The Director-General of UNESCO expresses concern over threatened boycott of Israeli Academic Institutions

The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today voiced concern over the motion passed on 30 May 2007 by the British University and College Union (UCU) to boycott Israeli academic institutions. This boycott request is currently being circulated to all UCU local branches for discussion.

“In situations of conflict, opportunities, no matter how small, should be seized whenever possible, to enhance the prospects for peace and dialogue.

The free exchange of ideas and knowledge, which lies at the heart of all intellectual activity, is the very life-blood of academic work and institutions.

Academics are responsible for gathering, processing and distributing information, which are tasks necessary for building stable, prosperous and democratic societies. We need to preserve the universality of research, exchange and learning, and support all joint academic activities that foster the sharing of experiences and expertise.

If we are serious about the need to promote sustained peace, democracy and development, I believe that we have the moral responsibility to share knowledge and promote understanding.

International university cooperation is not a luxury but a necessity. We must therefore continue to support all efforts within civil societies to nurture contacts in the spirit of respect and mutual understanding which characterize peaceful relations”.

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• Author(s):Press Release No. 2007-69
• Source:UNESCOPRESS
• 22-06-2007