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Round Table: Dialogue among Civilizations United Nations, New York, 5 September 2000 Provisional verbatim transcription

Address by Sam Nujoma (Namibia)

President Nujoma: The yearning for dialogue among civilizations is not a novel aspiration. The quest for peace, justice, tolerance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms has been with us all at different stages in our lives and in the histories of our countries. However, something very important and new indeed emanates from General Assembly resolution 53/22 of 1998 which proclaims the year 2001 as the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations.

That important decision of the General Assembly was a collective realization that global solidarity must entail global peace, tolerance, justice and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people of the world. Yes, we have made that important recognition. Now we must work it and live it together. That is important because one thing binds us all ? we are all human beings and we all deserve that basic peace, security and sustainable development.

It is in this context that I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your initiative. This round table on dialogue among civilizations could not have been more timely, and I am most gratified to be participating in this process. Since 1995 several initiatives have been taken to recommit ourselves to the values of peace, tolerance and solidarity that will give the world's young people a sense of ownership of the process of peace, justice, liberty and sustainable development. Indeed, the international political and economic process is evolving. Goods are moving from one country to another and from one continent to another. Some feel disadvantaged by globalization. Others are basking in the benefits accruing therefrom. A better understanding and appreciation of the common bonds of people will help us all to benefit even from our diversity. We must inculcate in ourselves a culture of peace that is inviolate. Solidarity must know no race, no hate. Dialogue among civilizations must enable us all to pursue the higher goals of peace, tolerance and civil dignity.

In all that we do as world leaders and individual human beings we must put at the centre of our decisions and undertakings the well-being and dignity of all people. It was perhaps no coincidence but out of immense foresight that the preamble of the constructive act of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) states that "since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed." It is clear that we have the instruments to realize this goal. We must support and sustain UNESCO to bring home to future generations that tolerance and understanding is for the benefit of us all. I also believe, therefore, that dialogue at this juncture should broaden our focus on what is to be done, to be encompassed while we continue to share knowledge about our diverse cultures, enhancing international cooperation cannot be overemphasized. We are interdependent. Nevertheless, the level of tolerance we have exercised and the number of violent conflicts that have added to the catalogue of despair and poverty since 1995 are of great concern to Namibia.

The alarming global statistic indicating that 75 per cent of the world's population is struggling to survive below the poverty line - including 25 million internally displaced persons, about 30 million affected by HIV/AIDS, and 15 million refugees - underlines the urgency with which dialogue among civilizations must be conducted.

In Africa many countries, including 23 heavily indebted poor countries, have been waiting to qualify for debt relief and/or cancellation. While the waiting game continues these countries have no choice but to service their external debts with 40-45 per cent of their gross national product (GNP) at the expense of social programmes such as education and health, and this continues to impact negatively on women and children. I stress once again that we must enter into dialogue to foster international cooperation and must promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The culture of peace cannot be crafted and talked about only in the halls of the United Nations. It must be lived and realized by the women and children who are sidestepping the deadly landmines and the working poor who are mining the gold and diamonds in their countries but who cannot enjoy the fruits of their labour. If we cherish the principles of human dignity and the sanctity of life we must apply economic justice proportionately to addressing the question of poverty which remains the root cause of human misery in many developing countries. Only when we appreciate one another as human beings with diverse cultures can we begin to understand one another's social and economic needs and standpoints.

It is therefore my firm conviction that the call for international cooperation and tolerance for human diversity is the key to building democracy and sustainable economic development in the world. Equally, constructive engagement by each country through dispensing resources for education and training in technology appreciation would facilitate the promotion of cultural diversity and the protection of those human rights and freedoms which constitute the cornerstone of harmony and peace among nations. We at the United Nations all have a role to play in our countries, our homes, our schools and in our villages. Let us join hands to meaningfully enhance dialogue among civilizations.

Mr. Matsuura: I now have the honour to ask His Excellency, Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of Algeria to take the floor.

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