Paris, February 7 (No.2001-19) - UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura today emphasized the importance of education in building peace and democracy at the formal inauguration of the UNESCO Chair in Education for Pluralism, Human Rights and Democracy at the University of Ulster at Coleraine on the last day of his first official visit to the United Kingdom since he took office in November 1999.

At the inauguration, held in the presence of Sean Farren, Minister of Higher Education of Northern Ireland, Mr Matsuura expressed satisfaction over the activities of the Chair which started operating over a year ago, saying it has been “providing relevant educational support for the peace process in Northern Ireland, and promoting international links and contributing to weaving a worldwide network towards a culture of peace.” But he insisted that “to secure peace is not only to prevent new conflicts but also to overcome the fissures of past wars.”

Mr Matsuura said it is UNESCO’s duty “to encourage peace-building from the foundations up, by favouring the emergence of a true culture of peace among citizens whose legitimate differences are recognized and appreciated, while their equal and absolutely essential human dignity is affirmed.” He went on to declare: “Here, perhaps more than anywhere else in the United Kingdom, you know that this is first and foremost a question of education. We can and, indeed, should be taught from an early age to understand different points of view, to value the spiritual diversity and distinct cultural contributions of other civilizations and human groups, and to acquire the mental habit of searching in every way possible for the peaceful instead of violent resolution to any dispute. It is education that in the long run ensures community and citizen support for - dare I say, demand for - political settlements of conflicts.”

“This is what we call a culture of peace”, the Director-General said, adding: “Its essential instruments are education for all, as well as research and training, to help forestall conflicts and nurture the values of democracy and pluralism through full participation in political life and decision-making by all members of civil society: with no exclusion based on prejudice against either gender, creed, opinion or class.”

Mr Matsuura went on to praise the work of the Chair, held by Professor Alan Smith - together with that of the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) - in introducing education for democratic citizenship into the general school curriculum. “Applause is also due to the teachers from schools in Northern Ireland who are currently developing materials and training courses, and piloting the introduction of education for democratic citizenship, to children aged between 11 and 16 years”, he said.

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