VN's first UNESCO Director-General candidate Pham Sanh Chau - What make him special?

(VNF) - The senior diplomat has been in the spotlight for representing Vietnam as a brilliant candidate for the UNESCO Director-General post. Have you ever wondered, besides possessing high proficiency in two foreign languages, self-confidence, abundant knowledge and experiences in international affairs, what else make Pham Sanh Chau special?

Vietnam's first UNESCO Director - General candidate Pham Sanh Chau (source: Vietnam & The World)

'Diplomatic genes' inheritance

Pham Sanh Chau was born in Myanmar. His father was Pham Ngoc Que, a renowned diplomat who later became the first Consul General of Vietnam in Sri Lanka.

Thank to his father's work, before officially embarking on the diplomatic journey at the age 22, Chau had already got chance to explore different parts of the world. Traveling with parents in various working trips gained Chau immense exposure to international environment, partly helped nurture his interests and experiences in foreign affairs in later years.

Endless love for study:

Talking about his hobbies, Chau said "I don't have any hobby apart from learning, and I am always willing to learn, following the lifelong learning spirit initiated by UNESCO."

Besides receiving his bachelor degree from the Vietnam University of Foreign Affairs (precursor of the Diplomatic Academy), Chau furthered his learning path by attending various courses in globally renowned institutions, including the International Institute of Social Studies (The Hague, Netherlands), the European Union Training Centre (Belgium), Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) (Hawaii, US).

Chau possesses highly competent English and French language skills, which were polished by the time working as intepreter for high-level leaders of Vietnam from 1991-2000. He is also former Head of the Translation Department of Ministry of Foreigh Affairs.

The destined bond with UNESCO:

Chau's career path's milestones are filled with numerous UNESCO-related positions, including Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Viet Nam to UNESCO in France (1999-2003), Director-General, Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO Affairs Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary-General, Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO (2007, 2011), Ambassador and Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Viet Nam on UNESCO affairs (2016 - present).

Pham Sanh Chau introducing Vietnam's image to the world (source: Pham Sanh Chau's facebook)

Throughout the last 18 years, Chau has been dedicating vast efforts in promoting various tangible and intangible heritage of Vietnam to be recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage, including Central Highland space of Cong, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ca tru singing, Phong Nha Ke Bang cave, Mother Goddesses workship rituals.

Currently, he is brewing the idea of helping more homeland's cultural heritage such as Ao dai and Tet celebration to receive the same honor.

Inspired by songs and novels:

According to Chau, he finds himself in one of his most loved American song “My way” and the French novel “One life” written by Guy de Maupassant.

Similar to many Vietnamese at his age, he was fond of reading Russian literatures as a student. Today, 40 years after the day Chau first read the famous "How steel was tempered", the book remains his great source of inspiration.

Besides, "After all, tomorrow is another day" - a saying by Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the wind - is Chau's favorite quote.

him: an optimistic challenge taker. "Challenge excites me, the more difficult, the more interesting." he said.

Highly interactive on Internet social platform:

Chau frequently updated his Facebook and interact with his friends and followers. He likes to use Facebook and Twitter because he loves to communicate with peole, Chau said.

According to the senior diplomat, social platform like Facebook and Twitter are useful tools to serve the UNESCO mission of connecting people and maintaining peace, especially "When we want to convey a message to the public", he noted.

Friendly and highly interactive on virtual social space, however, being a diplomat, Chau is also highly cautious and strictly adhere to the ‘rule of speech’: Always be alerted of what can and cannot be shared.

He will limit his use of Facebook and Twitter in coming time when his election enters the critical period, Chau said./.

( Phi Yen )