Unless a degree of coexistence is attained, no amount of material reconstruction will be sufficient to eliminate the causes of conflict. In other war-torn parts of the world such as Colombia and in many parts of Africa the Catholic Church provides the only grassroots social network that crosses all frontlines. In both cases, Church is a crucial partner in efforts to foster tolerance and co-existence. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have seen with my own eyes the despair in the eyes of people who have lost everything, whose loved ones have been killed, whose houses and livelihoods have been destroyed, and who have been forced to flee in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on their backs. But I have also witnessed the courage and resilience of so many people who have lost everything but hope.
Refugees are the great survivors of our times and they deserve our respect and our solidarity.
It has been a privilege and a great honour to serve this cause as High Commissioner. Your continued interest and involvement with my Office is indispensable. Your understanding and compassion for the refugees is ultimately the foundation for our work both here in the United States and globally, around the world.