Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Opening for the 67th Session of the UN



In mid-September each year, UN member states gather in NYC.  This opening session of the UN is devoted to the presentations by the leaders of member states. Here is a section of the address given by President Obama and where you can access his entire speech to the UN General Assembly.

Obama’s Speech to the United Nations General Assembly

Text Published: September 25, 2012
 
And yet the turmoil of recent weeks reminds us that the path to democracy does not end with the casting of a ballot. Nelson Mandela once said: “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

True democracy demands that citizens cannot be thrown in jail because of what they believe, and that businesses can be opened without paying a bribe. It depends on the freedom of citizens to speak their minds and assemble without fear, and on the rule of law and due process that guarantees the rights of all people.

In other words, true democracy -- real freedom -- is hard work. Those in power have to resist the temptation to crack down on dissidents. In hard economic times, countries must be tempted -- may be tempted to rally the people around perceived enemies, at home and abroad, rather than focusing on the painstaking work of reform.

No comments:

Post a Comment