2006 World Citizen Essay Contest

Food Enough for All
by Steven Parks
View Ridge Elementary, Everett
Fifth Grade

Imagine that you are a small child growing up in Sudan, where the world around you is an upside down place. Your father has already passed away, and your mother is barely making enough to keep you alive. As you awaken one morning, you find your mother lying still on the dirt floor. Your only hope of surviving has been ruined. You are now alone in the world with no one to feed, or take care of you. Now imagine this happening to hundreds of millions of other children.

As a representative from the United States of America my duty is to address this issue of world hunger. The challenge facing our country is carrying the burden of helping all these hungry people. They are men, women, and children. They are refugees from Africa, beggars from Peru, farmers in Indonesia, and barrio dwellers in Mexico City. About 40% of the hungry people in the world are children, the others are mostly women. They are frequently illiterate, unhealthy, and without any political power. Life expectancy for them is much shorter than that of citizens in developed countries. They are craving for food and struggling to live. We need to recognize our own personal power and take responsibility for this planet, we need to understand what needs to be done, and do it.

Hunger is a relentless killer. It quietly exacts its toll on the most vulnerable: small children, and the sick. James P. Grant calls it the “silent emergency.” In a terrible earthquake in Algeria, 12,000 people died. It made the headlines of every newspaper, yet that same day, 35,000 small children died of hunger. Within hours, everyone knew about the earthquake, but the story of starvation went unheard.

Since 2004, the number of hungry people has risen by 10,000,000. Now, more than 852,000,000 are starving. The Great Hunger Belt contains a full 50% of the world’s hungriest people in just 5 countries: India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Every 24 hours 35,000 people die as a result of hunger. In fact, more people have died from hunger in the last 2 years, than who were killed in WWI and WWII combined!

Overpopulation is a major problem which contributes to world hunger. In 1983, there were 4.7 billion people in the world. Now there are over 6.5 billion people. Even though the numbers are staggering, the crisis is solvable. Although population control is possible, some religions have objections. For example, the Bible says “Be fruitful and multiply.” Some Catholics believe that using devices to prevent pregnancy is against God’s wishes. Other objections are economic. Nations see themselves in competition with other nations, and they believe that shrinking the population will give them less military and financial strength. Others have political objections and worry that focusing on population problems takes attention away from “real” causes of human suffering: repressive governments and political and economic injustice. Still, the majority of people agree that ending world hunger is a global priority.

Other causes of hunger include insufficient growing lands and not enough income to purchase food. The average African family income is approaching 1/20th of the average European family income. Poverty plays a major roll in world hunger. There is extremely unequal income and food distribution among the poor. The effects of these causes are that one out of ten households live with hunger. Even though different groups disagree and have different points of view, we can all help end world hunger. Causes of extreme hunger and malnutrition are very complicated, but there are solutions.

Many people are already working to end starvation. Organizations such as ELCA World Hunger, Bread for The World, and the One Campaign are all contributing to this global issue. Many Churches around the Country are also helping by sharing offerings and giving to these organizations. Oxfam America and The One Campaign have been working together to find answers for world hunger on the world market. They have made progress in the last couple years. Some solutions include rewriting the United States and European Union Agriculture Policies, so that subsidized mega farms can sell cheaply their excess crops on the world market. Another idea is giving poor countries access to the markets of developed countries. Poor countries could create intercontinental trade agreements that reduce poverty in developing countries, and allow them to build up their economies while protecting their food supply. Finally, we should help nations with hunger create a democratic government so that the hungry have a voice in their own countries.

The United Nations Development Program estimates that the basic health and nutrition needs of the world’s poorest countries could be met for an additional $13 billion a year. That’s less than half of what we will spend on the war in Iraq this year. Americans and Europeans spend more than that on pet food annually! Imagine what would happen if people matched what they spend on dogs and cats in giving toward meeting the basic health needs of the world’s poorest nations. I propose that the developed countries of the world join the United States and contribute a percentage of our national budgets towards solving world hunger.

Hunger is an immense problem. However, we can resolve it on our planet by the end of the century. In Sudan, a small orphan is living in an upside down world. If we work together and put our hearts and minds to it, we can turn that world right side up.

back to top

-

If I was the Minister of Women's Affairs for Uganda
by Jessica Markowitz
Montlake Elementary School, Seattle
Fifth Grade

I’m a diplomat from Uganda. I would like to address the issue of children soldiers. Child abuse is one of the worst crimes of humanity. The protection of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is of utmost important for all nations. We must value the life of a child here in Uganda, in Africa and throughout the world. I’m requesting we come together as a unified force to end all violence afflicting children across the globe.

Many of our citizens are suffering from this terrible crisis. As a mother and diplomat representing the nation of Uganda I want to make sure to put an end to this horrible situation. War is a terrible thing for our children and all children across the world. Children are so precious and should be our first priority. They should be nurtured and cared for not brainwashed and given the choice “kill or be killed”. We all have a responsibility to care for our youth and provide them with a safe environment. There are children as young as 6 or 7 years old forced to carry AK-47s and fight their fellow country mates. Many children are being abducted and killed. Many were forced to witness their parents, friends, or siblings be killed. Many young girls were raped and severely hurt. Terror and violence has become a way of life. Often the children leave their homes to seek safety in shelters. They end up sleeping in a room with lots of other children or end up sleeping in the street. Starvation and hunger cause some children to depend on scraps and beg for food. This conflict has been on going for 19 years where 20,000 children have been abducted, 12,000 of them since 2002. The numbers are astounding; 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes which include 80% women and children. This is all because we as Ugandans haven’t learned to live side by side with each other. Rebel groups have been fighting the Government without any respect for the law and the innocent pay the price.

I recently spent time in Gulu at one of the displaced persons camp. There are so many beautiful children who expressed and shared their dreams. They asked me if they could return back to their homes. They asked if they could go to school, play sports and feel safe with their families. I promised them I would do my best to fulfill their wishes. One young boy told me his brother was killed by the rebels and he started crying. This broke my heart. I was once again reminded of our common humanity and how we must take care of all the world’s children. Most of us in Uganda and the world at large have not paid enough attention to the most innocent in our society. Child abuse happens world wide in many ways. We could raise awareness so that more people will care and take action. I would suggest for young people in the West to start a campaign to raise money by doing car washes, bake sales, concerts, parties, and sharing personal stories.

I feel a heavy heart for the future of Uganda and children suffering anywhere in the world unless we come together and stop these atrocities. The first step is to ask the world to start focusing on the most troubled regions through the help of the United Nations. The Congo, Darfur in Sudan, and of course Northern Uganda. This requires many actions such as increasing the United Nations Peace Forces. The United Nations needs to make this a priority and work with the African Governments to negotiate a peace treaty with the rebels. Once a deal is worked out they need to remain involved to see the citizens are benefiting from the peace treaty, especially the children.

Some examples of what can be done:
• Reunited the families torn apart
• Create better living conditions for the families most affected by the conflict
• Ask other African leaders to assist in creating a system of healing like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa
• Coordinate special help for the children suffering from sadness

The future of the children of Uganda is at stake. We can show the world we cherish and will do what ever it takes to provide the best for all our children. We can spread the message to the world so that all children can go to sleep at night with sweet dreams.

back to top

-

I am a young American diplomat representing the country of Brazil. I am here to speak for the Amazon rainforest. “I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues,” said the Lorax in the famous Dr. Seuss book.

Many of us in our comfortable homes do not understand how the destruction of rainforests affects the entire world. Let’s look at just one example: rainforest trees are the greatest source of air that we can breathe. More than 20% of the world’s oxygen is produced in the Amazon rainforest. Trees convert poisonous carbon dioxide into clean breathable air. But we have already cut down over half of the world’s rainforest. Each second of each day, more than an acre and a half is lost, according to Rainforest Action Network. If this continues, all the rainforests will be destroyed by the year 2060.

Why is the rainforest being destroyed? Governments, logging companies, and land owners don’t believe the land is valuable except for its timber. They are driven only by their desire for wealth. They don’t care that 50,000 species of plants, insects, and animals are destroyed each year. For example, in the West, 25% of our medicines come from rainforest ingredients, yet we have only tested 1% of all the plants in the rainforest. Imagine if we had the opportunity to test all the plants before they were destroyed, we could cure so many diseases. The National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants that fight cancer. Seventy percent of these plants come from the rainforest. Destroying the rainforest wipes out our chance to know about these plants. When a medicine man dies without sharing his knowledge, the world loses thousands of years of information about medicinal plants. This knowledge could have helped cure diseases around the world.

The demand for cheap beef is another reason the rainforest is being destroyed. Grazing one steer takes two full acres of land; one hamburger patty alone needs 600 gallons of water to produce it!! Ranchers who cut down trees for grazing cattle get extra help called tax shelters from the government, so they make even more money. But in a few years, these cattle ranches fail because the soil becomes so poor that more rainforest land must be cleared.

What is the solution? Countries do need money to pay off their debts, companies and businesses need to make money, and so do settlers and squatters. The only solution is to harvest plants, fruits, nuts, oils, rubber, chocolate, coffee and other resources in a way that is sustainable--that means that the plants produce year after year. For example, experts say timber earns $400 per acre, but sustainable resources provide $2,400 per acre--that’s six times as much money! Native people can support themselves by harvesting these plants, and they are now earning five times more money than chopping down trees.

People in positions of power must be educated to understand the serious problems that come with destroying the rainforest. The most difficult task is to get governments, companies, and individuals to give up their greediness. Laws need to be made to prevent companies from demolishing the land. Governments must stop giving tax relief to companies that destroy the rainforests. The richer countries such as the US, Japan, Great Britain, Belgium, etc. must stop wasting resources because this leads to destroying resources in the rainforest countries.

Every person needs to be educated about the ways they can make a difference. People must be encouraged to buy sustainable and renewable rainforest products. They can purchase, for example, shade grown coffee that doesn’t require trees to be cut down. They can learn on the internet about the many sustainable rainforest products that can be easily purchased. People must avoid purchasing animal skins, furniture made from rainforest wood, and other products like disposable chopsticks and rainforest pencils. It is easy to teach people to recognize pencils made of rainforest wood because of their white color. People should also protest to companies who destroy the rainforest. For example, Burger King stopped using beef from rainforest land when protesters wrote objecting to this.

Even children can be a part of the solution. When I was 7 years old, I donated the money I earned playing my violin on the street to Rainforest Action Network. Everyone must be educated about taking responsibility for the earth. Every action we take will count towards saving the rainforest and our earth from further destruction.

back to top

-

A Plea for UN/NATO Intervention in Chad and Darfur
by Eric Lombardo
The Northwest School, Seattle
Eighth Grade

Over the past century, the world has repeatedly witnessed the committing of a crime of monumental proportions: genocide. From the Armenians in the First World War, to the Holocaust, to Cambodia, Rwanda and others, the global community has again and again shaken its head and sworn to never again let this happen. And yet every time this crime occurs, the global community takes little or no action to stop it. In 1948 the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was proposed, and took effect in 1951, and yet when genocide occurs, the world stands by and lets it take place. Currently in the western region of Sudan, called Darfur, the Sudanese government is killing, raping and destroying the people of this province. The Sudanese are accomplishing this through the militia group, the Janjaweed. Through their trail of blood, the Janjaweed are driving refugees into countries which share a boarder with Sudan. Foremost among these is my country Chad, which, to date, has received and is harboring more than 2 million Darfurian refugees. As a representative of the Chadian government, I implore the world community to take action against these Janjaweed, and restore order to Darfur, and thereby fulfill your responsibilities under the Genocide Convention.

The UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was intended to prevent the extermination and/or mass transfer of peoples of a certain ethnic group. Under the laws of the convention, countries who signed must:

1) Agree that genocide inflicts great losses upon the world.

2) Agree that whether in war or peace, genocide is a crime which shall be punished by the world community.

3) Agree that genocide shall be recognized by the action of one or more of the following acts taking place against a certain recognizable group, whether ethnic, religious or some other:

A. “Killing members of the group;

B. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

C. Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;

D. Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

E. Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.”

Since the original Genocide Convention, many following resolutions have reconfirmed and updated this resolution. As recently as last September, a UN summit recognized the “responsibility to protect” the civilian populations of countries whose “national authorities [are] manifestly failing to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.”

Since early 2003, the Janjaweed militias have been attacking and burning villages throughout Darfur, maiming, raping and killing as they go. The Janjaweed are nomadic Arab raiders supported financially by the Sudanese government, which pays for the weapons, jeeps and recruitment of the men. Their visible objective thus far is to destroy the black African tribes of Darfur, whether destroying the villages and killing all of the males and children and raping the women, or simply driving the natives away. To date, an estimated 400,000 people have been killed and every day this number grows. Among the numerous practices of the Janjaweed is that of rape, the purpose of which is to dishonor the women and their families, making it harder for them to marry, and to “ethnically cleanse” the bloodline, a tactic also used in the Bosnian war. The Janjaweed also burn crops and homes, to make a return to their village impossible for the Darfurian refugees. The Sudanese government has so far done nothing to stop this. They deny accusations that they support the Janjaweed, and yet, there have been sightings of Sudanese military helicopters strafing tribal villages. Now, in recent months, the Janjaweed have been moving into Chad, and have continued their terrorism in this country, attacking both refugee camps and our own villages. My government lacks the adequate resources to successfully repel these attacks on our country.

We believe that what is taking place in Darfur and in part of our country is clearly genocide. We are watching as the Arab Janjaweed murder the members of black African tribes on both sides of the boarder. We watch as they maim members of these tribes with gun shots to the foot, stomach, leg or other parts of the body, and we see them beat children to death in front of their mothers. They burn crops, making the villages unable to survive, and risking famine; and we watch as, at the refugee camps, only women exit the camps to plant crops, even with the constant risk of rape, because if the men leave, they will be killed. What we are witnessing is clearly defined in the Genocide Convention as genocide, through definitions A, B, and C. So where are all of the signatories to the convention? Two years ago, even Sudan signed the convention. The US, Britain and many other countries have signed the act, so why is so little happening? The largest action taken so far has been by the African Union, which sent 7,000 ill equipped troops into Sudan, to patrol an area of around 4,600sq miles (12,000sq kilometers). Now the UN is considering putting these troops under UN control, to make up roughly a third of the estimated number thought to be needed in Sudan.

We urgently implore the UN to enable the intervention of NATO in Darfur and Chad. We urge NATO to create a no-fly zone over Darfur, so to stop helicopter attacks, and to provide military guards to the refugee camps. We urge the countries of NATO to deploy armed troops of ample strength to curb and ultimately stop the Janjaweed attacks.

In the past, the world has watched and done nothing as genocide was committed. We have wrung our hands and been momentarily outraged, but done nothing. But now is the time to change that. Now we must stop this pattern of complacency and take action.

Works Consulted:

“Bring on the blue helmets.” The Economist Feb. 2006: 46.

Kristof, Nicholas D. “Africa’s Brutal Lebensraum.” New York Times Mar. 14 2006: Op-Ed

Kristof, Nicholas D. “The Genocide Spreads.” Online Video. Simon, Mike. Mar. 19
2006 <http://select.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2006/03/12/opinion/20060312
_KRISTOF_VIDEO.html?_r=1&oref=login>.

Kristof, Nicholas D. “The Silence of Bystanders.” New York Times Mar 14 2006: Op-Ed.

Prevent Genocide Internacional. Aug. 16 2005. Mar. 19 2006
<http://www.preventgenocide.org/law/convention/newparties.htm>.

Save Darfur. 2006. Mar. 19 2006 <http://savedarfur.org/go.php?q=home2.php>.
“The danger of war spilling over.” The Economist Mar. 2006: 41-42.

United Nations. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Convention of the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Dec. 9 1948. Mar. 19
2006 <http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/p_genoci.htm>.

back to top

-

The Downward Spiral
by Emma Schuster
Seattle Girls' School, Seattle
Seventh Grade

       If I was a diplomat from any country in the world and I had to choose an issue to bring to the United Nations for discussion, I would be from Zambia and my issue would be HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS is a disease that cannot only weaken an immune system, but it can weaken a whole country. Zambia has been one of the poorest countries in the world since the late 1970’s and HIV/AIDS worsened the situation. It has destroyed the healthcare system, the economy, and the families and people of Zambia. Billions of dollars have been invested in helping Zambia with HIV/AIDS, but in such a poor country with a crippled healthcare system more help and different strategies are needed.

In Zambia, approximately 20% of the adult population is infected with HIV/AIDS (as of January 2006). That is, approximately 1,205,005 people aged 15 and over are HIV positive. In 2003, eighty-nine thousand people died of AIDS. This can have devastating impact on the economy. The Zambia Business Coalition reports that 82% percent of known causes of employee deaths are HIV-related. HIV/AIDS infects people when they are in the peak of their working lives. When workers with proficiency and knowledge are infected with HIV/AIDS and fall ill not only does the country lose some of its best workers, but there are fewer people to help educate the next generation. When workers are lost during a critical economic time (like before planting or harvesting) it can be even worse. HIV/AIDS is a downward spiral; when the economy is failing costs rise, and to get extra money for food some people will turn to payment for unprotected sex, which will leave more people with HIV/AIDS.

In addition to the economy, HIV/AIDS also has a huge negative impact on the healthcare system of Zambia. With so many people in the hospital for HIV-related diseases, and with HIV/AIDS being so expensive to treat, there is much less funding for other conditions. Zambia’s healthcare system has been financially neglected for many years and is now close to collapse. Almost every healthcare facility has insufficient personnel, drugs, and/or equipment. Again, HIV/AIDS creates a downward spiral; it can destroy a country’s healthcare system and that makes it more likely people will die of AIDS.

HIV/AIDS also affects the people and families of Zambia. Over 630,000 children in Zambia are AIDS orphans. HIV/AIDS kills and weakens people who are often the providers for their family and when they fall ill or die their children are left to survive by themselves. Sometimes when the male head of household dies, his property is put up for grabs to his relatives. This leaves his wife and children with nothing. Not only can HIV/AIDS tear apart families, but there also is a certain shame brought on people suffering with HIV/AIDS. Since it is primarily sexually transmitted, people with HIV/AIDS are sometime thought to be immoral (especially women). They are social outcasts from their friends and family and made to feel guilty and inferior. This again causes a downward spiral: because there is such a stigma against HIV/AIDS, people who have it are less likely to admit they do and ask for treatment, which makes them more likely to die of HIV-related causes. Sometimes people are scared of getting protection against unsafe sex, because of the accusations they will face from their friends and family. This frequently contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

There have been billions of dollars invested in helping Zambia with HIV/AIDS, but more effective programs and more funding is needed. Funding should be used not only for drugs, but also for public education and protection and prevention programs. I think many of these programs should be specifically targeted to girls and women, because it impacts them most. One of the big problems in Zambia is the stigma facing victims of HIV/AIDS. If this could be ended then more people would ask for protection and treatment. This stigma can sometimes be so bad that hospitals refuse their patients drugs and treatment for AIDS. If there were separate HIV clinics this would ensure that HIV/AIDS victims could get the care they need and this would help the country’s healthcare situation, by making sure people with other conditions could get the help they need. Another solution involves addressing two of the root causes of this and many diseases: hunger and poverty. Although HIV/AIDS worsens these things, hunger and poverty are two big causes of HIV/AIDS. If more people (especially women) had more money then they wouldn’t have to resort to commercial sex, which is a main cause of HIV/AIDS. There is a saying among desperate women in Zambia: “AIDS may kill me in a few months or years, but hunger will kill me tomorrow.”

I think in order for effective solutions to be made we need to look through the eyes of one of these women. Only then can AIDS be stopped. Zambia needs more funding and innovative programs for prevention, public education, and treatment of HIV/AIDS. But they also need support in stopping what is at the beginning of the spiral: hunger and poverty.

back to top

-

back to top

-

Villagers in Um Seifa, Sudan, toiled together for years to build a schoolhouse in hopes of educating their children. One week later, a militia came and burned their dream to the ground, leaving eight youth dead (Mild 1). Mass violence in the western Darfur region of Sudan is not only ravaging Sudan, but is threatening to spread into neighboring countries, such as Chad. As an ambassador from this war-torn nation, I find it crucial to increase global awareness of this human rights crisis because the international community possesses the resources and abilities to eradicate this war. However, a naïve, careless approach will merely exacerbate this complex problem. To represent my country most effectively, I will discuss the history of this conflict, some possible methods to resolve it, and the tremendous implications of such an effort.

Sudanese citizens are too familiar with strife and tragedy, but the current conflict is a thorn in their development. Since independence in 1953, two bloody civil wars between religious and ethnic factions stalled economic progress and displaced millions. Finally, the twenty-one year civil war between the north and south ended when both sides signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement on January 9, 2005, that created an interim government. After the peace accords, unfortunately, the feud in western Sudan continued to intensify. Rebel groups consisting of non-Arab black Muslims pursued political power, and the government responded by arming an Arab militia, known as the janjaweed, to contain this threat by destroying towns and raping and killing their inhabitants. Since 2003, it is estimated that over 300,000 have been killed and over 2,000,000 displaced from their homes. The tension is not a fundamental difference in ideology (both sides are Muslim), but rather a mounting frustration with intolerance and poverty. The United Nations Security Council has passed a variety of separate resolutions aimed at scaling back the janjaweed and creating aid missions. Furthermore, the African Union delegated approximately 7,000 peacekeeping agents to the region. Despite these attempts, the oppression and horror still exists. Understanding this factual foundation of the crisis is critical to developing a logical solution. I propose immediate action to remove this conflict hindering modernization and ethnic relations, but it requires an attainable, multilateral peacekeeping and reconstruction movement.

I am advocating a comprehensive, realistic plan to obtain peace in Darfur and then rebuild Sudan into a stable country with political freedom and a role in the world economy. First, the United Nations and NATO have expressed willingness to take a more salient role in policing the region, but the Sudanese government has been decidedly unreceptive to such an idea, saying that it fears re-colonization and a Western takeover. Heeding their trepidation, the UN and NATO should now strengthen the African Union’s presence in the region. They must consistently replenish the AU’s funds, train peacekeeping agents, and enhance security vehicles and self-defense equipment so that aid workers can simultaneously feel secure and help mediate the conflict. The AU must then verbalize serious consequences and losses of power for the current Sudanese government unless it disarms the janjaweed. Second, all financially able governments should donate money to focus on building schools and educating teachers. An education system that increases the current 35-40% rate of schooling and 61% literacy rate would subsequently promote reconciliation and amity between ethnic groups. They will soon realize that they are more alike than different and education will supplant aggression as a healthy channel to achieve their goals. Third, the United States and Western Europe should include Sudan in global supply chains and help stimulate the industrial sector of Sudan’s economy. Already, there is a fledgling automobile industry, and with new factories and training schools, it can proliferate into new areas of industrial production. In this age of globalization, economic interdependence and mutually vested interests are the key to preventing wars. There needs to be an incentive to work together, so that jealousy and frustration are dispelled as the standard of living is increased for everyone. With sincere determination and honest attempts to understand and assuage the root of the conflict, Darfur and Sudan can be transformed, and the positive effects of such a transformation would set an international precedent.

A compassionate movement to establish peace and enhance Sudan’s economy would benefit everyone. It will be a paradigm for the new potential in Africa during the twenty-first century. Economically, it can set an example for other nations in the region to benefit from oil resources without having a strict hierarchy and dictatorial leaders. Other nations will mimic Sudan’s reforms, constructing similar schools and melding a profitable balance between agricultural and industrial economies. Tribal and ethnic differences certainly will not dissolve overnight, but if the prospect of another civil war stands as an unappealing alternative to stability and democracy, then the chances of insurrection will shrink dramatically. As an integral component of this shift, the United States can rebuild its reputation in the Middle East and Northern Africa by conveying that it is not just concerned with exploiting oil or forcing Western culture upon Arabs and Africans. Instead, Sudan’s rich history and traditions, when combined with modern health care, education, and security, will pave the road to prosperity.

As an ambassador from Sudan, I believe one of the most tragic aspects of the Darfur crisis is that it is preventable. I intend to ignite empathy for this neglected region of the world by simply exposing the facts. Moreover, my goal is to employ the capabilities of the twenty-first century for good rather than evil. During the mid-1990’s, genocide erupted in Rwanda, but the world shamefully ignored the desperate calls for help. This time, the opportunity to aid is equally urgent. Let our empathy extend beyond the boundaries of our nation, and let us seek a stable economy, a transparent government, and a replenished hope in villages like Um Seifa. Indeed, it will take determination, patience, and understanding, but it will be well worth the effort.

Works Consulted:

“Background Note: Sudan.” Bureau of African Affairs. January 2006. State Department. 12 March 2006 <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5424.htm>. pp.1-16

Friedman, Thomas L. The World is Flat. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005. pp.309-338, 414-440.

Irin. “Government says no to international troops in Darfur.” AfricaFiles. 23 Feb. 2006. 12 Mar. 2006.<http://www.africafiles.org>. pp.1-2.

“It’ll do what it can get away with.” The Economist On-Line. 1 Dec. 2005. 8 Mar. 2006 <http://www.economist.com/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=5246599> pp.1-5

“Mild rebukes for Darfur’s killers.” The Economist On-Line. 31 Mar. 2005. 12 Mar. 2006 <http://www.economist.com/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=3819186> pp.1-3

“Never say never again.” The Economist On-Line.” 23 Feb. 2006. 10 Mar. 2006 <http://www.economist.com/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=5548133>. pp.1-2.

 

back to top

-

      In the fall of 2005, Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published 12 religious depictions of Muhammad with links of terrorism intending to test the limits of free speech and tolerance. The newspaper’s editor printed, “The cartoons were a test of whether the threat of Islamic terrorism had limited the freedom of expression in Denmark.” (1) These offensive images were allowed to be printed though the freedoms of Danish citizens and have offended Muslim nations. As the diplomat for Denmark, I wish to reconcile the relationship between Denmark and Muslim nations while maintaining my position on freedom of speech and religion.

The Danish society has long valued freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Islam is the second largest religion in our country and we regret the pain the cartoons have caused Muslims worldwide. We respect and appreciate Islam and their contributions to Danish society. All Danish citizens are protected by Section 70 of the Danish Constitution, which states, “ no person shall for reasons of his creed or descent be deprived of access to complete enjoyment of his civic and political rights, nor shall he for such reasons evade compliance with any common civic duty. (2) We encourage Danish citizens to respect other religions and revered figures by not misusing the freedom given to them by the Constitution.

The Danish government also upholds the freedom of the independent press Jyllands-Posten, to publish these cartoons. In Section 77 of the Danish Constitution under freedom of speech, it states “ Any person shall be entitled to publish his thoughts in printing, in writing, and in speech, provided that he may be held answerable in a court of justice. Censorship and other preventive measures shall never be introduced.” (3) This issue is important because it tested the limits of freedom of speech and how a country must defend this right for its citizens. Although Islamic law does not agree with this freedom, Muslims are asked to respect it because Western nations stand by their freedom. In the words of the French enlightenment philosopher Voltaire, “ I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” (4)

There are several ways to address this controversial problem. The first option is to resolve this tension is to discuss with Muslims and apologize on behalf of Denmark for those who have taken offence. Danish representatives and Islamic representatives should meet and discuss the matter and start a reconciliatory process. Denmark will consider Muslim requests but maintains its position on freedom of speech. This will improve the relationship between Denmark and Muslim nations, which will help end the violence and boycotts caused by the cartoons.

The second option is to stand by freedom of speech and not acknowledge that a wrong has been done and fix the controversy. By remaining impartial, Denmark will allow time to fix the problem and hopefully relationships will repair themselves. The last option is to ban the cartoons and hide their existence. This would possibly mend the relationship between Denmark and Islamic countries because the countries will see that Denmark has agreed to their needs.

As the esteemed Dutch philosopher Desideius Erasmus said, “ Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.” (5) Erasmus would find that by bringing the controversial cartoons out into the public eyes, the public is able to judge and see the cartoons for what they are. Although the cartoons are offensive, we believe Denmark should not ban or hide the cartoons because that will only give the cartoons more power. Erasmus brings a good point and shows that the third solution is not beneficial for Denmark.

Denmark has tried the second option with little success. By being impartial it led to Islamic countries demanding an apology from the Danish government and closing their embassies in Denmark to protest the government’s refusal to comment on the cartoons. An international organization of Muslim intellectuals from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Middle East countries organized a boycott of Danish and Norwegian products because of the cartoons. Denmark’s refusal to comment caused Islamic nations to become violent and did not fix the relationship.

The first solution would be the best for both countries because Denmark and Muslim nations partnership, because trade might be fixed. While in the other two solutions, trade was negatively affected. The second solution caused Islamic groups to demand legal punishment for those responsible for the cartoons and protested worldwide. The peaceful protests turned violent when Danish embassies in Syria and Beirut were set on fire. Demonstrators have been killed and injured during these protests. Many Islamic countries have suffered human loses during the protests and attacks. Denmark has apologized for the hurt sentiments of Muslims and desires to continue their once friendly relationship after a solution has been found.

Although Denmark wishes to mend its relationship with the Muslim World, Denmark does not tolerate or deserve the treatment it has received from protesting Muslims. The government of Denmark did not intend to ridicule or cause blasphemy to anyone and the paper has apologized for any offence it has caused. However, we still maintain the right to print these cartoons under Danish law and are protected under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Although we recognize that people are upset, Denmark does not believe it warrants a violent response. We do not want to discriminate or provoke hate towards Muslims and guarantee that Muslims can freely practice their religion without being provoked or discriminated against. Denmark has great respect for our Muslim citizens and Muslims throughout the world. We are optimistic that we can come to an agreement.

Works Consulted:

(1) Belien, Paul. " Jihad Against Danish Newspaper." The Brussels Journal (2005): 7 pars. 10 Oct. 2005 <http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/382>.

(2) A Tschentscher. Denmark-Constitution. 5 June 1953. Denmark. <http://www.oefre.unibe.ch/law/icl/da00000_.html#S070_>.

(3) A Tschentscher. Denmark-Constitution. 5 June 1953. Denmark. <http://www.oefre.unibe.ch/law/icl/da00000_.html#S077_>.

(4) Chapman, Bill. “Voltaire wrote..." May 6 2002. Classroomtools.com
< www.classroomtools.com/voltaire.htm >.

(5) Erasmus, Desideius. “Quotes, Quotations and Daily Insights" 1984-04. Selftoself.com < http://self-to-self.com/quote.htm>.

back to top

-

Works Consulted:

Koerner, Brendan I. "Who Are the Janjaweed? – a Guide to the Sudanese Militiamen." Slate.Com. 19 July 2005. 19 Mar. 2006 <http://www.slate.com/id/2104210/>.

Phombeah, Gray. "Obituary: John Garang." BBC.com. 3 Aug. 2005. BBC News Website. 20 Mar. 2006
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2134220.stm>.

"Q&A: Crisis in Darfur." Hrw.Org. 10 Mar. 2006.Human Rights Watch. 19 Mar. 2006
<http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/05/05/darfur8536.htm>.

Reeves, Eric. "Our Most Revealing and Authoritative Portrait
of Genocide in Darfur." Genocidewatch.Org. 12 Jan. 2006. 19 Mar. 2006
<http://www.genocidewatch.org/
SudanOurmostrevealingandauthoritativeportraitofgenocideinDarfurJan06.htm>.

"The Roots of Conflict in Sudan." Ockenden.Org. 20 Mar. 2006.
Ockenden International. 20 Mar. 2006
<http://www.ockenden.org.uk/index.asp?id=793>.

"The Sudan Crisis." The Canadian Red Cross. 30 June 2005. 20 Mar. 2006
<http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=009518&tid=032>.

"UN News Centre." Un.Org. 19 Mar. 2006. The United Nations. 20 Mar. 2006
<http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?
infocusID=88&Body=Sudan&Body1>.

 

back to top