Executive Summary
> Opening Statements
Reviewing the Millennium Declaration
NGOs as Partners in Debt Relief and Financing for
Development
NGOs as Partners in Values and Public Service
NGOs as Partners in Strengthening the Family
Building Cultures of Peace and Leadership
Discussion Groups
Closing Statements
Opening Statements
At the opening of the conference, Dr. Neil Albert Salonen, Secretary General
of the IIFWP, welcomed the participants. He observed that many of the problems
of our world transcend the traditional political questions with which the
United Nations has traditionally dealt--oftentimes, they become questions
involving an entire region or the globe. Often the roots of conflict can
be found in culture or religion rather than nationality. Thus, only a broader
discussion and examination of a question that can bring about certain solutions.
"The IIFWP vision," he said, "is to create one network where members of
the religious community can come together and give their advice to members
of the political community with an eye toward broadening and transcending
some of the solutions that have been limited by political questions in the
past." The IIFWP has proposed a broader construction of the U.N. system
so that there would be a formal way for world religious leaders to provide
advice to the world political community. Dr. Salonen urged the NGO community
represented in the conference to act in order to make a difference in the
world: "if we do that.it will be a catalyst because I believe the time is
right," he said.
Mr. Taj Hamad, Executive Director of WANGO, reminded NGO representatives
of the significance of Habitat II, held in Istanbul in 1996, which was a
landmark meeting for NGOs who were called to attend as full U.N. partners.
Similarly, this conference is also a watershed for NGOs because it represents
the inauguration of the first global association of NGOs. He observed that
the Millennium Declaration made many promises to the next generation, and
it is our responsibility to keep them; NGOs must work harder than before.
He asked participants: What do you want to do with this Declaration? How
can WANGO help you achieve what you want to do? How can we enhance NGO interrelationships,
U.N.-NGO relations, and NGO-state relations? It is up to NGOs to seize the
moment, he concluded.
Each of the Co-Chairs made preliminary remarks that set the tone for the
deliberations. H.E. Dr. Makarim Wibisono observed that it is essential to
examine and respond to the Millennium Declaration, the magnum opus of the
world community through the United Nations, so that it contributes to the
"creation of the worthiest world for us to live in." He said the eight categories
of issues dealt with in the Declaration are the dominant challenges facing
the world community in the 21st century. He stressed that the United Nations
Charter epitomizes the intrinsic values and fundamental principles of international
relations; its overarching goal is the enhancement of the human condition
and the provision of human security. The Charter mandates that the United
Nations create stability and well being to promote socio-economic progress.
Today, he said, the challenge for governments and civil society is "how
to collectively fashion an effective system of global governance to manage
the massive changes transforming the shape and substance of international
relations at the onset of the millennium." Thus, in this context, the role
of civil society, he noted, as partner of governments and the United Nations,
cannot be over-emphasized, particularly in the follow-up of recommendations
adopted by the Millennium Summit. Future global decisions will not only
be decided by government representatives, but by representatives of global
NGOs.
Co-Chair Dr. Chung Hwan Kwak, speaking from the perspective of the IIFWP,
said that the world cannot achieve lasting peace without a greater partnership
and cooperation between governments, civil society and the world's religions.
Secondly, he stressed that the family as the foundation for world peace
must be strengthened as it has profound social, moral and global significance.
He then mentioned the three proposals made at Assembly 2000 at the United
Nations by IIFWP Founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon: to establish a council of
religious leaders within the structure of the United Nations; to establish
peace zones under U.N. jurisdiction between the borders of nations in conflict;
and, to establish a day of international appreciation for the family. Dr.
Kwak noted that the IIFWP proposed at Assembly 2000 the development of an
international educational program that emphasizes:
In particular, he said that NGOs and civil institutions should act according
to the highest moral standards and ethical norms, and avoid becoming too
narrowly focused or self-interested; special interests should never cause
us to overlook universal interests. Finally, he asserted that the "world
is on the threshold of a great new moment, one in which the history of suffering,
injustice and selfishness.can be transformed." This change will come through
a change in culture or consciousness, which will also have the capability
of providing practical solutions to global problems.
Co-Chair Dr. Wally N'Dow termed WANGO a new house for civil society and
NGOs. In particular, he applauded its inclusion of the religious and spiritual
dimension - one that addresses human solidarity and the need for civilizational
change. He noted that the rise of NGOs has been described as a power shift
away from the government as the only authority over the human future, and
to the non-state sector in the lives of people the world over. Dr. N'Dow
said it was a watershed moment in the history of the United Nations when
the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders convened
inside the U.N. Headquarters in late August. It was a "fundamental acknowledgement
that it is not enough to view the world mainly as a political arena for
contest and competition, but it is more important as we move into the 21st
century that we work for all or work for none, to bring the spiritual dimension
into full focus." He said NGOs are teaching there is another kind of globalization,
that counters or mitigates the negative effects of economic globalization:
the globalization of the human spirit, of faith, a globalization from below,
mediated by love and understanding by the non-governmental sector of humanity.
Dr. N'Dow spoke of several ideas that should govern the partnership between
NGOs and governments:
He contended that human security must no longer be seen in terms of how
to protect national territory with military power, but in terms of educational,
health, nutritional and other basic needs being met. He said NGOs are more
than ever involved in a new humanitarianism of both conflict prevention
and post-conflict reconstruction. Regarding economic globalization, he asserted
that the world must not be viewed as a journey for trade and commerce, with
life driven by market forces, but as the unfolding of a divine drama, where
others' problems are one's own concern.
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