There is never a humanitarian solution for a humanitarian crisis. The solutions for the humanitarian crisis are always political ones.
Humanitarian response, sustainable development, and sustaining peace are three sides of the same triangle.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that humanitarian efforts, sustainable development, and peace are interconnected and equally essential.
Antonio Guterres highlights the interdependence of humanitarian efforts, sustainable development, and peacebuilding. Each element influences the others, suggesting that to create a stable and prosperous society, we must simultaneously address immediate needs, develop long-term solutions, and ensure lasting peace. Ignoring any of these aspects can lead to larger systemic issues, making comprehensive approaches necessary for true progress.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about social justice, you might reference this quote to emphasize the importance of connecting humanitarian efforts with development and peace.
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.
The world's problems transcend borders.
The fact that societies are becoming increasingly multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious is good. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
Syria has become the great tragedy of this century - a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history.
When counterterrorist policies are used to suppress peaceful protests and legitimate opposition movements, shut down debate, target human rights defenders, or stigmatize minorities, they fail, and we all lose. Indeed, such responses may cause further resentment and instability and contribute to radicalization.
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