Secretary-General Tells UNIS-UN Conference Set to Study Globalization’s

Costs, Benefits ‘With World More Connected, We Must Be More United’

Following is UN Secretary-General’s message to the UNIS ( United Nations International School)-UN Conference in New York today:

Welcome to the United Nations.  I am pleased to share my greetings to all those gathered for the thirty-eighth UNIS-UN Conference.  I thank you for coming together around the theme of “Globalization:  A World of Exchange” and wish you all the best for what promises to be two days of enriching dialogue and discussion.

You meet at a time of opportunity and risk for the human family.  We are the first generation that can end extreme poverty — yet people and the planet face the rising pressures of a warming climate, growing inequality and exploitation from mines to fields to factory floor.

The United Nations works every day, around the clock, across the world, to confront today’s emergencies while building foundations of peace for tomorrow.  We are feeding the hungry, fighting disease and pressing for a nuclear-weapon-free world.  We are strengthening peacekeeping, peacebuilding and preventive diplomacy, as well as our tools for justice and accountability.  Our sights are also set on the key year of 2015:  the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, reaching an agreement on climate change and adopting a bold vision for the period beyond 2015 that will advance economic growth, social progress and environmental stewardship.

These plans are ambitious.  I encourage you to join forces with like-minded individuals and groups to generate change and promote mutual tolerance, understanding and respect.

This conference will explore the implications, costs and benefits of globalization.  Technology has globalized communications.  Now we have to globalize compassion and citizenship.  In a world that is more connected, we must be more united.

I look forward to the contributions you will make to our shared work for peace, development and human rights.  Please accept my best wishes for what I know will be memorable and meaningful experience.

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For information media • not an official record