When Religion Becomes a Political Tool of Discourse All religions strive for peace with good will, but the way to the goal is diverse. While Buddhism normally finds it no obstacle to assimilate into a new culture to bloom, some others stick to the orthodox teachings to survive. For the latter, a new environment might be a big challenge for them, sometimes at the border of toleration. During the course of human civilization, however, mutual influences of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have never ceased to take place, via global trade routes, immigration, official visits or localization of holy…

On 27 January 2023, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent a message for the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust Today, we honor the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. We remember the six million Jewish children, women, and men, as well as the Roma and Sinti, the people with disabilities, and countless others who perished. We reflect on the millions of individual lives cut short; the millions of futures stolen away. As we mourn the loss of so many and so much, we also recognize that the Holocaust was not inevitable. No…

For 10.December 2022, the Human Rights Day, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres gives the following message to the world: The world is facing unprecedented and interlocking challenges to human rights. Hunger and poverty are increasing – an affront to the economic and social rights of hundreds of millions of people. Civic space is shrinking. Media freedom and the safety of journalists are in dangerous decline in almost every region of the world. Trust in institutions is evaporating, especially among young people. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased levels of violence against women and girls. Racism, intolerance and discrimination are running rampant. New…

On 20. September 2022, UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the general debate of the 77th Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 20 – 26 September 2022). The full text is as follows: Mr. President of the General Assembly, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Our world is in big trouble. Divides are growing deeper. Inequalities are growing wider. Challenges are spreading farther. But as we come together in a world teeming with turmoil, an image of promise and hope comes to my mind. This ship is the Brave Commander.  It sailed the Black Sea with the UN flag…

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Volker Türk of Austria as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, following approval by the General Assembly. He will succeed Michelle Bachelet of Chile, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her commitment and dedicated service to the United Nations. Mr. Türk has devoted his long and distinguished career to advancing universal human rights, notably the international protection of some of the world’s most vulnerable people – refugees and stateless persons.  He is currently Under-Secretary-General for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General where he coordinates global policy work….

Yesterday, 22 July 2022, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres held a speech in Istanbul at the signing of the Black Sea grain exports agreement: Your Excellency, President Erdoğan, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea. A beacon of hope – a beacon of possibility – a beacon of relief — in a world that needs it more than ever. I want to recognize and thank all those who helped make it happen. To our hosts, President Erdoğan and the government of Türkiye: Your facilitation and persistence have been essential through every step of this process….