15 OCTOBER 2009

Irina Bokova is not only the first woman nor the first Eastern European to take charge of UNESCO. She is also the first Bulgarian ever to head any U.N. Agency, Fund, or Program. Through a brilliant strategy or sincere good luck, she single-handedly placed Bulgaria on the U.N. leaders' map.

Her country has been a U.N. member since around the time she was born. Yet, regardless of many distinguished Bulgarian diplomats, very few were enabled to display their inherent talents on the international arena. Admittedly, we all admired soccer player Hristo Stoichkov. But after a while even the Golden Ball superstar got fed up with his own antics.

Whatever was said about the end of history could be somehow reversed. A fateful election of an intelligent compassionate woman to the U.N. Education, Science and Culture Organization is in fact the beginning of history, for Bulgaria and for UNESCO. A country which was always a crossroads of cultures and civilizations, with its hospitable people, unique literature and exquisite music now has a forum, not only to display its past but to project its future. For UNESCO, a talented leader who as a former Permanent Representative, is familiar with its potential as well as its limitations, will help steer it on a realistic yet principled road. She now has to work with all members and with the numerous civic groups that play a pivotal role in UNESCO's daily operation. Indeed, it is most likely that Ms. Bokova had made her contact with those influential groups around Place de Fontenoy prior to her successful selection.

She comes with consensus support. Although her main competitor was Egypt's Minister of Culture, Egypt's culture and politics are much wider than Farouk Husni, who indeed congratulated Ms. Bokova. Anyway, as the East and West met to support her, the Arab world would certainly welcome someone from a country that has always been a trustworthy special friend.

It is only hoped that Ms. Bokova will be given the means to sharpen the focus on getting results as she tries to build a practical bridge among cultures and a common ground between different educational systems.