We have the tools, but we have to learn how to use them. That is my political philosophy. Harri Holkeri More Quotes by Harri Holkeri More Quotes From Harri Holkeri In Finland we have equal political rights for women and men. We do not regard ourselves according to sex. Harri Holkeri rightsmensex If you come to a negotiation table saying you have the final truth, that you know nothing but the truth and that is final, you will get nothing. Harri Holkeri finalstablesinspirational Without rebuilding the confidence between parties, you will never succeed. Harri Holkeri rebuildingsucceedparty Men and women have roles - their roles are different, but their rights are equal. Harri Holkeri differentrightsmen If we go back in the history of different nations, violence and the use of force are part of their heritage. These are the traditions of mankind. Harri Holkeri heritagedifferentuse We Finns represent a very transparent and open-minded way of reaching political decisions. Harri Holkeri politicaldecisionway Discussion is just a tool. You have to aim; the final goal must be a decision. Harri Holkeri finalsdecisiongoal That is where consensus-building begins-with the idea that you have your own truth, but that the negotiator on the other side of the table has his own truth as well. Harri Holkeri consensus-buildingtablesideas There are many challenges, there are many obstacles; let us try to change the obstacles to advantages. Harri Holkeri obstacleschallengestrying What we can do as individuals may not be very much on the global scale, but we have to start the change by living as we are teaching. Harri Holkeri individualteachingmay When the problems in Northern Ireland started, it was not a question of Protestantism or Catholicism, because the Catholic church was the only church at that time-it was a nationalist conflict. Harri Holkeri catholicchurchproblem One of the biggest development issues in the world is the education of girls. In the United States and Europe, it has been accepted, but not in Africa and the developing countries. Harri Holkeri girleuropecountry When my first child was born in 1962, I wrote a letter to my grandfather telling him how happy I was but how concerned; concerned because there were so many visions which were not very good. Harri Holkeri visiongrandfatherchildren There are big issues, like the reform of the Security Council. These kinds of questions are something the President of the General Assembly must keep his eye on. Harri Holkeri issueseyepresident The Baltic Sea is becoming more and more polluted. Not everybody living near the shore of the Baltic Sea is protecting it. It is the water of life for countries like Finland and Sweden. Harri Holkeri water-of-lifeseacountry I really do hope that the Millennium Summit gives new impetus to the work of the United Nations. Harri Holkeri millenniumunited-nationsgiving Finland had a civil war less than 100 years ago, just like in Ireland. If you look at the history of newly independent nations, civil war is almost every time present, even in the United States. Harri Holkeri independentwaryears I do not want to speak about overpopulation or birth control, but I think education is the way to give new impetus to the poverty question. Harri Holkeri talkinggivingthinking I recently reread an article of mine written in 1964, and I think it is still valid. There is not much difference. Many of the items on the agenda 37 years ago are still there. Harri Holkeri differencesyearsthinking I think I can regard myself as a political decision-maker. Harri Holkeri politicaldecisionthinking
