Only a global university network will carry the authority to effect the priorisation of research objects, says Mayor. Education creates harmony Like research, in Federico Mayor s opinion education should also be viewed from a global perspective, and not simply based on national interests. This is not a question of altruism but of guaranteeing harmony. If the division into rich and poor countries, haves and have-nots, is not halted we will obviously have more problems. Increased violence, endless lines of refugees and terrorism are signs of this global inequality.
Education is the surest guarantee of democracy.
In the current situation Mayor is mainly worried about the decision-making power becoming concentrated in just a few select countries. As an example of threats already realised he cites NATO s involvement in Kosovo last spring. That is heading down a slippery slope. In addition to safeguarding borders it is about time that we paid attention to what really goes on within those borders. I hope that nations in the future will commit themselves not only to military organisations but, for example, to environment-keeping forces which would be sent in immediately in the event of natural disasters, Mayor projects his visions.