[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Excellencies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Today, I join my esteemed colleagues, each of you, and millions of people around, in the world in celebrating the life and legacy of the late Archbishop, Desmond Tutu.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I also convey my condolences to his family and friends, who continue to mourn his loss.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Truly, few amongst us have ever left, or stand to leave, such a profound legacy on the world.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Archbishop\u2019s principled and impassioned opposition to apartheid and racial injustice, and his commitment to non-violence and peace, will endure long after his passing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I have no doubt whatsoever that his leadership, wisdom, and compassion \u2013 the same principles and qualities that inspired a generation to stand against apartheid \u2013 will remain a source of inspiration for those who fight against injustice today<\/span> and into the future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Archbishop Desmond Tutu\u2019s work was rightly and broadly recognized. He <\/span>was a moral giant who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his non-violent struggle against apartheid. <\/span>He once remarked that<\/span>, <\/span>\u201cIf you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He <\/span>helped steer South Africa away from the bitter legacy of systematic racial discrimination and violence – and towards the path of peace, and forgiveness.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For Tutu, \u201cForgiveness meant that one is given another chance to make a new beginning\u201d. In return for an honest accounting of past crimes, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee offered amnesty, establishing what Archbishop Tutu called the principle of restorative rather than retributive\u00a0 justice.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He was presented the Global Champion Against Hunger award by the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ World Food Programme (WFP) in November 2012, and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO\/Bilbao Prize for his role in building a universal culture of human rights around the world.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He also left an imprint on the United Nations for the important work he did within this organization, including as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Criminal Court\u2019s Trust Fund Victims in 2003, and as a member of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ advisory panel on genocide prevention in 2006.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n His support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ initiatives to address issues such as forced displacement, women\u2019s empowerment, and countering discrimination against marginalized communities, including based on sexual orientation and gender identity, continues to pay dividends today.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A truly remarkable aspect of Desmond Tutu\u2019s personality was that, despite the ugliness and cruelty he witnessed and endured during his lifetime, he never lost hope in humanity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As he once said: \u201c<\/span>hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He never lost faith in our ability to rise above our prejudices and grievances and usher in a more just future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is his work, his integrity, and his convictions that must inspire us today. It certainly inspires me, in my Presidency of Hope.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the many challenges that our species continues to face, hope is what will help us see the light at the end of the tunnel.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The archbishop embodied that hope during his lifetime, and we must take heed of his example.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a global community, we must stand up for the principles he fought for during his life: truth, justice, forgiveness, reconciliation, and non-discrimination.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That is how we must honor him and uphold his legacy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n May his soul rest in peace.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I thank you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Memorial Service for Archbishop Desmond Tutu<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p> I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p> Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p> A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,604,583,556,601,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-257968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-oca","tag-our-common-agenda","tag-pga","tag-sg","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n