The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Ambassador Harri Holkeri, urged much greater involvement of non-government organizations (NGOs) in U.N. affairs in a speech to an international assembly in Vienna, Austria, on November 6.

In his keynote address to the General Assembly of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Status with the U.N. (CONGO), Holkeri, a former Prime Minister of Finland, pointed to the long history of partnership between civil society and the U.N. and the need to expand this.

“It is impossible to list all the areas where civil society has played a crucial role,” he said, “but I would like to mention a few key sectors, such as promoting peace and human rights, enhancing development, fighting for democracy, and speaking out for gender equality. All are areas of key concern to the United Nations and member states. “

Attending the meeting on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations liaison director, said that such comments are an invitation to alert the U.N. to the many projects carried out by the church and its agencies for the betterment of humanity.

“So much of what Adventists do would be endorsed by the U.N.,” he commented. “Our practical involvement in literacy and education projects, health instruction and medical programs, development and relief aid, our commitment to religious freedom and human rights—all these reflect common goals we share. As a major player in such areas we have a duty to contribute to society beyond our own community, and in practical ways demonstrate the values and beliefs we are committed to.”

Holkeri closed with a commitment to make his ideas a reality: “I pledge my co-operation with and support for initiatives being developed by civil society that are inclusive of all elements—NGOs, academics, religious leaders and the business community; initiatives which are regionally and gender balanced, and cover all levels from the global to the grassroots.”