Marking End of International Year for Rapprochement of Cultures, Secretary-General

Says Human Family Must Continue Fight against Bigotry, Intolerance

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) event marking the end of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, in New York today, 11 March:

It is a pleasure to be here with such distinguished guests.

I offer a special welcome to the eminent members of the High Panel on Peace and Dialogue among Cultures.

When the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Decade for the Culture of Peace, the goals were clear.

Member States wanted to tackle the roots of conflict.  They wanted to promote the resolution of problems through peaceful means.  And they wanted to ensure human rights and participation for all.

To do all this, they dedicated the Decade to mainstreaming the values, attitudes and behaviours that form the cornerstone of peace — diversity, tolerance, dialogue, mutual respect with others, whether distant foreigner or close neighbour.

The Decade was proclaimed by Governments.  But civil society was considered an essential partner in breaking down barriers.  Peace is everyone’s responsibility.

As the Decade’s culmination, the year 2010 was proclaimed the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures.

As lead UN agency for the Decade and the Year, UNESCO mobilized a wide variety of actors, at all levels, in all regions.  Bridges were built that I hope will be reinforced in the years ahead.

But the human family continues to face serious challenges and obstacles — conflicts, violence, bigotry, intolerance and exclusion, in old forms and new.

This dark reality compels us to continue the efforts that animated the Decade and Year.

While those observances are over, the imperative remains:  building a sustainable future underpinned by human solidarity and universal values.

In adopting the Declaration and Programme of Action for the culture of peace, the General Assembly gave the world a road map of lasting coherence and ambition.

That norm-setting document sets out a far-reaching agenda.  It encompasses education, sustainable development, human rights, gender equality, democratic participation and international peace and security.

Eleven years since its articulation, that people-centred agenda can serve us for years to come.  The transitions taking place today in the Middle East and North Africa make this work especially relevant and urgent.

President [Jorge] Sampaio, I welcome your convening of the [Alliance of Civilization’s] Group of Friends yesterday.  I look forward to the contributions the Alliance will make through its Mediterranean Regional Strategy and other initiatives that promote mutual understanding among the region’s different peoples and traditions, and the peaceful resolution of differences.

I attach particularly high importance to the Alliance’s work with young people.  Youth have been among the main drivers of change in the region.  The values, attitudes and behaviours of these emerging leaders will be crucial in building inclusive societies and responsive Governments.  Let us do our utmost to support them, in particular through education and opportunities.

Thank you for your commitment to this work.  While today we mark the end of two important observances, their goals are timeless and should continue to guide our work for a more peaceful, just and equitable world.  I wish you a lively and fruitful debate.

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For information media • not an official record