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Public Lecture: His Excellency Allan Rock, speaks at The Hart House, University of Toronto, in June 11 2004 for UNA-Canada's Annual General Meeting 2004

His Excellency Allan Rock, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, addressed the public in June 11, 2004 at the Hart House about renewing the United Nations system and making it a more effective and inclusive international organization. His speech, "A Fort in the Road: Prospects for UN Renewal" explored Canada's role in making the United Nations more effective as the primary organization through which to deal with new and emerging challenges of the 21st century. Here are some of his reflections on the relation between UN and Canada, UN and UNA-Canada and UN Reform.

"UN represents the articulation of ideals that Canadians believe in strongly. We believe in every word of that opening declaration of the Charter. We believe in the perfectability of the human kind, we believe in the possibility of a peaceful world and we believe in social justice for people."

"One of the things that impress me deeply when I first arrive New York in February is the extent to which Canada is thought so highly of at the UN. And when my predecessors spoke me about you, about this Association, whether it is Paul Heinbekker or Stephen Lewis, they are in agreement that UNA-Canada is one of those organizations that is truly important in supporting Canada's presence on the world stage."


Left: His Excellency Allan Rock, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations Right: Allan Rock greets Nancy Gordon, President of UNA-Canada "It is only one of the measures of the support that Canadians give to UN that the Association continues to grow in strength and influence: chapters all over the country; by the discussion groups; many activities in the community; all that reflects the energy and commitment that I believe makes Canada the best and most active member of the world organization." "I think, looking back at the last fifty-nine years in partnership with the UN, one of our most significant contributions has been ideas. The idea behind re-defining sovereignty and getting humanitarian intervention, the idea behind human security, the idea to open up the Security Council to representations from member states. These are Canadian innovations. I think it is time again, at this unique opportunity, when looking at the future of the organization, that Canada could make a constructive contribution; and I think the resources of these ideas has to be in this association."

Left: Kathryn White, the Executive Director of UNA-Canada and Nancy Gordon, President of UNA-Canada listening to Allan Rock
Right: Nancy Gordon and VJ Jennifer Hollett from MuchMusic

"When this organization was first created, the principle concern was the conflict between states. So the structure and its procedures were organized to help bring inter-state conflict to an end. The idea of peacekeepers was invented in the 1950s by Lester Pearson to maintain order. But, since the end of the Cold War, the problem is not so much the conflict between states as it is within states. Civil war and other sources of conflict and disorder lead us to constantly questions what is the borderline between sovereignty of a specific state on the one hand, and the responsibility of the international community to enter that state to stop a conflict, to stop ethnic cleansing, to stop genocide. And how do we balance, on the one hand, the concept of sovereignty with that responsibility toward humanity?"

"If we can produce concrete recommendations for sensible structural change, if we can use the opportunity of the coming 60th anniversary of the organization, and more importantly, if we can come to a global compact between the North and the South, then I think we have a real chance to re-invent the United Nations based on the same old principles that are adapted to the needs of the current world."

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VJ Jennifer Hollett was the moderator for this public lecture. Here is her comments on her Model UN experience:

"Most of what I actually do at MuchMusic comes from my Model UN days from researching to improvising, critical thinking, asking questions and working or living with all types of people, about all types of issues and causes. I truly can't imagine my life without Model United Nations in it."

Click here for the media release of this public lecture.