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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Inaugurating The 15th Pugwash Conference Dec. 29, 1965 |
| Selected Speeches |
We and the Ethiopian people are honoured to welcome to our country this
most distinguished gathering of eminent scholars and scientists. The
occasion is of special significance to Us since We respect and earnestly
seek to support in all Our actions the very principles which have brought
you together here from diverse nations and political creeds vigorously and
openly to discuss with one another some of the major problems of our
time. We are pleased, indeed, that the University and the Foundation
which bear Our name, have been able in some measure to further the
noble work and ideals of the great men whose efforts led to the creation of
this extraordinary series of Conferences on Science and World Affairs.
We must acknowledge once more Our sincere admiration for Lord
Bertrand Russell, whose indomitable courage and profound moral and
scientific teachings have left an indelible mark on the history of our times,
and whose spirit infuses and enlivens the discussions which take place
under the aegis of these Conferences.
It was, of course, inevitable that Pugwash should one day come to Africa;
nor could a more appropriate location have been found for the first of
these Conferences ever to be held on African soil. For it was in this very
room that the unity of Africa first took form and substance less than three
years ago with the establishment of the Organization of African Unity.
The location is appropriate, not merely because this room and building are
in some ways symbolic of the common hopes and aspirations of all the
free peoples of this continent, but also because the fundamental principles
which Africans have espoused in so joining together appear to Us to be
closely linked with those which underlie the Pugwash Conferences.
These Conferences arose out of the belief that there were certain problems
facing the world today; problems of such vital importance to mankind that
there was great need to discuss them freely without reference to
conflicting moral or political ideologies; problems indeed of such
magnitude, such universal importance, that common ground of agreement
must and could be found and common proposals for their solution could
arise through the process of objective observation and analysis in which
scientists are trained.
most distinguished gathering of eminent scholars and scientists. The
occasion is of special significance to Us since We respect and earnestly
seek to support in all Our actions the very principles which have brought
you together here from diverse nations and political creeds vigorously and
openly to discuss with one another some of the major problems of our
time. We are pleased, indeed, that the University and the Foundation
which bear Our name, have been able in some measure to further the
noble work and ideals of the great men whose efforts led to the creation of
this extraordinary series of Conferences on Science and World Affairs.
We must acknowledge once more Our sincere admiration for Lord
Bertrand Russell, whose indomitable courage and profound moral and
scientific teachings have left an indelible mark on the history of our times,
and whose spirit infuses and enlivens the discussions which take place
under the aegis of these Conferences.
It was, of course, inevitable that Pugwash should one day come to Africa;
nor could a more appropriate location have been found for the first of
these Conferences ever to be held on African soil. For it was in this very
room that the unity of Africa first took form and substance less than three
years ago with the establishment of the Organization of African Unity.
The location is appropriate, not merely because this room and building are
in some ways symbolic of the common hopes and aspirations of all the
free peoples of this continent, but also because the fundamental principles
which Africans have espoused in so joining together appear to Us to be
closely linked with those which underlie the Pugwash Conferences.
These Conferences arose out of the belief that there were certain problems
facing the world today; problems of such vital importance to mankind that
there was great need to discuss them freely without reference to
conflicting moral or political ideologies; problems indeed of such
magnitude, such universal importance, that common ground of agreement
must and could be found and common proposals for their solution could
arise through the process of objective observation and analysis in which
scientists are trained.
| Free Communication Needed |
| Haile Selassie the First - December 29, 1965 |
| Little Spent For Development |
To be sure, there exists throughout the world a sense that something must
be done, and, as well, a belief that all that should be done is being done.
But in terms of the enormous resources squandered in wars or in the
amassing of weapons of destruction or even devoted to the enthralling
conquest of space, the amount which has been allotted to bettering the
existence of the individual in the developing world is little indeed.
Poverty, fear, ignorance, disease are not problems vanquished in the wake
of scientific progress; they are the problems with which we struggle from
day to day.
All these problems will surely not be solved by the present Conference.
But, it is Our earnest conviction that, at the very least, the forthright
exchange of ideas and impressions concerning them will occur here.
In a world made strong and properous through the force of man's
intellect, it is a further challenge to that intellect that science be charged to
solve the unique problems of development; for all mankind must share in
the better life which progress has made possible.
It is this challenge which must triumph over the evils that plague Our
peoples; which must temper and reduce the racial, political and religious
differences among them; which must bring to them the peace required for
the better world which you seek to create.
It is this challenge which must be the impetus and the inspiration of your
deliberations here.
be done, and, as well, a belief that all that should be done is being done.
But in terms of the enormous resources squandered in wars or in the
amassing of weapons of destruction or even devoted to the enthralling
conquest of space, the amount which has been allotted to bettering the
existence of the individual in the developing world is little indeed.
Poverty, fear, ignorance, disease are not problems vanquished in the wake
of scientific progress; they are the problems with which we struggle from
day to day.
All these problems will surely not be solved by the present Conference.
But, it is Our earnest conviction that, at the very least, the forthright
exchange of ideas and impressions concerning them will occur here.
In a world made strong and properous through the force of man's
intellect, it is a further challenge to that intellect that science be charged to
solve the unique problems of development; for all mankind must share in
the better life which progress has made possible.
It is this challenge which must triumph over the evils that plague Our
peoples; which must temper and reduce the racial, political and religious
differences among them; which must bring to them the peace required for
the better world which you seek to create.
It is this challenge which must be the impetus and the inspiration of your
deliberations here.
Africans, too, have recognized the imperative that there must be, for the
sake of their common welfare, some means for the free communication
and exchange of ideas in an atmosphere untainted by extraneous political
considerations. We may not consciously have sought the "scientific" way
to deal with Our problems, but we have recognized and continue to
maintain Our belief in the necessity for an objective approach to the
difficulties which we share.
In these hours of crisis and tension across the world, no nation, however
willing, can hold itself apart from the encroachment of political and
nationalistic forces. Nonetheless, it remains clear beyond doubt that the
interests and concerns shared by the developing nations cover a vast
expanse demanding exploration, but as yet scarcely known to exist.
Thus, the subject matter of this, the fifteenth of the Pugwash
Conferences, is vital, timely and potentially of far-reaching importance.
The developing world now includes the greater part of the human race;
thence it is essential that the hopes, the aspirations, and he necessities of
its peoples be carefully evaluated and understood.
Progress in this world had been possible only through the consistent
application of knowledge which was amassed by you scientists and your
predecessors during the past centuries. One need look no farther than the
wonders of Axum and Lallibela to realize that this continent in which you
are now assembled did, at one time, share the benefits of science and
technology.
However, all of you here, trained, and excellent, in the application of your
minds to the true understanding and betterment of the world, are now
confronted with what has been termed the "revolution of rising
expectations." Ultimately, this is a revolution which can be peacefully
accomplished only through an unselfish cooperation among nations. Yet
We cannot postpone the needs, the hopes, the aspirations of Our peoples
indefinitely.
sake of their common welfare, some means for the free communication
and exchange of ideas in an atmosphere untainted by extraneous political
considerations. We may not consciously have sought the "scientific" way
to deal with Our problems, but we have recognized and continue to
maintain Our belief in the necessity for an objective approach to the
difficulties which we share.
In these hours of crisis and tension across the world, no nation, however
willing, can hold itself apart from the encroachment of political and
nationalistic forces. Nonetheless, it remains clear beyond doubt that the
interests and concerns shared by the developing nations cover a vast
expanse demanding exploration, but as yet scarcely known to exist.
Thus, the subject matter of this, the fifteenth of the Pugwash
Conferences, is vital, timely and potentially of far-reaching importance.
The developing world now includes the greater part of the human race;
thence it is essential that the hopes, the aspirations, and he necessities of
its peoples be carefully evaluated and understood.
Progress in this world had been possible only through the consistent
application of knowledge which was amassed by you scientists and your
predecessors during the past centuries. One need look no farther than the
wonders of Axum and Lallibela to realize that this continent in which you
are now assembled did, at one time, share the benefits of science and
technology.
However, all of you here, trained, and excellent, in the application of your
minds to the true understanding and betterment of the world, are now
confronted with what has been termed the "revolution of rising
expectations." Ultimately, this is a revolution which can be peacefully
accomplished only through an unselfish cooperation among nations. Yet
We cannot postpone the needs, the hopes, the aspirations of Our peoples
indefinitely.
| Chapter II - Part 2 |
| International Cultural Relations |