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Photo by Jane Scherr |
Kofi Annan Interview: Institute of International Studies, University of California, Berkeley
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Photo by Jane Scherr |
Page 4 of 4
What would be the one most important thing that you would like the people of the United States to understand about the UN?
I would want them to understand that the UN serves the interests of the United States as it serves the interests of the other nations. I would want them to understand that in an interdependent world, in this global village, where we are living new realities, you need norms and regulations that will regulate relations between states. And I'm not talking about world government. The UN is the only organization with legitimacy to offer this.
I would also want them to understand that governments have a choice. There are
situations where they act alone, but in an interdependent world there are lots
of issues, such as environment, the fight against drugs, health issues, and the
list goes on. These issues are called "problems without passports." No one
country, however powerful, can tackle them alone.
And therefore you come
together with other governments to resolve them. By doing that, you do not
diminish your sovereignty, you do not give up your sovereignty; you've made a
strategic choice. You've made a choice that for this particular issue I cannot
handle it alone and I need to work with others. We're going to be seeing more
and more of those situations. Unfortunately we have some gentlemen in
Washington, on the Hill, who believe that each time you do this you are
diminishing your sovereignty, and I hope that the public will understand this
so that they know what the issues are.
And finally, the UN, like all organizations, is like a club -- you pay your dues. I think you should encourage the Congress to pay.
What is your vision for the UN? What would you like to see the UN be like in ten years time?
Let me say that as we move into the next millennium I would want to see a UN that is restructured, reformed, that is dynamic and relevant. A UN that is focused on the great issues of the day. A UN that has found its moral voice, not only to move governments and their people to do what is right, but also encourage those governments with the greatest capacity to give to those in need and for them to come together to work on issues like the environment, alleviation of poverty, the fight against drugs, and all those issues that are of great concern to the peoples of the world.
How do you think students should prepare for tomorrow's world?
I think it is a question that goes beyond the students. It affects you
as a teacher, and me to some extent, and all of us. I think we live in an
interdependent world and in today's world no one, regardless of the profession
they decide to go into, can afford to think in local terms. We should encourage
these young students to broaden their horizons.
We should encourage them to
learn and respect other cultures, learn about other religions, respect what is
sacred to others, and realize that in today's world, given the kinds of issues
I've discussed here, we need each other. We cannot seal off our borders and
say, "I'm okay, Jack." We must understand that what comes out of my chimney may
pollute the air and what comes out of my drainage may pollute your waters. And
they should look at the effects of Chernobyl, for example, that came as far as
to California. So we really have to get them to think in global terms, reach
out to others, accept diversity and celebrate diversity.
One final question. What would be your dream for your major accomplishment when you leave office down the road?
That is a difficult one. I'm at the beginning of my term. Let me say that I would want it said after I have left office that the UN has been rejuvenated, the UN is making an impact on the questions of peace and security. The UN has managed to mobilize the international community to do something about poverty alleviation and to ensure that we have sustainable development -- in other words, balance in economy and ecology. If we were to achieve this I would be satisfied.
Mr. Secretary-General, thank you very much for joining us today. And thank you very much for joining us for this Conversation with History.
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