PLIGHT OF CHILDREN, WOMEN'S RIGHTS, UNITED NATIONS REFORM TAKEN UP IN ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT'S CONVOCATION REMARKS

Press Release
GA/SM/183

PLIGHT OF CHILDREN, WOMEN'S RIGHTS, UNITED NATIONS REFORM TAKEN UP IN ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT'S CONVOCATION REMARKS

Following is the text of the convocation remarks made today by General Assembly President Theo-Ben Gurirab (Namibia) for the Master of Science in Management of International Public Service Organizations at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University, New York:

Let me begin by thanking you for inviting me to address you, the inaugural class of the Master of Science in Management of International Public Service Organizations programme here at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

As one who has spent most of my life in the service of my country –- Namibia -– and of the international community, I consider myself very fortunate to be able to interact with you -– esteemed public servants. Many of you here are already playing significant roles in the society by helping people improve the quality of their lives. In this pursuit, you have chosen to further your education in the field of international public service. This you did because you have concerns, priorities, goals and a vision for a better and brighter future, in this our rapidly globalizing world.

We are standing at the crossroads between a century that brought extraordinary misery for millions, and the new century which offers immense hope in the struggle to eradicate human suffering.

But let us not forget today's real world out there – the world of hunger, poverty, disease, illiteracy and man's inhumanity to man. Though future possibilities may excite us, we must break free of our divisive and destructive ways.

At the United Nations, armed with its Charter and emboldened by its kindred 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we are making tireless efforts to make the world a better -– peaceful, just, cooperative and prosperous -– place for all of God’s children.

It is hard to imagine that any organization formed 54 years ago, in the wake of the most devastating world war, could really be suited to respond to a myriad of the world’s needs today. But because it is a true reflection of the real world we live in, with all its problems and exigencies, the United Nations has thrived and risen to the challenges facing the world. The Organization, whose membership

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now stands at 188, is the indispensable common home of the entire human family now and in the future.

We can, therefore, ask ourselves the question: “Is the United Nations ready and resourceful enough to confront the challenges and problems facing the world as we enter the twenty-first century?” I believe that with sustained and collective efforts and, specifically, with the completion of its reform, about which I will speak later, the answer is an emphatic yes.

In this context, and as part of the preparations for the forthcoming United Nations Millennium Summit in September, the Millennium Forum, representing civil society, adopted a forward-looking Declaration and Programme of Action in May which articulates the views and concerns of the grassroots organizations on the six main themes of the Forum, namely, peace, security and disarmament; eradication of poverty; human rights; sustainable development and environment; facing the challenges of globalization; and strengthening and democratizing of the United Nations and other key international organizations.

With that in mind, I would like to address a few of these issues; it is not possible to deal with all of them within the space of time allotted me.

1. The Plight of Children

The theme of my Presidency of the General Assembly is the plight of the children. They are our future. But how can we really answer for the heinous crimes of violence, abuse and neglect that our children are being subjected to daily, both in industrialized and developing countries? However, there is hope. Following the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, children's interests are now placed higher on public and developmental agendas than ever before. At the same time, the process of globalization has widened the socio- economic gap between nations, with women and children precariously left wanting, particularly in the third world.

A child in the developing world is born with an average debt baggage of $417. Sub-Saharan Africa has spent more on servicing its debt of over $200 billion than on the health and education of its 306 million children. The girl child, in particular, suffers discrimination and abuse for a great part of her life. That’s why today the worldwide call is for debt cancellation.

This decade of the new millennium, from 2001-2010, has been proclaimed by the General Assembly as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non- violence for the Children of the World. For the first time in its history, the Security Council, under the Namibian Presidency, adopted in August 1999 a milestone resolution on the sufferings of children. This work must continue everywhere and we are all in it together.

· Women's Rights

In June, the United Nations held a special session in New York as a follow- up to the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference. The 1995 Conference had pointedly focused worldwide attention on the imperative need to address the specific

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concerns of women for gender equality, development and peace. The “Beijing +5” session was held so governments could consider what practical actions to take, both individually and collectively, to further the global agenda for the advancement of women through inclusive governance, empowerment, resource mobilization and gender equality.

I am pleased by the outcome of Women 2000 last month, adding to our agenda the issues of violence against and trafficking in women, health, education, human rights, poverty, debt relief and globalization, armed conflict, sovereignty, land and inheritance rights for women, political participation and decision-making. Other concerns in the same field were discussed in Geneva later, at the special session on Social Development. If governments would demonstrate the necessary political will and allocate the necessary resources, the goals of gender equality, social development and peace can become realities very early in the twenty-first century.

3. Restructuring and Strengthening of the United Nations – United Nations Reform

The United Nations definitely needs restructuring, strengthening and democratizing effectively to address the problems and challenges that are facing humanity and modern society in the twenty-first century. I must reiterate here that the Security Council, in particular, must be reformed and enlarged in order to enhance its effectiveness and legitimacy in the eyes of all the world’s people. The veto must go, because it is undemocratic and divisive.

In a nutshell, the reform of the United Nations must seek to achieve the following globally shared objectives:

-- It must seek to save humanity from conflict, war and destruction;

-- It must eradicate poverty;

-- It must foster industrialization and generation of wealth in the third world;

-- It must embody and promote environmentally sustainable development;

-- It must strengthen the observance of the rule of law in international relations and assure the protection of the weak and the poor;

-- It must involve women in preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and post- conflict peace-building and reconstruction.

-- It must also become more gender-sensitive and help create a world where gender equality becomes a widely cherished norm in society;

-- It must address with renewed vigour the needs of the embattled world’s children and their well-being;

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-- It must help find a cure, and soon, for the HIV/AIDS pandemic;

-- It must bring closer civil society, including non-governmental organizations, in its work and decision-making structures;

-- It must foster peace, friendship and cooperation among the nations and peoples of the world; and

-- It must promote a culture of peace, tolerance and human security.

The Millennium Summit, which will commence in September, is going to provide an opportunity for world leaders to address these and other issues and adopt an Outcome Document complete with renewed and collective commitment to, and a road map for, the United Nations towards realizing its universal goals for peace, human security, cooperation and sustainable development.

I am an organization man, not only at the United Nations but in life generally. I believe an individual must be connected to the whole and not operate as an island unto himself or herself. Human beings do not grow on trees; we are born into a nurturing family and a community, with rights but also responsibilities. That's where it all starts.

We have nothing to lose but much to gain by always advancing and maintaining constructive linkages based on shared ideals for mutual respect, meaningful cooperation and peaceful coexistence. Individual aspirations and community service are not opposites. Rather, they reinforce each other, each benefiting from the other.

So, as you move into the next phase of your careers, I have some words of reflection and encouragement for you.

First, value the dignity of your work. In a modern society based more on monetary wealth, you have chosen a higher calling and, though it may not feel like it when you look around and see people of mind-boggling power and fortune, you will reap far greater rewards in life from your work. Indeed, hard work and sacrifice are mighty virtues. This comes from a former freedom fighter.

Second, look at what progress we have made to determine what more is to be done. Sometimes, when faced with particularly horrible human tragedy, we become pessimistic about the future. But every tragedy is an opportunity to prevent it from ever happening again. We must learn from our failures and build upon our victories to further our global agenda of an extended and inclusive human family.

Lastly, we are living in historic moments unmatched since the industrial revolution. Yet as we push the technological envelope, we must bring on board those who are easily left behind. The industrial revolution failed in this. Now we have a chance to show not only our scientific prowess, but our human growth and generosity.

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Each generation has its moment under the sun and is given an opportunity to make its own history. Now is your time to decide how you will move the agenda for peace and development for the future. Your thoughts today and actions tomorrow will be judged by future generations, just as you have a chance today to assess others’ performance.

Today, the future is in your hands. What will you do with it, and what are your dreams for a better world tomorrow? That is the question.

Much progress has been made in serving the international community, but there is much work ahead. I congratulate you, wish you much luck and urge you to echo the words of Dag Hammarskjold, who said, “For all that has been -– Thanks. For all that will be -–Yes.” God’s speed!

I will see you in service to humanity.

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