‘World’s Youth Must Steer International Community Through Its Turbulent Period’

Human Wrongs Watch

“The world’s youth must take the helm in steering the international community through its turbulent period of economic and political transition and towards a more “prosperous, equitable and peaceful future,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged in Vienna, adding that the United Nations was increasing its focus on global youth action to support this cause.

Source: UN Alliance of Civilizations

Speaking at a youth event at the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, in Vienna on 26 February, Ban told delegates representing “the largest generation of young people the world has ever known” that the world was waiting for their contribution on a host of urgent issues, UN reports.

“I am here today to ask you to help show us the way. The world is going through a period of transition – economic, demographic, political and environmental,” Ban said in his remarks, stating that although the challenges are profound, “so are the opportunities.”

UN Top Priority Is to Work with Young People!

Ban underscored the UN agenda for “deepening” its youth focus in programmes related to employment and entrepreneurship, political inclusion and human rights, and education and reproductive health, noting that the world body’s “top priority” was to work with young people “to enhance your lives, the well-being of your communities, and the state of the world.

“You have already demonstrated that you are willing and able to take on the responsibility of leadership. The world will rely on you to speak the language of tolerance and respect. Your voices need to drown out those that preach division and hatred,” continued Ban.

The Secretary-General drew particular attention to a $1.5 million contribution announced by the Government of Germany to support a trust fund set up by UN Volunteers and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to boost youth volunteerism and “harness the energy of young people around the world to bring about transformational change in their communities.”

Alliance of Civilizations

Launched in 2005 through the initiative of Spain and Turkey, and under the auspices of the UN, the Alliance seeks to promote better cross-cultural relations worldwide.

The Fifth Global Forum officially opened on 26 February 2013 and brought together decision-makers, experts, and a variety of stakeholders in the field of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue from all over the world. The two-day forum focussed on the theme “Responsible Leadership in Diversity and Dialogue.”

Top United Nations officials on 27 February urged world leaders to promote tolerance and respect, adding that these principles can contribute to resolving conflicts, such as those in Syria and Mali, as well as addressing a host of other global challenges.

“Durable solutions need long-term mutual understanding that transcends religious, national, cultural and ethnic boundaries. Such understanding comes from responsible leadership – the theme of this forum,” Ban said in his remarks to the opening of the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

Speak the Language of Tolerance and Respect!

“From the world stage to local communities, leaders need to speak the language of tolerance and respect, not division and defamation,” he added. “Wherever tensions divide communities, the opportunity exists for the Alliance to build bridges and to help people move from conflict to collaboration.”

Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, said he believed responsible leadership can create the necessary social cohesion, where every man and woman feel included.

“I believe that the Alliance can enhance international cooperation and contribute to the efforts of the United Nations to address the challenges facing humanity today, particularly when they are rooted in identity and cultural underpinnings,” he stated.

I would like to reaffirm the relevance of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in these times of historical changes and unprecedented political, economic, social and cultural challenges.

A “World of Intolerance, Xenophobia, Marginalization, Tensions and Conflict”

Although the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and many other international law instruments clearly prohibit discrimination on grounds of religion, race, gender and many other differences, sadly we live in a world of intolerance, xenophobia, marginalization, tensions and conflict.

The principles are clear. How to promote and apply the principles is the responsibility of leadership in our societies.

We owe it to our people, to the peoples of the world to fulfill their expectations.

These are real challenges which threaten our efforts to achieve our shared goals of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights.

Syria, Mali, Palestine…

Ban noted that among the areas where the Alliance is “well placed to contribute” is the conflict in Syria. As the situation there continues to worsen, he said he is “extremely concerned about the risk of sectarian violence and mass reprisals” in a country that is an “extraordinary mosaic of tribes, ethnicities, languages and religions.”

He said Syrians will need help from the Alliance, particularly from religious leaders from all denominations, to foster healing and to rebuild damaged relationships.

The Alliance, he continued, could also help “to re-stitch Mali’s tattered tapestry” by engaging religious and community leaders, grassroots organizations and youth in the country, which has been beset by fighting since January 2012.

Ban also said that Israelis and Palestinians remain polarized, while movement in the Middle East peace process is “overdue.” He added that he was particularly concerned about the region’s youth, who are at risk of growing up with a “demonized, dehumanized – and utterly false – concept of their neighbours.”

Aziz Abu Sarah

He urged the Alliance to support peacemakers on both sides, such as Aziz Abu Sarah. A Palestinian whose brother was killed, Sarah leads tours of the conflict areas that show both sides of the conflict and plans to expand to Egypt and Jordan, with the Alliance’s support.

The Secretary-General, in separate remarks to the media, said there is a growing understanding that the politics of division, hatred and misperceptions, particularly the language of hatred, “tear the fabric of our society.”

Also addressing the opening session, the President of the UN General Assembly, Vuk Jeremic, called the Alliance a ‘soft-power tool of preventive diplomacy’, which contributes to overcoming tensions among cultures, faiths and societies, while also guarding against globalization.

“It is my deeply-held view that enlarging the common denominator of values and principles which bind us to each other truly serves the cause of peace,” Jeremic told the more than 1,200 participants gathered for the two-day event.

Intercultural Innovation Award

Ban also addressed the Alliance’s Intercultural Innovation Award Ceremony, organized by the BMW Group and held last night at Vienna’s Opera House.

Noting the work of the ten finalists, Ban said: “The creative solutions being showcased tonight hold lessons for all communities and for organizations such as the United Nations.”

The first place winner, Puerta Joven of Mexico, received a $50,000 prize for ‘Lenguas Jóvenes’ or Languages of Youth, which brings together indigenous youth groups who are discriminated because of their cultural identity or language.

*Report based on UN release and AoC.

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