THE WORLD CULTURE JOURNAL

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My Archives: September 2003

Monday, September 29, 2003

The announcement, that the USA rejoins the UNESCO is well received. It will strengthen the organization financially - the two-year budget is expected to increase to $610 million from $544 million - and politically, bringing more power and global influence for the goals and projects of the world's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Even though the announcement seems to have at least partly some other motivation behind it (coming at a time, when President Bush is trying to smooth international relations while seeking support for his Iraq policy) it is an important development.

Hopefully it will lead to an increased understanding of world cultures in the US and will not be turned around to increase the global influence of American mass culture. World's cultures and their expressions (art, music, film) and heritages need every support they can get. How much more work can be done with the additional $66 Million!

Under President Ronald Reagan (in 1984), the United States withdrew from the UNESCO, citing bad management and anti-Western bias, now Mrs. Bush said "As of October 1, the United States government will once again be a full, active and enthusiastic participant in UNESCO's important mission to promote peace and freedom."
Let us be optimisitc and assume that the US support will also include support towards UNESCO's true mission of "saving the world cultures".

Posted by WB @ 11:15 AM NY [Link]

Wednesday, September 24, 2003

There is no alternative to the UN. In the 21st century humankind need to understand their fundamental togetherness - living on this planet. True words were spoken by Kofi Annan yesterday at the 58th UN general assembly. His criticism towards pre-emptive strikes and his message to "not let this opportunity pass" was well understood by the majority of delegates and heads of state. Echoed by the remarks of French president Chirac, many world leaders see the UN as the most important international organization, in need of new structures and more power.
There was a strong sense of agreement between Chirac, Schröder and Annan, when they walked through the invited guests at the German Cocktail reception, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Germany's admission to the UN. The talk between them was relaxed after this stressful day. They were obviously enjoying themselves, knowing that two of them had said already the necessary and probably confident, that Mr. Schröder will follow suit with his remarks today. Nevertheless all of them knew, that a lot of work lies ahead. When I shook the hand of Kofi Annan and wished him "…a lot of strength this week", he smiled and said "Thank You! I need it!"

Everybody knows, that the current US-leadership certainly does not care about him or the UN very much. However, already after the 2nd day of the "UN-week", Bush & Co. must feel the dissent and realize the diplomatic difficulties their own ignorant arrogance has brought them in. Not that anybody doubt their role as sole superpower or ignores the fact, that the US needs to be involved in all international affairs - but refusing to play by common rules, dropping out of international treaties like the Kyoto-protocol, and in general "doing their own thing" prevents mostly any good will cooperation from other states.
Many diplomats and guests at the German reception shared the harsh critic from the Democrats, that Bush wasted another opportunity with his speech in front of the general assembly - even though nobody was really surprised about the presidents speech.

Current US politics seem to be very shortsighted. It is based on extreme ideas from a few individuals, who see America as the world's rightful emperor. They love the expression "new empire" and talk openly about their motives and goals. They fail to see, how much their thinking will hurt the USA AND the world in the long run. It should be the opposite: only in strengthening the UN will the US be more secure and safe. Only through integrating every country into a structure could many conflicts be overcome. It is true that the UN needs a structural change - but this change should lead to more power for the UN. It should be possible to intervene at the place of genocide within one meeting of a new and extended Security Council, which voted by simple majority - supported maybe by the military structure of NATO, in order to have the means to follow though with decisions.

The American experience explains, why the UN deserves all possible support: North America experienced peace for 150 years, because it became a Union of states. A process, which in a very different form is again realized in Europe. Enemies can unite and agree to fight their differences through the "3 channels of conflict release": Debate, Sport and cultural expression.
Finding the necessary strength for the UN to walk this way will be the biggest challenge for Kofi Annan. Hopefully, he will succeed.

Posted by WB @ 10:28 AM NY [Link]

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