DG/2002/46 Original: English UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION Address by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the International Meeting on the Proposed Regional Institute of Museology for the Asia-Pacific Region Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, 9 May 2002
1 Honourable Minister of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs, Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased to be with you today to open this International Meeting for the creation of a Regional Institute of Museology for the Asia-Pacific Region here at the World Heritage Site of Polonnaruva. UNESCO is always very keen to promote activities aimed at cultural development. This event is a fine example of such an activity, which is why we are proud to sponsor this meeting. Occurring during the United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage (2002), this international meeting acquires additional meaning and significance from this context. I am very grateful to you, Mr Minister, for your initiative. We are beginning to expect a great deal from cultural heritage. It bears an increasingly heavy weight arising from our search for cultural identity and for better ways to structure our societies. We increasingly recognize that humanity reveals itself through heritage and understands itself through heritage. By enabling us to understand ourselves, cultural heritage is a key to understanding others. Indeed, our respect for and appreciation of human diversity hinges on our ability to be enlightened by others and to marvel at their accomplishments. Cultural heritage, moreover, is the vehicle for a dynamic exchange between the past, the present and the future. Importantly, it facilitates an ongoing dialogue between civilizations and cultures and thereby contributes towards establishing and maintaining peace between nations. Clearly, cultural heritage now bears a growing number of responsibilities, much more than in the recent past. The celebration of the United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage, for which UNESCO has been designated the lead agency, provides an exceptional opportunity to promote a better understanding of cultural heritage and its role as an instrument for peace, reconciliation and mutual understanding as well as a factor for development. Indeed, the activities for celebrating the Year have been placed within two major thematic categories: dialogue and development. This reflects how new approaches towards managing cultural heritage have promoted economic growth by creating employment opportunities for local populations and also how cultural heritage education has heightened public awareness and respect for cultural heritage.
2 Ladies and gentlemen, Two thousand years have passed since the teachings of the Buddha first took root in Sri Lanka. These teachings gave new form to philosophical and religious thought in the country, stimulating painters, sculptors, architects and craftsmen, opening up new pathways for thought and fostering the birth of original forms of expression that are still very much alive today. It was from Sri Lanka that the influence of Theravada Buddhism spread outwards, attracting thinkers, creative artists and scholars from all over the world, and especially from all parts of Asia. Here they found much to both deepen their faith and broaden their knowledge, whether by meditating in Sri Lankan Buddhist monasteries or working with Sri Lankan artists. Indeed, Sri Lanka s tangible cultural heritage reveals the exceptional spiritual, cultural and technical developments of the country through the ages. This precious heritage must be protected against the threats posed by time, the climate and pollution. It must be safeguarded and preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy. It was for this reason that UNESCO launched in August 1980 the International Campaign for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Triangle, which lasted until December 1999 after achieving tremendous results. Indeed, this International Campaign became a model for other such campaigns, with its clear lines of authority, rapid decision-making mechanisms and excellent co-ordination of field work on all six sites. Tribute should be paid to the Government of Sri Lanka for the strong support it provided to the Campaign. Important achievements include the programme for broadening awareness of the Cultural Triangle s significance through efforts in schools and in the media and by informing local communities about the Campaign and gaining their support for it. Important social and economic benefits arose from the Campaign. Sri Lanka s ancient cultural sites have become major tourist attractions and thousands of people have gained employment as a result of Campaign activities. In addition, the Campaign also led to the development of human resources in professional fields such as archaeology, architecture and construction. Nor should the Campaign s intangible benefits be neglected, for the restored monuments have become symbols of inspiration and pride to all Sri Lankans; it is pleasing to note that all six sites of the Cultural Triangle now attract large numbers of visitors at weekends and on public holidays. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the representatives of the Sri Lankan people for these 20 years of exemplary work that have led to such laudable results. UNESCO has been proud to participate in this great enterprise
3 of restoring Sri Lanka s national monuments, which has led to a reinforced sense of pride in the achievements of the country s past. Indeed, it is through working together to preserve our common heritage that we can learn to forge together our shared future. Unfortunately, many of the world s outstanding cultural monuments are still under threat from natural causes or from human agency. Happily, the Sri Lankan authorities have seen the dangers facing this country s heritage and have also recognized that museums play a crucial role in safeguarding and preserving cultural heritage and making it available to the community at large. Sri Lanka now has some 150 museums, and the establishment of institutions such as the new Archaeological Museum and Visitors Centre in Polonnaruva is an encouraging sign of the high importance accorded to the development of museums in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, despite this marked interest, no formal training programme in museology yet exists in Sri Lanka, and most other countries of the region have yet to develop such a programme. This has limited the number of trained professionals available to work in the country s institutions. It has also limited the availability of information and expertise in the field of museology. For many years, the Sri Lankan authorities have planned to remedy this lack of technical expertise by establishing an institution to provide exactly this sort of training. This would allow the very latest expertise on museological practice to be shared between national and international professionals working in the field. I am therefore delighted to participate in the opening of this International Meeting, whose objective is to discuss the creation of a Regional Institute of Museology for the Asia-Pacific Region. This Institute will provide training for museum professionals from across Asia, as well as from neighbouring regions; its benefits, therefore, will extend far beyond the shores of Sri Lanka. Many countries in Asia, Oceania, and Southern and Eastern Africa today face challenges similar to those faced by Sri Lanka and their museums face similar challenges too. Sri Lanka is well placed to serve as a regional centre for museology, allowing easy access for specialists from all these countries. As a joint effort by several governmental and international institutions, especially UNESCO, ICOM, ICOMOS, ICCROM and the Association of Commonwealth Museums, the new Institute will be both national and international in nature. As such, it will provide an excellent opportunity for intercultural dialogue. Meetings held at the new Institute between national, regional and international experts and professionals in the field of museology will allow museums from across the Asia-Pacific Region to develop and update
4 their techniques for conserving their cultural heritage. These professionals will be able to receive valuable training here. To ensure that this new Regional Institute will be as effective as possible and will fulfil the terms of its mandate, it is important that its objectives and methods are planned and organized well in advance. Hence the importance of the present meeting. The development of the Institute s curriculum and organizational structure will affect its proper functioning and usefulness as a national and regional training centre. The full participation of the countries and institutions represented here today will greatly benefit the quality of the training given at the Institute, thereby ensuring that it meets the highest international standards. In closing my remarks here today, I would like to reiterate my belief in the great potential held out by the proposed Regional Institute for Museology. We must make every effort to ensure that this potential is fully realized. The Asia- Pacific Region is the proud possessor of a cultural heritage that is as deeply rooted as it is varied. It has survived the ravages of the climate, the painful effects of conflict and other kinds of challenge. Much valuable work has already been done to safeguard and conserve the region s monumental heritage, not least by UNESCO itself, in close co-operation with national governments and other agencies. However, much work remains to be done. I am convinced that the creation of this new Regional Institute for Museology for the Asia-Pacific Region will be of broad and lasting benefit. I am therefore very pleased that UNESCO has been able to offer its support to this project. The next three days will be vital for ensuring that the Regional Institute for Museology for the Asia-Pacific Region can be established under optimal conditions. I wish the Sri Lankan authorities and everyone here today every success in this challenging task. Thank you.