(October 21, 2016)
Respected Dr. Mary Ashun, Principal of Ghana International School (GIS),
Ladies and Gentlemen, Teachers and Students,
Good morning! I'm very delighted to attend the Ghana International School United Nations and National Costume Day. As students, their parents and faculty staffs are all working like busy bees, and all the preparatory work is in good order, I would like to express my appreciation for your hard work and wish this event a complete success!
My official residence is in the neighborhood, and I commute by here every day. When I see the children playing and chasing on the school lawn or sweating on the court, a familiar melody always appears in my mind-"give me freedom, give me fire, give me reason, take me higher". Like a small global village and mini United Nations, Ghana International School has more than 1,400 students from 58 countries with different cultural background and national tradition. The students enjoy the freedom and happiness, and thrive carefree in an harmonious and inclusive atmosphere.
Dr. Ashun told me that the theme for the occasion is "Peace and Justice: From our Community to the World". Last year, to celebrate the 70thanniversary of the founding of UN, the Chinese President H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping presented a gift of "Zun of Peace" to the UN. Zun is a kind of wine vessel used in ancient China. The seven flying doves carved on the vessel symbolize 70 years of UN's dedication to world peace. We cannot forget that the elder generation of mankind fought heroically, secured the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, established the UN, the most universal, representative and authoritative international organization, with vision and foresight, and opened a new page in human history.
More than 2,400 years ago, the birthplace of modern civilization Athens and great military power Sparta conducted a protracted war, historically named as Peloponnesian War. The war ended the era of Athens democracy. With the prosperous ancient Greek civilization ebbed, Greece has never returned to its historical glory thereafter. Athenian historian Thucydides told us that the pursuance of power and hegemony aroused the war fever of Athens and Sparta, but any brilliant civilization would be ashes under the war fever. As ancient Chinese said, "the war amnesia will be in danger and the warmonger is bound to perish". At this point, the peace and justice mean that powers should not seek hegemony and state-to-state relations should neither be a zero-sum game of "life or death".
More than 900 years ago, the Crusades, which lasted nearly 200 years, stirred up a comprehensive conflict and confrontation among Christianity, Eastern Orthodox and Islam. People were plunged into an abyss of misery and suffered cruel oppression. American scholar Judith M. Bennett wrote in Medieval Europe that, "The Crusades reflected three characters of the times: religion, war, and greed." There are different religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism in the world, and there are lots more different factions and branches in each religion. The good virtues of discipline, dedication and kind nature of human beings are the common goals of major religions. But more than half of the wars in the world used to be launched in the name of religion and faith. With greed and desire, the warmongers defended those who belonged to one's own faction and attacked those who didn't. At this point, the peace and justice mean that people should abandon selfishness and prejudice, and emphasize mutual respect, mutual emulation and harmonious coexistence of different civilizations and religions.
85 years ago, the Japanese militarism flagrantly launched a war of aggression against China for 14 years, with two-thirds of China's territory being occupied and more than 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians being killed or wounded. The Japanese troops also manufactured the extremely cruel Nanjing Massacre. At the same time, the Nazis swept through European, Asian and African continents and more than 6 million Jews were massacred. During the Second World War, the most destructive tragedy in the history of mankind, German, Japanese and Italian militarists were obsessed with their theories of racial superiority, leading to a global casualty of more than 70 million people. At this point, the peace and justice mean that all countries and nations, big or small, should be equal, and adhere to the current international system with UN as the core to prevent the resurgence of militarism.
More than 20 years ago, the great African politician H.E. Mr. Nelson Mandela, also called Madiba, led African National Congress (ANC) to win the election, and ended the more than 50 years rule of apartheid. Madiba called for South African black people to put down their hatred to make South Africa a nation of rainbow. The people of South Africa could embrace freedom again, not only because ANC led the unremitting struggle, but also because most white people abode by the bottom line of moral and conscience to achieve national stability and social equity and justice. Due to the skin colors of different races as well as people's diverse living environments, family backgrounds, education levels and development opportunities, there are various social groups with different culture in the world. At this point, the peace and justice mean that people should abandon the gap between man and woman and break the barriers of mind, resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and consultation, maintain tolerance for reconciliation and move forward hand in hand.
Ladies and gentlemen, teachers and students,
Bearing history in mind is not to perpetuate hatred, but to avoid repeating past calamity. Established on the experience of World War II, the UN laid the cornerstone of contemporary international order, and established "peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom" as the common values of mankind and its lofty goals. Human history is a process of active exchanges, interactions and integration among different civilizations. We should respect all civilizations and treat each other as equals. We should draw inspirations from each other to boost the creative development of human civilization.
Being a famous school with 61 years history, GIS provides excellent education in Ghana for the children, who will become the elites from all walks of life in different countries in the future. While enjoying the advanced facilities and first-class education, we should never forget that the world today is still full of wars, poverty and displaced people, and we should better understand that each civilization represents the unique vision and contribution of its people, and no civilization is superior to others.
Madiba once said, "For 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." Boys and girls, your mission is not only to create wealth in your life, but also bring warmth and light for displaced people by love and mutual understanding. I believe that the future of you, whether being politicians, scientists, engineers, doctors, social workers or diplomats as me, will struggle for the ideal of promoting mutual understanding and friendship among different civilizations, races, nations and groups.
There is a song in China named "Days of Glory", in which some lyrics run like this, "Could the line of misunderstanding between different races disappear? May all the people in the world be equal without fear? A rainbow is beautiful as it reflects each ray of different color." I sincerely wish all the children would grow up healthily, move forward step by step solidly to achieve your dreams and make your own contribution to the lofty undertaking of world peace and justice.
Thank you!