Commonwealth Secretary-General Warns Against the Rise in Divisive Pluralism
21 February 1996
Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku today issued a stern warning about the potential dangers of not meeting the challenge of successfully managing diversity in an ever more pluralistic world. "If we fail to meet the challenge in a creative and productive manner, we will reap the whirlwind of an increasingly divisive pluralism, and the gradual destruction of our common humanity," Chief Anyaoku said in his address to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford in Britain. The theme of his address was "Managing Diversity in Our Contemporary World."
Noting that there are up to 500 million Muslims among the Commonwealth's citizens, Chief Anyaoku pointed out that, in a great many Commonwealth societies, ethnic, religious and other forms of diversity — pluralism, in other words — was a fact of life. "Pluralism ... is a concept we should believe in because it gives nation states depth, strength and, often, a rich cultural diversity," he said. "Yet, if it is not managed carefully, this very diversity can become dangerously divisive, subversive and destabilising."
Citing such recent examples as the conflicts in Bosnia, Rwanda, Azerbaijan and parts of the Indian sub-continent, as well as outbreaks of racism that recur from time to time in increasingly cosmopolitan developed countries, Chief Anyaoku warned of the catastrophic results of allowing pluralism to become divisive and destructive. He noted that various Commonwealth countries have grappled with how to manage internal diversity without succumbing to disastrous internecine conflicts.
Chief Anyaoku drew attention to the dazzling multiplicity of ethnic groups and cultures among the Commonwealth's members. He argued that the Commonwealth is, by its very nature, a force for the successful management of pluralism. This has come about through its members' shared sense of common humanity and purpose, which welcomes the diverse contributions that each can make to the achievement of that purpose. The informal nature of the association and its consensual approach to decision-making are key elements of the Commonwealth's ability to build unity out of diversity.
A further strategy for managing diversity lies in the Commonwealth's active pursuit of the goals and principles stated in its mission statement, the 1991 Harare Commonwealth Declaration. Among these are a commitment to democracy and respect for human rights. But, Chief Anyaoku affirmed, democracy can only be effective in the management of pluralism if it is matched by progress in sustainable socio-economic development, another central Commonwealth value. In its pursuit of these goals, and in its day-to-day operations, the Commonwealth both requires and inspires a spirit of mutual respect and "tolerance of the best in us all".
The Commonwealth recognises that managing diversity presents a challenge. But it is a challenge, Chief Anyaoku concluded, that the Commonwealth is, by its nature, experience and international outlook, uniquely placed to meet.
The full text of Chief Anyaoku's speech is available on request from the Information Officer, Information and Public Affairs Division (tel. no.: +44-171-747-6385; fax +44-171-839-9081).
96/8 21 February 1996
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