By Lubna Abdel-Aziz The buzz over the next director of the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is endless. The favourite candidate appears to be the Egyptian government nominee , minister of culture. President Mubarak himself has endorsed the longest serving member of his cabinet, though undoubtedly, what would be UNESCO's gain, will be Egypt's loss. Why has Hosni served for over two score years as protagonist and guardian of culture in Egypt? There is no other like him. A man of highly refined taste, gentle manners and profound culture, he is a proponent of all the arts, a champion of archaeology, a supporter of the theatre, an enthusiast of the ballet, a patron of the opera, a lover of literature, a devotee of the popular arts such as film, popular songs, folklore dance -- a man totally addicted to culture. Can you name another? He is unique in the cabinet, unique amongst Egyptians. He possesses none of the rough, gruff mannerisms that invariably accompany men of position and power. It is at once, their armament and their weapon to force respect and attention out of others. Hosni needs no such weapon. His voice rises slightly above a whisper, yet he is heard and heeded. His choice of words is precise, as if they go through a natural process of sifting out the unnecessary, the redundant, the mundane, the unkind. This is all done effortlessly, unconsciously, gracefully. It is a mark of sublimity and superiority. From his environment, his years at the Academy of Fine Arts, his many posts abroad, his extensive travels, his exposure to different cultures, his dedication to his painting, he has absorbed the best elements and applied them to his daily life. The result is apparent to all -- a style so mellow revealing a gentle nobility of body and soul, that has garnered love, respect and appreciation from his fellow citizens. He has served Egypt well for decades. As minister of culture he has attempted to spread the culture he so cherishes to every nook and cranny, to young and old, to rich and poor. The opera, the theatre, the museums, the galleries and art exhibits, are booming with activity inviting all to visit and learn. With the rise of the cultural standard and taste of the people, their finest attributes, find expression in every avenue of their daily lives. Is he therefore what is traditionally known as a "renaissance man?" He is, and then some, for Hosni is also what the young folk would call "hip" or "cool." He does not exist in a vacuum of the past, engulfed by classics in music, bo oks, and art. He steps with the present generation and does not miss a beat. If he is an idealist, a dreamer when he conceives of a canvas and executes it, he is also a pragmatist, efficient and hard working, practical and realistic at his daily grind. If it is written in the stars that Hosni will be UNESCO's 10th director- general, that is reason for rejoicing at this august body. Since its inception UNESCO has been the UN's most successful branch. Established on or shortly after WW-II in London by representatives from 44 countries and greatly urged by France and England, the two countries that have known the greatest hardship during the conflict. The delegates decided to create an organisation "that would embody a genuine culture for peace," which must establish the "intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind." In so doing they hoped to prevent the outbreak of another world war. Thirty-seven countries then founded UNESCO, signed its constitution 4 November 1946. It was ratified by 20 countries with Egypt among them. Its headquarters are located at the Place de Fontenoy in Paris, a city Hosni learned to know and love while serving as director of the Egyptian Cultural Centre from 1971 through 1978. During that time he was awarded the National Prize of the Cagnes Sure Mer Festival in France. From there Hosni moved to Rome to serve in the capacity of director of the Egyptian Academy. A citizen of the world, he feels at home no matter where he finds himself. The aims of UNESCO are lofty and far reaching. Every four years a director-general is elected. It has had nine directors since its creation, the first being Julian Huxley, a member of the renowned Huxleys of the UK. He was followed by directors, from Mexico, Italy, the US, France, Spain, and the Senegal, leading to the present director-general Koichura Matsuura of Japan, now ending his second term. The purpose of UNESCIO was "to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration amongst nations through education, science, and culture," in order to achieve human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, regardless of race, sex, or religion. The preamble of their constitution is philosophic in concept: "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defence for peace must be constructed." Only within the framework of a free and equal exchange of ideas and knowledge, can we hope to avert wars and spread peace. The key to achieving this is education. Only through education will men learn that all human beings have the same dreams and aspirations. By extending a hand of friendship another will be extended to you. A circle of friendship among all nations can be formed through our personal will and with the help of an organization such as UNESCO. Throughout its history, of bright glowing days and gentle balmy nights, Egypt keeps adding to its immeasurable legacy of yesteryear. There is no equal to its ancient splendour in art, architectures, archaeology and mythology. Today it bequeaths the world more gifts of human resources in scientists, physicians, artists, and writers, and men of culture. As he takes his long strides, more like an amble, Hosni moves at a fast pace from office to office, function to function, country to country. He proves to the world again and again, that no one is better equipped to achieve peace through education, understanding, and friendship than our very own , minister of culture, par excellence. Nature made him, and then broke the mould -- Ludovico Ariosto (1474 -- 1833)
