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FM USMISSION UNESCO PARIS FR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC
INFO RUCNSCO/UNESCO COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS PARIS FR 001489 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12598: N/A 
TAGS: SCUL PREL UNESCO
SUBJECT: UNESCO'S 35TH GENERAL CONFERENCE:  REVIVING CULTURE OF 
PEACE AT UNESCO 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  A draft resolution asking the Secretariat to 
plan a new "Culture of Peace" program was put forward by Morocco and 
Guatemala in the final days of the 35th General Conference. 
Concerns were raised regarding the potential cost of any new 
program, which resulted in amendments to the resolution asking for 
the Secretariat to come up only with proposals for consideration by 
the spring 2010 Executive Board. End Summary. 
 
AN IDEA REBORN 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Morocco and Guatemala put forward a draft resolution on 
the "Culture of Peace" during the final days of the 35th General 
Conference for review by the Joint Meeting of the Commissions.  The 
original draft resolution was co-sponsored by more than 61 Member 
States, including the United States.  The resolution made reference 
to the United Nations Declaration and Programme of Action on a 
Culture of Peace that was approved by the UNGA (ref: A/RES/53/243). 
The Moroccan resolution called for the Secretariat to prepare for 
consideration a draft program on the subject for consideration and 
possible approval by the upcoming spring Executive Board. 
Ultimately, the "Culture of Peace" proposals were meant to be 
integrated into the consultation process for the preparation of 
UNESCO's next Draft Programme and Budget for 2012-2013 (36 C/5). 
 
CONCERNS RAISED 
 
¶3.  (SBU) While Morocco explained the "Culture of Peace" concept as 
an "umbrella" covering all of UNESCO's work, the vague language of 
the resolution created a situation for many where it was difficult 
to say no to supporting such an idea, yet not clear what it would 
mean in practical terms.  Specifically, the initial language called 
for the Director-General to prepare for consideration "a draft 
interdisciplinary and intersectoral programme for a culture of 
peace". 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Members of the Secretariat staff told us privately that 
the "Culture of Peace" concept had been a key part of UNESCO's 
strategy under Director-General Federico Mayor (1987-99).  They also 
noted that both the Moroccan and Guatemalan ambassadors had been 
close to Mayor in promoting this idea, despite the fact that it 
never saw any lasting results in its previous incarnation. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) With the Secretariat raising concerns both about "turning 
the clock back" as well as questioning what programs would have to 
be killed in order to pay for any "Culture of Peace" related 
program, several Member States began to press the authors of the 
resolution to make some adjustments.  Both Japan and Norway, along 
with the United States, held discussions with the Moroccan and 
Guatemalan ambassadors in order to find language that would satisfy 
all sides. 
 
CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS VICE PROGRAMS 
 
¶6.  (SBU) After negotiations, language calling for the Secretariat 
to submit proposals for consideration, rather than a draft program, 
was agreed to by key sponsors.  It is worth noting that UNESCO's 
newly elected Director-General Irina Bokova, added Bulgaria's name 
to the co-sponsors of the draft resolution. 
 
NEXT STEPS ? 
 
¶7.  (SBU) What happens next will depend greatly on the nature of the 
proposals that the Secretariat will put forward before the spring 
Executive Board.  The underlying issues of cross-cultural 
understanding and tolerance can be counted on to receive enormous 
support, and the United States has also promoted UNESCO programs 
designed to discourage religious extremism.  Much will depend on how 
the "Culture of Peace" is defined in this new context, and whether 
it is able to flourish in this new reincarnation. 
 
ENGELKEN