| . Background of the InterAction Council in English . |
|
The InterAction Council was established in 1983 as an independent international organization to mobilize the experience, energy and international contacts of a group of statesmen who have held the highest office in their own countries. Council members jointly develop recommendations on, and practical solutions for the political, economic and social problems confronting humanity.
The Council is unique in bringing together on a regular basis and in an informal setting more than thirty former heads of state or government - serving in their individual activities, the Council aims at fostering international cooperation and action in three principal areas:
From among these broad areas, the Council selects specific issues and develops proposals for action. The Council and its members then communicate these proposals directly to government leaders and other national decision-makers, heads of international organizations and influential individuals throughout the world.
Since 1983, the Council has held seventeen sessions:
At each session, the Council has adopted a brief final statement setting out specific proposals.
* * * * *
.In the elaboration of its substantive proposals, the Council draws on the advice of high-level experts. They participate in ad hoc groups convened to address specific issues. Such groups are always chaired by a Council member.
The following ad hoc groups have been convened by the InterAction Council:
Monetary,
Financial and Debt Issues
chaired by Helmut Schmidt (May 1984)
Increased Assistance to Least Developed Countries
chaired by Ola Ullsten (December 1984)
Military Expenditures by Developing Countries
chaired by Olusegun Obasanjo (March 1985)
Nuclear Armaments and Arms Control Issues
chaired by Jacques Chaban-Delmas (May 1985)
Interrelationship
between Population, Environment and Development
chaired by Takeo Fukuda (December 1985)
Unemployment
chaired by Jacques Chaban-Delmas (December 1985)
Arms Control
chaired by Olusegun Obasanjo (February 1987)
Consultative Meeting with Spiritual Leaders on Peace, Development, Population and the Environment
chaired by Takeo Fukuda (March 1987)
International
Debt Questions
chaired by Kurt Furgler (September 1987)
Global
Deforestation Trends
chaired by Ola Ullsten (January 1988)
Ecology and
Energy Options
chaired by Pierre Elliott Trudeau (April 1989)
Ecology and
the Global Economy
chaired by Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado (February 1990)
Global
Interdependence and National Sovereignty
chaired by Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo (March 1990)
Economies
in Transformation: Limitations and Potential of the Transition Process
chaired by Pierre Elliott Trudeau (April 1991)
The Role
of Central Banks in Globalized Financial Markets
chaired by Val?y Giscard d’Estaing (April 1991)
The Search
for Global Order: The Problems of Survival
chaired by Helmut Schmidt (January 1992)
Crisis
and Change in Latin America
chaired by Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo (February 1992)
Bringing
Africa Back to the Mainstream of the International System
chaired by Lord Callaghan of Cardiff (January 1993)
The
Lessons of the German Unification Process for Korea
chaired by Helmut Schmidt (February 1993)
The Future Role of the Global Multilateral Organisations
chaired by Andries van Agt (May 1994)
The Challenge to Balance Population Growth with Food Supply
chaired by Malcolm Fraser (April 1995)
In Search of Global
Ethical Standards
chaired by Helmut Schmidt (March 1996)
To Create a Stable
International Financial System
chaired by Kurt Furgler (March 1996)
Opportunities
and Risks of Globalization
chaired by Lord Callaghan of Cardiff (March 1997)
What should be the Elements of a Universal Declaration of Human
Responsibilities
chaired by Helmut Schmidt (April 1997)
Media and
Politics
chaired by Andries van Agt (April 1997)
Balance
and Perspectives of the Political, Economic and Social Situation in Latin America:
Progress, Difficulties and Challenges
chaired by Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado (February 1998)
Broader
Dissemination of the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities
chaired by Malcolm Fraser (March 1998)
The Insecurity of
International Money
by Helmut Schmidt and Malcolm Fraser (April 1999)
The Religious
Implications of the Middle East Peace Process
chaired by George Vassiliou (April / May 1999)
The InterAction Council has received financial support from both
governmental and private sources.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PROPOSALS BY THE INTERACTION COUNCIL
Over the years, the members of the InterAction Council have presented their joint proposals to Government leaders, decision-makers and opinion-leaders worldwide. This establishes regular channels of communication with most of the world’s leaders and allows Council members to exercise influence on a continuous basis.
Contacts have also been established with the summits of industrialized countries (Group of Seven), the European Community (EC), the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the Organization of American States (OAS), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Frontline States, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and with participants in various high-level gatherings in Latin America and other regions. Council members have also conveyed their proposals to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the heads of numerous international organizations, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the OECD, the Gulf Co-operation Council, the League of Arab States, the Islamic Conference, NATO, and the specialized agencies of the United Nations system. Regular contacts are also being maintained with several non-governmental organizations and leading personalities of the private sector.
The Council’s role as a disinterested non-actor in the complex field of international politics and relations has proved to be an asset, especially when it comes to the point of getting difficult and even unpopular suggestions across and accepted.
II. ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND IMPACT
1. Universal
Ethical Standards: Since 1987, the Council has focused on the concept of universal
ethical standards. Recognizing that cooperation with spiritual leaders is indispensable to
cope with the emerging global crisis, the Council arranged in March 1987 a consultative meeting bringing together, for the
first time, political leaders and spiritual leaders representing six major religions. This
endeavor brought about remarkable agreements, based on commonly shared ethical
foundations, on possible remedial approaches to major problems. These agreements have been
widely circulated to the political and religious communities of all denominations
throughout the world and have received widespread acclaim.
In 1995, the Council again convened religious thinkers to identify a set of universal ethical standards in the 21st
century. This initiative has led to the 1997
meeting on human responsibilities, which resulted in the Council's proposal for a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities. The
Declaration has become main subject of global debates.
2. The
search for global order -- the problems of survival: In 1992, the Council convened a
high-level group to examine the consequences of the end of the Cold War, in particular
aspects of the search for a new global order. This Group concentrated not only on the new
geostrategic power constellations, but also on how the globalization of international
markets and, especially, the emergence of new global challenges which are beginning to
become a menace to mankind -- population explosion, development and poverty, environmental
degradation, global warming, transborder population movements -- could be tackled by the
world community. At its Queretaro session in May 1992,
the Council called for a new set of rules to manage international relations and conflicts,
which requires new instruments and mechanisms for global governance.
The proposals of the Council have attracted wide and favorable comments from government
and political leaders. The proposals of the Council demonstrably had an impact on the
international discussion and several policy statements and initiatives. The deliberations
of the Council and its High-level Group are contained in a new publication entitled "The Search for Global Order."
In 1990, the Council had already held a high-level
meeting in Lisbon, which addressed the sharpening dichotomy between global
interdependence and national sovereignty. It suggested a redefined approach and framework
of action for a number of areas where the management of interdependence will have to
replace limited national decision-making and action, while upholding the principle of
subsidiarity.
In 1997, the Council analyzed the globalization
trend, identifying winners and losers and policy recommendation on addressing the
problems and difficulties created by globalized world economy.
3. Global
deforestation trends: In May 1988, the Council made public a program of action to
reverse global deforestation trends
and their dangers to the world's climate and ecosystems. In particular, the Council called
for the conclusion of a triad of global conventions including monitorable commitments: an
international forest convention; a climate change convention; and a convention on
preserving biodiversity. These and other suggestions have since been restated by numerous
international conferences, in particular during the preparatory phase for the Rio Earth
Summit.
As proposed by the Council, a European Forum for Forest Protection was established in June
1989 and held its first meeting in July 1990 in Stockholm. Equally, the recent
establishment of an independent commission on forests and development, to be headed by a
member of the Council, was stimulated by the activities of the InterAction Council
4. Ecology and energy options: In 1989, the Council presented proposals for new directions in energy policies,
sensitive to environmental and climate concerns, economic development and population
growth. To provide energy for a habitable world, a three-pronged approach was suggested:
in the short term, efficiency and conservation measures; in the medium term, a shift in
the mix of fossil fuels away from coal and oil to gas; in the long term, a massive
promotion of renewable energies. During the period of transition to a world without
excessive reliance on fossil fuels, nuclear energy will play a role.
The Council's program has had a significant influence on the preparations for the Rio
Earth Summit in 1992 as well as on other intergovernmental and non-governmental
conferences. The Council's call in 1992 for ecological and demographic self-discipline by
developing and industrialized countries was seen by many in the international community as
an important new concept, yet it remains largely still unheeded.
5. Ecology and the global economy: In 1990, the Council concluded that the
application of suitable economic instruments can make economic growth and environmental protection
compatible. The market mechanism and its related instruments -- such as prices, taxes,
leasable permits, charges, property rights -- were seen to provide both necessary signals
and incentives. The polluter-pays-principle was advocated as the point of departure for
policy development -- nationally, internationally and at the corporate level. Among
others, the Council suggested that a climate convention should incorporate binding
commitments for the reduction of emissions; until then major polluting countries should
associate in a climate protection club whose members would voluntarily observe agreed
emission targets. The Council also advocated policies providing for the internalization of
the costs of environmental degradation and pollution into public, corporate and private
decision-making, and for progressively lower targets for emissions and pollution
standards.
The international debate since then suggests that quite a number of the Council's
proposals have been accepted by many actors on the international scene and further
developed. For example, several industrialized countries announced targets for national CO2
emissions. In January 1991, the Council of Ministers of OECD adopted a decision on
"The Use of Economic Instruments in Environmental Policy" that largely reflected
the recommendations of the Council. No doubt, a full implementation of such measures is
bound to stretch over several years, if not decades.
6. The globalization of financial markets: In 1990, the Council began to focus on
the globalization of financial markets and its implicit dangers. It called on regulatory
authorities to reduce systemic risks through more stringent capital requirements for
lenders and improvements in settlement procedures. It also underlined the increasingly
important role to be played by independent and autonomous central banks.
Based on the recommendations of a High-level
Expert Group which the Council convened in 1991 to examine the specific role of
central banks in globalized financial markets, the Council recommended measures to reduce
the systemic risks inherent in the growing interconnection between domestic and
international capital markets. In particular, the Council called for the establishment of
an international regulatory authority and for central banks and supervisory authorities to
adopt a comprehensive approach to deal with the new global financial environment,
including streamlining of bank and non-bank financial intermediaries supervision and a
program for strengthening the payment and settlement systems. The Council perceived the
emergence of a tripolar international monetary system entailing a move from the current
Group of 7 to a Group of 3 (US dollar, yen and ECU) arrangement.
Ensuing debates bear out the timeliness and the relevance of the Council's proposals,
which were widely endorsed by the international financial community.
7. Economies in transformation limitations and potential of the transition process:
To devise a strategy tackling the challenges faced by the economies of Central and Eastern
Europe, the InterAction Council convened in 1991 a high-level expert group. Three key tasks
were identified for the transition process: appropriate macroeconomic stabilization
policies; introduction and guarantee of property rights; privatization and
commercialization of trade, industry and services. These should be accomplished against
the background of a mixed economic system with a vigorous private sector and a strong
public sector. The Council also urged dialogue between the OECD governments and the
countries in transformation, the financing of a massive assistance program of
infrastructure investment and for investment by private entrepreneurs from industrialized
countries.
The programmatic approach by the Council was explicitly recognized by the G-7 at its July
1992 summit in London. It has since proved to be right on target, especially in
pinpointing problems and possible solutions for countries undergoing the transition to a
market economy, especially in Eastern and Central Europe and Russia.
In 1996, another High-Level Expert Group Meeting
was convened to address the turbulent financial market. The Group has endorsed the concept
of a "target zone."
8. Proposals concerning international debt: It was the InterAction Council which first
stipulated in May 1984 that any solution to the
debt problem must be based on the principle of joint responsibility of all parties. It
emphasized that the debt problem could not be resolved in the short run and that
burden-sharing among all parties involved would be required. In October 1987 and at
subsequent sessions, the Council refined its comprehensive proposal on the management of the debt crisis.
Beginning with the annual IMF and World Bank meetings 1986 in Seoul, the strategy first
proposed by the Council -- especially the principle of joint responsibility -- have become
integral elements of all international efforts and blueprints to find a durable solution
to the debt crisis. The Council's proposals influenced substantially the Baker and Brady
proposals aimed at a mitigation of the debt crisis.
9. Crisis and change in Latin America: In 1992, the Council convened a High-level expert group in preparation of
its annual session to examine the situation in Latin America. It yielded a comprehensive
program of action, both by the Latin American countries individually and jointly and by
the international community, which will be discussed at the 1992 plenary meeting of the Council. One of the key
points identified was that poverty alleviation is a principal task for governments and
international organizations, not least to bolster the nascent democratic structures on the
continent.
Many leaders of Latin America have welcomed the Council's proposals and underlined their
timeliness and constructive spirit.
10. The situation on the Korean peninsula: Meeting
in Seoul in 1990, the Council discussed the situation in depth and urged the
governments of the two Koreas to take three specific action as a first step towards
peaceful unification:
a) The leaders of South and North Korea should agree to meet -- without
preconditions -- as soon as possible;
b) From a humanitarian point of view, both Governments should permit immediate
visits and unrestricted communications between members of separated families in South and
North Korea;
c) To enhance mutual confidence between the two Koreas, both Governments should
legalize travel by the citizens of the two Koreas to and from the South and the North.
These recommendations contributed considerably to the dialogue that commenced at the Prime
Ministerial level in 1991. The initial meetings concentrated on the three elements
suggested by the Council.
In 1993, the Council convened a High-level Group to examine the lessons of the German unification process for
Korea.
11. Proposals on strategic issues: At a time when the direct contacts and
communications between East and West were virtually non-existent, the Council made a
series of specific suggestions which subsequently became the subject of negotiation and
official policy positions. Such recommendations included:
a) Institutionalization of superpower summits: Since November 1983 -- when all
contacts at the political level between the United States and the Soviet Union were frozen
-- the Council repeatedly called for the initiation of annual summits between the
superpowers. Since 1985, a regular cycle of such summit meetings resumed.
b) Principles governing relations between superpowers: In April 1985, the Council
called on the superpowers to jointly state that they agree that nuclear war cannot be won
and should not be fought; that equilibrium should be sought at lower levels of armaments;
that they pursue equality rather than superiority of forces; that they respect each other
side's legitimate security interest; that less money should be spent on armaments; and
that stabilizing weapons should be preferred to destabilizing ones.
Go to the High-level Expert Group Meeting on
"Nuclear Armaments and Arms Control Issues,"
chaired by Mr. Jacques Chaban-Delmas
c) INF-zero option: In November 1983 and again in April 1986, the Council proposed
that the problem of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces should be treated separately,
preferably by a zero-zero solution on a global basis. This proposal was then reflected in
the US-USSR INF agreement of November 1987.
d) Strict adherence to the ABM Treaty: Since November 1985, the Council advocated
that the joint interpretation, full application and strict observance of the
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty was key to resolving the problem of strategic defense
programs. In late-1986, this approach became the centerpiece of bilateral and multilateral
negotiations to curb the arms race in outer space.
12. Bringing Africa back to the mainstream of the international system and the
situation in South Africa: In early 1993, the Council convened a High-level Group in Cape Town to deliberate
about ways to integrate Africa better into the international system thereby reversing the
decline and marginalization that has plagued the continents for too many years. The report
offers a comprehensive picture of the African situation and develops a series of
recommendations to uplift the situation, including moves toward democracy across the
continent, efforts to enhance sustainable economic development, approaches to engage the
international community, tackling issues affecting the survival of African societies (such
as humanitarian emergencies, conflict prevention and management), and dealing with
problems of population, health including HIV and AIDS and the role of women in society.
The Cape Town group also heard a series of briefings by senior South African politicians
on the situation in the country. The Group offered a
number of observations and recommendations pertaining to the political process, the
need to develop a culture of tolerance and the economic, social and developmental
challenges confronting South Africa.
In March 1988, the Council had already held in Harare a widely acclaimed hearing with
personalities from the region to allow an in-depth assessment of the situation at that
time.
Prior to that, the Council had developed a number of proposals aimed at a peaceful
solution to the complex conflicts in the Southern African region. For example, the
Council's recommendations of November 1985 and April 1986 found direct reflection in the
report of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group on South Africa, which was co-chaired by
two Council members.
13. Prevention of conflicts: In May 1991, before the internal armed conflict and
bloodshed started in Yugoslavia, the Council called on the member countries of Conference
on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), at its meeting later the same month, to
apply all possible means at its disposal, including, if appropriate, its dispute
conciliation procedure, to Yugoslavia immediately and to consider establishing an
independent commission of inquiry into the situation. Although that item was considered by
the CSCE Foreign Ministers, no action was taken in a timely and effective manner.
14. Population and Food Supply: Problems created by population explosion have been
a priority issue for the Council since its inception. The importance of family planning
was endorsed by representatives of the world's major religions in a meeting organized by the Council in 1987. In 1995,
the Council reiterated its necessity in relations to the world's long-term capacity to
supply funds.
|
COMMENTS FROM WORLD LEADERS
“I believe the paragraphs distilled over the last few years by the distinguished members of the InterAction Council under the Honorary Chairmanship of Helmut Schmidt are of the utmost significance today. I believe that the code of human rights and human responsibilities, as presented in the declaration of the InterAction Council, can serve as a guide to humanity.”
Lord Yehudi Menuhin
January 1998
“I fully support the principle that, just as people have rights, they also have responsibilities. It is an underlying theme of all my government’s policies that people must accept the responsibilities they have for their own lives, and also for others around them.”
Tony Blair
Prime Minister of the United Kindom
October 1997
“The search for universal ethical standards is something that should be of interest and benefit to all countries and as you have so aptly pointed out in your letter, Eastern civilizations have always attached primacy and importance to human obligations and responsibilities. Indeed these are the complemental aspects of human rights and also safeguards to ensure that liberty does not degenerate into license.”
Sheikh Hasina Wazed
Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
October 1997
“You understand that the objective of this common value system, which emphasizes the duty of all, is a crucial question in our continent where the situation is particularly dramatic. That is why I agree totally with you, that the sense of responsibilities must be given definite value and integrated in all societies.”
Henri Konan Bedie
President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire
October 1997
“I agree fully with your premise that with rights come responsibilities, and I share your commitment to non-violence, respect for life, justice, solidarity, truthfulness and tolerance.”
Kofi A. Annan
Secretary-General, United Nations
September 1997
“This [Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities] is a most interesting document, and one that raises a number important questions. I can assure you that it will be given close and careful consideration by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade during preparations for the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
Lloyd Axworthy
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada
October 1997
“I am pleased to tell you that strategies and policies of the Asian Development Bank are in harmony with the Council’s recommendations, particularly those regarding poverty reduction. We will continue to take these recommendations into account in further developing the Bank’s strategies and policies.”
Mitsuo Sato
President
Asian Development Bank
September 1996
“The problems analyzed by your Organisation are very important for the future of the world and, as you probably know, are also among the preoccupations of the Club of Rome.”
Bertrand Schneider
Secretary-General
The Club of Rome
August 1996
“The concerns of the Council on global ethical standards and a stable financial system are topical issues in view of globalisation caused by information technology. Without mechanisms to attend to the risks of globalisation, some countries will fail to cope up and to give their nationals a definitive path to a worthwhile development.”
Ng’andu Peter Magande
Secretary-General
African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States
August 1996
“On behalf of the Cameroon Government, I hereby state our adherence to the recommendation of the said session and do pledge our commitment to their implementation, in so far as they contribute immensely to further the course of peace and sustainable development of the mankind.”
Simon Achidi Achu
Prime Minister of Republic of Cameroon
August 1996
“ recommendations by the expert group “In Search of Global Ethical Standards” was of particular interest to me. The growing importance of international trade to our economy has brought about a heightened awareness of ethical issues within the Canadian business sector.”
Arthur C. Eggleton
Minister for International Trade of Canada
August 1996
“Both themes are of interest to me and I will certainly find the time to read the reports and see how the conclusions and recommendations of renowned former Heads of State and Government such as yourselves could be internalised into our own policies.”
Benjamin William Mkapa
President of the United Republic of Tanzania
July 1996
“Plusieurs des points souleves par le Conseil sont essentiels a l’amelioration de la situation sociale et economique a travers le monde. En raison de leurs repercussions profondes, les standards d’ethique et la stabilite du systeme financier comptent parmi les questions importantes auxquelles les dirigeants actuels doivent accorder une attention particuliere. Je suis persuade que les avis eclaires de groupes influents tels que votre ne peuvent manquer de faire impact sur leurs choix strategiques et leurs decisions quotidiennes.”
Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada
July 1996
“I was particularly taken by the high-level participation at the Council’s conference and trust that the noble goals espoused by the InterAction Council will be an inspiration to Governments around the world.”
J.B. Bolger
Prime Minister of New Zealand
July 1996
I was most interested by your analysis of the international situation and by the reflections on global ethical standards and the creation of a stable international financial system and I agree with your conclusions in many respects.”
Helmut Kohl
Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
July 1996
I firmly believe that policy-makers responsible for improving both human and economic aspects of life of mankind with no other choice than to live together on our single planet Earth will be impressed with your recommendations and will use them as a practical guide in their own work.”
Arpad Goncz
President of the Republic of Hungary
July 1996
|
“I share many of the concerns you raise, including the need to control population growth in the developing world and the need to pursue energy saving measures and a more ecological approach to energy production. These issues are among the key challenges that the international community must address. Your report offers valuable insights on these important problems.”
Bill Clinton
President of the United States of America
October 1992
“It is invaluable to me to have your insights on the challenging new issues we face together.”
George Bush
President of the United States of America
August 1992
“Je sais tout l’interet que vous portez aux grandes questions politiques et economiques internationales. Par la qualite de ses membres, par la diversite geographique de sa composition, le Conseil me parait etre un lieu privilegie de reflexion et de dialogue entre des personnalites d’experience ayant exerce ou etant appelees a assumer d’eminentes responsabilites.”
Francois Mitterand
President of the French Republic
August 1990
“I was particularly interested to read of the work of the InterAction Council, much of which was relevant to the discussion we had in Naples. I thought the Summit was the best I had attended because for the first time we were able to look at the longer term, strategic questions in an informal and unscripted way. This is something I have long advocated and is, I suspect, much closer to the approach adopted by the InterAction Council. I hope we shall be able to continue in the same vein in Halifax next year.
John Major
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
July 1994
“Das von Ihnen beigefuegte Papier [des InterAction Councils] zum Thema ‘Wirtschaftssysteme im Uebergang’ enthaelt wertvolle Ueberlegungen fuer die Diskussion ueber wirtschaftliche Reformen in der Sowjetunion.”
Helmut Kohl
Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
July 1991
“I was particularly pleased to note that on several issues, there is a high level of convergence between the views expressed by the Council and the positions of the Govenrment of Canada.”
Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada
July 1994
“Je tiens a vous exprimer la haute appreciation que je porter sur les travaux du “Conseil interaction”, qui apportent une contribution de tres grande qualite a la necessaire reflexion sur les grandes questions qui ont trait a la securite internationale et au devleoppment economique et social.”
Edouard Balladur
Prime Minister of France
July 1994
“I express to you my greatest admiration for your noble efforts in bringing about world peace and advancement.”
Kim Young Sam
President of the Republic of Korea
July 1994
"The work of the InterAction Council is highly valued also in Finland, and the Finnish Government will take due note of the resolutions of your Council."
Esko Aho
Prime Minister of Finland
August 1994
"...that New Zealand has appreciated the work of the Council is engaged on, and hopes it will continue, as a fitting memorial to the efforts made by Mr. Fukuda."
J. B. Bolger
Prime Minister of New Zealand
September 1995
"The concept [for a political and economic reform] I have described [in the letter to the 1991 G-7 summit]...takes into account the conclusions and recommendations...of the recent conference of the InterAction Council..."
Mikhail S.Gorbachev
President of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics
July 1991
"I have asked my collaborators to use these documents [the reports of the ninth session of the InterAction Council] as sources and inspiration for our own work..."
Gro Harlem Brundtland
Prime Minister of Norway
July 1991
"The Council has attained significant accomplishments in finding peaceful solutions to regional conflicts and disputes, in preserving the environment of the Earth, and in combating racism and other prejudices and injustices around the world. What you have been saying and doing has sharply jolted the conscience of the world."
Roh Tae Woo
President, Republic of Korea
May 1990
"In a world in which old realities are rapidly becoming obsolete, there is a great need for penetrating analyses and thought-provoking ideas. I am convinced that the InterAction Council’s work is warmly applauded by all who are interested in international relations."
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
August 1992
"He le?o con gran inter? esta documentaci? que analiza con cuidadoso detalle algunos de los principales retos a los que se enfrenta la Comunidad Internacional, y considero constructivas y clarificadoras sus recomendaciones para la consecuci? de los objetivos de justicia, progreso y desarrollo en Am?ica Latina y el mundo."
King Juan Carlos of Spain
August 1992
"The work which has been carried out in preparing the reports [of Quer?aro] is admirable and I would like to commend the Council’s contribution in focusing attention on international issues of acute importance to all the world’s peoples."
Mary Robinson
President of Ireland
September 1992
"We appreciate your endeavors for peace and development, for the welfare of mankind and your engagement for the environmental protection. Moreover, we equally highly appreciate your contribution bestowed for the solution of problems which have come upon the whole of the territory of former Yugoslavia."
Milan Kucan
President of Slovenia
August 1992
"It is the hope of His Holiness that the InterAction Council become an ever more effective agent within the international community for the promotion of policies and decisions inspired by respect for the rights of all the members of the human family."
Angelo Cardinal Sodano
Secretary of State of the Holy See
September 1992
"The Holy Father wishes to encourage all the members of the Council in your efforts toward resolving pressing global problems drawing upon your vast experience as responsible political and social leaders. He is confident that the insights gained from your discussions will further the cause of greater justice and peace for all the world’s peoples. To all associated with the InterAction Council His Holiness gives the assurance of his prayerful good wishes."
Agostino Cardinal Casaroli
Secretary of State of the Holy See
August 1990
"The Council’s activities offer springboards for reflection in directing the actions of our governments toward resolution of the problems [mentioned in the Quer?aro statement]."
Oscar Luigi Scalfaro
President of Italy
September 1992
"I am asking my colleagues here to look carefully at the papers enclosed with your letter, and I will write to you again soon with any comments or suggestions on them."
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Secretary General of the United Nations
September 1995
"J’ai particulierement retenu les reflexions et les propositions qui sont contenues dans le rapport [du Petersberg]. Il correspond aux preoccupations de la conscience europeenne et aux interrogations de la societe francaises sur les grands defis auxquels nous sommes confrontes....Dans tous les domaines que vous evoquez, la politique du Gouvernement francais vise precisement, comme vous suggerez, a choisir les moyens nationaux les plus efficaces au service du progres, sans jamais oublier notre interdependence et l’obligation qui nous est faite de perfectionner les instruments multilateraux sans lesquels notre action serait ou freinee ou insuffisante."
Pierre Beregovoy
Prime Minister of France
September 1992
"...appreciation for the careful evaluation and thoughtful proposals regarding the many problems of the world."
Steingrimur Hermannsson
Prime Minister of Iceland
August 1992
"The proposals contained in the [Quer?aro] documents will be of great value to those concerned with the present situation in the world affairs and faced with the immense challenges they present."
Turgut ?zal
President of Turkey
August 1992
"Como es habitual, los trabajos y conclusiones del Consejo son de una gran actualidad y de alto nivel en el diagn?tico y en las propuestas de soluci? a los problemas identificados."
Felipe Gonzalez
Marquez
President of the Government of Spain
July 1991
"We will take into consideration your concerns and assessments which, in many regards, we fully share."
Fidel Castro R.
President of Cuba
October 1992
"I appreciate your sharing the thought-provoking documents [of Quer?aro] with me."
Levon Ter-Petrossian
President of Armenia
September 1992
"Coincido con el Consejo en la necesidad de estimular el debate en torno a temas de fundamental importancia en la presente coyuntura mundial y continental, los mismos que son adecuadamente identificados en la nota y documentaci?."
Jaime Paz Zamora
President of Bolivia
July 1992
"It is particularly encouraging to realize that the Council’s agenda coincides with that of the Global Coalition for Africa which I co-chair."
Quett K.J. Masire
President of Botswana
August 1992
"Aprovecho la oportunidad para felicitarlo por su constante labor y liderazgo en la b?queda de soluciones para los problemas globales que afectan a la humanidad."
C?ar Gaviria
Trujillo
President of Colombia
August 1992
"I have read your proposals very carefully, since they represent an excellent assessment of the problems and needs we face at present."
Rafael Angel Calder?
President of Costa Rica
September 1992
"I welcome that the InterAction Council deals with critical issues for mankind today and seeks to offer solutions."
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
President, Islamic Republic of Iran
February 1993
"I fully share your view that there is need to develop additional rules in order to respond to the drastically changing international landscape.?I assure you that Turkey will continue to implement your proposals, both in the context of domestic policy and at high-level meetings."
Suleyman Demirel
Prime Minister of Turkey
November 1992
"I was struck by the broad consensus that exists between the InterAction Council and the European Commission in the analysis of global problems and recommendations of measures to tackle them.?I also share the views concerning the changing nature of sovereignty in the modern world. In an increasingly interdependent world the concept of national sovereignty has lost much of its meaning. The ambitious plans of the European Community, as outlined in the Maastricht Treaty, should hopefully provide a model of cooperation which other states might care to emulate. I am sure you will agree that a strengthened European Community is a vital element in the search for a new global order."
Jacques Delors
President of the Commission of the European Communities
December 1992
"Appreciating your efforts in the service of humanity through InterAction Council, I wish these efforts all success."
Hafez Al-Assad
President of the Syrian Arab Republic
November 1991
"Uganda will strive to do its utmost to implement within its national programme the recommendations [of the Council] that are pertinent."
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
President of Uganda
September 1992
"The final statement [of Seoul] indeed deserves utmost consideration by all developing countries....The Council has been undertaking its work with dedication and excellence."
Coraz? Aquino
President of the Philippines
September 1990
"I found [the Council’s Final Statement of Washington] very interesting. [It] rightly underlines the massively increasing demand for energy in developing countries and the need for technology to improve energy efficiency to help these countries....I strongly endorse your views on the need for structural adjustment in both developed and developing countries..."
Margaret Thatcher
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
July 1989
"The Lisbon Statement on Global Interdependence and National Sovereignty was very good."
Lee Kuan Yew
Prime Minister of Singapore
July 1990
"...my sincere thanks and my appreciation for the fruitful activities."
Falvio Cotti
President of the Swiss Confederation
October 1991
"You have united your efforts in the InterAction Council, a body distinguished by the quality of the statesmen from different countries and continents who comprise it. Your InterAction Council has become a prototype of the kind of world assembly that could share with all people their views, tried and tested by experience, and their wishes prompted by noble impulses."
Andrei A. Gromyko
Chairman, Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, USSR
May 1988
"World leaders are now truly world leaders, not just leaders known to the whole world. International fame must carry with it international responsibility as well...responsibility cannot just cease because one is out of office. The world should continue to benefit from the experience and knowledge that you have accumulated while in office....In a world gone slightly unbalanced your wise counsels are much needed....You may no longer be wielding power. But you do have influence. You are the conscience of the world. We welcome you because we think the world needs its conscience now more than ever."
Mahathir bin Mohamad
Prime Minister of Malaysia
April 1987
"Your encouragement of positive action on the major issues of our age has been noted with immense interest in this part of the world....The emergence of your Council has introduced a new, vital forum upon the world scene wherein, in a less structured format, the great concerns of our time are openly examined by distinguished international citizens drawn from every continent."
Robert Mugabe
President of Zimbabwe
March 1988
"...the Council’s concern with the issues that arise from the colossal political and economic system transformations currently unfolding, in concepts, structures, and dynamics, is legitimate and timely and of important value for humanity."
Yasser Arafat
Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization
September 1991
"The Council’s recommendations relating to ecological self-discipline and the need for deliberate family planning policies are timely.?The proposal for a collaborative programme in research and development of renewable sources of energy production and consumption deserves serious consideration."
Lewis T. Preston
President, The World Bank
July 1992
"We at OECD strive continually...towards the achievement of the kinds of objectives and policies recommended by the InterAction Council, in particular sound fiscal and monetary policies and accelerated structural reform."
Jean-Claude Paye
Secretary General, OECD
September 1992
"We must all be grateful to you for the quality of the reflection on a new world order which, in the main, has still to be built. I shall not fail to take inspiration from the interesting proposals by the Council in the task of adapting UNESCO’s programs to the demands of a new world."
Federico Mayor
Director General of UNESCO
September 1992
"I fully agree with your emphasis on the urgency of consolidating democracy in Latin America, as well as with your view of poverty as probably the main obstacle that will have to be surmounted in order to ensure the survival of democratic institutions in the region."
Jo? Clemente Baena
Soares
Secretary General of the Organization of American States
September 1992
"I fully share your concern on the urgent need to address in a more comprehensive fashion the fundamental issue of population growth."
Ahmed Esmat Abdel-Meguid
Secretary General, League of Arab States
July 1992
"I have taken note of your work with great interest."
Helmut Schlesinger
President, Deutsche Bundesbank
September 1992
"J’ai lu avec beaucoup interet ces divers rapports [du Conseil InterAction] qui presentent des vues tout a fait pertinentes et eclairees..."
Jacques de Larosiere
Governor, Banque de France
July 1991
"The reports and statements of the Council are always valuable, both for their substance and also because of the distinction and experience of their authors. The conclusions [of Seoul] are now even more welcome as the United Nations confronts a greatly expanded agenda. That agenda largely consists of just those kinds of global issues which are discussed [by the Council]...Of particular and immediate importance to me is the Council’s call in all of its reports for creativity, commitment and solidarity by all nations. These qualities are essential in international relations if we are to be able to address global issues effectively."
Javier Perez de Cuellar
Secretary-General of the United Nations
July 1990
"Your willingness to continue your service and contribution through this Council demonstrates the highest dedication that a public servant can have... Those of us who are part of the international dialogue have a special responsibility to take account of those aspirations [for a better life ] and to be guided by them as we search for peace and well being. The InterAction Council with its distinguished and experienced members, is a precious resource in that great undertaking."
George P. Shultz
Secretary of State of the United States
February 1986
"I would like to pay my respect to the InterAction Council which, with a strong awareness [of the need to create an environment where mankind can live a decent human life], will directly cope with the vital issues that confront us today."
Shintaro Abe
Foreign Minister of Japan
April 1986
"World matters have become so complex that it is indeed fortunate that figures such as the members of this Council are able to come together in a common exercise of thought. It is particularly important that people who have held the highest office be able to exchange ideas and point of views, compare past actions and combine it with thought. Experience and wisdom are the signs under which your undertaking could be placed....The conclusions of your work will be very beneficial."
Roland Dumas
Foreign Minister of France
April 1985
"One of the great virtues of the Council is its realization that, to paraphrase the poet, ‘no nation is an island unto itself.’ We must all live and work within an interdependent world."
Lawrence S. Eagleburger
Deputy Secretary of State of the United States
July 1990
"A group of the world’s outstanding leaders who not only bear responsibility for the directions in which their countries move, but who are also concerned about attaining equitable and balanced development in the international economy to pave the way for peace."
Belisario Betancur
President of Colombia
September 1984
"The Council is not to be seen as a concentration of power, but as concentration of experience, goodwill and solidarity with the people who live in material and spiritual poverty."
Rudolf Kirchschlaeger
Federal President of Austria
November 1983
"I found the recommendations concerning energy, development, and the environment to be both comprehensive and compelling. I share the Council’s strong emphasis on energy efficiency and regard it as the most important near-term strategy for sustaining economic growth while reducing greenhouse gases....I share the Council’s call for strong and well-coordinated action by the world community to stem adverse climate change."
Mark L. Edelman
Acting Administrator, United States Agency for
International Development
August 1989
"I cannot but agree with your legitimate concern about the necessity for demographic and ecological discipline on the part of both developing and industrialised countries of the world for improving people’s living standards and the quality of life on our planet."
Babacar Ndiaye
President, African Development Bank
October 1992
"The suggestions and proposals for action presented by the Council are of utmost importance at a time when consensus on these various questions seems to be emerging in most circles where people think or prepare actions. The thoughts and recommendations of the prominent members of the Council are always eagerly waited for by the economic community."
Jean-Claude Trichet
Chairman of the Paris Club
August 1989
"It is encouraging to note that such a distinguished group spoke so forcefully about the need for increased international population assistance....The work of the InterAction Council will be invaluable to development education and securing the political commitment so critical to successful development."
Nafis Sadik
Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund
July 1989
"The [Washington] statement is indeed a valuable contribution to the development of appropriate policies related to greenhouse gases and climate change."
G.O.P. Obasi
Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization
July 1989
"[The Washington statement and the Trudeau report], which contain an authoritative in-depth scrutiny of the main questions affecting the present situation and the short and longer term prospectives of our planet, are of great interest to our governmental and parliamentary bodies."
Catherine Lalumiere
Secretary-General, Council of Europe
August 1989
"Ich stimme [der Denkschrift zur Frage der internationalen Verschuldung] in der Eindringlichkeit der Mahnung und dem aufgezeigten Handlungsbedarf vollauf zu."
Alfred Herrhausen
Chairman of the Board, Deutsche Bank AG
December 1987
"I find myself very much in accord with the general tenor and substance [of the statement on international debt questions]."
Paul A. Volcker
former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board
November 1987
"...eine moralische Instanz neben politischen Fuehrungskraeften..."
Kardinal Franz Koenig
Former Archbishop of Vienna, Austria
May 1986
"I want to congratulate you for the creative tasks you carry out in favor of the societies and I hope that you get every kind of success in your endeavours."
Emilio Gamboa Patron
Director General, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social
October 1992
"I congratulate you on the most thought provoking and helpful recommendations you have made [in the Quer?aro statement]. I hope they will help to influence public policy in both industrialised and developing countries."
M.S. Swaminathan
Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
October 1992
"We have reviewed these documents, and it is not surprising that out of such an eminent gathering should emerge such visionary ideas."
James D. Wolfensohn
President, The World Bank
August 1995
"The Council is quite right as far as the population explosion is concerned. The increase of the world population, mostly in the Third World, is one of the most imminent problems we are facing all over the world."
Kurt Biedenkopf
Minister of Sachsen, Federal Republic of Germany
September 1995
"It is with great interest that I have read the documents from the thirteenth session of the InterAction Council (of former Heads of State and Government. In particular, the summary of the "major points of discussion" clearly outlines the major topics and concerns on the agenda of world politics."
Wilhelm Hoynck
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
August 1995
"Let me tell you that I found the documents immensely valuable particularly the subjects discussed are very timely and relevant as much as they are extensive."
Girija Prasad Koirala
Prime Minister of Nepal
August 1995
"I welcome and appreciate very much the fruitful activity of your organisation which has shown the world what kind of results come from mutual efforts. I hope that your organisation and my contry will form a close cooperation in the new future."
Eduard Shevardnadze
Head of State of the Republic of Georgia
September 1995
"The problems analyzed by your Organization are very important for the future of the world and, as you porbably know, are also among the preoccupations of the Club of Rome."
Bertrand Schneider
Secretary-General of the Club of Rome
August 1996
"I have found justified and thought-provoking the Forum’s review on the current world situation together with its conclusions..... I firmly believe that policy-makers responsible for improving both human and economic aspects of life of mankind with no other choice than to live together on our single planet Earth will be impressed with your recommendations and will use them as a practical guide in their own work.
Arpad Goncz
President of the Republic of Hungary
July 1996
"I found these documents extremely interesting and helpful. I am sure that the communique adopted at the Lyon Summit echoes your concerns."
Jacques Santer
President of the European Commission
July 1996
|
I. CONTRIBUTIONS
The InterAction Council has received support from many Governments both from industrialized and developing countries and from foundations, corporations and individuals. Several contributors have provided assistance over successive years.
The list of contributors includes:
Governments: Arab Republic of Egypt, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Norway, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Yugoslavia and Zimbabwe;
Organizations: Brookings Institution, Inter-American Development Bank, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Ottawa, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Smithsonian Institution, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations University;
Foundations: Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Center for World Dialogue (Cyprus), InterAction Foundation, Fondo de Cultura Economica (Mexico), Ford Foundation, National Institute for Research and Advancement, Nippon Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Samsung Foundation, and U.S.-Japan Center of Japan Foundation;
Academic Institutions: John F. Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University), and University of Pittsburgh
Corporations: ABN Amro Bank (Netherlands), BMW (Germany), Daewoo (Republic of Korea), Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (Mexico), Montedison SpA (Italy), Nacional Financiera (Mexico), Petrobras (Brazil), Samsung Group (Republic of Korea), Union de Banques Suisses (Switzerland), Volkswagen Motors (Germany), the ANA Group and other international airlines (Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Canadian Airlines, China Air, Egypt Air, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysian Airlines, South African Airways, and Varig);
Other entities: Civilta Cattolica (Rome, Italy), Province of British Colombia (Canada), Province of Noord-Brabant (Netherlands), City and State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Saitama Prefectural Government (Japan); State of Saxon, and South African National Gallery (Cape Town, South Africa);
Individuals: William P. Laughlin (United
States); David Rockefeller (United States); Carlos
Abedrop Davila (Mexico), Seiji Tsutsumi et.al..
Members of
the InterAction Council and participants in high-level groups attend in their individual
capacities and receive no honorarium for their participation.
|
 |
 |
InterAction Council Tokyo Secretariat 2-10-2-1114 Nagata-cho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan Tel.: 813-3505-4527; Fax.: 813-3589-3922 ? InterAction Council 2000. All rights reserved. |
  |
