COMMON SUFFERING AS BOND FOR THE FUTURE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24740, 4 December 1945, Page 4

COMMON SUFFERING AS BOND FOR THE FUTURE

UNESCO

In a plenary session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO! this morning- seven delegates to the conference spoke,'not as delegates but as men. of learning, as intellectuals who had experienced at first hand the attempt to extinguish learning. In words and tones that will be remembered by those who were present they told their fellow delegates, and the whole world, that. men of science and letters could not afford to withdraw into their laboratories and libraries because, when liberty is attacked, it is the scholars and the scientists who are the first casualties. Mr Aghnides, of Greece, who spoke “not as a representative of his country but as a free man,” asked whether in the moral and intellectual crisis of our time the intellectuals have adequately discharged their debt to The moral crisis preceded the economic and political crises, but art and knowledge had become divorced from life, and knowledge had been relegaffed to the storehouses of beautiful museums and libraries. The intellectuals of Europe had learned, from a bitter experience the urgent Importance of bridging the gap between learning and life. The new organisation was the opportunity for the intellectuals of the world to give a high moral meaning to the pursuit of knowledge. “New Type of Scholar*' Professor van der Leeuw, of Holland, Professor Dr. Ellen Gleditsch, of Norway, and M. Gilson, of France, referred to the dangers both to humanity and to learning when the intellectuals stayed in their rooms “shut off from all outside influence.” Five years of occupation have taught them that “lasting peace depends on the education of mankind” and that the responsibility of all men and women of learning is clear. Dr. Gleditsch spoke of a “new type of scholar and scientist who are aware not only of the whispering of their genius- but also of the call of humanity.” Professor Odlozilik spoke gravely of the students in Czechoslovakia, who were now returning to the universities. Twenty years ago their eyes searched for knowledge in their professors; today they look for moral and political leadership. Professor van der Leeuw gave warning ‘against the “moral reaction” that would set in if youth were denied this leadership by the intellectuals. The most eloquent and moving speech came from M. Buissiret, Belgian Minister of Public Instruction. With magnificent scorn he pilloried the

The "Manchester Guardian" on November 17 printed the following re. port, from a delegate, of the previous day's plenary session of theUnited Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation.

“marionette administration” of the cupation, but, in resisting, he said intellectuals had found their soujg- 4 psychological revolution had taken place, and the “fraternity of resist ance, the fraternity of suffering,” brought about a lasting co-operation between those intellectuals who hart remained at their posts and had in spired the moral of the movement. The gap between the inter lectuals and the people had bridged. Journey to Peace Finally. Dr. Hu Shih said that “th* burden was heavy and the journev long,” but that the duty of the intel lectuals was clearly to carry the bur" den of humanity and make the jour" ney to a civilised peace. This remarkable demonstration at once a confession of faith and a chal lenge. must.be viewed against the background of the last’ six years and of the conference itself. For two weeks delegates had worked hard to construct an organisation that, it-was constantly stressed, would broaden the basis of intellectual co-operation. Even more important, it would narrow the gap that had so fatally in the past separated the intellectuals from, the rest of mankind. . - . , These delegates were themselves in tellectuals. and many of them were men of the Resistance, brave men whose courage had not failed them and whose intellectual integrity was never in doubt. The work of building this organisation had been done in nb ni<», gardly spirit of bargaining. From the beginning there was unanimity on matters of substance. Also, there had been a sober spirit of realism. There were no fantastic schemes for reforming mankind. The resolutions establishing the new organisation had been passed, and then, calmly, deliberately, and gravely seven people who have themselves passed through the intellectual crisis cose to restate their belief in democratic education and to appeal-to and challenge the intellectual world to leave -its ivory towers and to perform its true function in the modem world. An Immediate Start After the signing of-the constitution the delegates met immediately in another room as the first sitting of the Preparatory Commission. Miss Fli» n Wilkinson, president of the conference,; told them, “We are determined to start work immediately and not wait months before getting the first conference together.”