联合国秘书长潘基文2012年国际民主日致辞（中英对照）

Secretary-General’s Message on the International Day of Democracy<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

国际民主日致辞

New York, 6 September 2012

2012年9月15日，纽约

Today we look back on yet another year of remarkable events in the story of democracy -- a story that continues to be written by people who yearn for dignity and human rights, for an end to corruption, for a say in their future, for jobs, justice and a fair share of political power.

　　今天，当我们回首展望，民主历程又渡过了风起云涌的一年。向往尊严和人权、期盼消除腐败、发挥对自己未来的发言权、获得就业、公正以及公平分享政治权力的人们，继续在谱写这一历程。

Their story is just beginning.  Democracies are not born overnight, nor built in a year, or by holding one or two elections.  They require sustained and painstaking work. Yet, once begun, there can be no going back.

　　民主历程还刚刚起步。民主不是一蹴而就的，也不是一年或通过一两次选举建成的。民主需要长期艰苦卓绝的工作。然而，这个历程一旦开始，就一发而不可收。

Reform must be real.  People do not seek authoritarianism with a human face.  They want a virtuous circle of rights and opportunity under the rule of law, a vibrant civil society and an enterprising private sector, backed by efficient and accountable state institutions.

　　改革必须是真实的。人们追求的不是表面人性化的威权。他们希望权利和机会在法制下实现良性循环，在有效和问责的国家机构支持下建立充满活力的民间社会和积极创业的私营部门。

Inclusive dialogue is crucial.  Diversity is a strength.  We must work to promote pluralism and protect the rights of minorities and the vulnerable.  And women must be at the centre of efforts to build democratic futures.  They have been at the forefront of movements for change.  They have a right to a real say in governance and decision-making.

　　包容性的对话是至关重要的。多样性是一种力量。我们必须努力促进多元化并保护少数群体和弱势群体的权利。而妇女必须立于建设民主未来努力的核心；她们一直走在争取变革运动的前列；她们应在管理和决策中有真正的发言权。

The voices of the young must also be heard and heeded.  Profound demographic pressures around the world make this an imperative.  Faced with bleak prospects and unresponsive governments, young people will act on their own to reclaim their future.

　　我们必须听取和重视青年的声音。全世界深刻的人口压力使之成为必然。面对黯淡的前景，如果政府不做反应，年轻人将自己采取行动争取他们的未来。

Underpinning these prerequisites -- and essential for long term success -- is democracy education, the theme of this year’s observance.  It is needed so that all citizens in all nations, in democracies young and old, established or fragile, fully understand their rights and responsibilities.  And it is especially needed in countries that have made recent democratic gains so that progress made does not unravel.

　　作为这些先决条件的基础，今年的活动主题“民主教育”是长期成功的关键。必须通过民主教育，使所有国家(无论是新建的还是历史长的、稳固的还是脆弱的民主国家)的所有公民，充分了解自己的权利和责任。民主教育在最近取得民主成果的国家尤其必要，以使取得的进展不致流失。

The United Nations is strongly committed to working with partners to develop global and local initiatives that elevate democracy education as an integral part of all education initiatives and as a component of long-term governance strategies.  Let us build partnerships between international education experts and Governments to develop and disseminate best practices.  Let us develop a culture of civic participation to explore opportunities made possible by new media, and support countries in devising curricula and training methods.

　　联合国坚定地致力于与合作伙伴制定全球和地方性举措，将民主教育提升为所有教育倡议和长期执政战略的一个组成部分。让我们在各国政府和国际教育专家之间建立伙伴关系，发展和推广最佳做法。让我们发展公民参与的文化以开拓新媒体带来的机遇，并支持各国制定教程和培训方法。

In marking this year’s International Day of Democracy, let us use all our creativity to advance this mission.  Let us work to bring democracy education to all, and in particular, to those societies in transition that need it most.

　　在庆祝今年的国际民主日之际，让我们发挥所有的创造力推进这项任务。让我们努力使民主教育进入所有社会，特别是最需要它的转型期社会。