Resources
there has been a concerted attack on Canada’s democratic institutions, processes and culture. Because so much of our democracy depends on unwritten rules and procedures that have developed over time through precedent and restraint, all it takes is one Prime Minister to undo generations of democratic development.
When we are searching for Canada’s future role as a global peacekeeper, it has to be more deliberate, thoughtful and knowledge based. For that, we need institutions and structures with capabilities that could develop and deploy instead of soldiers and diplomats, credible ‘honest brokers’ -- mediators who have worked on preventing violence and unrest at that micro-cultural level – finding peace through peaceful means.
I would like to personally call upon all the daughters and sons of Africa to take responsibilities and meet the challenges Africa is facing today in order to implement our Post-2015 Development Agenda in accordance with our “Vision for Africa 2063.”
Africa, our beloved continent has been, and continues to be described in various ways: the dark continent, the lost continent, the emerging continent and most recently, the continent of this century. Indeed, despite lingering challenges, Africa is making remarkable progress. Perseverance and dedication will eventually see Africa blossom, and take its rightful place in the comity of nations.
To achieve and sustain peace demands a strong investment – in resources, political will, flexibility, tolerance and the empowerment of people. You have my pledge to continue standing with the people and leaders of Africa as they advance on the path to a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future.
It is important to move beyond the symbolism of the celebration to engaging in self-assessment and stock-taking leading to a greater focus on building momentum around African-owned and led instruments as tools for the transformative agenda of the continent.
Member States of the UN, led by CARICOM countries and the African Union, have embarked on a grand project to erect a monument on the grounds of the United Nations to serve as a Permanent Memorial to the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. We have now entered the final stages of the project.
Over the last decades I have committed myself to understanding and explaining the complex relationship between the West and the Muslim world. After 9/11 it became a matter of urgency for me to both explore and explain the relationship, as the gap between the two had opened dangerously wide.
Jerusalem is a holy city for Jews, Muslims and Christians, roughly half of the world population, and can only be dealt with successfully on the basis of interfaith work, which UPF is so good at. If the path of reconciliation can be the main direction for the region it opens up great possibilities.
This visit to Israel has strengthened my resolve to be an agent of change and an Ambassador for Peace in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi who said, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world."
Let me conclude with suggesting a modest proposal for reviving the stalled peace process between Israelis and Palestinians: have a strong parallel track-two negotiation path, a track where Israeli and Palestinian women get together and try to succeed. The women selected for alternative peace talks should have personal experiences at the grass-roots level and bring their visions into the negotiation process in the hope of finding more common ground for making peace.
When the parties to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process reached an impasse, despite the efforts of US Secretary of State John Kerry, it was quite clear that the process is on the verge of failure.