President Halonen at the UN: Universal Declaration of Human Rights the basis for dialogue between cultures

According to President of the Republic Tarja Halonen, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides a solid basis for dialogue among cultures and civilizations. "The Declaration offers equal and universal human rights to all humans - men and women, believers and non-believers. It has been and still is a great source of inspiration to combat discrimination and marginalization everywhere," President Halonen emphasized in her address at the high-level meeting on the Culture of Peace in New York on Wednesday, 12 November 2008. President Halonen delivered Finland's statement at the meeting. She also held bilateral talks with the heads of state of Israel, Lebanon and Kuwait while she was in New York. The UN General Assembly's high-level meeting on the Culture of Peace was an historic event, since the heads of state of several Arab countries were present in the General Assembly Hall when President Shimon Peres of Israel made a strong appeal for peace and welcomed the peace initiative put forward by the Arab League. One of the goals of the meeting - dialogue between the western countries and the Islamic world - was achieved. The high-level meeting on the Culture of Peace was proposed by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

President of Israel Shimon Peres and President Halonen. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

In her address President Halonen drew attention to the situation in the Middle East. She pointed out that many people see the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians as a symbol of the breach between the West and the Muslim world and emphasized that Finland welcomes and supports all efforts to resolve this dispute.

"It is generally acknowledged that any solution must be based on a two-state model and on reaching agreement on the status of Palestinian refugees and on Jerusalem. Finding a negotiated solution requires political will and courage," she said. Other countries and organizations should support the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in every way.

President Halonen described her own experiences of dialogue among religions. After the shocking events of September 11th, 2001 she invited representatives of Christian, Jewish and Islamic religious groups in Finland to talk with one another. "Since then I have seen and felt how these people who belong to different religions and cultures have, by respecting one another, acted as a unifying factor and resource in our society," she said.

President Halonen and President of Lebanon Michel Suleiman. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Bilateral talks

On Tuesday, 11 November President Halonen met with President Shimon Peres of Israel in New York. In the bilateral meeting, President Peres reviewed the current state of the peace process and said he was hopeful for progress in negotiations. The two Presidents have known each other for a long time, and meeting was held in a warm and positive atmosphere. Afterwards President Halonen and President Peres attended a dinner that was hosted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon together with 30 other heads of state participating in the high-level meeting.

President Halonen and President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon held talks on Wednesday, 12 November. President Suleiman said that the dialogue among different groups in Lebanon is going well. He was also pleased about the development of relations between Lebanon and Syria. President Suleiman thanked Finland for its actions during the war of 2006.

On Wednesday, President Halonen also met with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah IV al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah. They noted that relations between Finland and Kuwait are good, but concrete cooperation and the exchange of visits need to be further developed. It is also important to improve commercial and economic relations. The Emir said that Kuwait supports peaceful development in Iraq.

President George Bush of the United States, Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and numerous other political leaders and representatives of religious groups attended the high-level meeting on the Culture of Peace.

Dialogue among cultures and religions is also a priority of the Alliance of Civilizations, in which President Halonen has participated by attending the forum that was held in Madrid in January 2008, among other things.

Left: President Halonen with Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah. Copyright © Tasavallan presidentin kanslia. Right: President Halonen speaks at the UN HQ. Photo: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Full text of the Speech

United Nations General Assembly