Dialogue of civilizations, tolerance

[All-English version; scroll further down for bilingual, as delivered version]

Mr. President of the General Assembly, Excellencies,

At the dawn of this century, world leaders and human rights advocates journeyed to Durban determined to banish the hatred and prejudice that disfigured previous centuries.

To make — in the words of the original Declaration — this a century of human rights and to eradicate racism in all its abhorrent forms and manifestations.

I am pleased to join you for this dialogue on Africa’s future.

I welcome your focus on cultural identity.

This builds on the African Union’s theme for this year, highlighting the importance of arts, culture and heritage in building the Africa we want.

Culture is the flower of the human being – the fruit of our minds, the product of our traditions, the expression of our yearnings.

Its diversity is wondrous, part of the rich tapestry of civilization.

[Bilingual; as delivered]

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Racism plagues our world.

It is abhorrent.  It is ugly.  And it is everywhere. 

We must condemn it without reservation, without hesitation, without qualification. 

Racism is the repudiation of our common humanity — of the Charter of the United Nations — of all that we are and all that we do.

We must reject racism.

But we have a long way to go.  It is a challenge and struggle for us all. 

Rabbi Schneier,
Holocaust survivors,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,

We meet today online and around the world to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, and to honour the memory of the six million Jews and millions of others who were systematically murdered in the Holocaust by the Nazis and their collaborators.

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to this very important discussion on racism in the workplace.

I want to thank Dr. Kanem and our distinguished panel members who bring impressive expertise to this difficult issue.

Racism is a persistent scourge of our world.

People’s opportunities for education and employment, and their access to healthcare and justice, are often determined by their race.

Much of today’s racism is deeply entrenched in centuries of colonialism and slavery.  I am Portuguese – I think I know this story very well. 

As the distinguished permanent representatives have said, we were originally meant to gather on May 7th, the date of this year’s Vesak Day, which marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to postpone that gathering.

So today I thank the Governments of Sri Lanka and Thailand for bringing us together, and I extend a warm welcome to all who are joining this virtual event.

In any year, this observance is sacred to millions of Buddhists around the world.

Let me begin by thanking Ambassador Omar Hilale of the Kingdom of Morocco for this very timely initiative.
 
It is heartening to see so many religious leaders joining forces today in a spirit of solidarity.

It is for me an enormous pleasure to be with all of you today, especially in a moment in which we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, and we hope to transform the 75th anniversary in a mutation in the way the UN relates with you.

Most political leaders and international organizations have in my opinion four stages in their relations with young people all over the world.

This is a very emotional moment — and I cannot be here without having a very strong feeling. 
 
It is wonderful to see interfaith dialogue. It is wonderful to see in the same shrine today Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, maybe Hindus — all worshipping in harmony and in peace. 
 
This is the best symbol that we can give for a world in peace and for a world in which there is mutual respect and there is the acceptance of what is different — recognizing that diversity is a blessing, is a richness, not a threat. 
 

It is such an honour to join all of you to mark the anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogrom.

Kristallnacht was not just the night of broken glass; it was the night of broken lives, broken families, broken societies, broken dreams.

And, as we know, that dreadful night of state-orchestrated terror was followed by days, months and years of incalculable horror, so tragically and movingly displayed here.