From The GloCal Knowledge Pot Archives of Dr Kris Rampersad
MONDAY 26 JUNE 2006
Based on the theme Acting Together for a Just World, the Assembly opened in Glasgow, Scotland on Wednesday to jokes about the oppressive Scottish weather, (dis)honesty of politicians and essential role of civil society in upholding the balance of power in democracies.
It saw its first session with some 1,200 delegates from 125 countries around the world, including the director of Lobby, Advocacy Research of the Network of NGOS of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women, Dr Kris Rampersad.
Dr Kumi Naidoo, secretary general of Civicus drew attention to the “terrifying reality of the war on terrorism” that allows leaders to justify violation of human and civic rights in the name of the war against terrorism.
Along with Naidoo, keynote speaker, former prime minister of Ireland and now head of the Ethical Globalisation Initiative Mary Robinson placed gender rights at the top of the agenda. Robinson identified the close links between degradation of human rights and poor maternal health, noting that women still factor as more than two thirds of the world’s poor.
Said Naidoo, “Gender equality still unfortunately remains an elusive dream and even though there has been progress in a few places around the world, the pace and depth of progress leaves much to be desired. What does it say about the quality of our democracy if still less than ten percent of women occupy leadership roles in political life? What does it say about our social cohesion if violence against women and children is on the rise?”
Stating that democracy was in deep crisis, he advised on the need to debunk the idea that democracy equals elections.
He urged delegates to appeal to our political leaders not to read a victory at the ballot box as a blank check to rule without any interface with citizens.
“Affiliation with traditional political parties is on the decline as the parties themselves are characterised by a growing lack of internal democracy or fail to address issues that citizens believe are important.
From the News: Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday : newsday.co.tt