CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by Francisco Javier Dominguez, Representative of the Cuban delegation to the Plenary Meeting of the 63rd United Nations General Assembly. Debate Item 45: Culture of Peace.

New York, 13 November 2008.

Mr. President,
The main goals established in the Charter of this Organization are “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and to strive to create a democratic and equitable international order based on the respect for the dignity of all human beings equally.

These were the founding objectives of the Organization we belong to, the purposes of which are to maintain international peace and security that would be based on the principles of the sovereign equality of all its members, the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, the refrainment from the threat or use of force as well as the non-intervention in the internal affairs of the States. We were also promised that all peoples would achieve the economic and social progress.

However, when arriving at the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we are witnesses to the most serious world financial, energy and food crisis that along with the damages to the environment and the climatic change effects, among others, reflect a sad economic and social panorama which poses a threat to the human species.

The lives of millions of human beings living in the planet are also threatened by the unilateralism of the only super power in the world that has based its actions on the so-called clash of civilization doctrine, demonizing thousand-year-old cultures and religions.

Mr. President,

The alliance of civilizations is the only way to face unilateralism and neoliberal globalization which try to keep the countries of the South underdeveloped and to impose the homogenization and domain on our cultures.

Cuba reaffirms the ideals of the National Hero of Cuba, José Martí, who, in the 19th century, advocated the need to achieve a balance in the world. Following this postulate, we must work together to find common answers to the challenges of the contemporary world and to reach a culture of peace

Cuba reiterates its adherence to multilateralism and to multilaterally agreed solutions, in accordance with the UN Charter and the International Law, as the only acceptable means to address international problems. Only then, there will be peace and development for all.

We uphold the Declaration and Programme of Action on a culture of peace, as well as the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations and its Programme of Action, and we join UNESCO’s programs and practical initiatives on this topic. Cuba believes that the scheduled activities to commemorate the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures in 2010 should also contribute to the promotion of a culture of peace.

Likewise, Cuba would like to express its appreciation to the Government of Philippines to host a special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialog and Cooperation for Peace and Development to be held I Manila, Philippines on 26 to 28 of May 2009.

We also support the Declaration and Program of Action adopted in the framework of the NAM Ministerial Meeting on human rights and cultural diversity held on September 2007 in Iran.

Mr. President,

Every doctrine based on racial or cultural superiority must be strongly rejected. In the recent years some countries have identified certain cultures and religions with terrorism and violence.

Those views must not be tolerated. We must reject every action entailing damage, discrimination, racial stereotypes and profiles, the defamation of religious people against the human dignity, equality and justice.

Cuba reiterates the diversity of political, social and cultural and religious systems must be equally respected to contribute to the establishment of peaceful and prosperous world, a just and equitable world order and a favorable environment for the exchange of human experiences.

We consider the study of diverse cultures and civilizations in the curriculum, including the teaching of languages, history and sociopolitical philosophy of different civilizations, as well as the exchange of knowledge and information, contribute to the promotion of a culture of peace. We also stress the role of the media to spread the human values and the need to promote the responsibility and the ethical conduct of these means to contribute to mutual respect among the diverse civilizations.
Together we can share the belief that a better world is possible.
Thank you.
(Cubaminrex- Embacuba ONU)