SG/SM/5809

SECRETARY-GENERAL DELIVERS LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW ON 'A NEW UNITED NATIONS OBJECTIVE: DEMOCRATIZATION'

10 November 1995


Press Release
SG/SM/5809


SECRETARY-GENERAL DELIVERS LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW ON 'A NEW UNITED NATIONS OBJECTIVE: DEMOCRATIZATION'

19951110 (Received from the Spokeswoman for the Secretary-General in Europe.)

Following is the text of the lecture delivered by Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali at the University of Warsaw today:

It is a special honour for me to be invited here, to one of the great universities of Europe.

At this momentous time in world affairs, to be here in Poland is an inspiration. I am reminded, of course, of the epic of Polish history and the influence of its political, cultural and intellectual genius. Pope John Paul II, in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly a few weeks ago, referred to the contribution of the Academy of Krakow to the Council of Constance in 1414, at a key moment in the shaping of the modern international system. Over the centuries, Poland's contribution to the evolution of the international community has been essential. Poland's heroic achievement of democracy has gained the admiration and respect of peoples in every part of the world.

The building of the modern international system that began in the fifteenth century has brought us to another critical turning point. The international system that sustained us in the past has yet to be replaced. We are in the process of building a new international system, and we are doing so under unprecedented conditions.

My topic today is democracy. It is a topic closely linked to the study and the development of law. It is a topic that the world associates with Poland. Today, democratization is not only an imperative, it is, for the first time in history, possible to foresee on an international scale. We cannot expect democracy to sweep the world in a few short years. But democratization as a process is taking place in every part of the globe.

Democratization is providing legitimacy for law. It is providing a foundation for peace. And it is providing the best guarantee for lasting economic development. A window of opportunity for democratization has opened. We must take this opportunity to act for the benefit of our common human future.

Democracy is an ideal. We must recall, however, that over the centuries, democracy has been more an ideal than a reality. The ancient Persians believed democracy led to disorder and thus to dictatorship -- so why not accept dictatorship in the first place?

In the sixteenth century, at the start of the modern age, it was believed that sovereignty required absolutism. Democracy seemed incompatible with effective State power. Earlier in our own century, we saw the number of democracies diminish. Dictatorships called themselves democracies while opposing true democracy on every occasion.

Today, the ideal of democracy is being translated into reality in many lands. As we recognize this positive development, we must also recall the difficulties and dangers which surround it. Once again we hear that democracy leads to disorder. We hear that democracy reduces efficiency. We hear that democracy must be postponed until development is fully achieved. There may be some truth to these claims. But too often they are made by democracy's enemies.

Three years ago I presented to the Security Council my report, An Agenda for Peace. In it I stressed the importance of democracy to achieve peace: Democracy within nations promotes respect for human rights and provides the conditions under which people can express their will. This process creates the social and political stability necessary for peace. And democracy among nations engages all States, large and small, in decision-making on world affairs. This promotes the mutual respect that is necessary for peace.

Last year I presented to the General Assembly my report on An Agenda for Development. In it I stressed the importance of democracy to achieve development: Democracy within nations fosters creativity, communication and good governance. These are necessary for economic and social success in the information age. And democracy among nations fosters stability and international cooperation. These are necessary to ensure a satisfactory and sustainable pace of development.

As the Nigerian author, Ben Okri, has written, "A nation that is not free cannot grow". Democracy supplies the only long-term and sustainable route to development. Without democracy, development can take place, but it cannot be expected to endure. Democracy, therefore, is essential for peace and development. It is a process essential for tangible human progress. We are living, therefore, in an era in which democracy is winning widespread acclaim. But this is also an era in which the State is being challenged as the mechanism for solving national problems, and as the basic element of the international system.

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First, economic, political and military interconnection is challenging the State from above -- reducing its self-sufficiency in these spheres. Some of these changes are beyond any State's control, such as the globalization of financial markets. Other changes are the voluntary choice of States themselves. It is voluntary choice which created the European Union.

Second, globalization is raising peoples' expectations. There are now thousands of grass-roots organizations exerting pressure on States from below. People want to take part in decisions affecting their lives. They want control over their future. They demand more accountability, more representation and more participation in political life.

Third, globalization is linking political decisions from international organizations all the way down to the individual citizen -- and from the individual back up to the top. The details of an international free trade agreement, for example, are debated by workers on the factory floor. And they make themselves heard by leaders. The State is in the middle, exposed to pressures from above, from below, and from all sides.

To ensure its viability as an institution of governance, and to realize its potential for human progress, the State must come to terms with these realities. Unless attention is given and action taken, these forces, unchecked, can create a sense of alienation and pessimism. The answer to this is democracy.

There two levels of analysis: democracy within the State, and democracy among States, in the international system. Within States, the United Nations plays many roles to help those in transition to democracy.

Before voting takes place, the United Nations helps prepare an electoral budget and establish a voter registration system. Electoral workers are trained in law, logistics and civic responsibility. In some cases, political movements are helped to transform themselves into true political parties as has been the case in Mozambique.

During elections, the United Nations provides technical and logistical assistance, and coordinates the work of observers and monitors. When voting takes place under tense conditions, as in Cambodia, support from United Nations peace-keeping forces may be needed.

South Africa is a shining example of the role of the United Nations in promoting democratization. Following years of commitment to the struggle against apartheid, the United Nations assisted South Africa at each stage of the electoral process. Preparation for the election, observation of the vote and installation of the new Government -- all were conducted with United Nations help.

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The third phase in democratization, perhaps the most difficult, takes place after the elections have been concluded. In the post-election period, democracy must be supported by: a national constitution; an independent judiciary; State institutions with integrity; governmental accountability; the rule of law; respect for human rights; and popular participation.

The international community understands the importance of building a road or a bridge or a university or a hospital but is hesitant to help build a free press or political party. The times require a new frame of mind for us all.

I am convinced that the efforts of States to democratize will find greater stability and an increased likelihood of success when democratization extends to the international arena. The United Nations therefore has responsibilities for the promotion of democratization among States. This is a task as difficult as ensuring the consolidation of democratization within States. Five aspects of the democratization of international relations can be identified.

First, there is the need to democratize the United Nations system itself. A few years ago, no one spoke of the democratization of the United Nations system. Today, it can be seriously contemplated. This is precisely because people around the world are demanding more democracy within their own countries. It is upon this foundation that democratization on a larger scale can be contemplated. At the Special Commemorative Session of the General Assembly, held on the occasion of the United Nations fiftieth anniversary, nearly every speaker -- including 128 heads of State and government -- addressed this important issue.

Second, United Nations cooperation with regional arrangements and regional organizations is vital to democratization. To this end, the United Nations has redeployed and decentralized activities in the economic and social fields to the regional commissions. In El Salvador, the former Yugoslavia, Georgia, Somalia, Haiti and elsewhere, the United Nations has increasingly engaged in cooperation with regional arrangements.

Third, the growth of non-governmental organizations at all levels, from grass roots to global, can be a powerful factor for democratization throughout the international system. Not only has popular participation dramatically increased, non-governmental organizations have become increasingly involved with the establishment of democratic institutions, carrying the voices and the needs of the smallest communities to international attention, and bringing into contact citizens' groups across the world to defend political prisoners, promote development and empower marginalized social groups. Vast non- governmental organizations networks span national borders, creating new global communities of like-minded people. A remarkable number of new ideas in world affairs can be traced to their origin in such movements.

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Fourth, guaranteeing an independent communications media is a way to guarantee freedom of thought and the flow of ideas. A free and responsible media makes possible a dialogue among peoples and nations -- a condition for democracy. When people are free to speak out, corruption, discrimination and injustice are less likely to survive. We must be vigilant in protecting the members of the press when their freedom is in danger. The United Nations must be more than a forum where national and international bureaucracies communicate. An independent communications media is a vehicle which connects the United Nations to world public opinion.

Fifth, the United Nations ability to convene global conferences is essential to the reinforcement of democratic principles in world affairs. Sustainable development was addressed in Rio de Janeiro; in Vienna, Human Rights; in Barbados, Small Island Developing States; in Yokohama, Natural Disaster Reduction in Yokohama; in Cairo, Population; in Copenhagen, Social Development; a few months ago in Beijing, Women; and in four months in Istanbul in 1996, Human Settlements.

In this great cause, the example of Poland today shines as a light for all the world. States in all parts of the world look to Poland and draw inspiration for their efforts to democratize. Poland is approaching democratization with an international outlook, viewing democratization in its full global context.

It has thus been my great pleasure to be with you today, and my great honour, on behalf of the United Nations, to salute the Government and People of Poland.

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For information media. Not an official record.