As the world reels from the pandemic, a call for human fraternity

By MICHAËLLE JEAN FEBRUARY 4, 2021

Learning from each other’s accomplishments and experiences, both recipients of the inaugural award will significantly expand the scope of fraternal action throughout the world.

With more than two million lives lost around the world, the uncontrolled pandemic continues to test us. To survive this crisis, and to overcome its consequences, the utmost human fraternity must be summoned. 

In addition to the tragedy of the pandemic, let us not forget the long list of other crises that are just as destructive and alarming: armed conflicts; the devastating impacts of global warming; food insecurity; mass migrations of those seeking asylum; the escalation of hate speech and hate crimes, extremist violence, and terrorist attacks. 

Because all of our capacity to live and act together must be reinforced, it’s important to recognize two outstanding individuals who have acted with a sense of urgency and responsibility in leading us through these crises. 

Two years ago, on February 4, 2019, Pope Francis and the grand imam of Al Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, signed the “Document on Human Fraternity,” in the name of interfaith dialogue and in an appeal for peace and respectful coexistence. 

More call to action than spiritual statement, their unifying message inspired the creation of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. The annual $1-million award, which is being launched this year and is being presented by the two religious leaders, was born under the guidance of an independent, impartial committee. It seeks to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the progress of humanity and the promotion of peaceful coexistence. All of this led to the UN designating Feb. 4 the “International Day of Human Fraternity.”

The day aims to cultivate universal humanistic values in us and around us, and to instill a respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, the dignity of people, the integrity of our living spaces, and the environment. 

I am extremely proud and honoured to be part of the jury for this nascent award and to have been able to examine, together with my colleagues, an impressive number of remarkable submissions from around the world. From these, we selected two recipients from totally different backgrounds, whom we hope will work together.

We were inspired and overwhelmed by the story of Latifa Ibn Ziaten, a mother and activist of Morrocan origin. An immigrant to France from a modest background, Latifa could normally be described as “ordinary,” but is in fact an absolutely “extraordinary” person. 

Her young son Imad was murdered in 2012, shot and killed by another young man, who had been radicalized and who also met his own death after the terrorist attack he committed against a Jewish school in Toulouse. The shooting sent shockwaves throughout France, Europe, and around the world. 

Latifa succeeded where official awareness raising programmes and initiatives had failed to attract attention. On her own, she decided to wage a relentless campaign, touring schools, campuses, cultural and community centres, neighbourhoods and the media, to share her painful experience. 

Her plea is convincing. She tackles the exclusion, discrimination, racism, and indifference that can make young people vulnerable to radicalization, whose distress and helplessness are then exploited by criminal organizations that lead them to commit crimes from which it’s difficult to come out unscathed or alive. Grieving families and devastated communities are left in their wake. Horror, terror, and mistrust take hold of society, and sow division. 

In response, she says, we need to act more responsibly, with more empathy and justice, through education, training, inclusion, and dialogue. Latifa Ibn Ziaten is love, peace, and dignity in action. With kindness and nuance, she inspires. Active citizenship is her credo. She has founded “IMAD’s Association for Youth and Peace,” which allows her to implement key initiatives in popular neighbourhoods, using the funds provided by her speaking engagements.

Alongside Latifa, we chose as a co-recipient a highly dedicated man, one who also carries a heavy load. He is a man whose work is also to campaign tirelessly for peace, a sustainable economy, and human development. 

His task requires marshalling major resources, fostering collective reasoning and solidarity, and engaging in fruitful co-operation. In the face of the worst calamities that throw entire populations into misery and insecurity, his work lies in dealing with heads of state who must be mobilized—the very ones who sometimes think only of their own interests and feed the most dangerous forms of populism. Some are bellicose rulers who prefer to build walls, while others are being tested by the worst challenges, trying to contain all manners of risks, hoping for peace, justice and stability, an inclusive prosperity. António Guterres, the United Nations’s secretary general, has long been a leading advocate for multilateralism, essential as it is in an era of increasing parochial unilateralism.

By partnering with the work of Latifa Ibn Ziaten, António Guterres will amplify her message and broaden her commitment. 

Learning from each other’s accomplishments and experiences, both recipients will significantly expand the scope of fraternal action throughout the world.

Michaëlle Jean is the former governor general of Canada.

Source : The Hill Times, 2021-02-04 Edition.