Addresses delivered in the general policy debate by the Head of Delegation at the General Conference
37 session of the General Conference
His Excellency, Mr Sredoje Novic, Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina 
Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 37th session of the General Conference - revised and corrected version of the verbatim records of plenary meetings36 session of the General Conference
H.E. Mr Sredoje Nović, Minister of Civil Affairs Speech delivered during the General Policy Debate of the 36th session of the General Conference and posted as received35 session of the General Conference
H.E. Mr Sredoje Nović, Minister of Civil Affairs(Interpretation from the Bosnian)
“There are ongoing activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the education reform aiming to building to an education system able to respond to the challenges of the globalization times. In this, the goal is to ensure Education for All, to respect diversity and particularly bearing in mind the needs of the minorities.”
“Cooperation in the field of education, exchange of experience and applications of best practices are the safe ways of achieving long-term prosperity. We adopted a framework law on higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina based on fundamental principles of the Bologna values and we adopted the education development strategy in Bosnia until 2015. One of the goals in this document is closer cooperation of higher education with scientific and research work and development of an institutionalized network for research and development at all higher education institutions. This particularly implies provision of modern infrastructure and equipment, restructuring and employment of the new teaching and scientific personnel.”
“Cooperation in the field of science has become a priority. We have been working on the construction and reconstruction of the science infrastructure in my country, but we are aware at the same time that major results in this field may be achieved only through connections with the global scientific and research networks.”
“Promotion of science and technological education, building social awareness about the opportunities offered by science and technology, capacity-building for creation of science, technological innovation policies and regional and international cooperation in the fields of science and technology are only some of the priorities.”
“The building of the science and technological potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina is based on the UNESCO recommendations through the three goals: training of the new generation of scientists at universities at home or abroad, development of research infrastructure in line with international standards and reinvestment in industrial research in certain sectors.”
“We have been working in cooperation with the UNESCO Office in Sarajevo to implement the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. We are fully determined to implement the World Heritage Convention efficiently and we hope that in addition to the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Vishigrad and the Old Bridge in Mostar, other cultural properties will be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.”
“May I take this opportunity to inform all of you on the regional initiative of my country with support from the colleagues from Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro in order to initiate joint activities for nomination of Bosnian medieval tombstones for the inscription on the World Heritage List as a joint regional Project (…).”
“Multi-ethnicity and multiculturalism characterize Bosnia and the whole Western Balkans. Dialogue and cooperation are therefore very important in our region so as to develop unity of our diversity as richness that make us recognizable.”
“The role of UNESCO is particularly important in the field of communication and dialogue among the various cultures and religions because it is possible to build long-term peace and stability only through intercultural dialogue. It is exactly the UNESCO mission that helps in building a better future through mutual understanding, tolerance and respect for diversity (…).”
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is very grateful to Mr Matsuura for his objective and balanced approach in leading UNESCO and fully supports Ms Irina Bokova”.
34 session of the General Conference
H.E. Mr Sredoje Novic, Minister for Civil AffairsUNESCO is the source of support in solving problems for countries that have to overcome major difficulties such as conflicts, intolerance and lack of dialogue. UNESCO’s values represent the foundation of a peaceful and prosper society. Moreover, the role of UNESCO in the modern world should be more forceful than ever.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country, which fully observes and implements all the ideas promoted by UNESCO. Therefore, the country expresses its absolute support to the UNESCO Programme 2008-2009. Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to have all the primary UNESCO objectives in those individual fields achieved.
The education system is currently being reformed in Bosnia and Herzegovina to correspond to the requirements of globalization. New policies will aim to provide education for all, respecting differences and especially taking into account the needs of minority groups.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has adopted a decision accepting the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and we have also launched the procedure for admission to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and other important UNESCO conventions.”
The World Heritage Lists counts two Bosnian sites: the Mostar Old Bridge and the Višegrad-based Mehmed Paša Sokolović bridge; a further expansion of this list to also include the historical centre of Jajce would be very welcomed.
“Dialogue and cooperation are extremely important for us in order to turn that uniqueness of diversity into a treasure […] Bosnia and Herzegovina has just become the host to South East Europe’s Regional Cooperation Council, i.e. the seat of its General Secretariat.”
“Principles promoted by UNESCO are fully compatible with the principles that will be nurtured by the South East Europe Regional Cooperation Council. We suggest holding a regional conference in Sarajevo next autumn, attended firstly by UNESCO but also by all other organizations and institutions advocating the respect of human rights, freedom of others, and ethnic, religious and cultural diversity.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina also suggests that UNESCO could use music as a bridge to join people and civilisations. Music is connecting people from different worlds and traditions in a truly magical way and Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready to take a part in this dialogue of cultures.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
