NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS MUST LEAD MOBILIZATION, DEBATE, IMPLEMENTATION SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL IN ADDRESS TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION CONFERENCE
Press Release
SG/SM/5813
NGO/262
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS MUST LEAD MOBILIZATION, DEBATE, IMPLEMENTATION SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL IN ADDRESS TO NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION CONFERENCE
19951120 Following is the address of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to the Conference of non-governmental organizations at Headquarters on 20 November:I extend a warm welcome to all participants in this Conference of Non- Governmental Organizations. The United Nations is your home. Non- governmental organizations have become full -- and necessary -- participants in all aspects of international life.
Today, people everywhere live in a global context. The great goals of peace, justice and prosperity are now understood to require ever increasing international cooperation for their achievement. The easy movement of wealth, people, capital and ideas has become a compelling new reality. At the same time, a new set of problems of global dimension is beyond the ability of any single country, or group of States to solve. Societies which once felt able to stand alone, now recognize they are part of the global community.
A new intellectual framework must now be built for a new century. This framework must take into account not only political issues, but also economic behaviour and social and cultural aspirations. Even as it expresses present day realities, this new understanding must support the ideals of a human community in its evolution towards the future.
Key elements of this new global understanding have begun to emerge:
-- Investing in people is a prerequisite to progress and economic growth, without which there can be no sustained increase in health, welfare or security levels;
-- A strong civil society is necessary to address the core concerns of development;
-- The pursuit of social justice will help heal societies torn by marginalization, fragmentation and bitterness;
-- A commitment to democratization is the key to long-term peace, the cornerstone of all development, and the driving force for progress on all fronts;
-- Respect for the environment is a safeguard for our common future. Social and economic needs must be satisfied in ways that do not undermine the viability of the eco-systems on which we, and future generations, depend;
Peace, development, democratization and the promotion of human rights, these are the great tasks of our era. These are the foundations for hope in our common future. These are the tasks entrusted to the United Nations.
But today, the United Nations is confronted with the most serious crisis in its history. For almost four years, I have tried to convince Governments of Member States of the United Nations to pay their assessments in full and on time. In every major statement and document during my time in office, I have drawn attention to the financial crisis and proposed steps to solve it. In meeting after meeting with Foreign Ministers and with Heads of State, I have asked them to help us address this deteriorating situation. For four years, I have warned of the financial, political and ethical consequences for our work of the failure to pay assessments. I have argued, I have cajoled, I have pleaded, I have begged, and I have failed.
The Organization has cut expenses. We have streamlined operations and are working hard to reduce waste, duplication and overlap. Last year, we pulled out of Somalia. In order to further cut peace-keeping expenses, I have now recommended to the Security Council that the United Nations scale down its operations in the former Yugoslavia. We simply cannot afford the expenses for this operation, which total some $5 million a day. I have recommended to the Security Council that the United Nations be replaced by a multinational force.
Today, I appeal to you, the non-governmental organization community, to help me resolve this crisis. I ask you to try to convince your Governments to pay their arrears, and to pay future contribution on time and in full. I make this appeal to you because the United Nations is your Organization. I make this appeal here because, without peace and the global efforts of the United Nations, the best intentions for development and democratization will be overshadowed by conflict and social troubles.
There can be no bystanders. Non-governmental organizations must take the lead in three areas: mobilization, debate and implementation.
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First, mobilizing popular participation is one of the key ways in which non-governmental organizations help to advance action towards progress. You can educate citizens. You can generate enthusiasm. You can raise consciousness. You can mobilize public support. You have access to private funds, and you can influence the use of public funds.
Second, broadening debate and expanding understanding of the issues are critical. With growing influence, you have growing responsibilities. Non- governmental organizations must ensure that the necessary issues -- even those issues that might make Governments uneasy -- are raised. You must ensure that different perspectives are presented -- especially those that might be ignored by States or by international organizations.
Third, perhaps the most important contribution that non-governmental organizations must make is in ensuring that commitments are implemented -- that actions follow words. It is the follow-up, rather than the take-off, that will make the difference between success or failure. You must be vigilant. You must be insistent. You must lobby. You will not always be welcome, but you must persist.
I fully support the call for non-governmental organizations to be better integrated into the decision-making of governments and intergovernmental organizations at all levels. It is important, in this respect, that the non- governmental organization movement speak with a clear voice. In this age of globalization and fragmentation, non-governmental organization coalitions on particular issues can make a difference.
The United Nations, and the world community, can benefit from a responsible, coherent, and independent non-governmental organization movement. Non-governmental organizations no longer need to struggle for acceptance or recognition. Your performance at the United Nations global conferences and summit meetings, your ability to shape the international agenda are now recognized and accepted. The challenge today, for the non-governmental organizations, is to find a structure that allows them to retain their vitality and their diversity, while channelling their energies into a powerful force, representing the peoples of the world.
I am confident the non-governmental organization movement will meet that challenge. The twenty-first century will be the age of association. New structures must complement the State system in the post-cold war world. Non- governmental organizations are before an historic opportunity. I invite you to share with us in the task of creating a new world and a new civilization, if we are to give meaning to the first words of our Charter: "We the peoples..."
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