
12. Welcoming the continuation of this co-operation through co-ordination of intergovernmental activities, regular inter-secretariat meetings and periodic Assembly debates ;
13. Convinced that the values and principles of Council of Europe democratic states should continue to be heard and respected in Unesco ;
14. Noting in particular the unique opportunities offered in Unesco for East-West dialogue and for the more open expression of opinion by all countries,
15. Decides to organise a series of meetings on subjects of common interest in the work programmes of Unesco and the Council of Europe, including, for example :
communication,
cultural identity and cultural development,
North-South co-operation,
and asks its Committee on Culture and Education to take the necessary steps ;
16. Believes that constructive co-operation should be further developed with Unesco, and asks the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to identify areas for such co-operation, if possible for consideration at the next General Conference of Unesco to be held in Sofia in 1985.
