Issue 62 December 1997 Building Partnerships – Kofi Annan

A few quotes from the Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s address to the fiftieth annual DPI / NGO Conference: Building Partnerships, New York, 10 September, 1997.

"You have come here entirely voluntarily and at your own expense. Your presence, your enthusiasm, your commitment, are proof that the era of civil society is now, well and, truly, a reality."

"This new partnership is more than ever necessary. The world faces a daunting -agenda of global challenges. Our partnership is vital because we face new enemies – the forces of what I call ‘uncivil’ society."

"These new global enemies, which can be combatted only through international cooperation.... all move in the netherworld between state sovereignty and international cooperation. They are part of the dark underside of the process of economic globalisation."

"The positive effects of globalisation include the huge growth and development of NGOs, easier access to information, and the free exchange of people and ideas. But the downside of globalisation includes these new global threats. To combat them, international civil society must mobilize. That is why we must all – Member States, governmental and inter-governmental bodies, and non-governmental organisations – work together in partnership."

"My vision is of a new and transformed Organisation: one with enhanced leadership and management capabilities; with a streamlined structure; an Organisation that acts as one United Nations at the country level; an Organisation that is better prepared for humanitarian and political crises; an Organisation with highly skilled staff; an Organisation with a stronger role in development cooperation; and an Organisation that is better managed and capable of reducing its costs to deliver a ‘dividend for development'."

"In my Reform Report I floated the idea that, alongside a Millennium Assembly of the United Nations, the NGOs might consider holding a ‘People’s Millennium Assembly’ . I hope you will examine it further. It could provide an excellent opportunity for cementing the new partnership. I, for my part, stand ready to receive your ideas and suggestions about the form and nature of our future partnership."

- Kofi Annan, Sec Gen of the United Nations

Many to Many a quarterly publication issued by Operation Peace through Unity Anthony Brooke and Gita Brooke, co-founders Te Rangi, 4 Allison Street, Wanganui 5001, New Zealand phone/fax: +64-6-345-5714 ~ e-mail: larrym@clear.net.nz OPTU is an accredited NGO in association with the UN Dept of Public Information

Many to Many under the aegis of Operation Peace Through Unity is a communicating link between 'we, the peoples' of all nations, races, creeds and ideologies offering in the spirit of the preamble of the United Nations Charter an instrument for the furthering of better relationships based on deepening mutual understanding and the aspiration to promote unity and cooperation beyond all differences.