Speech to the Christian Democratic International's 12th General Assembly

Mr. Chairman,
Prime minister José Maria Aznar;
Distinguished delegates,
Dear friends and fellow Christian democrats,

As we close our conference, what message do we send to the world ?

I think it is this:

Our Christian democratic movement is uniquely equipped to play a crucial role in shaping a new political agenda for the next century. It is for us to help the dreams and potential for a better world come true.

Our set of values provides us with the overall framework, a perspective and a vision.

Socialism and liberalism resemble each other more and more. Increasingly they converge in embracing market liberalism and material values. They have one thing in common: A materialistic concept of man where politics primarily become a matter of economics.

Ours is a different vision. To us man and mankind – i.e. individually and collectively – form the centerpiece. Respect for life, human dignity and man´s total needs – be they material or spiritual - must be at the core of politics. This is in essence the difference between Chistian democracy and other ideologies.

For the first time in history we have the tools to eradicate poverty, cure diseases which continue to kill millions, feed the hungry, build universal respect for basic human rights and freedoms, and bring education to those who are denied it.

In short – a better life for everyone is within reach. UN´s ”Human development report” last year made it clear that a poverty–free world could be a reality in less than a generation, and that this is no illusionary idealism, but a practical and achievable goal.

Our challenge is now – on the threshold to the next millennium – to draw on our vision, ideals and strength to create a coherent and concrete action program for the next generation. One that turns Christian democratic principles into practical policies answering to the needs of people. This is the essence of what Christian democratic policies in the 21 century must be all about.

I believe that the following ten principles should guide us as we set out to do that:

1. Our point of departure is the enduring validity of basic values.

Modern society is characterized by an increasing erosion of norms and greater emphasis on the relativity of things and behaviour. Indeed, tolerance and diversity are Christian democratic virtues. But they are not synonymous with acceptance of the negative or destructive, or all-out permissiveness.

To stimulate the debate on ethics and values and what rights and obligations our societies should spring from, my Government has established a Value commission with broad participation from all parts of our society. It is an example of politics not being a matter of bread alone, but equally of purpose and meaning. We must not come to a point where we end up wondering – as one Norwegian poet has formulated the paradox of the materialistic way of life –

”We have everything, but that´s also all we have”.

The initiative has led to a broad public debate on themes like moral consciousness and personal responsibility. And this revitalization of interest in the fundamentals of society and political choices was very much what we set out to inspire.

2. The family is the basic cell of human society.

Family politics are now a major ideological battle ground. Several trends are visible, but together they represent an attempt to redefine the notion of the family and lessen its autonomy, often leaving it increasingly to the state and its institutions to take care of children.

To give parents more time with their children, my government has proposed a reform of allowances to parents who wish to stay at home with children under the age of three. We see this as one element in a coherent family policy where our answer must be: The family is crucial to the health of any society. It must be supported, but never supplanted by institutions.

3. Democracy means ”common people”. We must bring politics back to the citizen. We must strengthen and empower civic society.

For democracy to function and be felt to make a difference for the citizen at large, it must provide the necessary instruments for meaningful participation. To–day politics are increasingly becoming professionalized and a matter for – if not the few – then at least, fewer. Voters´ participation in elections is declining in many countries. This tendency which also reflects excessive individualism, may lead to exclusion and alienation.

As Christian democrats we must actively counter these tendencies by making government and participation relevant. Two principles are important here – a) subsidiarity, and b) delegation and devolution of power. A true democratic and civilized society is one where government and institutions are not all-pervasive, but where the citizen takes responsibility and acts just as much through civic organizations and his or her own involvement.

4. The moral imperative means Christian democratic solidarity on the national level.

The effects of globalisation and stronger competition are increasingly making themselves felt. This will inevitably lead to a continuous and strong need to adapt to changing conditions - be it in the field of economy, including the labour market, or in social policies.

Changes and flexibility are necessary, but that must not mean giving up what is fundamental in politics:

To offer citizens an effective health system affordable to all and social protection for the aged, the disabled and those that cannot find work.

We must strike the right balance between the need for reform and modernization, and offering public services of high quality. If not, we shall fail our responsibility as Christian democrats.

5. The moral imperative means Christian democratic solidarity on the international level.

The gap between rich and poor is widening. The crisis in Asia and Russia has sharpened the acuteness of the problem. At the same time – assistance from the industrialized world to the developing community is declining. In proportion to the over-all GNP – development assistance last year was down to 0.22 % against 0.36 % in 1984, and 0.48 % back in 1964. In other words last year was an all time low for the OECD countries.

This must not be allowed to continue.

Solidarity with the poor and oppressed lies at the heart of Christian democratic thinking. My government has as an ambition to raise the percentage of GNP used for development assistance to 1 %. We are not far from attaining this goal. Not all can do the same now, but we must all do what we can to break the vicious circle of poverty and human degradation.

Furthermore – we must relieve the debt burden of the developing countries. It is paradox – to say the least of it – that in some cases developing countries use more money to pay their debts – than the development assistance they receive.

Therefore my Government has launched a comprehensive debt relief plan where, in the coming years, we will use billions of crowns to reduce the debt of the poorest countries.

As you know,there is in the Holy Scripture a reference to the holy year of Jubilee. Every fiftieth year social injustice and class cleavages should be corrected by cancelling the debt of the poorest people. This old tradition has led to the establishment of the ”Jubilee 2000” campaign – a most positive example of the underlying idea of Christian democracy and international solidarity.

6. Combining economic growth with the preservation of nature and the environ- ment are not mutually excluding objectives.

In 1987 the World commission on environment and development presented its report ”Our common future”. It has two overriding conclusion: Without economic growth, there can be no real development and elimination of poverty. But not growth at any price. Growth must be sustainable and in harmony with the environment. That is the second fundamental conclusion.

We must make this dual approach the basic principle of Christian democratic policies both domestically and internationally.

And then those of us representing the industrialised world, must make one fundamental recognition flowing from applying this principle in practise:

We cannot go on living and consuming as before if we really mean that we want all people on earth to have the same chance to live in dignity and prosperity as we do.

7. European integration must mean unity in diversity.

The fall of the Berlin wall and the European revolution of 1989, has given us an historic chance to build a Europe whole and free. Much has been achieved. The threat of an all-out European conflict is no longer there thanks to widereaching agreements on arms control and confidence building measures. Economic co-operation and integration are accelerating with NATO, the European Union and OSCE as driving forces.

To me two things are important in this context:

• Firstly: We must develop a system where countries engage each other across the board in the closest co-operation, and yet retain their national characteristics and freedom of choice. We must in other words allow for a differentiated integration.
• Secondly: We must make sure that no new barriers – this time based not on ideology, but on wealth and prosperity – arise in Europe. All countries including not least Russia and Eastern Europe, must get their equal share.

8. Globalisation is irreversible, but it must evolve in a political framework.

Globalisation is here to stay. It is a strong, complex and irreversible force. But it is not a natural force which cannot be managed.

Christian democrats must now take the lead in drawing up concrete proposals for meeting the challenges which globalisation presents. We must design more open and better mechanisms for international financial operations, and we must address the special needs of the developing community. To analyse the phenomenon of globalisation and propose solutions I have taken the initiative for a high level international symposium in Oslo in July next year.

9. ”Blessed are the peacemakers”: Strengthening international peace and stability is a necessity and a moral obligation.

4 days ago we celebrated the 80 ieth anniversary of the end of the war to end all wars – the First World War. The dream did not come true. War continues to sow sorrow and destruction - in Europe as well as Africa and elsewhere.

War is the negation of all we stand for.

We must fight it on all fronts. By eliminating its causes which are often rooted in poverty and the denial of basic human rights. And by engaging in mediation and peacekeeping and – if need be – by committing our forces to promote peace and human dignity to those who are deprived of it.

10. Christian Democracy is the third way.

Many Socialists are searching for a new middle ground. Some call it ”Die Neue Mitte”, others call it ”The third Way”. It is a positive quest, but they are late in searching for a value based alternative to Socialism and Liberalism.

We, the Christian Democrats, already constitute the international movement that has been, and remains, the Third Way.

The goal of our politics is neither the market nor the state. It is the human being. For us political ideology starts with a basic understanding of the material and spiritual needs of man.

Therefore, politics must be more than a fight for power and your own interests. Politics must serve man - the individual, and humanity as a whole.

To sum it all up.

• Christian democracy is based on lasting values and will endure.
• Politics is to serve your neighbour.
• Christian democracy is the third way.
• The future belongs to the Christian democratic movement.

Thank you.