Presented by H.E. Mr. Bukun-Olu Onemola, Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN at a conference in New York on “The Price of Violence and Dividends in Healing the Wounds of History” February 15, 2012
As we observe developments the world over, we all recognize the significance of universal values. Many of us who serve in various capacities within the UN community are believers ourselves, and our religious and spiritual ideals undergird, encourage, and inspire us to do our best in the work that we do.
Each day we come face to face with many of the world’s greatest challenges: the scourge of war, along with the scourges of poverty, disease, and injustices. People, our brothers and sisters around the world, cry out for peace, food, clean water, education, and governments that serve the legitimate aspirations of the people.
Consider the dramatic turn of events that have taken place over the past year in North Africa and the Middle East, where peoples from Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Libya, and other nations have stood up to demand freedom and increased participation in their system.
In my own country, there have been cases of conflict involving Nigerians of differing regional, tribal, and religious backgrounds. While the majority of Nigerians, like the people in your own countries, are peace-loving people, there are those who stimulate violence, often to serve their own interests. Such persons and groups fan the flames of conflict, and often they appeal to narrow sectarian interests. This is so very unfortunate, for such perpetrators misuse the very ideals and principles that lie at the heart of religion. For this reason, many observers are inclined to conclude, wrongly I believe, that religion is the root of the problem. However, in reality it is the misuse of religion by corrupt leaders that is the real problem.
I know that these tragic circumstances that have flared up in my own country are repeated in various ways in other countries around the world. And it must come to an end. I believe that meetings such as the one we are having today can play a role in bringing an end to all types of conflict. If we can promote greater dialogue and cooperation, by encouraging mutual respect and appreciation, then there can be greater harmony not only among people but among nations as well.
With increasing mutual understanding and respect, there is greater harmony among people and nations. Even religions are then less vulnerable to manipulation by narrow sectarians and criminal agents. Furthermore, religions can become our greatest allies in the effort to mediate and resolve all kinds of conflict and to promote peace and development. Is that not the essential mission of all the religions, each of which seeks to identify the core human problem and offer a way of liberation?
This should be an occasion of reflection. We should take a moment to remember that, even as we meet here in the comfort of New York City, all around the world, our brothers and our sisters are facing very grave dangers, not only from conflict and unrest but particularly from disease, from hunger, from lack of education, and especially, from unemployment. Let us remember that we are meeting here on their behalf. Let us empathize with them. And let us also hope and believe that we can make a difference.
Let us consider what binds us together as one people and as one human family. Although we come from various backgrounds, nationalities, ethnicities, cultures, and traditions, we are all brothers and sisters. Whoever we are, and wherever we were born, we celebrate the birth of a child, feel joy at a marriage, and mourn the death of a loved one. We all have a sense of humor as well as a sense of compassion. We can be selfish, and we can be altruistic. We can be angry, and we can forgive. We all love music, and we all recognize the meaning of a smile, or a tear in the eye of a child.
The common ground is too often ignored. I believe that the quickest way to reach that common ground is through education, not just classroom education, though that is very important, but through enlightenment, the enlightenment that comes from wisdom.
We need to teach our young people to become a new “generation of peace,” not war, not conflict, a generation that practices compassion and service to others. We must show our young people that diversity can be embraced, not ignored, not feared; and that our differences of race, religion, ethnicity, and indeed culture can make the tapestry of mankind even more beautiful and even more meaningful.
This is a time for new and rededicated leadership. We need genuine leaders who are not only caring but also tolerant, genuine, and most significantly selfless in the spirit of service. For this reason, I believe this dialogue is of great value and to be encouraged.
Those of us engaged in public service, addressing the world’s most critical problems, have much to learn from not only our own personal spiritual tradition, but from the traditions of others as well.
I pray that we all may come away uplifted and inspired, and with a renewed vision of our purpose here at the United Nations. The United Nations has a soul, and I believe it is appropriate that we acknowledge the spiritual roots of the ideals that we are called to uphold.
Let us leave this place today empowered and strengthened to make a lasting difference in our world.