Is a prize that claims to promote African progress bad for human rights? Unesco weighs both sides and comes out with a compromise that is ensured to leave everyone unhappy:
The wrangling over the award exposed the rift within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization between Western states, which worry that it will mar the agency’s reputation — if it has not done so already — and African member nations, several of which argued Thursday that the prize would serve as an element of pride for the African continent.
“We believe that the decision we’ve just taken will send a very important message,” said Zimbabwe’s representative to Unesco, David Hamadziripi. “That a lot of good comes out of Africa, and that Africa can and does contribute in international cooperation and is not just a recipient of the good will of others.”
via Unesco Backs Divisive Equatorial Guinea Prize – NYTimes.com.
