As he made his debut on the world stage, President Benigno Aquino III pushed for a global version of Filipino People Power to battle inequality and promote equitable progress in the world.
Speaking before the 65th United Nations General Assembly in New York early Saturday (Manila time), Aquino said this can be achieved with dialogue, solidarity and communal responsibility.
“For so many times in our history, my people have shown that united, nothing is impossible. We call this People Power. It is my earnest hope and in the greatest interest of humanity that we harness the energies of dialogue, solidarity and communal responsibility so that a global people power towards equitable progress may be achieved," he said.
People Power was the social phenomenon that catapulted Aquino’s late mother Corazon to the presidency in 1986, when a bloodless uprising toppled strongman Ferdinand Marcos from power.
Mr. Aquino noted that in an increasingly globalized world, the challenges that nations face have become globalized as well.
These include climate change; pandemics; terrorism and weapons of mass destruction; transnational organized crime such as human trafficking and the illicit drug trade; the continuing vulnerability of migrants, women, persons with disabilities, and the poor; and the challenges posed by increasingly interconnected economies.
All of these call for a further strengthening of international cooperation, he stressed.
"All of us here, representing our respective nations, are stewards entrusted with the well-being of our respective peoples. We are also called to be responsible and responsive members of the community of nations. Clearly, we are already aware that the problem of one poses a problem for all. Any solution, then, depends on us recognizing that each of our nations does not exist in a vacuum, but rather, in an increasingly interdependent global milieu," he said.
“The central revelation here is that for humanity to progress, all nations must progress as one. The quest for universal human dignity should not be defined by geographical, racial, or cultural boundaries, nor should it be set back by our desires to move our own nations forward. Global progress means equitable progress," he added.
In the global stage, he said, “the battle against inequality requires balance of both from those in authority to be conscious of our responsibility to our own people and of our duties to regions and the globe."
“Already we are witnessing a rethinking of traditional paradigms, a shifting of our focus towards ensuring the global system does not leave anyone behind," he said.
On the other hand, he said that while the Philippines and other developing countries benefit from the aid of the wealthier nations, they will not be passive players in pushing progress.
“This is what our people put us in power for. This is what the world expects of us as leaders, to be exemplars of what it is to be compassionate human beings and vanguards of hope for our common humanity," he said.
He called on his fellow leaders to promote hope that allows them to break down walls of destruction which may take the form of intolerance, fear or violence.
“It is the same hope that leads us to gather in this hall as our predecessors did. It is the same hope that will give our generation of leaders the strength to elevate this global assembly to a place where collectively the nations of the world could find ways to make a better life possible for all," he said.
In the Philippines, he said his administration had pledged to channel the gains from public-private partnerships to improve social services like health, education and poverty alleviation.
Meanwhile, Aquino said developing nations need support in the adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts and in having the necessary resources to produce climate-resilient communities.
This should go hand in hand with ambitious commitments by major economies to significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, he said.
Greatest challenges of our times
Believing that social justice is the most basic humanitarian challenge at present, Aquino said the world must move further along the straight and righteous path of compassion and communal responsibilities.
“The message is clear. There are those who need help and acting with compassion towards those who need help is a response that is both humane and necessary. This idea has been trumpeted for decades and yet combating inequality remains one of the greatest challenges of our times. The chasm between the powerful and powerless, the have and have-nots, remain to be bridged," he said.
Also, Aquino said individual countries must allow private enterprises to thrive but ensure they remain aware of their social responsibilities.
“This does not mean a cumbersome and intrusive government but rather a government that allows private enterprise to thrive while ensuring they remain cognizant of their social responsibilities and empowers them in turn towards fulfilling [their social] responsibilities," he said. — LBG
