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• Let's Strengthen Global Peace and Stability, Says Secretary-General

Let's Strengthen Global Peace and Stability, Says Secretary-General

11 August 2005

Greater solidarity, democracy and economic growth will help to increase global stability, says Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon. He has urged Commonwealth governments and citizens to play a role in improving each other’s lives, and contribute to greater peace and harmony in today’s interdependent world.

"No one is immune from the shockwaves of natural disasters, financial crises and terrorist attacks."

In his foreword to the 'Commonwealth Yearbook 2005', published this week, the Secretary-General writes: "It is not only governments that can make a difference. Every citizen has a role to play. Through the vast network of Commonwealth civil society bodies, individuals in every nation of the Commonwealth are having a real impact on the future of their communities."

Mr McKinnon notes that most countries, including Commonwealth states, are not on target to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of poverty eradication, improved health and education. "On current performance, many of the MDGs will not be met for another hundred years. That is simply not good enough. We must all act urgently if we want the MDGs to be more than worthy but unfulfilled international promises."

He points out that small states face specific vulnerabilities, which obstruct their attainment of the MDGs, and says that more needs to be done to help small island developing states to become more resilient and adapt to a fast changing global environment. 

"No one is immune from the shockwaves of natural disasters, financial crises and terrorist attacks. No one can afford to ignore the misery caused by poverty, HIV/AIDS and the lack of education."

The target of 'education for all' still remains a privilege for the few. Education, the Secretary-General emphasises, is crucial to addressing the challenges faced by the world today, with the Commonwealth providing teacher training, offering governments support in formulating education policy and promoting effective methods of teaching. The Commonwealth has also implemented a Teacher Recruitment Protocol to regulate the movement of teachers between Commonwealth countries to help minimise its impact on the quality of education for the countries faced with the migration of teachers to the developed world. The Secretariat, he states, is working with the Commonwealth of Learning, the Centre for Commonwealth Education and civil society partners to help improve standards and disseminate best practices within the Commonwealth.

To alleviate poverty, Mr McKinnon says the Commonwealth is committed to creating new opportunities for its citizens by helping them along the path of economic growth and increased trade potential. "Fair and freer world trade is one of the few possibilities for developing nations to grow out of poverty and to prosper."

Another important tool which fosters development, he points out, is information and communications technology. Global communications and the internet are engines of economic growth, but many countries in the developing world miss out on these opportunities. Tackling this digital divide will be part of the discussions of the 2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November, which bears the theme 'Networking the Commonwealth for Development'. Leaders, the Secretary-General states, will be exploring ways of bringing together Commonwealth citizens through networks -- electronic, human or organisational -- to create growth and development. 

 

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 247, 10 August 2005