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toward one's country nor from and where you are
one's continent, because this going--you stand still. Every
schooling became available day you are confronted with
in this new era of independ- challenges. We live in a glob-
ence and development. al village, and this implies
Women became equal part- that you know what is hap-
ners everywhere, and found pening everywhere almost at
their place in society. Of the very same minute it hap-
course, all this is thanks to pens, and you are confronted
our forefathers and the gen- with challenges to overcome.
erations before us who, I So I say that each African,
would say, built the essential wherever he is--in the field,
foundations of this new in the mine--his political
Africa. In certain regions of convictions should overcome
Africa these foundations are the daily challenges for a bet-
really solid. For instance, if ter well-being and better liv- human beings are all the former Human Rights
this were not the case, I ing conditions. Finally, if we
same. Commission, did not lead to
would defmitely not be here. talk in simplified terms--
any result. I am optimistic
I might have found myself what does each one of us
Our objective is to live that the newly established
living in a remote village sur- aspire to? --you, me, him,
together in peace, security, Human Rights Council will
rounded by numerous chil- Mr. X or Ms Y. It's for us
harmony and respect. If we create a spirit of dialogue and
dren and living a life based now and for future genera-
know each other better, we comprehension. Of course,
upon the former social and tions to live in peace, securi-
can put the positive and neg- there are problems in this or
economic conditions of my ty and well-being.
ative in the balance. We have that country. Let us go there
country.
to share the good things in together to analyse it and
That's the reason why I said the world--as well as the define together the remedy.
For instance, in some African earlier that it's wrong to give
worst. There might be a dis- Even the county in question
countries--and even in some a bad image to certain poor
aster somewhere in the would have more confidence
European countries--men regions in the world. What is
world, but others should if we came there to help them
and women do not receive happening to your neighbour
show solidarity. Of course, -- that's the difference.
equal pay, whereas in my will affect you sooner or for the development of all the Therefore, we should change
country this exists. One later. For instance, if your
others, we have to share, our mentality and not be ego-
could say that certain mental- neighbour's house is burning,
make concessions. We do not ists. It's not a case of "it's not
ities should be developed your house may catch fire
ask for the impossible, but a my problem" but only the
further, but legally this equal- too!
minimum of comprehension concern of others. With this
ity between the sexes exists.
and sharing. global dimension of the
So Arab-African women So it's better to prevent it, and
world and with the new
have something to be proud to have solidarity with peo-
Famine and diseases on my means of communication,
of. The Arab-African women ple. This is why I insist on
continent have no borders. we know minute by minute
have all the rights. In certain partnership, responsible part-
An epidemic will cause what is happening elsewhere
parts of Africa, we are now nership. By that I mean, not migration and people will and therefore we cannot be
promoting partnership in a the kind of partnership where flow across borders. You are indifferent!
married couple. This is very each one is defending his
not protected. So what is bet-
positive and there is less own interests, but a win-win
ter? Help us to keep our pop- Q: In order to dialogue
fighting and disputes. When partnership. Perhaps you ulation at home, in their with "the egoists", might it
you are a partner, things are may have to make some con-
fields--they need to make a not he easier to change
clearer and more positive. cessions on certain things--
living. their mentality.
such as in trade negotiations-
Therefore, I am honoured to -but in the long term you will I think this is a new culture, If we approach each other;
bear the title of 'Mama win because I will open up
and I say that the internation- and we dialogue in a more
Africa because it shows the my market to you. However, al community here in concrete, more pragmatic
confidence of my peers, of on the other hand, you
Geneva can do something. and also in a more transpar-
the African group. They must should allow me to live, to Everybody should join-- ent way, I think that we will
feel that there is commitment feed my family, to pay my including the media--in order be able to find solutions. It's
and devotion to the cause. employees, etc. Therefore, I
to get to know each other not an easy task, but perse-
say that with this globaliza-
better; and be able to put our- verance, dialogue and human
Q: It's true that you have to tion, it's important that the selves in other people's relations play an important
have confidence in what world becomes closer and
shoes, because this would role. Who would have said in
you do? that we know each other bet- solve quite a lot of problems. the years following the
ter. We might be different, Second World War that fifty-
It's not only that. If you are we may not look alike and Experience has shown that to three countries would gain
not committed, and if you do come from different regions, condemn certain countries, their independence? For our
not know where you come etc., but finally we are such as happened with the parents and their generation,
1242007 Diva

V nternational.