Message on the International Day of Democracy

国际民主日致辞

 

15 September 2016

2016年9月15日

 

A year ago, the world’s Governments agreed on an ambitious sustainable development agenda for the next 15 years. They recognized that what people want is not so complicated – but that it does require a transformation of how our economies and societies work.

 

一年前，世界各国政府为今后15年商定了一项雄心勃勃的可持续发展议程。他们认识到，人民的需求不太复杂，但的确需要改变我们经济和社会的运作方式。

 

People want food and shelter; education and health care and more economic opportunity.  They want to live without fear. They want to be able to trust their Governments and global, national and local institutions. They want full respect for their human rights and they are rightly demanding a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives.

 

人们希望得到食物和住所、教育和医疗保健以及更多的经济机会。他们希望在没有恐惧的情况下生活。他们希望能够相信自己的政府以及全球、国家和地方的机构。他们希望其人权得到充分尊重，并正当地要求在影响自己生活的决策中有更大的发言权。

 

Each of the Sustainable Development Goals on its own reflects fundamental desires shared by people everywhere. Together, the 17 Goals make up an intricate tapestry of challenges, choices and opportunities that people encounter in their everyday lives. Delivering a better tomorrow will require integrated responses to interconnected challenges.

 

每一项可持续发展目标都体现了世界各国人民的根本愿望。17项目标共同反映了人们在日常生活中所遇到的各种错综复杂的挑战、选择和机会。要实现更美好的明天，就必须全面应对各种相互关联的挑战。

 

Democratic principles run through the Agenda like a golden thread, from universal access to public goods, health care and education, as well as safe places to live and decent work opportunities for all. Goal 16 addresses democracy directly: it calls for inclusive societies and accountable institutions.

 

民主原则就像一条金线贯穿整个议程，从普遍获得公共产品、医疗保健和教育到安全的生活场所以及为所有人提供体面工作的机会。而目标16直接涉及民主，呼吁建立包容性社会和接受问责的机构。

 

The Goals demonstrate an important dynamic: effective democratic governance enhances quality of life for all people; and human development is more likely to take hold if people are given a real say in their own governance, and a chance to share in the fruits of progress.

 

这些目标显示出一种重要的联动关系——有效的民主治理将能提高全民的生活质量；而如果人们在关乎自身的治理中有真正的发言权，并有机会分享进步的成果，人类发展就更有可能得到巩固。

 

Our new Agenda aims to leave no one behind, which means we must reach those who are rarely seen or heard, and who have no voice or group to speak on their behalf. The implementation of the Goals must be underpinned by a strong and active civil society that includes the weak and the marginalized. We must defend civil society’s freedom to operate and do this essential job.

 

我们新议程的目标是不让任何一个人掉队，也就是说，对于普通的底层民众，对于没有自己声音、也没有集团为其代言的民众，我们必须向他们伸出援手。实现各项议程目标，其根本就是要建立起一个强大、活跃并纳入弱势和边缘化群体的民间社会。我们必须保护民间社会，使其能够自由地进行运作并开展这项重要工作。

 

On this International Day of Democracy, let us rededicate ourselves to democracy and dignity for all.

 

值此国际民主日之际，让我们再次承诺为所有人实现民主和尊严。