Published on: 2026-11-05
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 5, 2026 Culture and Education
Culture is a “fundamental right and the fabric from which the human family is woven.” With these words, UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the participants of the XXX Ibero-American Summit in Madrid on Thursday. He spoke at the summit for the last time in his capacity.
According to him, the cultures of Ibero-America – a region encompassing Spanish-speaking and Portuguese-speaking countries of America, as well as Spain and Portugal – combine the traditions of indigenous peoples, as well as African and European heritage.
“The world needs your experience: unity without uniformity,” emphasized the Secretary-General.
The UN Charter calls on peoples to live together, in peace with one another, as good neighbors, Guterres reminded.
The Secretary-General recalled Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica,” which is kept in Madrid and embodies the idea of the absurdity of war. The tapestry depicting the painting hangs at the entrance to the UN Security Council chamber in New York and serves as a reminder of what is at stake when Security Council members discuss matters of peace.
Culture versus algorithms
The Secretary-General expressed regret that the right to culture, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, continues to be sidelined. He called for the preservation of squares, theaters, and libraries, and for the protection of artists’ freedom, “especially when their works make us feel uncomfortable.” Artificial intelligence, he said, should reflect the voices of all humanity, “without a handful of companies deciding what we see, read, and believe in.”
“The more capable machines become, the more we will need what makes us human,” Guterres emphasized. According to him, culture teaches us to doubt, see nuances, and put ourselves in another’s place, so education needs more arts and humanities.
“We speak many languages. We sing different songs. But they all tell the same story – the story of shared humanity,” he concluded. “This is the power of culture: it helps us recognize humanity in others, even in yesterday’s opponent. This is where peace begins.”
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