800.42/541
Memorandum by the American Education Delegation16
Recommendations of the American Education Delegation on Educational Rehabilitation
The Delegation finds that the Conference of Allied Ministers and the representatives and observers of the various countries (excepting Russia whose attitude was not expressed) composing it are willing, in fact eager, to move quickly towards the formation of a United Nations Organization for Educational and Cultural Reconstruction. The Conference and the several Ministers of Education, either collectively or individually, have not yet developed a program or programs of educational rehabilitation for the war-torn countries. It is clear, however, that, first, the providing of material aid, and second, the affording of opportunities for training new personnel, will be the essentials of such programs. In the main the programs will be developed and administered separately by each nation; in other words, international cooperation will supplement national efforts. The several Ministers of Education emphasize the need to begin the work of educational rehabilitation as soon as possible after the Allied armies have liberated their respective countries.
On the basis of these findings the Delegation recommends that:
- 1.
- The Department act immediately to approve, with the amendments it may see fit to make, the tentative draft constitution of a United Nations Organization for Educational and Cultural Rehabilitation accepted by the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education on April 19, 1944.
- 2.
- The Department, through diplomatic channels, consider with other governments but especially with those of Great Britain, Russia, and China, their respective acceptances of this tentative constitution and the convening of the assembly provided for therein.
- 3.
- The Department maintain a small staff in London to collaborate with the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education in the preparation for educational rehabilitation of the war-torn countries until a United Nations Organization for Educational and Cultural Reconstruction is constituted. It is further recommended that the Department allocate funds to pay the share of the United States in the Secretariat of the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education during this interim period.
- 4.
- The Department, on the basis of studies undertaken by the staff in London, request an appropriation from Congress to cover the contribution of the United States Government to (a) the initial costs of educational rehabilitation programs, (b) the administrative expenses of a United Nations Organization, and later (c) to the Emergency Rehabilitation Fund.
- 5.
- The Department, through the Office of Education especially but also through other governmental and private agencies, move as quickly as possible to mobilize the various financial resources and other services, excepting those that may be provided by a Congressional appropriation, for assisting in the educational rehabilitation of the war-torn countries.
- 6.
- The Department undertake through bilateral arrangements to give such assistance for educational and cultural rehabilitation, especially in personnel training, to the war-torn countries, as it may seem desirable to give in this manner. Negotiations looking toward the giving of such assistance to the Russian and Chinese Governments should be begun at once in Washington.
- 7.
- The Department undertake to bring about a coordination of activities affecting educational rehabilitation in the period of military control by Allied armies and subsequently in the period when relief is provided by UNRRA so that they support the programs of educational rehabilitation to be aided by the United Nations Organization for Educational and Cultural Reconstruction.
Archibald MacLeish
John W. Studebaker
C. Mildred Thompson
Grayson N. Kefauver
Ralph E. Turner
[The Secretary of State announced on May 3, 1944, that Congressman J. William Fulbright, Chairman of the American Delegation to the Conference of Allied Ministers of Education in London, had returned to this country with three other members—Archibald MacLeish, John W. Studebaker, and C. Mildred Thompson. For a report on the work of the delegation and the progress made at the [Page 974] London meeting, see Department of State Bulletin, May 6, 1944, page 413.
Two members of the delegation, Dr. Grayson N. Kefauver and Dr. Ralph E. Turner, continued in London to complete the gathering of factual information regarding emergency basic needs for reestablishing essential educational and cultural facilities in Allied liberated areas. Dr. Turner remained in London until September 1944, and Dr. Kefauver until October 1944. For information concerning Dr. Kefauver’s activities from May to October, see Department of State Bulletin, October 22, 1944, page 465. See also article by Dr. Turner and Miss French, ibid., November 19, 1944, pages 602–605.]
- Addressed to Mr. Shaw, Assistant Secretary of State; Mr. Dickey, Director, Office of Public Information; and Mr. Thompson, Cultural Adviser.↩