Message from Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the Occasion of the International Day of Democracy

　　教科文组织总干事伊琳娜·博科娃女士在国际民主日的致辞

　　15 September 2017

　　2017年9月15日

　　UNESCO was created in 1945 on a clear idea.

　　1945年教科文组织创立，基于一个明确的理念。

　　In the words of our Constitution:

　　本组织的《组织法》写道：

　　“The great and terrible war which has now ended was a war made possible by the denial of the democratic principles of the dignity, equality and mutual respect of men, and by the propagation, in their place, through ignorance and prejudice, of the doctrine of the inequality of men and races.”

　　“现已告结束之此次大规模恐怖战争之所以发生，既因人类尊严、平等与相互尊重等民主原则之遭摒弃，亦因人类与种族之不平等主义得以取而代之，借无知与偏见而散布。”

　　In new times, in another century, this idea still rings true.

　　在新时代，在另一个世纪，这一理念仍然十分切实。

　　Change is racing across the world, transforming societies everywhere. This is opening vast new opportunities for women and men to realise their human rights, to become empowered citizens and fulfil their aspirations to decent jobs, to participate fully in society, to advance dialogue and bolster the foundations for peace.

　　世界风云变幻，社会转型无处不在。这为每一个人实现自己的人权、成为有权能的公民、实现获得体面工作的愿望、全面参与社会、促进对话以及巩固和平之基础，带来了巨大的新机遇。

　　With this come steep new challenges also. The challenges of enduring poverty and deepening inequalities. The challenges of conflict and violence, including terrorism and violent extremism. The challenges of rights denied and voices silenced through weak institutions, the rise of populism and exclusive rule.

　　随之而来的还有各种严峻的新挑战。贫困持续和不平等加深的挑战。恐怖主义和暴力极端主义等冲突和暴力的挑战。机构薄弱、民粹主义崛起和排斥性规则导致权利遭到否定以及言论受到压制的挑战。

　　In this context, democracy is both a map and a compass setting. It is the path and the direction for moving forward.

　　在这一背景下，民主既是地图又是指南针。民主是必由之路，是前进的方向。

　　This message stands at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sustainable Development Goal 16 calls on all States to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”

　　这一讯息是《2030年可持续发展议程》的核心。可持续发展目标16要求各国“创建和平和包容的社会以促进可持续发展，让所有人都能诉诸司法，在各级建立有效、可问责和包容的机构”。

　　Development will not be sustainable if it is not inclusive. Peace will not be lasting if it is not just. This is why the 2030 Agenda promises to leave no one behind. Democracy is about effective and accountable institutions, the rule of law and good governance – it is also a culture, a way of thinking, being and acting, with others, in society. This must be taught and shared, voiced and expressed across all boundary lines, within and between all societies, starting with individual women and men – especially those most at risk, including refugees and migrants.

　　不包容的发展不会是可持续的发展。不公正的和平不会是持久的和平。这就是为什么《2030年议程》承诺不让任何一个人掉队。民主关乎有效和可问责的机构、法治和善政，民主也是一种文化、一种在社会上与其他人一起思考、生存和行事的方式。必须超越一切界限，在所有社会之中和之间，从男女个体——尤其是处境最为危险者，包括难民和移民——开始，传授、分享、说 出和表达这一点。

　　Everyone must be represented, especially those most marginalised.

　　每一个人都必须有自己的代表，尤其是那些处于最边缘地位的人。

　　Every voice must be heard, especially those most silenced.

　　每一种声音都必须得到倾听，尤其是那些受压制最严重的人。

　　Every action must be accountable to the benefit of all, in the spirit of dialogue and respect.

　　每一次行动都必须本着对话和尊重的精神，对所有人的利益负责。

　　Building a better future must start with defending the rights and dignity of everyone today. This is UNESCO’s message on this International Day of Democracy.

　　创造更加美好的未来，必须从维护今天每一个人的权利和尊严开始。这就是教科文组织在这个国际民主日想要传递的讯息。