The contribution to sustainable development and peace from the fields of competence of Unesco is an expectation of Cuba at the 42nd General Conference of the organization, said today the Minister of Education, Naima Ariatne Trujillo.
In statements to Prensa Latina shortly after the opening of the forum in this capital, which will be held until November 22, the head of the Cuban delegation said that during the event the Antillean nation will share its experiences in education, science, culture and communication.
It will also be a space to thank Unesco for its historic position against the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade, she said.
Trujillo will make several interventions during the General Conference, in meetings such as the high-level meeting of ministers of education and the General Policy Debate, and will hold dialogues with leaders of the multilateral organization, among them its director general, Audrey Azoulay, and counterparts from other countries to promote bilateral cooperation.
According to the minister, there is a marked coincidence in the principles and values of Unesco and those promoted by the social model that Cuba defends and strengthens, in the midst of global challenges and the impact of the blockade it has suffered for more than 60 years.
Regarding the area of education, he pointed out that the island will present its results and experiences from the third improvement of the educational system, the specialized attention to children, adolescents and young people, the achievements in higher education and the vision of working for a quality and equitable education for all throughout life.
We will be participating in this General Conference in its various commissions and events, said Trujillo, who is accompanied by Cuba's ambassador to Unesco, Yahima Esquivel, the president of the Cuban National Commission for Unesco, Dulce María Buergo, and representatives of the Ministries of Education, Higher Education, Culture and Communications.
The high official insisted on the need to bet on peace in the complex times humanity is living through and on the role of the organization of 194 member states in the pursuit of that goal.
She also mentioned the importance of working together on the ethical decisions that must accompany scientific development and progress in information and communication technologies in order to guarantee the rights of individuals and democracy.
The 42nd session of the General Conference opened with a minute's silence to pay tribute to the personalities of Unesco who have died in recent years and to all the victims of the conflicts raging around the world.