Executive Conference of Centrist Democrat International (IDC.CDI)
Kheang Un, P.D., Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cambodia
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. War has haunted mankind since time immemorial, causing destruction and suffering. As we speak, wars are raging in many parts of the world. In some instances, wars were waged believingly to end wars. Unfortunately, peace remained elusive. These conditions are partly because efforts to build and sustain peace were not cultivated in the young.
2. In these brief remarks, I will make three points. First, we need to know how to instill a culture of peace in our youth. Second, we need to promote inclusive and sustainable development for youth. Third, we need to promote cross-cultural understanding among youth.
3. In conflict societies, youth are involved in wars and violence, which, in many cases, are perpetuated in vicious cycles. Youth, therefore, should learn and then share best practices that can effectively end these vicious cycles. I want to share some recent Cambodian history with you—a valuable episode of history that teaches us how these cycles can end. The area we gather in today was—not long ago—a battleground between Khmers and Khmers. International intervention through the United Nations contributed to ending the protracted conflicts in Cambodia, but only partially. It was the vision of Former Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen that ended the war. His vision is that war cannot be finished by war. Only through negotiation and reconciliation can a lasting peace be achieved. Underpinning Prime Minister Hun Sen’s elegant vision is that negotiation and reconciliation must be anchored on a Win-Win principle that honors former adversaries’ dignity, property, liberty, and status.
4. The Cambodian government instills the values of peace, reconciliation, and tolerance in its youth. The Cambodian government designated May 20th as a day of remembrance of the darkest period of Cambodia’s history, during which the Khmer Rouge destroyed the foundation of the society and killed over 2 million Cambodians. The government constructed stupas in memory of those who had perished. This is a reminder to Cambodian youth that we can forgive the perpetrators, but we should not forget the enormity of the suffering and destruction Cambodia has endured. The government also constructed the Win-Win Monument, inscribing the history of negotiation and reconciliation that led to eventual peace in Cambodia.
5. Throughout history, we learn that our forebearers and our contemporary fellows uttered the burning desire that war should not occur. Yet, it did! In all cases, youth participated in wars; however, they are also victims of wars. The causes of war are many. War originates from scarcity, unequal resource access, and lack of economic opportunities. These factors accumulate, resulting in hopelessness. These are the root causes of conflict. Therefore, the government must promote positive peace by pushing Sustainable Development Goals to reduce poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Youth can help alleviate these root causes. For example, the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia contributes doctors to fight the spread of COVID-19, promotes E-learning, partners with businesses to promote vocational training and employment opportunities, and undertakes systematic land registration.
6. Peace on earth can be achieved only when there is peaceful coexistence among nations. Peaceful coexistence occurs only when the youth of different countries understand each other’s values, priorities, and interests. Lack of such understanding often leads to misperceptions that, in turn, foster mistrust and hatred, which are sources of conflicts. Such
mutual understanding can be promoted by exchanging visits by youth to each other’s countries. These visits should also be accompanied by activities that foster mutual understanding. As we gather here, some forces are attempting to deglobalize. Youth exchanges and related activities will create a counterforce to this deglobalization pulse. With their awareness of the shortcomings of current globalization, the youth will mold globalization into an inclusive and future-focused one.
7. A Khmer proverb says, “Bamboo shoots cherish bamboo.” Similarly, youth cherish humanity. Another Khmer proverb says, “To live is to hope.” In this context, when we have hope in our youth, we will live confidently that our children and grandchildren will inherit our planet and help transform it into a more harmonious one.
8. Thank you for your kind attention.
Reconciliation and Tolerance: Foundation for Lasting Peace
Executive Conference of Centrist Democrat International (IDC.CDI)
Kheang Un, P.D., Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cambodia
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. War has haunted mankind since time immemorial, causing destruction and suffering. As we speak, wars are raging in many parts of the world. In some instances, wars were waged believingly to end wars. Unfortunately, peace remained elusive. These conditions are partly because efforts to build and sustain peace were not cultivated in the young.
2. In these brief remarks, I will make three points. First, we need to know how to instill a culture of peace in our youth. Second, we need to promote inclusive and sustainable development for youth. Third, we need to promote cross-cultural understanding among youth.
3. In conflict societies, youth are involved in wars and violence, which, in many cases, are perpetuated in vicious cycles. Youth, therefore, should learn and then share best practices that can effectively end these vicious cycles. I want to share some recent Cambodian history with you—a valuable episode of history that teaches us how these cycles can end. The area we gather in today was—not long ago—a battleground between Khmers and Khmers. International intervention through the United Nations contributed to ending the protracted conflicts in Cambodia, but only partially. It was the vision of Former Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen that ended the war. His vision is that war cannot be finished by war. Only through negotiation and reconciliation can a lasting peace be achieved. Underpinning Prime Minister Hun Sen’s elegant vision is that negotiation and reconciliation must be anchored on a Win-Win principle that honors former adversaries’ dignity, property, liberty, and status.
4. The Cambodian government instills the values of peace, reconciliation, and tolerance in its youth. The Cambodian government designated May 20th as a day of remembrance of the darkest period of Cambodia’s history, during which the Khmer Rouge destroyed the foundation of the society and killed over 2 million Cambodians. The government constructed stupas in memory of those who had perished. This is a reminder to Cambodian youth that we can forgive the perpetrators, but we should not forget the enormity of the suffering and destruction Cambodia has endured. The government also constructed the Win-Win Monument, inscribing the history of negotiation and reconciliation that led to eventual peace in Cambodia.
5. Throughout history, we learn that our forebearers and our contemporary fellows uttered the burning desire that war should not occur. Yet, it did! In all cases, youth participated in wars; however, they are also victims of wars. The causes of war are many. War originates from scarcity, unequal resource access, and lack of economic opportunities. These factors accumulate, resulting in hopelessness. These are the root causes of conflict. Therefore, the government must promote positive peace by pushing Sustainable Development Goals to reduce poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. Youth can help alleviate these root causes. For example, the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia contributes doctors to fight the spread of COVID-19, promotes E-learning, partners with businesses to promote vocational training and employment opportunities, and undertakes systematic land registration.
6. Peace on earth can be achieved only when there is peaceful coexistence among nations. Peaceful coexistence occurs only when the youth of different countries understand each other’s values, priorities, and interests. Lack of such understanding often leads to misperceptions that, in turn, foster mistrust and hatred, which are sources of conflicts. Such
mutual understanding can be promoted by exchanging visits by youth to each other’s countries. These visits should also be accompanied by activities that foster mutual understanding. As we gather here, some forces are attempting to deglobalize. Youth exchanges and related activities will create a counterforce to this deglobalization pulse. With their awareness of the shortcomings of current globalization, the youth will mold globalization into an inclusive and future-focused one.
7. A Khmer proverb says, “Bamboo shoots cherish bamboo.” Similarly, youth cherish humanity. Another Khmer proverb says, “To live is to hope.” In this context, when we have hope in our youth, we will live confidently that our children and grandchildren will inherit our planet and help transform it into a more harmonious one.
8. Thank you for your kind attention.
Famous women in the Austro-Hungarian history – Luncheon in Vienna
Knowing our history thoroughly is impossible without knowledge of its outstanding, inspiring personalities!
In collaboration with the Hungarian Embassy in Vienna, we revisited the rich and enduring life of Teréz Brunszvik, a Hungarian countess and the founder of the first kindergartens in Hungary.
She opened the first kindergarten – then known as a “kisdedóvó” – in the entire Habsburg Monarchy on June 1, 1828, under the name “Angyalkert,” in her mother’s house in Buda, at the corner of today’s Mikó Street and Attila Road.
In 1836, she founded an association to promote the spread of kindergartens. She went on to establish 11 more kindergartens, and by the time of her death, the number of these institutions had grown to 80. Together with her niece, Teleki Blanka (daughter of Count Imre Teleki and Brunszvik Karolina), she actively participated in the establishment of the first Hungarian women’s educational institution.
Lady Ambassadors’ Charity Initiative Excursion
“Defence of the Faith and assistance to the poor.“
Together with the Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, CDI Hungary organized a wonderful excursion to two locations of the emerging settlement programme in the Nograd region: Mátraverebély & Rózsavilág Alsópetény.
We are incredibly grateful for the warm hospitality and kindness with which we were received. Congratulations to the women at the sewing workshop and those working on the Rose World project for their amazing products and all the hard work they put into them. Thank you for making our visit so special!
The Lady Ambassadors’ Charity Initiative was created in order to facilitate regular visits to the institutions of the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta and to get engaged in charitable activities therewith.
Christian Democratic Leaders’ Roundtable Luncheon in Vienna
Another Christian Democratic Leaders’ Roundtable Luncheon in Vienna discussing the results of the Austrian federal elections and the latest developments in the Middle East.
The Christian Democratic Leader’s Roundtable is an initiative to bring together like-minded Christan politicians and alliances, as well as to enable informal ways of cooperation and joint initiatives.
Book launch: The Electoral Frauds of the São Paulo Forum by Alejandro Peña Esclusa
Alejandro Pena Esclusa’s new book, Neomarxista Rt. – The São Paulo Forum’s Series of Electoral Frauds in South America,has been published in cooperation with the Center for Fundamental Rights and CDI Hungary!
The form of democracy as we know it in Latin America will soon disappear, as a group of coup plotters, former insurgents, drug traffickers, and bribe-takers gathering around the São Paulo Forum and the Puebla Group have developed a sophisticated method that allows them to seize power through electoral fraud. Alejandro Peña Esclusa’s study provides a detailed explanation of these mechanisms and how they function. It offers an analysis that no researcher has previously conducted, revealing the widespread fraud perpetrated by the political left, not just in individual countries but across the entire region. Peña Esclusa has an unparalleled understanding of the São Paulo Forum, having conducted in-depth research on the topic for the past 28 years. He has paid a high price for his efforts, facing persecution, imprisonment, and exile.
We were honored at the book launch by the presence of Andrés Pastrana, former President of Colombia and President of IDC.CDI, and Janez Janša, former Prime Minister of Slovenia.
The panel discussion was moderated by the head of the CFR’s Madrid office and was attended by Németh Zsolt, Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the National Assembly of Hungary and Alejandro Pena Esclusa, author of the book, Leading Expert of CDI Hungary.
The new book is now available at Libri, here, as well as Alejandro Pena Esclusa’s first book published in Hungarian by the CDI in Hungary, The Cultural Warfare of the Sao Paulo Forum, here.
Consultative Meeting on Peace Charter in Budapest
We welcomed an Asian delegation to the Parliament in the spirit of joint thinking about peace. The purpose of the group’s visit from Cambodia is to finalize an international Peace Charter, focusing on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
Director of CDI Hungary; Andrés Pastrana President of the IDC.CDI, former president of Columbia; Németh Zsolt Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs of National Assembly of Hungary; Alejandro Pena Esclusa, Leading Expert of CDI Hungary
The National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia is assuming the Presidency of the IPTP 2023-2024 and co-hosting the 11th Plenary Session, which is one of the most pivotal and historical milestones that signifies the synergy, multilateral efforts, cooperation, solidarity, and partnership among parliaments and parliamentarians worldwide, alongside prominent leaders from governments and civil society organisations. The outcome of this meeting is the adoption of a well-rounded final draft of the Peace Charter, followed by an action plan for its practical implementation.
Delegation from Cambodia in the Hungarian Parliament
Fourth Conservative Ladies’ Breakfast
This time, Her Excellency María Lorena Capra, Ambassador of the Republic of Argentina to Hungary and Member of European Parliament Enikő Győri, were our guests of honour, with whom we discussed and celebrated the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the South American country and Hungary, reviewing the past, present and future of our fruitful cooperation.
IDC Africa conference in Paris
The CDI Hungary was delighted to participate in the IDC Africa conference in Paris, a high-level event with two African Prime Ministers and representatives of several African member countries of the Centrist Democratic International, it provided an in-depth insight into the future of democracy in Africa, facilitating a meaningful dialogue and exchange of ideas between leaders and experts.
First book launch of the Neomarxista Rt. in Tusványos
We happily came to Tusványos in 2024 with yet another book launch! Alejandro Pena Esclusa’s book on the Electoral Fraud of the Sao Paulo Forum was published in Hungarian in cooperation with the Center for Fundamental Rights.
The form of democracy currently known in Latin America will soon cease to exist, as a group of coup plotters, former resistance fighters, drug traffickers, and bribed individuals gathered around the São Paulo Forum and the Puebla Group have developed a sophisticated method that allows them to gain power through fraud. Alejandro Peña Esclusa’s study details these mechanisms and explains how they work. He presents an analysis that no other researcher has yet conducted, as he uncovers the connections between the frauds committed by the political left, not only in individual countries but throughout the entire region. Peña Esclusa knows the São Paulo Forum like few others, having conducted in-depth research on the subject for 28 years. He has paid a high price for this, facing persecution, imprisonment, and exile.
We also had the pleasure to welcome international speakers such as Julie Hartman from the United States, Marwan Abdallah from Lebanon and Abshir Ferro from Somalia. Tusványos is an excellent place for having discussions on current international affairs, meet new and old friends and simply enjoy!
Europe of Values exhibition with the Dialogue Foundation