There is never a humanitarian solution for a humanitarian crisis. The solutions for the humanitarian crisis are always political ones.
Antonio GuterresRead
As a global community, we face a choice. Do we want migration to be a source of prosperity and international solidarity, or a byword for inhumanity and social friction?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the choice we have in how we perceive and handle migration, either positively or negatively.
Antonio Guterres presents a critical reflection on the global issue of migration, highlighting that it can either be seen as an opportunity for prosperity and unity among nations or as a cause of division and cruelty. This choice reflects our collective values and impacts not only the migrants themselves but also the societies that host them.
Themes
MigrationProsperitySolidarityInhumanityCommunity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about global challenges, this quote can highlight the importance of cooperation for a positive outcome.
More from Antonio Guterres
All quotes βAs a global society, we have the technology, resources and the know-how to make a massive difference to living standards everywhere, including for refugees.
Antonio GuterresRead
The world's problems transcend borders.
Antonio GuterresRead
Humanitarian response, sustainable development, and sustaining peace are three sides of the same triangle.
Antonio GuterresRead
The fact that societies are becoming increasingly multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious is good. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
Antonio GuterresRead
Syria has become the great tragedy of this century - a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history.
Antonio GuterresRead
Similar quotes
One of the great tragedies of mankind is that morality has been hijacked by religion. So now people assume that religion and morality have a necessary connection. But the basis of morality is really very simple and doesn't require religion at all.
Arthur C. ClarkeRead
The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others.
Saint John ChrysostomRead
Scientific culture created a framework within which individual mobility was possible without threatening hierarchical work-force allocation. On the contrary, meritocracy reinforced hierarchy. Finally, meritocracy as an operation and scientific culture as an ideology created veils that hindered perception of the underlying operations of historical capitalism.
Immanuel WallersteinRead
Tolerance and understanding won't 'trickle down' in our society any more than wealth does.
Muhammad AliRead
He who does not at some time, with definite determination consent to the terribleness of life, or even exalt in it, never takes possession of the inexpressible fullness of the power of our existence.
Rainer Maria RilkeRead
Wherever people gather for selfless ends, there is a vast augmentation of their individual capacities. Something wonderful, something momentous happens. An irresistible force begins to move, which, though we may not see it, is going to change our world. In this lies the power and the meaning of spiritual companionship.
Eknath EaswaranRead