Statement by Honorable, Sujata Koirala, former Deputy Prime minister and Foreign Minister at a meeting organized by the United Nations Association of Nepal On “ Promoting global citizenship for world peace” on Monday, 16 March 2071, at Russian Cultural centre, Kamalpokhari.
Mr.Bonian Golmohammadi,
Secretary-General of the World Federation of United Nations Associaation,
Mr Dambar Bir Thapa
President of the United Nations Association of Nepal.
Excellencies.
Ladies and gentlemen,
At the outset, I want to warmly welcome you to Nepal, Mr. Secretary-general. I am equally delighted to have you in our midst today to share your informed views on global challenges and opportunities, including ways to promoting global peace and harmony.
I also thank the United Nations Association of Nepal for having organized this important meeting and for the opportunity given to me to say a few word before such a distinguished gathering.
Mr. Secretary-General,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We live in a rapidly changing world. Impact of globalization has suddenly rendered the world more inter-connected and inter-dependent. Revolutionary advancement in transport and communications technology has reduced the long distance travel and communication incredibly short and hassle-free. Remarkable advancement in medical science has, similarly, made it possible to cure many diseases deemed incurable in the not too long a distant past. The advent of internet, free flow of capital, knowledge and goods has further helped empower and connect the people all over the world, as never before. Consequently, the world is seemingly on its way to becoming a single village and one single global family. Nonetheless, the world still remains beset with many existing and new global challenges. It has still to struggle for better living standards for all, putting poverty behind and ending many social, cultural, religious inequality and discrimination. Because of these challenges many of the long cherished dream enshrined in the UN Charter remains unmet. Worst still, while many developing countries are being consumed by intra-state conflicts, climate change and global warming issues with serious global implications and scourge of terrorism fueled by intolerance and religious extremism continue to afflict the humanity, throwing daunting challenge to the UN in its quest for global peace, prosperity and harmony.
Ladies and gentlemen
I believe, as do others, that these are challenges of global scale and intensity, demanding global response to tackling them. Such a response would require working collectively and globally for peace-in the world, in the country and in our lives. It is in this context that, I think, the role of the UN becomes all the more indispensible, as it is the only organization, with global reach and membership. That is why Nepal has always an abiding faith in the principles and objectives of the United Nations to promote international peace and security. Our longstanding participation in the UN Peacekeeping Operations, despite suffering many casualties, is a proof of our commitment to this world body.
Let me now quickly touch upon the theme of today’s meeting-promoting global citizenship for peace. I think this is a very pertinent topic chosen for discussion as it captures the vision of the UN, the WFUNA and all the national United Nation Associations across the world. There is no denying important role of global citizen for tackling the global challenges and promoting global peace. But what does it take, as a first step, to preparing such global citizens? There are those who think, it requires new ways of thinking, behaving and looking at the global issues and challenges with a kind, compassionate and enlightened attitudes. According to John F. Kennedy, the late US President “it requires profiles in courage”. I tend to subscribe to that view. Then again, many believe and rightly so, that “education is the first important stepping stone to becoming a global citizen and ultimately to creating a better world. Truly, education is a bridge between people and generations. It opens our eyes, widens our horizon of thinking and understanding. Through education, we pass knowledge, learn from each other and understand each other better. But, like you I also firmly believe such an education has to be qualitative and transformative and empowering. It shouldn’t be merely about being able to read and write. It must place emphasis on values of peace, respect for human rights, promotion of cultural diversity and social and economic justice. Moral, ethical and human dimension must also receive enough focus. Such a value- based education alone can produce real and genuine global citizens, equipped with the understanding, skills and values required for resolving the interconnected challenges of the 21st century. This way alone I think we can create new generation of global citizens equipped with unbiased, informed and analytical skills, and thus really capable of playing a central role in helping forge more just, peaceful, tolerant and inclusive societies along the visions enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am happy that the meeting has coincided with a very opportune time. As you all know, Nepal is on its way to writing a new constitution. For this, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has been making relentless efforts to forge consensus among political parties in the Constituent Assembly. I am happy to let you know that we have had serious debates in terms of completely revamping our education system so as to render them more inclusive, time-suited, value-based and transformative. We know the wound inflicted by the decade-long conflict can’t be permanently healed, nor can the deep-seated intolerance, inequalities and injustice inherent in our society be wiped out, without our education system becoming truly transformative and tolerant. Therefore, I am confident the views expressed here and the inputs and suggestions made by informed speakers would be immensely enriching for our discussions in the constitution drafting process. I thank, once again the United Nations Association of Nepal for putting together this meeting. Finally, I wish you, Mr. Secretary-general, a very pleasant stay in Nepal.
I thank you all, indeed.