*************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN "“A Time for Change, Reconciliation and Renewal" The Right Reverend Jalnes Hamilton Ottley Anglican Observer at the United Nations Madam President, distinguished and honored government delegates and observers from non-governmental organizations, ladies and gentlemen. As the Anglican observer to the United Nations I bring you greetings on behalf of the 70 million people in 160 countries around the world within the Anglican Communion of Churches. There are a number of ties that link us together as a people, irrespective of our national origin, language, race, religion or ethnicity. We are all members of the same human family who are concerned with honoring, respecting and affirming the dignity of ourselves and our brothers and sisters. When we are at our best, we can achieve great goals. However, when we sometimes fall short of celebrating the gifts we all have to offer. Then, we become aware of the wrongs and unjust actions which we inflict on others. It troubles me to see a world where human beings are victimized on the basis of their gender. It troubles me to hear that women are treated as second class citizens. It troubles me to hear painful stories of young children who are denied food, clothing and shelter --the basic necessities of life-- simply because they were born female. It troubles me to see pictures of bodies of women who were set on fire and burned to death because a dowry was too small. It worries me to see refugees and displaced persons who are wandering, aimlessly and internally uprooted with no place to go nor no-one to turn to. I am troubled by the continued use of arms which helps to create poverty which victimizes women and children. It troubles me to think that a girl-child has been denied quality health care and access to education. For the sake of the children and all of humankind, I think it is critically imperative that we seek ways to end poverty and hunger, unemployment, underemployment, war, conflicts and violence, racism, sexism and discrimination. We must put an end to repression, oppression and human rights violations and environmental degradation. Some of the political and economic violence which we experience in our world is a spiral which is exacerbated by the debt crisis. millions of people worldwide are officially unemployed and many more are underemployed. However, more women than men live in absolute poverty. As the World Council of Churches expressed in their statement to the Fourth World Conference on Women, "We believe that economic, political and social justice are prerequisites for the empowerment of women. Contrary to the widely held development ideology which emphasizes that economic growth alone and by itself can improve the quality of life, we support that people should be at the center of development; that structural adjustments programmed should be restricted to include social development goals; that they should include gender sensitive social impact assessments. It should also be ensured that women do not have to bear a disproportionate share of the burden of the transition costs." And as also stated by the World Council of Churches, "we draw to the attention of the world community, the liberating power of religions and we affirm the positive and supportive role that the churches and other religious institutions can play in standing in solidarity with those women who have to make ethical choices and decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive rights." As members of a global community which is increasingly interdependent, the crisis that disrupt the political, social, religious, economic life of one, affects the life of all. If we are to grow and to thrive and enjoy the blessings of this life, then we must treat all our members of the human family with love, with respect and with dignity. Men, women and children, irrespective of gender, must be afforded equal human rights, privileges and opportunities to become the best that they can be. To this end, I am calling upon the Member States of the United Nations to consider the necessity to make strong and firm commitments at this conference. The Platform of Action that has been developed, is the result of the arduous work of women and men from all parts of the world. We, therefore, express our commitment to support that Platform and to call upon all governments to implement it. Non-governmental organizations are seeking support for the institutional and financial arrangements needed to fully participate in the implementation of the Platform. And I commit myself to bring to the attention of the Anglican, and other churches, the need to support this Platform of Action. If we all take up this challenge, then we will all be the beneficiaries of the fruits of the creation of God and the abundance of God's grace.