IBN KHALDUN CENTRE HAS KEY ROLE IN ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE, DEVELOPMENT
IN EGYPT, ARAB WORLD, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL
Following is the message by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the ceremony marking the re-opening of the Ibn Khaldun Centre for Development Studies, delivered by Chris Czerwinski, Representative of the World Food Programme and United Nations Resident Coordinator (a.i.) in Egypt, in Cairo today:
It gives me great pleasure to send my greetings to this re-opening of the Ibn Khaldun Centre for Development Studies, the very name of which evokes the age of intellectual brilliance in Islamic history.
This event marks a significant step towards strengthening democracy and development in Egypt and the Arab world.� As the first Arab Human Development Report stressed, the Arab region is one of enormous potential.� But it has yet to find the right formula to accelerate human development and promote equitable growth.� Thus, it has lagged behind in some of the great advances of the modern age -- in material and technical progress, but also in the development of knowledge and human freedom.
It is apt, then, that the second Arab Human Development Report -- which will be issued in September of this year -- will focus on the question of knowledge.� Access to knowledge can promote skills, employment, trade, education and the wealth of a society in every dimension, especially in coming generations.� It lies at the heart of efforts to strengthen tolerance, mutual understanding and respect for diversity.� And it is a crucial ingredient of democracy and good governance -- fuelling the activities of grass-roots organizations.� It gives voice to the poor, vulnerable or marginalized members of society.� In short, it helps men and women alike to play their rightful role in the political life of their societies, and thereby influence the decisions that affect their lives.� This right -- the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas -- is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and must be respected.
The Ibn Khaldun Centre has a key role to play in the advancement of knowledge and development in Egypt and the Arab world.� As a respected member of Arab civil society, it can help cultivate a well-informed and responsible citizenship.� In a region of so many internal and external pressures, it can set an example of peaceful dialogue.� And as an articulate advocate of change, it can suggest ways to build on the momentum generated by the first Arab Human Development Report.
These are ambitious goals indeed.� But history tells us that sometimes only the most radical visions can overcome hurdles to political, social and economic transformation.� The time has come for the Arab region to grasp such a vision and make it a reality.� The United Nations will continue to be a close partner in this quest.� We will keep working closely with the people of the region for an era of human rights, political pluralism and equitable, sustainable growth.� In that spirit of partnership, please accept my best wishes for the success of your work.
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