US rejoins UNESCO after 19 year absence
The stars and stripes were again flying over the Paris headquarters of the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organisation (UNESCO) on 29 September, marking the United States' return to the international body after an absence of 19 years. The US withdrew from UNESCO in 1984 citing concerns over mismanagement, but during the flag raising ceremony the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush, said: 'We believe in working with the nations of the world to promote values shared by people throughout the world.' Together, said Mrs Bush, the UNESCO member states should seek to 'preserve the cultural heritage of our past, and illuminate a future of scientific advance and discovery with careful ethics and a reverence for the dignity of life.' UNESCO's Director General, Koïchiro Matsuura, said: 'Today a new nation joins forces with us, bringing vast intellectual and cultural resources along with partnership and good will. [...] This nation, a founding member of UNESCO, is now returning with energy, talent and creativity to work with us towards our common goal; education for all, cultural preservation, sharing widely the benefits of scientific progress.'
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United States