ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT, AT `THANKSGIVING YEAR" CEREMONY, SAYS HUMAN FAMILY SHOULD UNITE IN COMPASSION AT START OF NEW CENTURY

Press Release
GA/SM/140

ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT, AT `THANKSGIVING YEAR’ CEREMONY, SAYS HUMAN FAMILY SHOULD UNITE IN COMPASSION AT START OF NEW CENTURY

This is the text of remarks today by the President of the General Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab (Namibia), at a Headquarters ceremony for the International Year of Thanksgiving 2000, at which a report on preparations for the Year was presented and a commemorative postage stamp unveiled:

I’m very glad to receive these preparations for the millennial year 2000 with its most important and appropriate theme, “Thanksgiving”. I want to commend the major religions for joining together in presenting a formal proposal to the United Nations to celebrate the year 2000 as International Year of Thanksgiving.

I also wish to acknowledge the leading role that the Center for World Thanksgiving has played in order for all nations and peoples to celebrate the joyful, friendly and yet deeply meaningful theme of Thanksgiving, as we enter the new millennium.

I was impressed with the theme of the Thanksgiving World Assembly of religion, in March, which was “Spirit of a Thousand Years”. It is important to show how ancient and basic Thanksgiving is observed worldwide. It ties human communities together and encourages brotherhood and sharing.

I have noted that many peoples around the world see gratitude as a key to caring and compassionate human coexistence. Dag Hammarskjöld certainly set our theme long ago when he wrote, “For all that has been -– thanks, For all that will be – Yes.”

On 18 October this year, cultural leaders met at the Thanksgiving World Assembly in Paris. The theme of that Assembly was “Thanksgiving Opens Hearts”. As hearts are changed, we are receiving the gift of peace, understanding and mutual respect as members of one human family.

Our “Thanksgiving Together” from today on, in small things and big things throughout the twenty-first century and beyond, will make a world of difference. Let us take special time to gratefully count our blessings, first, and to thank one another and, above all, the Creator.

Standing here under the faces of the peoples of the world in prayer and Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the many challenges still facing us in the world --- intolerance, wars, poverty and brutality against children. It is my special wish that the power and compassion of Thanksgiving will guide us in a special way in 2000: The “International Year of Thanksgiving”. We can concentrate on what unites us and make it the thankful century.

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