The United Nations, whose membership comprises almost all the states in the world, is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the inherent value of every individual as recognized by the United Nations.
Kofi Annan's quote highlights the foundational principle of the United Nations, which asserts that every human being possesses equal worth. This principle aims to promote respect, dignity, and rights for all individuals, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or social status, advocating for a world where equality is central to international relations and human interaction.
In practice
During a speech on human rights, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of equality.
If you have a problem and you can't find a solution, you meet again tomorrow and you keep talking until you find a solution. You can disagree with behavior or a particular position, but you do not resort to calling an opponent worthless.
Let us remember the large numbers of citizens who, day in and day out, through acts of volunteerism large and small, bring hope to so many of the world's disadvantaged. Let us ensure that this wonderful resource, available in abundance to every nation, is recognized and supported as it works towards a more prosperous and peaceful world.
We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.
The global HIV/AIDS epidemic is an unprecedented crisis that requires an unprecedented response. In particular it requires solidarity - between the healthy and the sick, between rich and poor, and above all, between richer and poorer nations. We have 30 million orphans already. How many more do we have to get, to wake up?
People of different religions and cultures live side by side in almost every part of the world, and most of us have overlapping identities which unite us with very different groups. We can love what we are, without hating what β and who β we are not. We can thrive in our own tradition, even as we learn from others, and come to respect their teachings.
Democracy is, in essence, a form of non-violent conflict management. If war is the worst enemy of development, healthy and balanced development is the best form of conflict prevention.
My main ambition as a historian is to figure out what's really happening in the world, instead of the fictions that humans have been creating for thousands of years in order to explain or control what's happening in the world.
I could introduce myself properly, but it's not really necessary. You will know me well enough and soon enough, depending on a diverse range of variables. It suffices to say that at some point in time, I will be standing over you, as genially as possible. Your soul will be in my arms. A color will be perched on my shoulder. I will carry you gently away.
Persons of genius are, ex vi termini, more individual than any other people - less capable, consequently, of fitting themselves, without hurtful compression, into any of the small number of moulds which society provides in order to save its members the trouble of forming their character.
The day nothing turns you on - you're dead. No matter how many more years you go on breathing.
America is a nation with many flaws, but hopes so vast that only the cowardly would refuse to acknowledge them.
Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace
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