Lilongwe Friday 15.05.09:
Remarks by H.E. Mr. Bjørn Johannessen, Norway`s Ambassador to Malawi, on the Occasion of the Norwegian Constitution Day
Indeed, it is a great pleasure to welcome all of you to this Reception on the occasion of the Norwegian Constitution Day. The fact that the signing date of our Constitution has become the National Day of Norway emphasises the importance of a constitution as the bottomline and the main frame for Good Governance in a modern Society.
In May 2014, just around the date when Malawi will organise its next elections, Norway will celebrate the two hundred years anniversary of its constitution, adopted by 112 brave men in a small town some miles outside our capital Oslo, mid May 1814. Our Constitution became an important vehicle for national independence, and the departure from a Union with Denmark, lasting for almost 400 years. And although Norway when separting from Denmark - as a part of the powersharing between major European nations - had to join Sweden in another Union for the following 91 years, the basis was cemented for Norway to become a fully sovereign state in 1905.
Surprisingly for many, the breaking away from Denmark, and later on from Sweden, was quickly accepted in the countries concerned as well as internationally, and the Scandinavian countries gradually have built a strong unit, later on added by Finnland and Iceland - all five countries creating a Nordic Family. Today, only Norway among the Nordic countries has a fullfledge Embassy in Lilongwe, but never- theless I`m glad to note that all our closest neighbouring countries are well represented here today.
The main reason why the signing of the Constitution became the starting point of developing a National day in Norway is the fact that it contains main principles not only for sharing of power between central governing agencies and other levels of Government. Similar important is it that the Constitution is establishing a major frame for balancing power between Government on the one side and citizens` individual rights and obligations on the other side. Norway, at the time of signing its Constitution, more than today was a remote part of the globe, far up North, but even than the Constitution Fathers - in a remarkable way - were able to take on board important principles and experiences from constituitions in the USA and France - as well as from major Civil Acts in UK.
Like in Norway, constitutional affairs are playing a crucial role in the politics and administrative settings in Malawi. It is interesting to know that Norwegian experts in legal affairs quite recently have been involved in the assessment of the Malawian Constitution. No country should blueprint constitutional affairs being established in other countries, but at same time it is easy to understand those people frequently expressing hope that the leaders of Malawi more eagerly should be able to address some parts of the Malawian constitution, not being fulfilled in a proper way during hectic days and weeks when the Constitution was drafted and approved only 15 years back.
That was the time when Malawi embarked on the road to a multiparty system. Maybe the period starting the coming week, when elections presumably have been organised and implemented in a free and fair way, provides a window of opportunity to start the process of making the valuable Malawian Constitution of today an even better one. This will imply that some weak and disputed paragrahs are being provided with stronger clarity, removing fear and concern by many, that too much energy again and again is being invested and spoiled in a distrusting mixture of legal affairs and politics.
Allow me to use this opportunity to express thanks and gratitude to the Government of Malawi, the donor community, partners and sivil society for their hospitality, cordial and constructive cooperation extented to my Embassy. Norway is a rather new developement partner to Malawi, but I`m glad to note that during the 15 years of cooperation our two countries have seen important achievements in areas most vital for common Malawians; the health sector, agriculture, environment and climate adaptation, Good governance and Human Rights, gender and the promotion of women empowerment - and also culture, often neglected, but as important for Malawi as for Norway. And although our Governments mutually are creating the overall priority frame for the development cooperation, implementation most often is undertaken by local partners close to the target groups, the beneficiaries. For me this a right and crucial approach, The Govern-ments may inspire, coordinate and financially contribute, but the planning, execution, impelementation and follow up primarily should be the task and the challenge for the other parties and stakeholders.
This is about building capacity and competance, it is about enhancing recilient local communities, building trust and confidence. Further, it is about showing respect, dignity and also humbleness in interacting with people and local structures often with great human potential, but with limited financial and management resources for transmitting the potential into development. I`m sure that an approach like this will also increase the endeavours for Malawi over some time to be a partner for development, more than a recipient country dependend on donors` empathy and willingness for funding. In this regard, let me also take this opportunity of expressing appreciation that Malawi and Norway do share dovetailing policies of zero tolerance of corruption. Financial ressources are to be used for improving daily living of common people and for sustainable socio-economic development, not for the pockets or the coffers of a few !
One of the features describing the relationship between Malawi and Norway is the variety when it comes to Norwegian commitment and involvement in development activities in this country. Non-Governmental organisations, hospitals, reasearch institutions and other agencies do undertake a profound and often comprehensive partner- ship with Malawian counterparts. And as Malawians sometimes do enjoy visiting Norway as a part of their relationship, representatives from the various Norwegian entities are promoting knowledge of Malawi, so that Norwegians more than before do know your country not only by map ! This bridging of knowledge and mutual under- standing is of increased importance also in the context of Norway, where inclusiveness towards other nations and people unfortunately have to fight attitudes and sentiments from some political parties pushing for reduced commitments to human beings in developing countries.
On the occation of the Norwegian Constitution Day, I`m - at the end -pleased to note that children are given specific focus in many of the endeavours contained in the Malawian-Norwegian cooperation. From the very first parades and demonstrations for promoting the messages in the Norwegian Constitution, and requiring Norwegian independence, the interest of the children, the future generation, was in the front. This tradition has been a strong one, and therefore you will see that the celebration of the Norwegian National Day, opposite what is the case in some other countries, is not being dominated by military parades and sofisticated weapens and artillery, but by children - parading on behalf of their schools or some civil unities. Norwegian and Malawien children, indirectly connected to the Embassy, will similarly be parading from this residence on this first coming Sunday.
Before concluding, may I ask you to join me in a toast to the wellbeing of His Majesty King Harald the 5.th. of Norway and His Excellency Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika.
Thanks/Zikomo kwambiri !