March 7 speech defends universal values, freedom: Unesco

Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay today said the historic March 7 speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman defended universal values freedom, human rights and dignity.

" . . . it (March 7 speech) defended universal values, freedom, human rights, dignity, progress in education, culture and sciences," she said in a video message played on the 7th day of a 10-day special programme marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the golden jubilee of the country's independence.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) DG said 50 years ago on March 7, Bangabandhu gave his historic and momentous speech that marked the history of Bangladesh and the world, momentous because this day led to the country's independence.

"These are precisely the reasons why Unesco inscribed this historic speech in its memory of the world register. It's also why our organisation is delighted to join in the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of birth of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," she said.

Audrey Azoulay said Bangladesh chose to join Unesco in the year following its independence and today it is also this history of friendship between Unesco and Bangladesh.

The Unesco director general said this cooperation for cultural diversity in particular multiculturalism is also a strong sign of the Unesco-Bangladesh cooperation.