A strong commitment of President Yudhoyono in recognising the essential of cultural diversity and power ethnicity elements of the nation was delivered by President during attending the 36^th General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, France on 2 November 2011. 

“Indonesia, with over 300 ethnic groups, is arguably the world’s most ethnically diverse nation. Since Independence, successive generations have passionately live by the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika- “Unity in diversity”.

Whether one comes from the largest Javanese ethnic group or the smaller Buginese or Acehnese ethnicity, everyone has equal rights, equal stake and equal ownership in the grand Indonesian family tree. Multiculturism therefore is very much part of our national DNA, a formula for national survival, and a necessary pathway for future generations”.

President Yudhoyono said in preamble of his remarkable speech during a plenary session of the 36^th General Conference to mark the tenth of the adoption of UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001-2011) on 2 November 2011. Amongts the VIP guest is H.E. Mr. Georgi Parvanov, Presiden of Bulgaria also presence of the plenary session. 

The 36^th General Conference has attended by representative 185 country members. Indonesian delegation was led by Minister of Education and Culture and member of delegation coming from related institutions. For this Conference, H.E. Ms. Katalin Bogyay, Ambassador of Hongaria to UNESCO was elected as President of the 36^th General Conference.

Director General of UNESCO, Madame Irina Bukova in her opening address to the Conference, stressed the need to reinforce cooperation in the face of the challenges confronting the world today. “The global economic crisis is hitting the poorest countries particularly badly”, she said. In addition, she stated that peaceful and sustainable development shall be proved by sharing knowledge and experience in education, sciences, cultural for the purpose more and better UNESCO.

The Agenda of the General Conference has determined the Organization’s programme and budget for 2012 and 2013 which gives priority to sustainable culture of peace and non-violence,with a special emphasis on  gender equality, Africa, youth, Education for All (EFA), Least Development Countries (LDCs), Small Island States (SIDs) and the most vulnerable segments of society and also on the Organization’s Next Medium-Term Strategy for 2014-2019.

 Each member country was given an opportunity to deliver their addresses during the General Conference.  Indonesia’s intervention and National Statement came up (i) the importance establishment peace and sustainable development; (ii) diversity of Indonesia in cultural; (iii) appreciation to the UNESCO, has officially recognised angklung, wayang, batik, and keris as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; (iv) invitation to attend 6th Conference of the Comittee for Intangible Cultural Heritage from 22 to 29 November 2011 in Bali, and First World Cultural Forum 2012 in Indonesia. Besides, Indonesia support to the admission Palestines as a full member of UNESCO.

.....”Through me, Indonesian would like to convey to UNESCO: THANK YOU, from the bottom of our hearts..”  President Yudhoyono appreciated during plenary session.

 Prof. Muhammad  Nuh, Minister of Education and Culture Indonesia said that:  “as reflected in its national policy, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia believes that education and culture is very important in securing any development to be peaceful and sustainable. Through education and culture, and with the help of communication technology, we can spread the essential logical, ethnical, and aesthetical thinking and doing to the nation”.  Continued his address Minister Nuh said that for the development to be inclusive, education must also be inclusive too as formulated in Education For All Program of UNESCO. The significance of education inclusivity is reflected in our policy to reach the unreachable by any feasible means since education has been a part of human right and hence must be accessible by all citizens as mandated by the constitution.”

On that occasion, Minister Nuh was elected as Executive Board period for 2011-2015 approved by 160 member countries  on 2 November 2011. Other countries in Asian Pacific were also elected as an Executive Board such as Republic of Korea, Thailand, Afghanistan, Pakistan dan Papua New Guinea.

The 36^th General Conference welcomed South Sudan and majority UNESCO’s members also welcomed Palestines as a member of UNESCO 194^th and 195^th respectively also Curacao and Sint Maarten as UNESCO’s 7^th and 8^th Associate Members.

Determination Palestines as an UNESCO’s 195^th full member through voting mechanism, with 107 countries endorsed, 14 refused and 52 abstain. Countries  endorsed to Palestines such as France, China, Spain, Austria and India, Indonesia and countries in Middle East. While countries refused Palestines,  like the United States, Chech Republic, Sweden, Germany, Australia, Canada, Lituania and Pasific Countries. On the other hand countries abstain like that England, Singapore, Denmark, Italy, Thailand Japan and Timor Leste.

Such comments and responses after Palestines approved by UNESCO from those countries:

India and supporter Countries: Welcomed Palestines to be as a new member of family UNESCO

Abstain Countries:  Palestines - Israel issues has been revealing and they need to solve this issues  comprehensively. Suggested to UNESCO to focus on main programmes and activities.

U.S: Admission Palestines to be a member is premature. “........ this effort counter productive, as the only path to the Palestinian state we all seek is through direct negotiations.”  U.S National Statement by Under Secretary Education Martha Kanter said.  

Director General of UNESCO after admiting Palestines to be a new member of UNESCO requested that all members continued supporting programmes and activities of UNESCO. DG expected that America as main contibutor of UNESCO was still support the UNESCO’s programmes.

......” I believe that UNESCO’s vital work to promote global stability and democratic values is in America’s core interest. The United States is a critical partner in UNESCO’s work. The withholding of US dues and other financial contributions – required by U.S. law – will weaken UNESCO’s effectiveness and endermine its ability to build free and open societies”.

Indonesia’s target for priority UNESCO’s programmes in term of education, natural sciences, social science, communication and information  and cultural.

Education: 

• Education for Al (EFA)l, education for sustainable development and gender equality
•  International Bureau of Education through development curricula,and International  Institute for Educational Planning.

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Natural Science:

•  Maritime programme, global climate, capacity building basic and engineering science, science  and technology for sustainable development.
• §   Man and Biosphere, International Hydrology Program, and international Oceanography Committee.

Social Science:

• §   Science and technology ethics, promoting human rights, social transformation management, philosophy, democration and Human Security.
• §   Management of Social Transformation, and Intergovernmental Biothic Committee.

Communication and Information:

• §   Freedom Expression, Enhancing Information and Communication Technologies for Education, Knowledge and Culture and Knowledge Society.
• §   Information for All Programmes, International Programme for the Development of Communication and Memory of the World.

Cultural:

• Promotion Cultural Diversity, interfaith and Cultural Dialogue, Industry  and Cultural Expression.
  • §   World Heritage Committee, and Intangible Cultural Heritage