Jordan Times
Sunday, March 12, 2006
21st century global leaders
must place 'people, humanity and peace at the heart of the world's agenda' —
Queen
AMMAN (JT) — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Friday spoke of Jordan and India's
shared spirit of optimism and openness, charging one of the world's emerging
economic powers with the responsibility towards a moral and just leadership in
the 21st century.
The Queen made the remarks at the India Today Conclave, an annual forum in New
Delhi, India, which encourages free and frank exchange of ideas among political
leaders, Nobel laureates, policy makers, writers and business leaders.
The fifth since its launch in 2002, this year's conclave is titled India
Tomorrow 2006: Bridging the Divide.
Queen Rania began her address by offering, on behalf of Jordan, her condolences
to the people of India over the tragic loss of those killed during the bombings
which struck the holy city of Varanasi, on March 7.
Drawing synergies between Jordan and India, Queen Rania said: "I believe our
nations share a similar spirit — one that is driven by optimism and openness
toward the world."
"Both India and Jordan have storied pasts, yet we do not fear the future; we
believe we can harness the best of both, without compromising either... Our
countries have shown we can reach out to the world and embrace what modernity
offers, without losing our grip on the culture and customs that make us who we
are," she added.
The Queen underscored the potential within the young populations of both
countries, stressing that the youth of India and Jordan "represent a tremendous
well-spring of talent and drive," adding that "helping them reach their fullest
potential is our greatest opportunity and obligation."
Queen Rania went on to welcome India's emergence as a great world power for the
21st century: "... now, with your growing global prestige... and your dazzling
economic growth... you have captured not simply the world's imagination but its
rapt attention as well. India is everywhere, as anyone who attended the World
Economic Forum in Davos can attest. Today, you have an historic opportunity and
ability to influence other nations," she said.
Queen Rania stressed that with this ability comes responsibility and that India
is uniquely positioned to "lead in bridging the gaps that have held too much of
the world back for too long."
"...you know what it means to be a developing country in a globalising world —
trying simultaneously to manage policy reform and to meet your people's rising
aspirations. India understands, because you have lived it yourselves," she
asserted. Queen Rania went on to add that, today, India has "the credibility and
humility to exert the kind of leadership that puts people... humanity... and
peace... at the heart of the world's agenda."
Speaking of the "Hope Gap," which divides people into those who have a future
and those who do not, due to lack of access to health, quality education, and
resources, Queen Rania maintained that the global community cannot accept this
chasm of opportunity in today's world.
"...We have to do better. Our hearts and our heads demand it," she argued.
And this is where India can play an effective role, not only as an emerging
economic power, but, just as important, as a "moral power." In addition to
leading by example, the Queen said India can help shape the global agenda to
address the world's development challenges by working towards 'narrowing the
hope gap.'
"But it is not just through your example at home that we need your moral
leadership — because India's voice is heard in the world in a way that smaller
nations' are not. The world needs India to use its influence to alter the global
dialogue — and put humanity's concerns at the front and centre of the global
agenda."
Queen Rania highlighted India's awareness of the fact that conflict is often
rooted in injustice and the fact that the global community must provide
protection, "not only from terrorists' bullets and bombs, but from the hunger,
homelessness, and deadly diseases that menace their daily survival."
She also underscored India's firsthand knowledge that global trade must work for
developing countries to prosper, as well as its achievements in the areas of
health and social entrepreneurship.
Concluding her address, Queen Rania spoke of Jordan and India's shared
aspirations: "Like you, we seek a world of opportunity, equality and peace... a
world where people are free and empowered to make the most of their own lives."
In such a world, she affirmed, "every child will be nourished and cherished...
because every child will belong to us all. And the hope Gap will become a Hope
bridge that the whole human family can cross."