The,. election this month of Federico Mayor Zaragoza as the new director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization inspires hope for the future of the agency. When 142 of 158 member states—an mipressive majority—cast their ballots for Mayor, they signaled a common desire that the organization move forward and, in the words of the new director-general, “keep what must be kept and modify what should be changed.” In choosing Mayor to guide UNESCO through that difficult process of restructuring, the delegates chose wisely. Mayor emerged as much more than a compromise candidate. He was seen as a leader able to unite and revitalize UNESCO, one who could reshape it into a more effective and efficient force for global cooperation. The 53-year-old Spanish biochemist and educator brings an impressive range of skills and experiences to his new office. He served from 1978 to 1981 as deputy director-general of...