MO*-lezing met Irene Khan over armoede en mensenrechten Dinsdag 20 april 2010, te Brussel (Beursschouwburg)
In her book ‘The Unheard Truth’ Irene Kahn focuses on the link between development and human rights. She explains that the ‘war’ on poverty cannot be won without being successful in the ‘battle’ for human rights. Violation of human rights keeps people in poverty, for it withholds justice from the oppressed and denies the dignity of the poor.
Speaking of gratitude, John Kennedy once said: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
Shouldn’t this thought be quintessential when summarizing the trans-Atlantic relations?
Nederlandstalige versie. (Deze toespraak werd in het Frans uitgesproken.)
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(MO*-interview met Steven Vanackere over mensenrechten)
Op dinsdag 20 april geeft Steven Vanackere in de Beursschouwburg in Brussel samen met mevrouw Irene Khan (Amnesty International) een lezing onder de titel "Armoede is de ergste mensenrechtencrisis"
I am very pleased to be able to talk here today to a group of young and bright people about the Belgian EU Presidency.
The 6 months in the latter half of 2010 will not only be important for Belgium itself but for the whole of the European Union. After all, our Presidency coincides with a crucial stage in the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty which will partially change our European institutional architecture and therefore also the way in which we work. This does not only apply to the relationship with the European Parliament and the organization of the European Councils but also to the EU’s external representation which no longer appertains to the rotating presidency. So, in many ways, this Belgian Presidency will differ from the 11 previous ones.
What we intend to do today is to illustrate to you the multitude of advantages for that Belgium offers foreign companies to do business, not only in my country but also in Europe as a whole. For companies who desire to invest in Europe, Belgium may not be an obvious choice; and indeed other countries, like the United Kingdom, Ireland and France are better known. Nevertheless I trust that after this lunch, you will be enticed to at least have a look beyond the obvious choices.
Je suis ravi de pouvoir partager avec vous quelques réflexions sur l’état de l’Europe et les défis diplomatiques qui nous attendent. Comme vous l’aurez certainement déjà entendu, je suis un homme particulièrement heureux depuis que j’assume la fonction de Ministre des Affaires Etrangères.
