To question Helen Clark regarding UN silence on global ethical human rights to rule the world.
Anthony Ravlich
Chairperson
Human Rights Council (New Zealand)
10D/15 City Rd.,
Auckland.
Ph: (0064) (09) 930.9658
Helen Clark, chosen to head the United Nations Development Programme for the second time and regarded as one of world’s most powerful women, will be giving a lecture at Auckland University on Monday, 19th August, 2013.
She will be speaking on the topic: “Beyond the Millennium Development Goals: What could the next global development agenda look like?” (for more details see the end of letter)
It is my very strong view that irrespective of which gender holds the dominant positions in the world and the extraordinary achievements of many women men will always rule the world (although a woman’s support would be essential, in my view).
This is because, in my opinion, only men can arrive at new, original universal truth e.g. Franklin Roosevelt's proposed second bill of rights i.e. economic, social and cultural rights, for America eventually ended up being included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Also, it is wondered why 'middle class', professional women continue to require affirmative action really meant, in my view, for the worse off. In my view, we have equal rights but very different. And I very much doubt whether ardent feminists would debate the subject with me.
However, any discussion will likely be severely curtailed on the ethical approach to human rights, development and globalization (briefly, global ethical human rights) to rule the world.
It would replace what I see as neoliberal absolutism, a very extreme ‘top-down’ control (see anthony ravlich’s blog, guerilla media).
In response to my letter below Pauline Sheddan, External Relations Manager, Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland, who is coordinating the lecture, stated:
“Yes there will be question time but as many people will want to be heard I expect this to be tightly controlled.
“No statements, just to the point questions that Helen is able to answer in her role as UN Administrator”.
Dear Pauline Sheddan,
Will any questions be allowed from the floor in the lecture being given by Helen Clark at 6pm, Maidment Theatre, 19th August? If so, how long a period will it be?
It is my view that a peaceful revolution is required - the young seem to be trying work out what is happening but I can tell them simply - fight for your individual rights (freedoms as well as economic and social rights) - the only difference between now and the past is that they are now fighting the world not just the State. However, they can use the internet to address this.
I see the UN wanting to give 'cake' on one hand while taking away 'freedom' (e.g. self-help, a voice) with the other.
My blog, anthony ravlich's blog guerilla media, describe some of my very deep concerns regarding how human rights are conducted at the UN. These include:
(1) because human rights have to accommodate the IMF's neoliberal economic policies what I am now seeing is a neoliberal absolutism - very extreme top-down control of all human behavior covered by the UDHR (the recent OP to ICESCR gives economic, social and cultural rights equal status with civial and political rights);
(2) the UN seeking the support of terrorists to help facilitate the destruction of individual rights - the above OP rebalanced global power from the West to most particularly Developing Asia which contains a very high percentage of those belonging to the Islamic faith;
(3) the rebalancing of power, which people have been kept virtually entirely ignorant, also permits China and India (also in the Developing Asia region) to continue exploiting their workers so they will continue to be able to gain the competitive advantage over the West;
(4) the continuing affirmative action for the middle class, professional sector to accommodate the IMF's policies whereas such affirmative action is meant to be for the worse off.
But the question I would ask, realizing I would be give little, if any, time, is why the UN has not informed the global community of my new plan for the world - an ethical approach to human rights, development and globalization (outlined in my book, pub 2008, and many articles since) to replace the neoliberalism (which I see has now morphed into a very extreme 'top-down' control - neoliberal absolutism).
It has been over five years since my book was published outlining this plan and although on the UN website for about two years remains recognized only in the margins of society i.e. impossible to get it into the mainstream media, necessary if it is to reach the democratic majority.
Also, especially now that this plan is receiving increasing global support, including very high profile such as the US State Dept, Open Democracy initiative of the White House, even the UN (in the margins) as well as Save the Children (US) etc etc. Also in NZ e.g. Bryan Gould, one of NZ's top academics, some support from David Cunliffe [who recently challenged David Shearer for the leadership of the NZ Labour Party, cross-party support from MPs of Greens, Labour and National and the list goes on.
Yet the UN says nothing - they could at least describe its existence in the public notices of the mainstream media.
The problem I have with Helen Clark (who knows me from university) and those involved with human rights at the UN is that they are captured by their class and human rights are devised to suit their interests rather than humanity as a whole - we need, in my view, another Franklin Roosevelt who had the capacity to rise above his class and adopt universal human rights truth.
In addition, while Helen Clark was Prime Minister to my knowledge her office never replied to my many emails expressing concern at the very extreme discrimination those at the bottom of the social scale were experiencing. Later I made a stand on principle and appeared in the Auckland High Court where High Court Justice, Lyn Stevens, (now on the Court of Appeal) believed my account of how those at the bottom where 'crushed and isolated'. Many of these individuals would become the parents of those children suffering very high levels of child abuse.
I am well-known to Rosslyn Noonan, former Chief Human Rights Commissioner, with whom I enjoyed a good relationship. Helen Clark could also consider a discussion between the three of us, say, at Auckland University where Rosslyn Noonan now works.
Typically, I am blocked from saying anything at such 'middle class' meetings - most people do not want to hear the truth however life has become so desperate for some in Christchurch that they are now prepared to face the truth e.g requesting a submission from me.
And this is what is most likely to happen around the world, particularly amongst the youth who are subjected to massive global discrimination, as people's situation continues to deteriorate which I see as inevitable given the decisions made at the UN.
I will be holding the UN primarily responsible for any revolutionary violence that takes place in the future.
2013 Robert Chapman Lecture: The Right Honourable Helen Clark:
Beyond the Millennium Development Goals: What could the next global development agenda look like?
People and governments around the world are engaging in a global conversation about the nature of the next global development agenda. What should our global priorities be? What can be achieved? How high should we aim? Is eradicating extreme poverty possible? As the 2015 date set for the Millennium Development Goals targets approaches, can a future agenda be agreed on to tackle the linked challenges of poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation? In this context Helen Clark considers what the next global development debate could look like and what it might achieve. To do this, she places the current debate in its historical context, exploring why a global development agenda is useful and the issues which will need attention as UN Member States go into negotiation on it.
Helen Clark became the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme in April 2009, and is the first woman to lead the organization. She is also the Chair of the United Nations Development Group, a committee consisting of the heads of all UN funds, programmes and departments working on development issues.
Prior to her appointment with UNDP, Helen Clark served for nine years as Prime Minister of New Zealand, serving three successive terms from 1999–2008. Throughout her tenure as Prime Minister, Helen Clark engaged widely in policy development and advocacy across the international, economic, social and cultural spheres.