The new
director-general of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, called for unity and humanism, as
she takes over the troubled educational, scientific and cultural agency.
“The period
in which we’re living faces numerous global challenges: massive degradation of
the environment, obscurantism, terrorism, questions about the contribution of
science, deliberate attacks on cultural diversity, the oppression of women,
massive displacements of populations,” Azoulay said at her investiture ceremony
on Nov. 13 in Paris.
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| Audrey Azoulay (Photo: UNESCO/Alix) |
She said
that UNESCO is more “necessary” than ever and stressed that the organisation “can
and must participate in a world order based on multilateralism and humanist
values”.
At her
swearing-in ceremony, an ambassador of one of UNESCO’s 195 member states told
her: “May the Force be with you”. The “Star Wars” quotation evokes the
difficulties that lie ahead for Azoulay, in the quest to strengthen UNESCO
financially and heal internal rifts.
Without a
magical lightsaber, she will have to rely on her experience, diplomatic skills
and the backing of member states, many of whom expressed support and
encouragement after her election, although they did not all vote for her.
“I would like
to assure you of the support of the Africa Group as you carry out your work,”
said Zimbabwe’s Ambassador Rudo Mabel Chitiga, on behalf of UNESCO’s 48 African
member countries. “We are very happy to note that you have roots in Africa ...
we therefore welcome you as a sister.”
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| Azoulay at a press conference. |
She was first nominated by UNESCO’s 58-member Executive Board on Oct. 13, with 30 states voting in her favour, against 28 for Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari of Quatar. There had been nine candidates at the beginning of the race in March, including three women.
UNESCO’s
General Conference – the second of the organisation’s two decision-making
bodies – voted on Azoulay’s nomination Nov. 10, with 131 states in favour and
19 against (some of the organization’s member states were not eligible to
vote). Her investiture ceremony took place a day before the two-week Conference
ended, on Nov. 14.
Throughout
the process, some delegates said Azoulay had shown keen awareness of UNESCO’s
precarious situation, especially as the United States and Israel have announced
their withdrawal from the organization.
It’s expected
that she will use her multicultural background and youthful “dynamism” to bring
diverse parties together.
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| Audrey Azoulay and Irina Bokova (Photo: SWAN/McK.) |
“I grew up in
France with the chance of coming from elsewhere, like millions of French
people,” Azoulay said at her investiture. “France and Morocco, Europe and
Africa, North and South. Morocco has this special asset in today's world – an
asset that is enshrined in its most important text, its constitutional text –
to be based on multiple roots. The preamble of its Constitution clearly affirms
the attachment to Berber, Jewish, Arab-Muslim, Andalusian and African
civilizations.”
She pledged
to uphold UNESCO’s mandate of working for peace through
the advancement of culture, education for all, and science.
Azoulay takes office Nov. 15. She is
the second woman to lead the organization, succeeding Irina Bokova of Bulgaria, who was
director-general from 2009.
For a more
complete article, see INPS news agency. You can follow SWAN on Twitter: @mckenzie_ale
