Page 412 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

The Basic Principles

But other things have not changed in my lifetime - and I do not believe
they will change in yours. These are the basic principles with which we govern
the world and run our daily lives. In my experience they apply equally to how
Governments negotiate international treaties; to how businesses make deals; to
how families resolve arguments.

The first and most important principle is that of the Balance of interests.
Finding the Balance of Interests between different parties is the essential art of
diplomacy. For example, in disarmament negotiations, in which I have been
deeply involved, one begins with the principle that a peaceful world with fewer
weapons is in all our interests. From there it may take years to work out who
will give up which weapons when, and within what timeframe. But it is a
process which requires patience because edging towards finding that often
elusive balance of interests in the disarmament field is something too
important to abandon.

That is essentially why the UN exists - to help its members across the
world to find the all-important balance of interests. Although compromises are
often hard to find, it is nonetheless a necessary art in all areas of life. Without
compromise in which everyone's interest is met to some extent, we are unable
to live peacefully in our own families, we cannot get on with our classmates,
society couldn't function, and nations would always be at war.

But there is more to the UN than then making agreements between its
Member States. The United Nations also exists to uphold certain principles
and ethical norms in how Governments across the world behave. Without such
standards, without morality, we are without dignity and honour. These guiding
principles are encompassed in the Declaration for Human Rights. But this vital
document would be meaningless if it were just something for Governments
and UN officials. For if in our private lives we do not uphold basic human
rights principles by challenging racism, sexism and the world's deep
inequalities, how can we demand that those who govern this world do so?
Without ethics we cannot consider ourselves to be civilized. And the
world, which for many is already a place of deep injustice, would be a harsher
place for every single one of us.

Finally, I wish to mention the importance of supporting and cherishing
democracy and also the rule-of-law. Without democracy and without law -

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