In Video Message to Policy Dialogue Meeting, Secretary-General Urges Leaders Look at Securing ‘Space for Young People to Engage’

Following is the text of UN Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon’s video message to a policy dialogue meeting organized by the Club de Madrid and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, being held in Florence 23‑25 November:

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I commend the Club de Madrid and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for coming together to discuss the state and future of democracy worldwide.

The topic has never been more timely.  The threats to democracy around the world are all too real.  We see the loss of freedom of expression and increasingly restrictive laws.  We see persecution of activists and journalists and the exclusion and oppression of civil society.

Gatherings like yours are of vital importance in addressing these issues.  You are well placed to identify alarming trends and call attention to violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Most of all, you can make it clear that there are universal values and principles that Governments trample on at their peril.  Time and again, we have seen that in societies that are not inclusive, peace, stability and prosperity cannot take hold.

As you launch your drive for Next Generation Democracy, I urge you to look at ways to secure space for young people to engage.  Today, they make up the largest generation of young people in history.  They are connected and committed like no generation before.  The United Nations is ready to work with you to give young people the voice and the room they need to make their contributions to our common progress.

I thank all of the distinguished leaders for participating in this dialogue.  I count on all of you to be ambassadors for democracy across the world.

Grazie mille.  Thank you.