In steady hands

Point of view

- By DOROTHY DELGADO-NOVICIO

In an assembly dominated by male delegates, it’s once again uplifting to see women heads of state, foreign ministers and country representatives stand and speak at the iconic podium of the UN General Assembly.

Our Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, took the honor of conveying at the world stage the Philippines’ national statement during the General Debate of the UN’s 80th General Assembly.

At a time when all is not quiet elsewhere in the world, including in our home front, our country’s top diplomat spoke about our values that are deeply embedded in the aspirations of the UN charter. The Philippines is, after all, one of the 51 founding members of the UN.

I watched our foreign affairs secretary’s speech through the UN live webcast. Like the messenger, the message serves as a wellspring of hope, particularly at a time when we are inundated with a deluge of polarizing ideas. Such messages enliven one’s patriotic spirit and provide us a compass of how we as citizens could participate in nation building.

Peace is at the core of SFA’s message. Yet paradoxically, peace is one of the most elusive quests for the 193 members of the UN. Because at every word uttered about peace, somewhere in the vicinity of the UN headquarters are groups of activists rallying for the end to wars. Within the halls of the GA, a good number of representatives of member-states walked out to support the creation of a Palestinian state.

Precisely why SFA Lazaro voiced a clarion call for peace. Referring to the “40,000 cases of violations against children in armed conflict,” she lamented that this unprecedented record in 30 years “is unconscionable.” I was haunted by painful images of children of war I see and read in the news every day.