SECRETARY KERRY TRAVELS TO SUPPORT THE US RE ELECTION TO UNESCO EXECUTIVE BOARD

USPA NEWS - Secretary Kerry arrives in Paris, France to deliver remarks at an event in support of the United States´ re-election to the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2015-2019 term. Secretary Kerry addressed remarks “Here are a few reasons why the United States intends to remain actively engaged with UNESCO".

US SECRETARY JOHN KERRY DELIVERS HIS REMARKS AT UNESCO PARIS TODAY------------------------------------- “Here are a few reasons why the United States intends to remain actively engaged with #“ŽUNESCO. We were there at the beginning. In the wake of World War II, the United States led the effort to establish the United Nations. That effort was designed to create space for the nations of the world to work together rather than return to the pattern of division, dispute, and conflict. Among the UN´s first recommendations was the creation of an organisation to foster intellectual collaboration as a means of building bridges between peoples and promoting peace through thematic interaction. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation was created in 1945, and had its first meetings in 1946, featuring a large U.S. delegation. Among those delegates was famed American author and diplomat Archibald MacLeish, who wrote the preamble to UNESCO´s constitution, including its most famous element: "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed."

UNESCO WORKS IN THE REAL WORLD SAYS SECRETARY JOHN KERRY---------------------------------------------------- “UNESCO works in the real world. Today´s global issues require international tools that are capable, credible, and engaged. Consider UNESCO in that context. It is intensively engaged in efforts to protect cultural heritage in places like #“ŽSyria, where #“ŽISIL has targeted treasures such as Palmyra in its campaign of destruction. It is a vigorous advocate for global press freedom, training reporters, supporting the enactment of freedom of information laws, and condemning attacks on journalists. It facilitates a global dialogue on racism and other forms of discrimination. It promotes educational opportunities for women and girls, and assists countries in improving gender equality in textbooks and classrooms. It facilitates scientific interaction on a host of geographic sciences, on oceans, on climate, on sustainable development, and more. The United States is among the beneficiaries of this varied work, including through the World Heritage Program, which has identified nearly two dozen American natural and cultural sites - from Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to Independence Hall and the San Antonio Missions - for inscription on the World Heritage List. That list reveals the breadth of UNESCO´s impact, currently featuring more than 1,000 sites in 163 countries.“ US Secretary Kerry, stressed. UNESCO EMBRACES INNOVATION EXPLAINS JOHN KERRY-------------------------------------------------------------------- UNESCO embraces innovation. As the world begins to contemplate implementation of the recently agreed Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, UNESCO will be an indispensable partner. UNESCO is among a handful of international organisations quick to recognise the possibilities available by unlocking public-private partnerships, and the United States is at the forefront of catalysing these alliances, particularly in areas such as literacy, teacher-training, #“ŽSTEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programs to benefit more woman and girls, mobile learning, and Open Educational Resources.“ Secretary John Kerry, concluded