Kofi Annan: His Life and Legacy

Kofi Annan: His Life and Legacy – 3 June 2019 Central Hall Westminster, London

 

UNA-UK organized this inspiring and thoughtful public event celebrating former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Anan. The event was preceded by a full day conference at Chatham House, home of the Royal Institute of International Affairs: ‘Our Shared Humanity’: The Legacy of Kofi Annan.*

Natalie Samarasinghe introduced proceedings, reflecting on how London is a beacon of support for the UN, that Kofi Annan's death might be perceived as a blow to multilateralism, and saying that part of the purpose of this meeting and the parallel conference at Chatham House was to learn lessons both from Annan's achievements and from his failures, which he himself strove to do. She introduced Nane Annan, who recalled her husband's compassion, humility, courage and sense of humour. She spoke of how he sought to mentor others within the UN, and of how his youth during the struggle for Ghanaian independence was a formative influence. She quoted a passage from his application to the UN, in which he said that it was essential for a man of higher education to seek to understand himself in order to fulfil his duty. She noted how Kofi placed a particular focus on the prevention of violence against women, seeing it as perhaps the most shameful violation of human rights. He had set up his Foundation as an act of service. One of the key concerns of the foundation is the integrity of elections in the digital age. As UN Secretary General, and subsequently as the Chair of the Elders, Kofi had always placed a great emphasis on young people, saying that you are never too young to lead or too old to learn

Natalie Samarasinghe noted that Kofi Annan was a kind of rock star of diplomacy, being on the Simpsons and also on Sesame Street, and introduced Sherrie Westin, President of Global Impact and Philanthropy, Sesame Workshop. She spoke of Annan's relentless optimism and his belief in the key importance of early childhood intervention. Also, one of his key legacies was the fight against AIDS. These two issues came together when he appeared on the South African Takalani Sesame with Kami, the first HIV positive muppet, who was designed for the preschool curriculum to help break down prejudice against HIV positive children. Kami was also present, along with her puppeteer Nozizwe "Nozz" Zulu.

Mark Malloch Brown then took the stage. He noted he was the only man present, a sign of change. He noted also that London was a suitable venue for celebrating Kofi's life, as the campaign for debt relief was started in London via the UN, and it is  also home to various popular culture contributors to the UN such as SDG advocate Richard Curtis. He fondly recalled a speech celebrating the growing opportunities for women that Kofi had given at the christening of his daughter Phoebe. He also paid tribute to his successor as Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, who before her appointment worked on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria.

Amina Mohammed then took the stage, and reminded the audience that the SDGs contain within them unfinished business from the Millennium Development Goals which Kofi Annan had instituted. She remembered his participation in the march to commemorate Nelson Mandela's centenary, as the chair of the Elders, and how he spent time during this period with youth, discussing the importance of constitutional politics. She said it was time to remember his commitment never to be a bystander to suffering.

Mary Robinson, the current leader of the Elders, then took the stage. She thought that Kofi Annan would be pleased by the fact that his commemoration included a substantive conference at Chatham House. She saw him as a great connector, and noted that he wasn't afraid to learn from his mistakes, or indeed even to hold the Security Council to account. She recalled his 'stubborn optimism' and his keenness to engage with youth. She noted the current rise of youth in the struggle for climate justice. And she praised Annan's 'passionate intensity' for good.

Mark Malloch Brown then chaired a session where he invited Mary Robinson and Amina Mohammed to reflect on Annan's legacy at the UN in the light of the fact that multilateralism currently seems to be in retreat around the world. Amina Mohammed suggested that it was important for people to rally to the support of the SDGs. She also noted that the UN should have the humility to recognise it doesn't have all the answers, and the tenacity not to exclude even those who oppose the UN. In the field of Human Rights, Mary Robinson noted the concern that the International Criminal Court (ICC) might be fatally damaged, and that the doctrine of Responsibility to Protect may have been undermined by the events in Libya in 2011. She wondered whether organisations like the Elders might have more ability to speak out about such matters than the UN itself, and whether progress in these areas might be the responsibility of civil society, with the UN seeking to remain the guardian of norms. She also noted that many more states were helpful in her time as the High Commissioner for Human Rights, but that the Universal Review is working. It is also much harder to control the narrative in the media now, and successes tend to be lower key. In general it seemed that the world is less tolerant than the one in which Kofi Annan was able to operate and engage positively.

Amina Mohammed agreed with this analysis, and wondered whether a new narrative for Human Rights was needed in the 21st century. She cited the current High Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet's, idea that one needs to be loud, but be smart about it. She also wondered why the friends of the UN are quiet at the moment, while opponents seem to be louder. She thought that the 2030 Agenda for the SDGs is a good rallying point, since it is voluntary and states have mostly agreed to it. She cited the ambition from the Paris Agreement to work for 1.5 degrees rise, and suggested that we should ask scientists how do we stay below 2 degrees as the difference is huge. She noted that science tells us we HAVE to reduce carbon emissions by 45% and that youth and women are leading in this area, with non-oil companies also on board. She highlighted the upcoming Climate Action Summit (September 21-23 2019) as a chance to apply pressure, and asked that we don't waste the efforts of Greta Thunberg - she said we have had other youth leaders before, but now we need firm commitments from the G20 responsible for 82% of emissions. The importance of the issue means it is worth taking some risks on.

The question was raised of how should the Secretary General act in a tie of aggressive leaders. Amina Mohammed thought the Secretary General should use both the pulpit and the back room, choosing the moment when his voice will sound out, and also engage more with civil society leaders, for where he can't go, sometimes they can. It is a difficult time for multilateralism, but we must speak up. Mary Robinson noted that she likes to say Climate Change is a manmade problem with a feminist solution - both of those terms can be interpreted inclusively. And there is a need to assert a real equality.

The question was posed - apart from activism, how can young people influence politics? Mary Robinson thought that everyone can do something personal concerning their own consumption of resources, and that we need to imagine the world we want. She cited a meeting she had been involved in at the Venice Biennalle where architects were invited to see the Earth as their client.

Amina Mohammed cited the importance of an entrepreneurial spirit in young people , suggesting that people need to get the money following you because of the power of your ideas, and bring your passion for multilateralism and climate justice into your day job. Also though collaboration with others, break down silos. Like Kofi Annan, be a diplomat in the best sense.

The evening closed with a beautiful performance from the Citizens of the World choir, composed of refugees, asylum seekers and their friends.

 

* Video available here: https://www.chathamhouse.org/event/our-shared-humanity-legacy-kofi-annan