World peace and UNESCO

Title

Language

English

Year

1947

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

WORLD PEACE AND UNESCO By BLAS ABELLA "Peace on et:rth, good will to men." -Bible. The desire fer world peace is not a nev: thing. It began way back in 1918 when World War I ended-when democracy demonstrated its triumph over the tyranny of totalitarian forms of government. For a time after the armistice on November 11, 1918, the world was calm and safe for democracy. In spite of the provisions of the armistice to forestall future aggressiens and keep the world in peace, some countries vied with one another with democracy hanging on the balance. World War II became inevitllble. Realizing the need for preserving world peace, President Roosevelt and V. M. Molotov, People Commissar of Foreign Affairs of Russia, in 1942 discussed not only cooperation in the war, but also the problem of maint aining peace, freedom and security after the war. In October, 1943, the foreign mlmsters of the United States, Great Britain, Russia and the Chinese Ambassador to Russia met at Moscow and agreed on "the necessity of establishing at the earliest practicable date, a general international organization based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all peace-loving States." The United States Senate pledg~d to join in establishing an international authority with power to 2'4 p!"event aggression and to preserve the peace of the world. At Teheran, (The Big Three) , Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin, decid~d that "all United Nations may establish peace which will command the !!OCld will of the overwhelming mass of the peoples of the world . .. " In 1944, representatives of the United States, England, and the Soviet Union and later China met at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington and drafted proposals for a world organization and in April, 1945. the United Nations drafted its purposes foremost among which is to maintain an international peace and security. Then carne the li'NESCO-United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization-whose members declare that since wars. ·begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed. They believe that the differences and unequalities among peoples may be ironed out not by political and economic arnmgernents among government entities which do not guarantee lasting peace among different peoples of the world, but with something other than agreements. To the UNESCO, the solution and the best solution is mutual respect and understanding among men and rac~s. To them, the solution is givine: all men, irrespective of race and color. full and equal opportunities for THE PHILIPPINE EDUCATOR 25 education- in the search for truth. A Lee exchange of ideas among peoples should be the dominating element in the education of the people. The sovereignty o<f all nations shall be res;:ected and the people's rights to •,hoose their own form of ~overnments shall be recognized. There shall be an abandonment of the use of force by any nation as an instrument of national policy and a complete disarmament of aggressor nations. Increased facilities in the means of communication between people of one nation with one another and betwaen peoples of different countries s;hould be the goal in promoting better and mutual understanding and knowledge among them. The different peoples, through the educational, scientific and cultural relationship, may attain that objective of international peace among mankind. To UNESCO belongs the credit of laying the foundations of world-wide unity and peace. Her aim to establish a world citizenship should be upheld. Every nation should lend a hand in supporting the principles of the UNESCO in her efforts to establish close relationship _ among world ·. peoples regardless of race and by' makP?.g them enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms inherent to the democrati<' ways of llie. · At this time of the year, more than any other time, for the sake of Christian love .for peace of our people, we should merge all the many loyalties into a common concept, the OneWorld concept. We should drive home Into the hearts of all peoples the idea of peace as one and indivisible. From the minds of men, let us hope that in the very near future, the best defens& for peace shall be conceived. Finally, let us all hope that irrespective of party differences and suspicions among nations, we can yet be one and united · for His sake. Let us have no World War III. .REFERENCES: N. E. A. Journal, May, 1947, pp. 37879; 382-83. The United States, An Experiment in Democmcy, Cavern, pp. 821-826. Philippine Journal of Education, August, 1947, pp. 75 ff. ManiLa. Times, November 17-18, 1947. -oOoThe PHILIPPI~E EDUCATOR Is the otflclal organ ot the PhiLi'pplue Public School Teachers' Association. PURLJSHERS: The Philippine Public School Te3.chers' Association. ACTING EDITOR: Marcelino Bautista. YANAGlNG EDITOR: (Miss) nosnliuda S. Sarmenta RATES: P7 :00 a year; club rates ot ten subscriptions or more paid Cor In advance, PG.OO; single copies. P0.60 each. EDITOniAL AND BUSINESS OFFICES: 128!1 Dos Castilla., Sampaloc, Manila. jost ott the Forbes Street Rotnnda. RBMITI'.~NC'ES ehonld be sent by check or by postal money order payable to The PHILIPI'INE EDUCATOR. 7'he magazine •• publiohed evcrv month ot the year. Entered 01 aeco>~d-cla&a n1<1il matter · • · ln Ills Manila Po•t.()ffice.

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