the International Year of Tolerance, seeks to ensure that the slave trade is the subject of an international, multidisciplinary study, leading to a 'climate conducive to a revival of co-operation'. The programme is seeking the support of governmental and non governmental organizations from Africa as well as the Americas and Europe.
Also in the framework of the Silk Roads project, the World Decade for Cultural Development has initiated the Roads of Faith, which focuses on Jerusalem's 'eternal mission ... to promote peace and understanding among people' (in the words of the resolution that created it). Jerusalem, considered by Muslims, Christians and Jews to be central to their faith, has also been at the centre of conflict for decades. By concentrating on the roads of pilgrimage leading to the Holy City which have been travelled over the centuries, the project hopes to promote knowledge about the city's 'unique role in the world and its essential contribution to human dignity', so that 'a future more in keeping with the nature of Jerusalem can be realized'.
To address the myths of racial inequality and superiority that contributed to the origins of World II, UNESCO supported and disseminated a series of Statements on Race, beginning in 1950. In these Statements, scientific experts from around the world asserted the fundamental unity of humanity and declared that we all belong to the same species. The scientists emphasized that the concept of race reflects a social image bound up with the physical appearance of individuals rather than a scientific fact based on specific biological data. Based on the Statements on Race, UNESCO issued in 1978 the Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice. Since that time the member states have reported annually on their progress in fulfilling its mandate of equal opportunity to their citizens.

Sharing and free flow of information

Only a pluralistic and independent media accessible to all can ensure the free flow of ideas needed for the development of a world wide culture of peace. In pursuing this goal, UNESCO maintains close relations with professional press and journalists organizations, and provides technical advisers to assist Member States in preparing media legislation and propose structures for editorially independent public service broadcasting.
Training of communication specialists and professional journalists is of central concern. For example, in Africa support is given to the development of a new training curriculum which emphasizes human rights and democratic freedoms, peace and tolerance, management of independent media, rural communication, professional ethics and the application of new information technologies.
The International Programme for the Development of Communication is UNESCO's principal partner in promoting a free, independent and pluralist media. Since the Programme first became operational in 1982 it has supported roughly 600 communication projects in more than 100 countries, establishing national and regional news agencies, providing audiovisual equipment for radio and television stations and setting up training courses for newspaper and book publishing and film-making. Today, one of the major projects concerns the development of an independent and pluralistic press in Africa, involving 47 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Programme also funds the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, an electronic early warning system run in co operation with press freedom groups including Reporters Sans Fronti�res, Index on Censorship and the Committee to Protect Journalists.

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