Address on globalization and Millennium Declaration by the President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen at the United Nations, New York, September 20, 2004 (vain englanniksi)

"A Fair Globalization : Implementing the United Nations Millennium Declaration"

This meeting is about the Millennium Declaration. It is about the Social Dimension of Globalization. And most of all, this meeting is about implementation. It is about the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and other commitments that we, the Family of Nations, have made throughout the years.

Four years ago we made a commitment here at the UN. And I really emphasize that WE made a commitment: I was there, President Chirac was there, President Mkapa was there, President Lula’s predecessor President Cardoso of Brazil was there, all in all more than 150 heads of state and government were there. We adopted the Millennium Declaration, which is by far the most comprehensive and farsighted political commitment ever agreed upon at the United Nations.

In the Millennium Declaration we challenge ourselves to ensure that globalization becomes a positive force for all the world’s people. For while globalization offers great opportunities, at present its benefits are very unevenly shared, while its costs are unevenly distributed.

This challenge has been the guiding beacon in the work of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. We believe that globalization could and should be a force for a brighter future for all people. Unfortunately today’s globalization falls far short of this promise and is actually morally wrong and politically unsustainable.

Our commission of "not very like-minded people" could agree upon a joint report. The report "A Fair Globalization: Creating Opportunities for All" is about change. A change towards genuine dialogue. A change for a better future. A change for a fair globalization. To this end our commission calls for:

A focus on people. The cornerstone of a fairer globalization lies in meeting the demands of people.

A democratic and effective state. The nation state is still a main actor in globalization and should provide a conducive environment for people’s self-fulfilment, starting with democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, social justice and rooting up of corruption.

Sustainable development. We need interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars of economic and social development as well as environmental protection on all levels.

Fair rules. The rules of the global economy must offer equitable opportunity and access for all countries and recognise the diversity in national capabilities and developmental needs.

Globalization with solidarity. There is a shared responsibility to assist countries and people excluded from the benefits of globalization.

Deeper partnerships. Many actors are engaged in realisation of global social and economic goals – international organisations, governments and parliaments, business, labour, civil society and many others. Dialogue and partnership among them is an essential democratic instrument to create a better world.

An effective United Nations. A stronger and more efficient multilateral system is the key instrument to create a democratic, legitimate and coherent framework for globalization. We need improved co-operation and better policy coherence between international organisations. Time is ripe for a wide UN reform, which would also give the ECOSOC the role envisaged in the UN Charter.

One purpose of this meeting is to inspire all of us to be part of change for a fair globalization and for implementation of the Millennium Declaration.

A fair globalization is not a zero-sum game, but a mutually beneficial process for all its participants. The burden of change must also be evenly distributed between nations.

All the people have the right to work. Decent work for all should be made a global goal and pursued through coherent policies within multilateral system. And people will continue to move after work and send remittances back to their home countries. Therefore we need also a multilateral framework for cross border movement or people.

Last week I had an opportunity to meet founder of the Grameen Bank, Professor Muhammad Yunus from Bangladesh. Professor Yunus is a true champion of the poor and the pioneer of micro-credit. The idea of micro-credit is simple: to lift people out of poverty, one person and one family at a time.

Let Professor Yunus’ inspiration guide us. Big rivers start as tiny streams. Let us start making change. One step will lead to another and many steps will lead to the implementation of the Millennium Declaration.