Welcome Message from Alan Doss

Last year, the spring edition of our newsletter was published when the Arab Spring was taking hold across North Africa and the Middle East.  Little did we imagine at the time that this dramatic and remarkable turn of events would come to involve Kofi Annan so directly.

Appointed in February as the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League, he is now leading the international efforts to halt the crisis and stop the bloodshed in Syria.  Given the urgency of the situation in Syria, the Foundation provided initial start-up support for the Annan mission, while still maintaining its focus on critical issues of global concern, as this newsletter illustrates.

As a leading advocate for the protection of human rights, the promotion of democracy and conflict resolution, Mr. Annan continued to speak out, addressing the Swedish Parliament on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, chairing the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security and travelling to Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand in support of national reconciliation.

The Foundation continues to forge ahead with other activities, including the recent launch of an important initiative in West Africa, helping countries in that region deal with the growing menace of drug trafficking.

Although Kofi Annan is deeply engaged in the Syria crisis, the work of the Foundation goes on, sustaining his vision and commitment to a better world.

Alan Doss                                                                                                                      

Senior Political Advisor

In this email

Our Work

Partnerships

Quarterly Highlights

Looking Ahead...

Our Work  January - April 2012

Côte d'Ivoire

The end of violent conflict in Côte d’Ivoire has left many unresolved issues of peace and security, notably the agenda for national reconciliation, transitional justice and the reform of the security services. 

Mr. Annan has remained in close contact with the President and other Ivorian political and social actors and continues to provide support to the Ivorian National Commission for Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation. He travelled to Côte d’Ivoire on 17-18 January 2012 to support the country’s ongoing national reconciliation process. Mr. Annan met with President Alassane Ouattara, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro and Charles Konan Banny, Chairman of the National Commission for Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation. He also met with Bert Koenders, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of ONUCI, the UN peacekeeping operation in Côte d’Ivoire. During his visit, he noted the progress that had been made and encouraged all Ivorians to play their part in restoring peace to Côte d’Ivoire.

At the end of his visit Mr. Annan commented: "the task of reconciliation and healing must remain a national priority to help overcome the legacy of the past."

Link | Video

Reconciliation remains a priority in Thailand

At the invitation of the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT), Kofi Annan and Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland, visited Thailand from 16 to 19 February 2012.  Their visit was aimed at supporting and encouraging the ongoing reconciliation efforts in the country through sharing their experiences of reconciliation initiatives with the TRCT and other actors involved in the process.

As well as discussions with the TRCT, the four day programme included meetings with the Prime Minister of Thailand Ms.Yingluck Shinawatra, and the leader of the opposition Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva. Mr. Annan and Mr. Ahtisaari also spent time exchanging views with members of civil society, representatives from business groups, media owners, youth and student groups, womens groups and religious leaders.

Both Mr. Annan and Mr. Ahtisaari were encouraged that reconciliation clearly remains a priority for the government of Thailand and expressed their views that the TRCT has an important role to play in promoting reconciliation in the country. They also indicated that the success of the reconciliation process would depend on cooperation from all parties and stakeholders:

"Based on our experience, reconciliation in any society is a long and arduous process.  We are pleased that in our discussions we have heard a desire by the TRCT and all stakeholders to work together to nurture an open space for debate and to provide an effective channel for dialogue."

Links | Statement | Interview | Interview

Building a Progressive Kenya

The Report of the 3rd annual "Building a Progressive Kenya" conference, held on 5-6 December in Nairobi, is now available. The Conference was convened to promote a national discussion about the conditions required to build a progressive Kenya and included wide-ranging discussions on the implementation of the Constitution, building a united and cohesive society, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and establishing enduring institutions. The Report shows that Kenyans are optimistic about their future but also realistic about the challenges ahead.

The Report describes how, throughout the Conference, Kenyans from all walks of life agreed that there can no longer be ‘business as usual’ when it comes to leadership, integrity and accountability in Kenya. Leaders are elected to deliver on the needs and aspirations of all the people and the Constitution alone cannot change society. It is the collective responsibility of all Kenyans to ensure that the Constitution becomes a living reality and that it is upheld, protected and respected. The Report identifies Inequality and Negative Ethnicity as two of the biggest obstacles to forging ‘One Kenya, One People.’ Nearly four years after the traumatic events that followed the last general election, there is still a great deal of national healing and reconciliation to be done. The future stability and prosperity of the country depends on a strong and united society and it is critical that Kenyans continue the dialogue on building a progressive Kenya. 

 Link | Report

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

In January 2012 numerous events were held throughout Sweden to mark the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating not only the millions of victims of the tragedy of the Holocaust, but also the courage of Raoul Wallenberg, born 100 years ago this year, who saved the lives of thousands of Jews during the war.

In an address to the Swedish Parliament on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Mr. Annan honoured victims of the tragedy and underlined our collective responsibility to prevent future acts of genocide. He celebrated the heroic acts of Raoul Wallenberg whose “achievements stand as a testament to the difference we can make.  They show us that, as individuals, we are not powerless against evil.”

He added that preventing future acts of genocide is crucial and that society needs to “educate our own children, both about lessons of the past and about the challenges of forging a strong, common humanity in the future.” Mr. Annan concluded that we should learn from Raoul Wallenberg’s acts and recommended we “resolve to mirror his courage and moral conscience.”

Link | Speech 

Photograph | Bo Ljungblom

Remembering Raoul Wallenberg

At the invitation of the Living History Forum, Mr. Annan also delivered an address at a poignant candle-lit ceremony held in Raoul Wallenberg Square in Stockholm for the International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January 2012. In the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Daniel of Sweden, the Swedish Prime Minister Mr. Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden, Holocaust survivors, Members of Parliament, foreign ambassadors, students, and the public, Mr. Annan celebrated the courage and selflessness of Raoul Wallenberg, reminding us that:

"The experiences of the past teach us that indifference, the false belief that one need not worry about injustice against someone else, is actually injustice's greatest ally. Raoul Wallenberg's legacy is that each of us now know we have the power to hold back the tide of injustice, instead of standing in silent witness until it engulfs us all.”

The ceremony closed with the oratorio The Righteous by Boris Borisov and Robert Neufeldt, written in memory of Raoul Wallenberg.

Link | Speech

Photograph | Bo Ljungblom

Prevention, promotion and protection: our shared responsibility

On 24 April Kofi Annan delivered a keynote speech at an international event organised by Lund University and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute to mark the centenary of the birth of Raoul Wallenberg entitled: “Implementing Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law – the Individual Responsibility.” 

In his address Mr. Annan called for increased efforts to prevent and end armed conflict and protect civilian lives when conflict breaks out: “Preventive and consistent diplomacy must become the normal, not the exceptional, response to human rights crises that threaten to erupt into civil war.” He also stressed the value of unified dialogue: “When the international community speaks with one voice and moves swiftly to make clear its demands for a peaceful solution and negotiated transfers of power, then much can be achieved.” He urged increased efforts to find peaceful solutions, warning that military action, even under the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect, must be a last resort. Instead he advocated strengthening and employing measures “short of the use of force” including sanctions and measures to combat impunity.

Mr. Annan also encouraged the deployment of international human rights monitors: "These monitors are the eyes and ears of the international community, reporting authoritatively on the situation with a link back to enforcement bodies, including the Security Council. But they can do much more."

He concluded with an appeal to the audience to speak out against injustice and stand up in defence of the marginalised within their own communities.

During his time in Stockholm, Mr. Annan held discussions with Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Bildt and Minister for International Development Cooperation, Mrs. Gunilla Carlsson. 

Link | Speech

Photograph | Mikael Ohlsson, Raoul Wallenberg Institute

Syria

On 23 February 2012, more than one year since the start of the Syrian uprising, Kofi Annan was appointed Joint Special Envoy (JSE) by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.

Kofi Annan’s task is to lead the development of a political response to the crisis in Syria.  He is working closely with the international community and all stakeholders to end the bloodshed, human rights violations and humanitarian crisis; and to facilitate a peaceful Syrian-led and inclusive political dialogue between the government and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition to meet the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people.

Annan’s six-point proposal includes a commitment to political negotiations, a UN-supervised ceasefire, guaranteed humanitarian access, the release of detainees, freedom of movement for foreign media and respect for the right to peaceful demonstrations. The plan was adopted unanimously by the Security Council and the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) was subsequently established on 21 April 2012.  

As part of the JSE’s six-point proposal, UNSMIS is designed to end the escalating conflict. The new Mission is set up for an initial 90-day period, is to comprise up to 300 unarmed military observers as well as an appropriate civilian component to monitor a cessation of armed violence “in all its forms by all parties” as well as the full implementation of the six-point proposal.

Recognising that Mr. Annan’s assignment was of crucial importance to help prevent further bloodshed, and a slide to full-scale civil war, the Foundation provided him with start-up capabilities and resources to support this assignment. 

Regrettably, calls for government and rebel forces to put down their weapons have so far gone unheeded and violence in Syria remains at unacceptable levels. But Mr. Annan's six-point peace plan remains the only viable option on the table and the last remaining chance to stabilize the country.

Partnerships

The Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security

The Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security, jointly created in 2010 by International IDEA and the Kofi Annan Foundation, held its third meeting in Stockholm on 21 April 2012.

The Commission reviewed international actions to promote and protect the integrity of elections and discussed various proposals to strengthen responses to flawed elections.  Commission Members also examined international election observation as an instrument for promoting and protecting electoral integrity and discussed issues surrounding democratic capacity building.

The fourth and final meeting of the Commission is scheduled to be held in Geneva in early July and will be followed by the launch of its final Report in September 2012.

Organised Crime and Drug Trafficking in West Africa

On April 18-20, the Foundation, in partnership with the Centre on International Cooperation at NYU, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, and the Intergovernmental Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), with the support of the Open Society Institute, organised a workshop in Dakar, Senegal, to assess the Impact of Organised Crime and Drug Trafficking on Governance, Security and Development in West Africa.

In recent years, the trans-shipment of illicit narcotics from Latin America through West Africa to Europe and North America has increased significantly, leading to higher levels of drug consumption in the transit countries, and posing a serious and growing threat to the peace, stability and health of a region emerging from decades of violent strife.

Over the course of three days, 50 experts from West Africa, Latin America, North America and Europe, with partners from the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met to review and discuss the implications and impact of drug trafficking on governance, security and the economic and social development of the region.

Participants identified important gaps in knowledge, technical capacity, and political engagement to address the threat, and identified several key areas for further action. These include stronger commitment by political leaders, greater involvement of civil society, expanded operational research, and promotion of regionally based solutions with the support of international partners.

They recommended that a regionally-led and independent high-level body or group of “champions” should be set up to mobilize widespread political and public opinion on the immediate and long term dangers posed by drug trafficking and organised crime in West Africa.

Quarterly Highlights

Sharing experiences on conflict resolution

Mr. Annan addressed a group of Sciences-Po students who were enrolled in a seminar on conflict resolution as they paid a visit to a number of international organisations in Geneva. During the session, Mr. Annan shared his personal experiences of conflict resolution and had a lively exchange with the group. 

The Collected Papers of Kofi Annan

The City College of New York (CCNY) and Yale University, with the cooperation of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and the UN Archives and Records Management Section, recently completed a joint project of compiling The Collected Papers of Kofi Annan. The five volumes are the culmination of an eight year project, led by Professor Jean Krasno, to make the official papers of Secretary-General Kofi Annan accessible to students, scholars and policymakers. The collection brings together thousands of select papers from Mr. Annan's tenure, including speeches, reports, interviews, off-the-cuff comments, correspondence, statements to the press and internal notes. The documents have been compiled chronologically to present a picture of the 10 years of activity of Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

New Swedish stamp honours Raoul Wallenberg

Raoul Wallenberg saved tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews from the Holocaust by issung protective passports and creating a network of "safe houses" in Budapest.  Throughout 2012, the centenary of his birth, events and activities are being held internationally in honour of his heroic acts and a new Swedish stamp was issued on 10 May 2012 in memory of the contribution Raoul Wallenberg made to Sweden and the world. In the accompanying text to the stamp, Mr. Annan reminds us that: "Genocide begins with the humiliation of one man, not because of what he has done, but because of who he is.  Let Raoul's example guide us in our daily lives and help us stand up against injustice and not be passive bystanders."

Link | Stamp Text

Looking Ahead… Summer 2012

Summer 2012

The Summer edition of the newsletter will include a report on the Caritas International Congress on the fight against global hunger, the inaugural Cartooning for Peace International Award and the final meeting of the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security.

As always, in our constant effort to improve our newsletter and make the next issue better than the one before, we welcome your comments and suggestions.

Kofi Annan Foundation, PO BOX 157, 1211, Geneva 20