The responsibility of UNESCO in the wake of terrorist bombings last Friday night in Paris took centre stage in the speeches that opened up UNESCO’S Forum of Leaders yesterday.

President Paul Biya, who was the second Speaker in the list of over ten world leaders brought out all the hallmarks of a highly respected Statesman from the African continent.

The depths, rich content and topical relevance of his over fifteen minutes words of wisdom, attracted a huge ovation from the delegates. He began by situating Africa’s role in UNESCO with the Chair of the 38th General Conference in the hands of Stanley Mutumba Simataa.

Stressing the role of UNESCO in the continent’s political independence, President Biya saw a rejuvenated Africa making a “comeback to the Community of nations”.

The special ties binding UNESCO and Cameroon were also unravelled in the Speech of the President. As an “offspring of the United Nations and the International Community”, President Paul Biya stressed the culture of peace that Cameroon shares with UNESCO. The painful experience of terrorism with the attacks of Boko Haram in the Far North Region of Cameroon came to focus.

With the terrorists sowing seeds of ethnic and religious division, President Paul Biya emphasized Cameroon’s resolve to crush Boko Haram and consolidate Unity that remains the foundation of our country.

Drawing lessons from the carnage caused by terrorist in Paris last Friday, President Paul Biya stressed that the war against terrorism “concerns every nation that ranks respect for human parson and life among its core values”.

President Biya revisited the relations between Cameroon, foreign power and international organizations. Their support, he said, has helped to build a democratic society and ensure development in Cameroon. UNESCO, the President stressed, occupies a privileged position among Cameroon’s partners.

Respected Statesman

Before the President mounted the rostrum, the Chair of the 38th General Conference, Stanley Mutumba Simataa set the ball rolling with an opening Statement that delved on the role of UNESCO. The next speaker who presented a welcome address was Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO who castigated “false interpretations of faith” as root causes of terrorism.

She delved extensively on the responsibilities of UNESCO in the face of the barbaric actions of terrorists adding that “we can never give in…”. After the introductory Speeches of the Chair of the 38th General Conference and the Director General of UNESCO, the floor was opened for the leaders’ forum, with the President of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev firing the first volleys.

He was then followed by President Paul Biya who was described as the “respected Statesman from Africa”. Other Speakers in the leaders Forum included Gjorge Ivanov, President of Macedonia, Agila Saleh Essa Gwaider of Libya, Dalia Grybaukaite of Lithuana and the Indian Minister of Human Resource Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, amongs others. Three former Directors General of UNESCO were expected to address the plenary later in the afternoon yesterday and reflect on the significance of the 70th anniversary of the Organisation.

Goodwill Ambassador

On arrival earlier in the morning at the UNESCO complex, Cameroon’s First Couple were received by the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova. After discussions, President Paul Biya signed the UNESCO golden book before moving into the hall for the beginning of the Forum of leaders.

Accompanying the Head of State throughout the day at the UNESCO complex First Lady Chantal Biya, who doubles as UNESCO’S Goodwill ambassador for education and social inclusion was in familiar turf.

The First Lady’s actions in her role of ambassador have been instrumental in promoting UNESCO’S values in Cameroon. In 2008, she created a UNESCO Chair at the University of Buea. Chantal Biya later sponsored publications like “Dirty Kid” and “The Long Road”.

The books provide the Cameroonian youth with a learning grid on the milestones in the history of our Country. The production of ten thousand boxes of a card game dubbed “All citizens” by the First Lady Strive to impart values of good citizenship in the Cameroonian youth.

The ongoing Forum of leaders of the 38th General Conference of UNESCO has offered participants an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities of the organization in a world confronting terrorism. All Speakers at the forum yesterday saw UNESCO’S core Values as an appropriate response to the barbaric ideologies of terrorism.

The aphorism of UNESCO as spelt out in its constitution: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that defences of peace must be constructed” emerged as a weapon to confront and crush terrorism. The leaders’ forum continues today in Paris with Speeches from other world leaders.