Speech of Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia

Article C

SPEECH

Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia,
H.E. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nuh

At the Opening Ceremony of the 6th Meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia,
22 November 2011


Excellency Madame Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO;
Excellency Mr. Agung Laksono, Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare;
Honorable Madame Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy;
Honorable Mr. Mangku Made Pastika, Governor of Bali;
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Assalamu alaikum Warrahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Good Evening,
Bonsoir,
Om Swasty Astu.
First of all, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, I would like to welcome you all to the Official Opening Ceremony of the (Sixth) 6th Meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. I would also like to convey our special welcome to Madame Irina Bokova for her first mission to Indonesia.
Every nation has its own unique cultural identity.These unique identities have motivated the nations to learn and to understand each other. In this respect, maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization and understanding intangible cultural heritage encourages mutual respect for inter-cultural understanding.
The value of intangible cultural heritage is not only reflected in its phisical form itself, but rather in the knowledge and wisdom that have been inherited from generation to generation.
As a nation with enormous forms of cultural, tangible and intangible heritages, Indonesia has committed to safeguard them at national as well as at the local levels. We have ractified the 2003 and 2005 UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage.We have also committeed to join other nations, states, and institutions by actively involved in the Intangible Cultural Heritage committee, and proud to host this 6th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee.
In this regard, I would like to take this opportunity to express our great honor and appreciation to UNESCO for entrusting the Government of Indonesia to host this very important event. In this regard ,the government of Indonesia gives its fervent support to the work of the Committee.
Finally, we do hope this 6th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee will proceed successfully and give a meaningful contribution for humanity.
Thank you.
Merci Beaucoup
Wassalamualaikum Warrahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Om Santi, Santi, Santi Om.