Unesco must reform

Unesco has lost its influence and has little prospect for the future, writes the Portuguese ambassador to Unesco Manuel Maria Carrilho. In the daily Le Monde Carrilho calls for far-reaching reforms: "Who today waits to hear what Unesco has to say? Faced with the profound, unprecedented, systemic and global crisis in today's world, is anyone still interested in Unesco's message? ... Does anyone seek inspiration in its vision? No. Despite its innumerable - and certainly commendable - programmes, this is anything but the case. The world's most important institution for culture, education, science, communication and human rights is losing its influence with each day that passes. ... Today Unesco finds itself at an unavoidable crossroads: either it continues to shut itself up in its own bureacracy and gradually loses touch with the world, or it reinvents itself, remembering its best moments and orienting itself on the needs of a time and a world that have changed considerably in recent years."

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