Note: Refers to comments by Kul Gautam
My dear Kul,
I thank you for sharing your honest and frank note with respect to the UNSG’s lecture on Madiba’s memorial. This is the way of a true, principled friend, who would not refrain from constructive criticism of one which such heavy responsibility, particularly towards the suffering masses of the world. Many of us read and shared the speech and were pleased with the bold SG’s bold stance.
I am glad that someone like yourself has been brought into the inner circle of UN advisors, a tribute to the progressive outlook of Antonio Guterres. I will always and forever be grateful for your efforts to leverage your high credibility with the UN to urge efforts to bring about release of my son and myself.
It was great that you recalled efforts of Richard Jolly (Adjustment with a human face) which compelled WB and IMF to take the special needs of the poor and deprived into consideration in their austerity programmes and Philip Alston’s warning that reports by these two entities tends to lull people into a false sense of complacency.
I am also glad you referred to the crucial need for UN reform, as did the SG himself. Since the Jackson report, I have been following the efforts to bring the UN in line with the needs of modern times, to overcome the imbalanced control of a few powers and facilitate a more just and equitable multi-lateral system. Seventy-five years of UN history has demonstrated time and again that those in positions of privilege will not allow any change. The system set up by the same powers gives them the ability to block any real reform effort. Thus nothing will happen through formal channels.
ONLY MASSIVE PRESSURE OF WORLD PUBLIC OPINION CAN MAKE IMPACT. And we all agree the deadly coronavirus has created awareness in all groups on the inescapable need for human solidarity and global justice to meet a common threat to our planet. Thus a well-conceived plan for positive change can be put in place without being confronted with the usual obstacles and resistance. And of course we can continue sensitizing the formal channels of decision making and encourage governments to comply with the will of the people.
I like to end by expressing deep gratitude and admiration for the dedicated and inspiring humanitarian efforts you pursuing relentlessly. I also want to make a suggestion. You have referred to your memoirs published two years ago where you made a compelling case for UN reform. In view of new developments, particularly impact of COVID-19 on the poor, could you as you did for the Peace Corps, consider delivering a talk at the next Zoom meeting on reform of the UN system and share your perspectives on this crucial subject? This would energize the process of collaboration of our dear Retiree friends around a common cause.
With my warmest regards
Baquer
My dear Kul,
I thank you for sharing your honest and frank note with respect to the UNSG’s lecture on Madiba’s memorial. This is the way of a true, principled friend, who would not refrain from constructive criticism of one which such heavy responsibility, particularly towards the suffering masses of the world. Many of us read and shared the speech and were pleased with the bold SG’s bold stance.
I am glad that someone like yourself has been brought into the inner circle of UN advisors, a tribute to the progressive outlook of Antonio Guterres. I will always and forever be grateful for your efforts to leverage your high credibility with the UN to urge efforts to bring about release of my son and myself.
It was great that you recalled efforts of Richard Jolly (Adjustment with a human face) which compelled WB and IMF to take the special needs of the poor and deprived into consideration in their austerity programmes and Philip Alston’s warning that reports by these two entities tends to lull people into a false sense of complacency.
I am also glad you referred to the crucial need for UN reform, as did the SG himself. Since the Jackson report, I have been following the efforts to bring the UN in line with the needs of modern times, to overcome the imbalanced control of a few powers and facilitate a more just and equitable multi-lateral system. Seventy-five years of UN history has demonstrated time and again that those in positions of privilege will not allow any change. The system set up by the same powers gives them the ability to block any real reform effort. Thus nothing will happen through formal channels.
ONLY MASSIVE PRESSURE OF WORLD PUBLIC OPINION CAN MAKE IMPACT. And we all agree the deadly coronavirus has created awareness in all groups on the inescapable need for human solidarity and global justice to meet a common threat to our planet. Thus a well-conceived plan for positive change can be put in place without being confronted with the usual obstacles and resistance. And of course we can continue sensitizing the formal channels of decision making and encourage governments to comply with the will of the people.
I like to end by expressing deep gratitude and admiration for the dedicated and inspiring humanitarian efforts you pursuing relentlessly. I also want to make a suggestion. You have referred to your memoirs published two years ago where you made a compelling case for UN reform. In view of new developments, particularly impact of COVID-19 on the poor, could you as you did for the Peace Corps, consider delivering a talk at the next Zoom meeting on reform of the UN system and share your perspectives on this crucial subject? This would energize the process of collaboration of our dear Retiree friends around a common cause.
With my warmest regards
Baquer
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