Sight Interpretation Exercise Script) Globalization, an opportunity or a threat? Koichiro Matsuura. Director-General of UNESCO Ladies and gentlemen Progress in communication and transport technology during the 20th century has allowed us to overcome geographical boundaries and revolutionize our way of living The world is now linked to such an extent that a local happening cannot take place without impacting on the international community and vice versa Globalization is not just about increasing worldwide circulation of information and Id eas speaking, it entails an increase in capital flow, transnational investment and international trade thereby integrating all countries into a single giant world market In terms of politics, the social, economic or environmental orientation of states is being increasingly determined by regional and international structures In terms of Culture, is Globalization an opportunity or a threat? Globalization itself is neither positive nor negative: it may be either of them depend ing on our viewpoint. Nonetheless, Culture in general, and cultural diversity in particular, is facing 2 challenges 1)Globalization, in its powerful extension of market principles, by highlighting the culture of economically powerful nations, has created new forms of inequality thereby fostering cultural conflict rather than cultural pluralism 2) States are increasingly unable to handle on their own cross-border flow of ideas4. Sight Interpretation Exercise (Script) Globalization, an opportunity or a threat? Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO Ladies and Gentlemen: Progress in communication and transport technology during the 20th century has allowed us to overcome geographical boundaries and revolutionize our way of living. The world is now linked to such an extent that a local happening cannot take place without impacting on the international community and vice versa. Globalization is not just about increasing worldwide circulation of information and ideas. Economically speaking, it entails an increase in capital flow, transnational investment and international trade, thereby integrating all countries into a single giant world market. In terms of politics, the social, economic or environmental orientation of states is being increasingly determined by regional and international structures. In terms of Culture, is Globalization an opportunity or a threat? Globalization itself is neither positive nor negative: it may be either of them depending on our viewpoint. Nonetheless, Culture in general, and cultural diversity in particular, is facing 2 challenges: 1) Globalization, in its powerful extension of market principles, by highlighting the culture of economically powerful nations, has created new forms of inequality, thereby fostering cultural conflict rather than cultural pluralism. 2) States are increasingly unable to handle on their own cross-border flow of ideas