A dialogue between Helen Clark and Kevin Clements

4 October, 2024

 

On 4 October 2024, an important peace symposium titled “Challenges to Peace in Turbulent Times” was hosted at the New Zealand Parliament Banquet Hall. Organized by Toda Peace Institute, SGI-NZ and several other prominent organizations, this event featured a thought-provoking dialogue between Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Prof. Kevin P. Clements, Director of the Toda Peace Institute. The event could not have come at a more critical time, as the world grapples with unprecedented social, economic, and political challenges, with conflicts raging from Ukraine and the Middle East to Sudan.

The dialogue first revolved around the role of the United Nations and multilateral institutions in these turbulent times, as these bodies struggle to maintain peace amidst crises in Ukraine, the Middle East, Taiwan, and other global hotspots. Helen Clark and Kevin Clements shared their deep concerns about the perceived inefficacy of today’s global organizations. While they emphasized the need for robust reforms to strengthen the UN’s peace and security architecture, there was a shared sentiment that current action points, such as those in the Pact for the Future from the recent UN Summit, were "too high in rhetoric and low on implementation."


 

The Climate Crisis as a Core Challenge

Both speakers passionately highlighted the global threat of climate change, stressing its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. They argued that addressing climate-induced crises requires intergenerational collaboration, particularly with youth. Youth involvement was deemed vital in creating effective solutions to what they see as humanity's most pressing challenge.

One of the key areas of concern for both speakers was New Zealand’s potential involvement in AUKUS, the trilateral security pact between the US, UK, and Australia. They advocated for the country’s independent foreign policy and firmly opposed military alignments that target specific nations, particularly China. Clark and Clements warned against the dangers of "politics of fear," which they argued breeds polarization and stifles the pursuit of constructive, peaceful visions for the future.

In response to a question on how young people should maintain hope in the face of global adversity, Professor Clements dedicated a powerful message from Daisaku Ikeda, the late founder of Toda Peace Institute, to the young people of the world:


"Hope transforms pessimism into optimism.

Hope is invincible. Hope changes everything.

It changes winter into summer, darkness into dawn, barrenness into creativity,

agony into joy.

Hope is the sun. It is the light. It is passion.

It is the fundamental force for life’s blossoming.”

 

Professor Clements emphasized that every individual has the potential to be a source of hope, encouraging the audience to become active agents of positive change.

The event was hosted by Ingrid Leary, MP for Taieri. Video clips of the dialogue will be introduced on Toda’s YouTube Channel soon.

 

Photo credit: SGI-NZ