Solidarietà, tra le persone come tra i governi, ora che si passa alla responsabilità di diffondere il vaccino, leadership responsabili, fondate sulla verità dei fatti e della scienza, verso un interesse globale. Fiducia reciproca tra governi e cittadini. E a sorvregliare i media indipendenti, la scienza, la società­ civile. Ecco i punti salienti del discorso della presidentessa della Slovacchia Čaputova all’assemblea generale dell’ONU, per la prima volta riunitasi on line..

“One of the most important lessons that we learned during the first months of COVID-19 is that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things if they are led by solidarity and compassion. People around the world understood that responsible behaviour can save lives, even if it meant limitation of their own comfort. That they need to take their share of responsibility in protecting themselves and the others. I would even dare to say that this pandemic crisis brought the best out of us.

It is our responsibility as leaders to apply the same among nations. That’s why we need true globalisation of compassion. In concrete terms: we must not allow the development and production of vaccine and medical supplies to become yet another global competition. Because these are essential, life-saving commodities. And as such, their provision should be a sign of humanity, not a matter of economic profit. That is why we need to share information and foster partnerships among scientists, manufacturers and governments. And to provide vaccine to anyone on this planet, regardless, whether they can afford it or not.

If we are to be successful in averting any crisis, we need responsible leadership. Because ultimately it is the responsibility of governments and political leaders to make decisions that are based on facts and knowledge, and not on political calculations or selfish interests of those in power. Because the opposite – incompetence, disinformation or populism – has fatal consequences.

Responsible leadership also means willingness to see the common global interest. To preserve the best of existing architecture of international organizations and regimes of cooperation. Because these are often the drivers of effective solutions. I know that their work is not always perfect. But instead of resenting or defunding them, we need to find ways of how to improve them.

And finally, the trust. The confidence of citizens in what their governments are doing is right. People need to know that they are protected and are not lied to.

The guardians of these principles must be the free and independent media, renowned experts and scientists, and active civil society. And our responsibility is to create an environment where they can work freely. If we are to attack them, we undermine our own ability to solve problems collectively. And we make our societies more vulnerable, including to disinformation and hoaxes, which have proven to be especially dangerous when they are related to health issues.

That is why we must not allow any crisis to become an excuse for suppressing human rights and liberties. We must make sure that any limitations must be proportionate, time-limited and legally sound. And these principles must be applied universally.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Too often we see situations in the world when people are intimidated, beaten or even threatened on their lives. Just as we recently saw in Belarus, or in the case of Alexei Navalny, and in many other cases. And only because they stood up for their rights. The spread of authoritarian disease is a threat to all of us.

There is one more remarkable lesson from COVID-19. We often hear that certain changes are impossible, or that it takes years to make them. This time, it was different.

It is the experience of how much and how quickly we can achieve if only we are willing to realise the common threat, change our behaviour and work together in order to prevent it. If we did it vis-a-vis COVID-19, we can do it also when it comes to other global threats, as well.

Most notably the climate change, which is undoubtedly the greatest threat to our common future. Experts estimate, that by 2100 the climate change will be five times as deadly as COVID-19.

We have been able to organise ourselves and create over 20 parallel teams worldwide to develop anti-COVID vaccine, because we lacked the so much needed knowledge. In climate change, we all know what to do. We just need to show a genuine will and act together, as one. To make it a real priority. And to let the science, innovations, but also solidarity and compassion lead the way.” Čítajte viac: https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22495030/caputova-addressed-the-un-general-assembly-called-for-responsible-leadership.html