Famous for his work to end apartheid in South Africa, the country's former President Frederik Willem de Klerk spoke about America's role in global politics yesterday.
"We are living through one of the most profound developments in human history," the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner said. "One of the central implications of this new community is we can no longer ignore grievances (in other countries) ... we cannot turn our backs and say it is not our affair."
De Klerk was invited to be a speaker for the Clough Colloquium Series, which recognizes individuals who have made important contributions as leaders, according to Boston College.
Hundreds of students filled Boston College's Robsham Theater Arts Center to listen to de Klerk speak about America's position in the global economy and its responsibility to people across the world.
"Two billion people are living in misery and poverty and unless something is done, it will catch up with the richest populations of the world," he told students. "In a shrinking world, the problems of one region will inevitably become (the world's problems)."
De Klerk was president of South Africa from 1989 to 1994. He ended the ban on the African National Congress, the party to which Nelson Mandela belongs, and other opposition groups in 1990, helping to dismantle apartheid in South Africa. Mandela also received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
"If you don't work to address the root causes you can never solve the problem. That is what we learned in South Africa," he said. "The long term solution involves tackling the roots of poverty (and) repression."
He said as a global leader, America will face criticism regardless of any president's decisions.
"The price of preeminence is and always will be unpopularity," he said. "To quote Bart Simpson: 'You're damned if you do, you're damned if you don't."'
He asked students to question the worth of the war in Iraq.
"It was essential to put pressure on those that (sanction terrorists)," he said. "At the end of the day, it cannot create lasting solutions ... it is much easier to start wars than to end them ... playing the role of global policemen brings with it many burdens."
De Klerk argued that politically, the U.S. must deal with "clear and present threats" but not when it comes to "long, costly operations on foreign soils."
De Klerk is part of the advisory board for The Global Leadership Foundation, which helps advise world leaders.
"What we do is a small thing. We'll go to a country ... in a discreet way we work through their problems and we figure out what kind of initiatives (are helpful)," he said. "We're not prescribing specific forms of democracy."
De Klerk said in order for all countries to prosper, world leaders should work to maintain economic growth and stability in all nations, including "the least developed societies."
"We need to recognize the symbiosis between stability, prosperity and freedom," he said. "Economic prosperity creates the environment where democracy can grow."
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com
