UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres yesterday called on the international community to fight the rise of sedition, xenophobia and intolerance. Every segment of society would need to be involved, Guterres told the press in New York.
„We hear disturbing, hate-filled echoes from bygone times. Dangerous views permeate political debates and poison the mainstream. Let us never forget the lessons of the 1930s, „said the UN chief. He warned against threats of hate speech and crimes for human rights, sustainable development, peace and security.
„The message is clear: words are not enough. We need to be effective both in enforcing our universal values and in addressing the root causes of fear, mistrust, fear and anger, „Guterres continued.
„Get a grip on the downsides of globalization“
The UN chief described the United Nations as a „platform for action to restore the broken trust in a broken world and to provide for the people“. He wants to commit himself fully.
On the subject of multilateralism, Guterres said he was more than ever convinced that global challenges such as climate change, migration and terrorism required global solutions. No country can do it alone. The downsides of globalization should also be managed together. „I think the biggest challenge facing governments and institutions today is showing that we care about them – and mobilizing solutions that respond to people’s fears with answers,“ Guterres said the current lack of trust in governments, political institutions and international organizations.
„At such times, explanations may sound like excuses – and people can become easy targets for nationalists, populists and those who benefit from fear,“ he said. „The biggest selling brand in our world today is fear. It gets odds. It wins votes. It generates clicks. „
