联合国秘书长潘基文2014年国际民主日致辞（中英对照）

Message on International Day of Democracy

国际民主日致辞

15 September 2014

2014年9月15日

As we observe this year’s International Day of Democracy, the world seems more turbulent than ever. In many regions and in many ways, the values of the United Nations, including some of the most fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the UN Charter, are being tested and challenged.

在我们庆祝今年的国际民主日之际，世界似乎比以往任何时候都更加动荡不安。联合国的价值观，包括《联合国宪章》中的一些最基本的权利和自由，在许多地方以许多不同方式经受考验和挑战。

Recent outbreaks of violence reinforce a truth we have seen time and again: that where societies are not inclusive, and where governments are not responsive and accountable, peace, equality and shared prosperity cannot take hold. We need to do more to empower individuals, focusing on the billions of people who are underprivileged, marginalized, jobless, hopeless and understandably frustrated. We need to ensure they are heard and can take an active part in their future.

最近爆发的暴力事件进一步证实了我们一再目睹的事实：如果社会没有包容性，如果政府无视民众要求和不负责任，就不会有和平、平等和共同繁荣。我们要进一步做出努力，增强个人的权能，重点关注亿万贫穷、处于社会边缘、没有工作、没有希望和理所当然感到沮丧的人。我们要确保这些人有发言权，确保他们能积极参与事关自己未来的决定。

That is why my message today goes out to those who will be at the forefront of the world beyond 2015, and who by nature are at a turning point in their own lives: young people. One person out of five today is between the ages of 15 and 24. Never before has the transition from youth to adulthood been so weighed by challenges, yet so blessed by opportunities. You have powers to network that would have been unimaginable when the United Nations was founded nearly 70 years ago. You are connecting about issues that matter. Injustice. Discrimination. Human rights abuses. The discourse of hate. The need for human solidarity.

这就是为什么我今天的话是对青年人讲的：因为2015年后你们将站在世界的前列，因为你们届时恰好处于自己人生的转折点。今天，每五个人中就有一个人年龄介于15至24岁之间。从青年步入成年，从来没有过这样多的挑战，也从来没有过这么多的机会。你们拥有与其他人建立联系的能力，而这在联合国近70年前成立时是无法想象的。你们同他人建立联系，以讨论事关重大的问题。不公正、歧视、践踏人权行为、仇恨言论和人类相互声援的必要性。

I call on members of the largest generation of youth in history to confront challenges and consider what you can do to resolve them. To take control of your destiny and translate your dreams into a better future for all. To contribute to building stronger and better democratic societies. To work together, to use your creative thinking, to become architects of a future that leaves no one behind. To help set our world on course for a better future.

我呼吁历史上人数最多的这一代青年人迎接挑战，想一想你们能做哪些事来应对这些挑战。把握自己的命运，把自己的梦想变成人类共同的更美好的未来。为建立更强大更美好的民主社会添砖加瓦。齐心协力，发挥自己的创造力，创建一个不丢下任何人的未来。帮助我们的世界走向一个更美好的未来。

On this International Day of Democracy, I call on young people everywhere to lead a major push for inclusive democracy around the world. 

值此国际民主日之际，我呼吁全球青年在世界各地大力推进包容性民主体制。