Rede des Herrn Bundespräsidenten bei der Eröffnung des. 7th Global Forum on Reinventing Government. Vienna International Center, 26.

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1 1 Rede des Herrn Bundespräsidenten bei der Eröffnung des 7th Global Forum on Reinventing Government Vienna International Center, 26. Juni 2007 Excellencies, Distinguished Representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen! It is a great pleasure to be present today at the opening of the 7 th Global Forum on Reinventing Government, gathering this year in Vienna a great number of high-ranking participants from all over the world. The topic of the Forum, Reinventing Government, is indeed a great challenge for us all: a challenge to work constantly for an improvement of our political systems and to guarantee the best possible administration for our citizens. I am confident, that the discussions and deliberations of this meeting will be an important contribution to raise awareness and prepare action in this context. In the centre of our deliberations must figure the concept of democracy a phenomenon, which has always fascinated me: a few years ago we

2 2 celebrated in Athens 2500 years of democracy since the days of Perikles. But when we look into the history since then, probably for 95% of this time-span there was no democracy around the world and only in the last two centuries it began to be rooted more firmly. It is a fact, that there is a strong area of tension between the desire for democratisation of power and the tendency towards centralisation of power as many political scientists have described it. But indeed in the second half of the 20 th century the concept of democracy made the most important progress. Also within the United Nations there exists a broad consensus about democracy as the desirable model form of government. The more this question of principle is settled and accepted, the more it is important to fill the concept of democracy with concrete life and make it function. At the same time we have to work actively against all tendencies which want to put democracy into question or try to block it. But what exactly defines a democratic system with good governance? It is a system in which institutions are held accountable, where the administration works in a transparent manner, and where people in reality are able to participate in the decision making process. Basically it is a system, where a peaceful change of power is possible through a

3 3 partnership between those governing and those governed under the rule of law. Yet, many people cannot enjoy these benefits. In countries emerging from conflict or in countries in transition phases, building and keeping the peace as well as consolidating stability are first necessities. Once a safe environment for all citizens is guaranteed, institution building is an integral part of these stabilisation processes. And the judicial sector is an especially important example. This is why Austria for many years has been and still is active in judicial sector reforms in various countries and regions. Ladies and Gentlemen! The acceptance of institutions in democracies depends among others on the state of Political Rights and Civil Liberties. The promise of democracy is fulfilled by granting minority rights and equal justice under the rule of law. It requires building the structures that effectively protect individual rights, viable political parties, an independent judiciary, a diversified media-sector, and limits on executive power. The existence of an open and dynamic civil society for instance is a good indicator of the quality of a democracy. This is why the European Union tries to support civil

4 4 society in countries where they encounter problems to exercise their rights. It is clear, that some preconditions have to be met in order to enjoy the benefits of good governance. After a war or social strife, it is crucial to help these countries in order to regain a safe and stable environment for all citizens. I can here mention our own Austrian experience after the end of WW II after years of destruction, bloodshed and devastation on our continent. Starting 60 years ago, the Marshall Plan, an American initiative, helped Europe to overcome the disastrous consequences of the war. With the funds from the Marshall Plan, many parts of Europe could be rebuilt and started to prosper again. Today, we see the urgent need for reconstruction and development in various parts of the world. In order to react to improve the lives of the poorest an important guideline are the Millennium Development Goals reaffirmed in the 2005 World Summit. In line with the European Union's decision, Austria is committed to raising her ODA levels to 0,51% of GNI by 2010 aims to achieve 0,7% of GNI by To reach the Millennium Development Goals in full and in time is and remains a very ambitious target. We still can achieve this if we manage

5 5 to jointly increase our efforts. The EU s commitment to significantly raise ODA levels is one important element, our current discussions to make the entire development system more efficient is another. Reflecting again in more general political terms I would like to underline, that it was the 20 th century that brought decisive progress in the transition from authoritarian to democratic systems and in particular in rooting firmly the rule of law in national States. It would be an important goal and a very positive vision, if in the next decades of the 21 st century the rule of law could also become the guiding principle in international relations. This brings me back to the title of this Meeting: the question is, whether there is a need to somehow reinvent the way we are governing? I would say, if not reinventing, for sure we need to constantly adapt and improve our means of governing, in order to react to the constant changes we are facing in our globalised world. Reinventing government would mean to me fully implementing democracy, realising a just and open society, based on the rule of law. And whatever we try to achieve, the citizens have to be at the centre of our deliberations. With this in mind, I would like to wish you all a good stay in Vienna and very fruitful and interesting discussions.

Rede des Herrn Bundespräsidenten Dr. Heinz Fischer Eröffnung des Fundamental Rights Forum 20. Juni 2016

1 Rede des Herrn Bundespräsidenten Dr. Heinz Fischer Eröffnung des Fundamental Rights Forum 20. Juni 2016 Check against delivery! Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Vienna to this