He conveyed this urgent appeal during his Indonesian-language address at the General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
“We urge the global community to ensure the safety of students, educators, journalists, and humanitarian volunteers, as well as the full restoration of damaged educational facilities and cultural heritage,” Mu'ti said at the 43rd Session of the General Conference, as accessed via UNESCO’s YouTube channel on Tuesday.
Mu'ti emphasized the need for unconditional protection and support for fundamental rights in conflict zones, especially in Gaza, where he noted that nearly all elements of civilization have been destroyed and face the threat of extinction.
He also reaffirmed Indonesia’s belief that addressing global challenges requires more than power or economic strength—it demands the enlightenment of humanity through education, science, culture, and free access to communication and information.
“Education is a fundamental right of every child, and no one should be left behind,” he stressed. “This is a wager for the dignity of humanity that we must win.”
During the conference, Mu'ti outlined key education policies under the Prabowo Subianto administration, including efforts to improve teacher capacity and welfare, provide free meals to meet students’ nutritional needs, and establish Sekolah Rakyat for children from low-income families.
He also highlighted a milestone in Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy: on November 20, 2023, delegates at the 42nd UNESCO General Assembly in Paris unanimously approved Resolution 42 C/28, officially designating Indonesian as UNESCO’s 10th official language.
This recognition reflects Indonesia’s growing role in international forums and marks a significant step toward strengthening cross-cultural communication, expanding access to information for member states, and affirming UNESCO’s commitment to linguistic diversity worldwide.
Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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