Library talk introducing Yasmine Sherif’s book "The Case for Humanity: An Extraordinary Session"

Ms. Sherif,
Mr. Ramos-Horta,
Mr. Pace,
Excellencies,
Dear Colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen:

A warm welcome to this library talk introducing Yasmine Sherif’s book “The Case for Humanity: An Extraordinary Session”. In view of recent events across the world we urgently need someone to make the case for humanity. And Yasmine Sherif does it in a remarkable way in this publication. The book helps to think outside the box by describing an imaginary meeting of some of the world’s greatest political leaders and thinkers of all times. In a smaller way, today’s gathering here in Geneva comes close to this imaginary meeting, seeing the extraordinary thinkers and leaders that are with us here today, with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mr. Jose Ramos Horta and Mr. John Pace being part of this conversation.
Ms. Sherif has been making the case for humanity for many years in her distinguished career within and outside the United Nations. For some, the work in difficult places when tackling complex challenges in desperate situations can sometimes erode our belief in humanity. For Ms. Sherif, it has reinforced that belief.

Like myself, Ms. Sherif writes occasional contributions in the Huffington Post. And in one of her recent blogs, she wrote “Humanity is not an intellectual notion. It is a spiritual experience.” This is an important point. Today, too many people are losing faith and trust in each other and in our institutions at all governance levels. The sense of shared responsibility, that led to the very founding of the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, is under strain. The migrant issue and the rise of populist political movements and parties are worrying illustrations of the weakening of unity and humanity.

Ms. Sherif’s book makes a strong case for the need to reaffirm our belief in our common humanity. It helps people fill the intellectual notion of humanity with the human spirit. Personal relations between individuals and cultures need to be placed at the centre again. Solidarity at all levels needs to be rekindled. And to do that, our organizations and the media need to tell stories of successful collaboration, examples where humanity is hard at work.

And there are many such examples in spite of what we see around us. Just a few weeks ago, the Paris Agreement entered into force in record time. Around the world, new partnerships are emerging to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These are the results of real-life extraordinary initiatives where humanity prevailed. Ms. Sherif’s book reminds us, that these are the stories that we must tell, and here in Geneva, we will continue to provide a platform to make this happen.

Thank you very much.