RESPECT FOR ALL HUMAN BEINGS, KEY TO BUILDING UP SOCIETY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 4, 2003 (VIS) - Made public today was a speech by Msgr. Francesco Follo, the permanent observer of the Holy See to UNESCO (United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization), which he delivered on October 3 during the 32nd session of the General Conference of the same organization. The conference is taking place in Paris, France from September 29 to October 17.

In his talk in French, Msgr. Follo spoke about respect for all human beings, education and peace. Regarding the first theme, he said that "it is a central element in building up a society." He recalled that the "Holy See wishes to emphasize that all considerations must put human beings at the center, as well as the inalienable dignity of their biological and spiritual being, the sacred character of their life, and the value of the conjugal and familial bond."

Referring to education, Msgr. Follo said that "we must put cultural and professional formation in the larger context of the complete education of the person, for the full development of the entire human being and all human beings, for their personal life and the role that they occupy as citizens."

The Holy See delegate concluded by highlighting that the international community "must be even more committed to building peace. ... It must do everything possible so that all peoples have land and autonomy of existence and so that they may be able to make decisions in internal matters, and so that inhabitants of a nation may be the first to benefit from their country's riches."

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