KOFI
ANNAN QUOTES
No
shift in the way we think or act is more critical than this: we must put people
at the centre of everything we do. That is the essence of human security.
CULTURE
OF PEACE
"It may seem sometimes as if a culture of peace does not stand
a chance against the culture of war, the culture of violence and the cultures
of impunity and intolerance. Peace may indeed be a complex challenge, dependent
on action in many fields and even a bit of luck from time to time. It may be a
painfully slow process, and fragile and imperfect when it is achieved. But peace
is in our hands. We can do it." -- Kofi Annan
LEADERSHIP
Whether our task is fighting poverty, stemming the spread of disease or saving
innocent lives from mass murder, we have seen that we cannot succeed without the
leadership of the strong and the engagement of all.
UNITY
IN DIVERSITY
“We may have different religions, different languages, different
colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.”
ON
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
"There is no trust more sacred
than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than
ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that
their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace." --
Kofi Annan
ON
HUMAN RIGHTS
The
right to development is the measure of the respect of all other human rights.
That should be our aim: a situation in which all individuals are enabled to maximize
their potential, and to contribute to the evolution of society as a whole.
It was
never the people who complained of the universality of human rights, nor did the
people consider human rights as a Western or Northern imposition. It was often
their leaders who did so.
"Human
rights education is much more than a lesson in schools or a theme for a day; it
is a process to equip people with the tools they need to live lives of security
and dignity. On this International Human Rights Day, let us continue to work together
to develop and nurture in future generations a culture of human rights, to promote
freedom, security and peace in all nations."
ON
CO-OPS
"Founded
on the principles of private initiative, entrepreneurship and self-employment,
underpinned by the values of democracy, equality and solidarity, the co-operative
movement can help pave the way to a more just and inclusive economic order"
In an
age where community involvement and partnerships with civil society are increasingly
being recognized as indispensable, there is clearly a growing potential for cooperative
development and renewal worldwide.
ON
PEACEKEEPING
UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional,
going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to
life, often after decades of conflict. The blue helmets and their civilian colleagues
work together to organize elections, enact police and judicial reform, promote
and protect human rights, conduct mine-clearance, advance gender equali-ty, achieve
the voluntary disarmament of former combatants, and support the return of refugees
and displaced people to their homes.
ON
POVERTY
"Poverty
devastates families, communities and nations. It causes instability and political
unrest and fuels conflict."
"Let
us work in partnerships between rich and poor to improve the opportunities of
all human beings to build better lives."
"On
this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, let us recognize that extreme
poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere. Let us recall that
poverty is a denial of human rights. For the first time in history, in this age
of unprecedented wealth and technical prowess, we have the power to save humanity
from this shameful scourge. Let us summon the will to do it."
ON
VOLUNTEERS
On
this International Volunteer Day, let us remember the large numbers of citizens
who, day in and day out, through acts of volunteerism large and small, bring hope
to so many of the world's disadvantaged. Let us ensure that this wonderful resource,
available in abundance to every nation, is recognized and supported as it works
towards a more prosperous and peaceful world.
"The
past year's natural disasters have highlighted the invaluable contributions of
volunteers in our communities. They have volunteered their time, energy and skills
to save lives and to rebuild communities. In this they joined countless people
around the world who volunteer every day in response to 'silent crises'. These
often unsung heroes understand all too well that poverty, disease and famine are
just as deadly and destructive as earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis."
"If
we are to make poverty history, we must have the active participation of States,
civil society and the private sector, as well as individual volunteers.
"If our hopes of
building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we
will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever."
living-"To
live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you
stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.”
education-
“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress,
in every society, in every family.”
“If
information and knowledge are central to democracy, they are the conditions for
development.”
Education
is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones
of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.”
Freedom:
“If one is going to err, one should err on the side of liberty and freedom.”
Globalization:
“We have to choose between a global market driven only by calculations of short-term
profit, and one which has a human face.”
“We
must ensure that the global market is embedded in broadly shared values and practices
that reflect global social needs, and that all the world's people share the benefits
of globalization.”
“Business,
labor and civil society organizations have skills and resources that are vital
in helping to build a more robust global community.”
Economy:
“National markets are held together by shared values and confidence in certain
minimum standards. But in the new global market, people do not yet have that confidence.”
“The
problem is this. The spread of markets outpaces the ability of societies and their
political systems to adjust to them, let alone to guide the course they take”
Hope:
“We need to keep hope alive and strive to do better.”
Women:
“Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting
the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building
good governance.”
There
is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole - women and men
alike - than the one which involves women as central players.”
More
countries have understood that women's equality is a prerequisite for development.”
“In
the rush for justice it is important not to lose sight of principles the country
holds dear.”
“We
cannot wait for governments to do it all. Globalization operates on Internet time.
Governments tend to be slow moving by nature, because they have to build political
support for every step.”
UN-From
this vision of the role of the United Nations in the next century flow three key
priorities for the future: eradicating poverty, preventing conflict and promoting
democracy.”
More
than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it
only if we face it together. And that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations.”
HUman
rights -“Today, no walls can separate humanitarian or human rights crises in one
part of the world from national security crises in another. What begins with the
failure to uphold the dignity of one life all too often ends with a calamity for
entire nations.”
“The
United Nations, whose membership comprises almost all the states in the world,
is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being.”
“In the 21st century,
I believe the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound
awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race
or religion.”
No
Nukes
“Above all else, we need a reaffirmation of political commitment at
the highest levels to reducing the dangers that arise both from existing nuclear
weapons and from further proliferation.”
“We
need to think of the future and the planet we are going to leave to our children
and their children.”
Gender
equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge
of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.
