MESSAGE SENT BY DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI
TO THE FORUM "2000" CONFERENCE
HELD IN
ON
FORUM 2000 ***********
That
an end entails a beginning is the beautiful aspect of the circularity of human
existence. It is, of course, important that the soft perfection of harmonious
roundness is not debased into a vicious cycle. There is little value to new
beginning if we simply commit the same mistakes that caused so much suffering
in the past.
Many
of us will view the beginning of the twenty-first century with some degree of
excitement. What will the future bring? What can we make of the opportunities
that were not given to our forefathers? Are we going to face the challenges of
what, a century ago, were unimaginable technological and social development?
And, if we choose to grapple with the problems that will surely come with the
new millennium, how shall we go about it, how shall we educate ourselves and
our young to cope with the unknown?
I
regret very much that I am unable to be present at this conference and to learn
from the thoughts and words of men an women who are concerned not just for
their own immediate present but for the future of humankind. I doubt that I
would be able to add much to the learned discussions that will take place in
this conference. I would just like to pout forward the simple suggestion that
one of the greatest needs for the new millennium is the development of a
generous spirit, a spirit that will create a rich diversity out of the
different races and creeds of our planet.
A
generous nature is a noble nature a kind nature that is loving and giving and
forgiving, a nature that rejoices in the good fortune of others and allows for
the weaknesses of others in a true spirit of humility that recognizes one's own
weaknesses. It is a nature that seeks to alleviate the sufferings of others,
not to aggravate them with self-righteous condemnation or ruthless aggression.
It is a nature in which there is little room for jealousy or covetousness or
contempt. It is a nature that is warm and caring. At this point, perhaps, I
should hasten to say that I am not talking about saints except perhaps in the
sense of the definition that saints are the sinners who go on trying. I am simply
talking of the kind of people who can help to make our life a little happier in
spite of the unavoidable trials and tribulations of worldly existence.
As
a politician working to establish democracy in a land ruled by a military
junta, and as an individual who has to struggle to lead a normal life under
abnormal circumstances, my appreciation for kind people with the generosity of
spirit to see through to the human needs behind the unnatural existence of
dissidents, such as myself, is unbounded. Such kindness and generosity have
come from all over the world, not least from President Vaclav
Havel and others present at this conference today.
May I wish them all success in their endeavor to "create new structures of
stability and democratic institutions that will foster individual liberties and
more widespread observance of basic human rights...(and)
to develop a broader, more humanistic consciousness that reflects the deep
unity among peoples and embraces the plurality of values in the present
world."
I
am confident that the generosity of spirit and the wisdom of the participants
of this conference will lead them to the right answers.
Aung
San Suu Kyi