14th
November 2019 marked the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka's membership
in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Over the last seven decades the country has worked closely with this UN agency
in its fields of specialization, leading to enhanced cooperation, which may be
termed to be among the most amount of collaboration in comparison with all UN
agencies.
In
1949, when Ceylon was being vetoed and blocked from joining the United Nations Organisation
in New York on consecutive occasions, membership in UNESCO was an important
step forward for the country keen to engage in multilateralism and ensure it
played an active role on the world stage from its initial years of freedom
onwards. Strategizing on the part of the first Prime Minister and External
Affairs Minister, D. S. Senanayake saw the island start off on a journey that
has been varied given the forms of interactions that Sri Lanka has enjoyed with
the UN in general and UNESCO in particular. The entry of Ceylon paved the way
for the country to contribute to the process and also benefit from the numerous
opportunities that were provided.
Jawaharlal
Nehru identified UNESCO as ‘the conscience of humanity’ given the constructive
role played by the world body in the promotion of meaningful peace through its
conferences, programmes and activities at its headquarters in Paris and around
the world through regional and field offices as well as National Commissions in
member states.
Historic Perspective
Whilst the Second World War was raging and the focus
was entirely on the war effort, a Conference of Allied Minister of Education in
the United Kingdom in the early 1940s saw the participation of Governments of
European countries, looking to reconstruct their systems of education once
peace was restored. The Conference took on greater representation when new
governments opted to join the effort, including the United States of America.
Among the proposals originating from that initial
deliberation, was the need to summon a Conference for the establishment of an
educational and cultural organization, which was subsequently convened in
London from 1st to 16th November 1945. It gathered representatives
of forty-four countries who decided to create a grouping that would represent a
genuine culture of peace. The body would establish the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” with the primary
objective of preventing the outbreak of another world war. Whilst thirty-seven
countries founded the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, the Constitution of UNESCO, which was signed on 16th November 1945, came
into force on 4th November
1946 after ratification by twenty countries, namely, Australia,
Brazil, Canada, China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt,
France, Greece, India, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia,
South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States. The inaugural session
of the General Conference of UNESCO was held in Paris from 19th November
to 10th December 1946 with the participation of 30 governments.
The
American poet and writer, Archibald MacLeish penned the words that formed the
opening preamble of the constitution of UNESCO which noted that “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is
in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” It
is this mandate that has remained at the heart of all activities of UNESCO in
the ensuing decades, as it has attempted, through the fields of education,
culture and science, to foster dialogue among civilizations, enhance
understanding of cultures and peoples, promote commonly shared values and
contribute towards sustainable development.
Whether
in the drive to attain quality education
for all and lifelong learning, or through the mobilization of science knowledge and policy for
sustainable development, or by addressing emerging social and ethical challenges, whilst fostering cultural diversity, intercultural
dialogue and a culture of peace, and building inclusive knowledge societies
through information and communication, UNESCO has been able to play a
pivotal role in global affairs.
Given
the numerous challenges that Sri Lanka has had to face within the UN system, it
is noteworthy to reflect on that which has occurred through UNESCO given the
positive developments and their ramifications. From the ratification of
standard setting international conventions, the declaration of several World
Heritage Sites and assistance in their preservation, the commemoration of Vesak
on a unique platform of inter-faith dialogue, serving on the Executive Board of
the Organization, the granting of Category II status to the South Asian Centre
for Teacher Development, numerous scholarships and fellowships, and
collaboration in the myriad programmes of UNESCO, Sri Lanka has enjoyed a
unique relationship with this UN agency, which has not been sufficiently
highlighted nor acknowledged.
Sri
Lanka has served on the crucial decision making 58-member Executive Board of UNESCO
on numerous occasions, with the first being upon the election of Frederick de
Silva who served from 1968 to 1974. It was thereafter Nissanka Parakrama
Wijeratne who was elected to serve from 1987 to 1989 and Dr Ananda P. Guruge from
1989 to 1991. Sri Lanka’s reelection in 2003 saw Dr Karunasena Kodituwakku and
Mangala Samaraweera representing the country, while Susil Premajayantha and
Bandula Gunawardana served on the Executive Board from 2008 to 2011, during
their tenures as Ministers of Education in Sri Lanka. In 2015, Akila Viraj
Kariyawasam commenced his term on the Executive Board, and it is due to end at
the 40th General Conference in 2019.
Through
deliberations at the Executive Board, Sri Lanka has contributed to the central
decision making process for twenty two years of its membership, and been able
to support the steering of the Organisation at some of the most trying times of
its existence. From proposing to intervening and passing resolutions, Sri Lanka
has been able to play a crucial role as a Member State of the Asia – Pacific
group, the largest regional grouping at UNESCO.
Conventions and Inscriptions
Having
ratified the 1972 World Heritage Convention on 06th June 1980, Sri
Lanka went on submit three cultural sites which were inscribed on the World
Heritage List in 1982. These were the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, the Ancient
City of Sigiriya, and the Sacred City of Anuradhapura. Two other cultural sites
which were inscribed in 1988 were the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications,
and the Sacred City of Kandy. The Golden Temple of Dambulla was added to the
cultural list of sites possessing universal value in 1991 taking the number of
cultural sites to six. In addition, two Sri Lankan natural sites, the Sinharaja
Forest Reserve (1988) and the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (2010) were added
to give the country eight sites on the World Heritage List. In 1983, Sri Lanka
was elected to the World Heritage Committee which deliberates on sites and
their value, and served on it till 1989. At present the country has two
properties on the Tentative List, which is an inventory of those properties
which countries intend to consider for nomination. These are the Seruwila
Mangala Raja Maha Vihara (2006) and the Seruwila to Sri Pada – Ancient pilgrim
route along the Mahaweli river in Sri Lanka (2010).
Sri
Lanka has ratified many Conventions of UNESCO. The 1970 Convention on the Means
of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of
Ownership of Cultural Property was ratified on 06th June 1980,
whilst the 1954 Hague Convention was ratified on 11th May 2004, the
2003 Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention on 21st April 2008, and
acceded to the International Convention against Doping in Sports on 01st
May 2011. Ratification of these conventions has enabled Sri Lanka to adhere to
international standards and ensured the country is eligible to derive
opportunities found therein.
Amidst
other inscriptions is that which is found in the Memory of the World Register.
The Archives of the Dutch East India Company are found in several capitals
which formed the nucleus of the Dutch trading route. The inscription notes that
‘the VOC Archives includes thousands of maps and drawings. Frequently, these
pictures are the first representations ever made of the people, houses,
landscape, flora or fauna of these regions. About twenty five million pages of
VOC records have survived in repositories in Jakarta, Colombo, Chennai, Cape
Town and The Hague.’
In
addition, Sri Lanka has been elected to the governance bodies of programmes and
conventions with the UNESCO structure including the Intergovernmental
Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication
(IPDC), the Intergovernmental Council of the Management of Social
Transformations (MOST) Programme, the International Coordinating Council of the
Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB), the Executive Council of the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and more recently on 6th
June 2018 to the Intergovernmental
Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, for the period
2018-2022.
Vesak as an interfaith platform
UNESCO
provides a platform for nations to understand their differences, while
celebrating their diversity. It was in this spirit that the Permanent
Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO highlighted inter-faith dialogue through the
celebration of Vesak. The three-day event, initiated in 2013, has seen the
involvement of persons and member states in which Buddhism is present, as well
as those which have taken an interest in the platform that was provided to
collaborate ideas, engage in discussion and eliminate differences in the
pursuit of a common stance of peace and understanding.
Thus the raison d’etre of the key symposium and many side events has been to invigorate comprehension of the commonalities in all religions, attempt to capture the essence of the message they bear and advocate their inculcation in our daily lives, all through the example and testimony of Buddhism. While noted on the international stage as a much needed exercise, the translation to the local level becomes imperative. The practice has continued since and remains an important day in the Sri Lankan calendar at UNESCO.
Thus the raison d’etre of the key symposium and many side events has been to invigorate comprehension of the commonalities in all religions, attempt to capture the essence of the message they bear and advocate their inculcation in our daily lives, all through the example and testimony of Buddhism. While noted on the international stage as a much needed exercise, the translation to the local level becomes imperative. The practice has continued since and remains an important day in the Sri Lankan calendar at UNESCO.
Assistance received and
rendered
The
awarding of fellowships under the auspices of UNESCO has been a practice that
has greatly benefited numerous Sri Lankans as they are geared towards enhancing
human resources and capacity building at the national level in spheres that are
within the mandate of UNESCO’s objectives and programme priorities. Among the
scholarships awarded have been the UNESCO/Israel (MASHAV) co-sponsored
Fellowship, the UNESCO/China (The Great Wall) co-sponsored fellowship, the UNESCO/Japan:
Obuchi co-sponsored fellowship, the UNESCO/Republic of Korea (IPDC)
co-sponsored fellowships, and more recently the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) Early Career Fellowship programme.
Sri
Lankan universities have received grants funds under the Participation Programme
where the most recent awarding of such funding has been to the Universities of Moratuwa,
Ruhuna and Rajarata for projects related to the impact of climate change on World
Heritage sites with special focus on the Caves in Dambulla; empowering
stakeholders to combat stunting and wasting of children; and the strengthening
of the partnership between academia and farming communities.
Sri
Lanka too has offered scholarships through UNESCO to students and researchers,
especially in countries such as Afghanistan. Of significance is the contributions
made by Sri Lankans over the decades to the enhancements of the relationship
between Sri Lanka and UNESCO, most significant of which would be Dr Roland
Silva who pioneered the Cultural Triangle project of 1980 and was instrumental
in the preparation of the applications for Sri Lanka’s nominations to the World
Heritage List.
In
the sphere of oceans and science, Prof. Samantha Hettiarachchi was amongst the
first scientists to study the relations between mangroves and wave attenuation.
He led efforts to establish the Ministry of Disaster Management and the Disaster
Management Centre and functioned as the Chairman of the Working Group on Risk
Assessment of UNRSCO/ Indian Ocean Commission in Paris and on the Inter-governmental
group for the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Early Warning System.
His work has been reflected in the guidelines drawn up by UNESCO for coastal
hazards, risk assessment and management.
These are two individuals who have made an invaluable contribution. Many others too have worked tirelessly for the promotions of relations and ensured that Sri Lanka contributed and benefited from the collaboration.
These are two individuals who have made an invaluable contribution. Many others too have worked tirelessly for the promotions of relations and ensured that Sri Lanka contributed and benefited from the collaboration.
Conclusion
From
active participation in the deliberations of the Executive Board, to the
ratification of international Conventions, and from playing a contributory role
in the governing arms of the organisation’s main programmes, to the varied
forms of assistance given and received, Sri Lanka has gained immensely from her
membership in UNESCO, a crucial UN institution, and one through which the
contribution of Sri Lanka has been significant though not highlighted. Listed herein is only the tip of the iceberg in relation to the cooperation that has taken place. Areas for sustained cooperation abound. Initiation, enthusiasm and passion are all that are required very often.
As
the country embarks upon another decade in the organisation, it is time to
comprehend the potential of the relationship with this particular UN agency and
deepen engagement through the areas of cooperation currently in existence and
also look to furthering that collaboration. The canvassing for another term on
the Executive Board of UNESCO; greater involvement in the World Heritage
Committee with potential candidates being nominated for their expertise, other
sites being identified and submitted for inscription and sites already
inscribed being looked after well; to the activation of the Category II South
Asian Centre for Teacher Development to be truly what it was envisaged to be, a
pioneer in the field of teacher development, which could be replicated in other
regions of the world; as well as intensified participation in all programmes
and activities of the organisation to ensure that the country's engagement is meaningful, would augur well for Sri Lanka.
Furthermore
the appointment of a dedicated Ambassador to UNESCO with a sizable delegation with
the necessary expertise in the areas of education, culture and science would
enable Sri Lanka to seize the numerous opportunities available and ensure that
the contribution being made is significant and truly meaningful. The next decade
remains crucial for many reasons. While Sri Lanka receives fresh leadership and
a new presidential term begins, it is imperative that foreign policy
formulation intensifies to meet the growing challenges of geopolitics but more
importantly focuses on the returns of multilateralism and engagement which would
afford wider and deeper guarantees for an island nation like Sri Lanka.
