His Majesty King Abdullah II
Remarks by HM King
Abdullah
Georgetown University
March 21, 2005
Washington, D.C.
President DeGioia,
Members of the Board,
Distinguished Faculty and Guests:
Thank you. I am honored to receive this degree; doubly honored, to receive it
from a university that I attended, and respect so greatly.
Georgetown University is an enduring testament to the good that comes, when the
doors of scholarship are open to a global community. By welcoming students from
around the world, you have helped create a truly international dialogue. I am
proud to be counted among you.
I came to Georgetown for graduate studies in 1987. Just eighteen years ago - and
a world away. In 1987, the Berlin Wall was standing. The Dow Jones Average made
headline news by topping … 2000. There was no World Wide Web. No dot-coms, and
no dot-com crash. Global trade was a fraction of what it is today. And nearly
half the population of today's Arab World had not yet been born.
Historic changes and challenges. Breakthroughs in human knowledge and
opportunity. And yet, for vast numbers across the globe, the daily realities
have not altered. Their world is one of poverty, unemployment, hardship, and
relentless conflict.
When I talk to people in need, they tell me they want to hope; they are eager
for opportunity; they are ready for better days. And I can tell you that every
time their hopes are disappointed, all nations lose. Because earth's
dispossessed are vulnerable targets for extremists: those who teach that global
justice is meaningless; that satisfaction can come only in violence, division,
and intellectual isolation.
My Friends,
Ours is a moment of great potential, for my region and the world. It can be an
era of openness, cooperation and advancement - a time for ending old divisions,
and expanding prosperity. But we will not achieve that potential until we reach
the voiceless majority. It is time to give them new reasons to hope, and
meaningful ways to participate - economically, politically, and in shaping our
global culture. Most important, people need confidence that opportunity is
available to all.
This is the challenge of 21st Century development and reform. Clearly, it is not
a challenge for the Middle East alone. But for those of us in the Arab World,
who believe in the future, who believe in our people - it is a challenge we
accept.
More than five years ago, Jordan committed to a reform strategy that would
accelerate the pace of change. We have taken specific steps to support
pluralism, strengthen private-sector-led growth, and create a renewed social
contract. In our view, successful reform is not an event. It is a sustainable
process that will build on its own successes - a virtuous cycle of change.
That means educational programs that equip young people to succeed in a modern
economy. It means human-rights initiatives that empower women and youth to
participate fully in the life of the nation. It means disengaging government
from state media, to support the growth of a responsible, independent press. It
means good governance, to facilitate private-sector job creation and national
economic growth - indeed, last year, Jordanian GDP grew 7.5 percent.
Real change only happens when citizens throughout society understand and commit
to reform. This is one reason effective reform must be home-grown. It is also
why, in Jordan's model, participation is important at every level. In addition
to our elected national Parliament, we are establishing development regions
across the country, each with a directly elected local council. Such
decentralization will give the grassroots a more direct say in their own
development.
Most recently, I tasked a high-level Committee to set a national agenda to guide
the country in all areas - political, economic and social. The Committee brings
together leaders from government, the media, civil society, political parties,
and the private sector.
We believe that Jordan's reform model is relevant to the entire Middle East. It
responds to the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. It takes
inspiration and power from our society's deepest Arab-Islamic values: respect
for human dignity; global good citizenship; tolerance, and peace. And we have
spoken out very clearly about these values, in our worldwide Amman Message about
the true Islam.
As President Bush recognizes, reform will take a different course in each
country in the Middle East. In my meeting with the President last week, we had
very good discussions about the progress that is being made. The Arab World is
writing a new future; the pen is in our own hands. But we need and welcome the
support of friends throughout the world.
No-where is that support more important than on the issue of Arab-Israeli peace.
This conflict has caused major instability in our region. You can't build solid
reforms where violent shockwaves are constantly churning. Make no mistake about
it: today, the enemies of a just peace are enemies of Arab progress. For sake of
the parties, the region, and the world, the time has come to heal the land.
Today, we have an unprecedented opportunity to move the process forward. The
parties have agreed to the Roadmap. The international community is on board
through the Quartet and the G-8. In London, earlier this month, leading nations
committed to helping the Palestinians create the security and economic
opportunity that progress requires.
Next is the hard work to make real history. For that, the friends of peace need
our constant and active support. Let's help them stay focused on the promise of
lasting peace. It is a positive vision put forward by Arab nations in Beirut,
three years ago - and one to which we remain committed. A sovereign, viable
Palestinian state - one that gives its people the dignity of freedom, and
provides a future of hope. Security guarantees for Israel, based on regional
acceptance and peace, from sea to sea - from Morocco's Atlantic coast, to the
United Arab Emirates' Gulf waters. And a process that can bring regional
reconciliation - one that leads to a comprehensive settlement that addresses the
Syrian and Lebanese tracks.
Other critical issues, too, need our united support. In Iraq, the difficult work
of reconstruction continues. Iraqis need our help as they build security,
establish effective and inclusive institutions, and rebuild their historic
country. In Lebanon, the international community must support a peaceful,
democratic future. Globally, we must work together against terror and to bridge
economic and cultural divides.
Education is key. More than ever, people and nations need knowledge - of our
common bonds; of history's shifts; of humanity's mistakes and successes.
Georgetown University can take pride in its important role. I was privileged to
be here in 1999, for the dedication of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies.
It is only one of the many ways that this university contributes to cooperation
and understanding. Let us never silence that dialogue. In the days and years
ahead, I urge you to keep your doors open to the young people of my region.
My friends, our nations and futures are inseparably linked. Creative thinkers
throughout our societies have the power to transform lives around the globe. It
is up to us to open minds and lives to the promise that our century offers.
Together - in the classroom, in the workplace and in the halls of government -
we can make the promise real.
Thank you very much.