United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization“There are no superior cultures,” declared Nicanor Duarte Frutos, “just different cultures. This why any attempt to impose a single vision of culture, a cultural hegemony that would claim to represent progress and of civilization is misguided and undermines the principles of liberty, democracy and global pluralism.”
After praising UNESCO as “exemplary” for the entire United Nations system, “because it promotes intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding as the sound basis for consensus among nations,” the President of Paraguay deplored that “multilateral organizations created to reinforce peace, do not always heed the voice of developing countries.” He added: “Although terrorism represents a real threat to global stability, it cannot be the sole item on the agenda, an omnipresent theme, while the spread of knowledge, the drastic reduction of poverty, the end of protectionism, and true respect for human rights, require an ever stronger commitment on the part of the world’s leaders.”
President Duarte Frutos, who delivered part of his speech in Guarani, welcomed “UNESCO’s initiative in declaring 2008 International Year of Languages” and said that Paraguay is “the only South American country to have given official status to an American Indian language. […] Guarani is part of the collective memory and of the intangible heritage of the Paraguayan nation,” he added.
“I believe that education is the principal human right,” declared the President. After presenting an overview of the educational reform undertaken by his government, he announced that “in 2008, Paraguay will meet the target of eradicating illiteracy, a first step towards the even more important objective of providing life long education for all.”
Source: UNESCO Press Release No.2007-137 - Publication Date: 30-10-2007