UN General Assembly
2012

so, we can at times forget that behind every country’s representative are real people with real lives, who seek cherished moments despite their sea of despair. And let there be no doubt that, even when our leaders come here to speak, we will have, in all our own countries, differences of opinion, of philosophy, of faith. Yet despite all this, the beauty of democracy is that we can embrace a common pursuit: the pursuit of happiness, prosperity and enjoyment of life. Our philosophies should therefore never destroy that pursuit; they should affirm it. Our faiths should never tear this apart, they should form and fashion souls of compassion, understanding and tolerance. For our ancestors, from Africa to Asia, from the Arctic to the Amazon, all knew conflict and what it cost in their lives. We know what it costs humankind right now. And we should all know that history has repeatedly shown us that warfare is not the best way to solve our