Peace, equality and democracy
Finland’s role in the world is to promote peace, equality and democracy. To paraphrase Francis of Assisi, Finland should bring peace where there is hate; where there is insult we should bring forgiveness, where there is disagreement we should bring consensus, truth in place of misunderstanding, belief in place of doubt, confidence in place of despair and joy and comfort in place of sorrow. This may sound pious, but if there is a genuine will, everything is possible.
But goals wrapped up with grand words must also be implemented in practice: Finland enjoys an excellent reputation around the world as an intermediary for peace. The work of thousands of peacekeepers and many diplomatic negotiators is not perhaps always readily visible, but I want to believe that there has been a positive outcome. ‘In giving you receive and in losing you find.’
There’s a lot going on in Europe, our front yard. Unemployment is rising as the Euro elite’s indifference to people’s conditions becomes ever more evident. Europeans do not seek federalism but rather fair co-operation among the nation states. There is a great desire for freedom and an essential part of that is the opportunity to decide one’s own affairs. Finland can be a brave voice in the European Union defending peace and democracy.
Courage is also needed to defend those weaker than ourselves. Hundreds of millions of people in the world are starving and living in need. There would be food for all, and in Africa for example, to eradicate hunger would require just a small portion of the money used by the Euro countries to rescue the banks. We have the money, the food and the tools to get aid to its destination. Only the will is lacking. Could Finland be in the front line to raise this will?
