44. Kofi Annan: The Speech by the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize Winner (II)
44. 科菲·安南诺贝尔和平奖演讲(2)
The obstacles democracy have little to do with culture or religion, and much more to do with the desire of those in power to maintain their position at any cost.
民主的障碍与文化或宗教的关系不大，反而与掌权者不惜任何代价维护其地位的欲望关系甚大。这种现象不是新的，也不是局限于世界某地所特有的。各种文化的人民都珍视其选择自由，并感到需要在影响其生活的决策中拥有发言权。
The United Nations, whose membership comprises almost all the States in the world, is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being. It is the nearest thing we have to a representative institution that can address the interests of all states, and all peoples. Through is universal, indispensable instrument of human progress, States can serve the interests of their citizens by recognizing common interests and pursuing them in unity. No doubt, that is why the Nobel Committee says that it "wishes, in its centenary year, to proclaim that the only negotiable route to global peace and cooperation goes by way of the United Nations".
联合国成员国几乎包括世界所有国家，联合国是建立在人人价值平等的原则之上的。它是我们为各国和各国人民利益服务的再好不过的代表性机构。通过联合国是促进人类进步的不可或缺的国际组织，各国可以认识到大家共同的利益，团结起来实现共同的利益，从而为其公民的利益服务。毫无疑问，这就是为什么诺贝尔委员会说，它"在其一百周年之际正式宣告，联合国是通过谈判实现全球和平与合作的唯一途径。 "
I believe the Committee also recognized that this era of global challenges leaves no choice but cooperation at the global level. When States undermine the rule of law and violate the rights of their individual citizens, they become a menace not only to their own people, but also to their neighbours, and indeed the world. What we need today is better gove mance---legitimate, democratic govemance that allows each individual to, and each State to flourish, and
我相信委员会也会意识到，在这个充满全球性挑战的时代，我们除了全珠性合作，别无选择。每当国家破坏法治并侵犯其公民个人的权利，它们不仅成为本国人民的威胁，也成为邻国甚至整个世界的威胁。我们今天需要的是更好的统治方式一一合法、民主的统治方式，使每个人都能充分发展，每个国家都能通过合作兴旺发达。
扩展阅读：
Book T. Washington谦卑的故事
Balzac顽强工作，自强不息的故事
