So When Shall We Have a UN Cup?
    By Kofi Annan
    Lib ration

    Monday 19 June 2006

The UN's Secretary General posits the World Cup spirit as a model for governments.

    How we envy the World Cup at the UN. You could very well ask yourself what a UN Secretary General can write about soccer. But the World Cup makes us green with envy at the United Nations. As the showcase for the only truly "global" sport practiced in every country, by every ethnicity, every religion, it is one of the rare phenomena as universal in scope as the United Nations itself.

    One could argue that it is even more universal: FIFA comprises 207 members; we only have 191.

    But there are many other reasons to be envious. First of all, the World Cup is an event in which everyone knows the position of his team and what it has done to get there. We know who scored, how, at what moment of the game; we know who missed a goal; we know who saved a penalty. I would be happy if there could be more competitions of this sort within the family of nations. Countries competing openly to be the most respectful of human rights, or trying to surpass the others in the struggle against infant mortality or in terms of secondary school rates of enrollment; governments clearly posting their performance, so that the whole world can see them; governments being held responsible for the actions that led them to those results ...

    Secondly, the World Cup is an event about which everyone on the planet loves to talk, dissecting his own team's beautiful plays, those that could have been conducted differently - not to mention those of the opposing team. People sitting in cafes from Buenos Aires to Beijing endlessly debate matches' most subtle details, demonstrating an intimate knowledge, not only of their own national team, but also of many others, expressing themselves on the subject with as much clarity as passion. Generally mute adolescents suddenly mutate into brilliant analysts ... I should so like us to have more of these kinds of discussions on the planet. Citizens who would become impassioned to know how their country could improve its human development indicators, reduce its rate of CO2 emissions, diminish the number of AIDS cases.

    Thirdly, the World Cup is an event that takes place on a level playing field where each country participates in conditions of equality. Only two assets count in this game: talent and teamwork. I would like us to have more playing fields like this one in the global arena. Free and fair exchanges without the interference of subsidies, barriers, or tariffs. Each country having a chance to promote its strengths on the global scene.

    Fourth, the World Cup is an event that illustrates the advantages of cross-pollination between people and countries. More and more national teams now welcome trainers from other countries who bring them new ways of thinking and playing. In the same way, more and more players, in between World Cups, represent clubs located far from their homelands. They bring assets to their new team, enrich themselves through that experience, and are able to contribute still more to their national team when they come home. In this process, they often become heroes in their adopted country and they help open hearts and minds. I would dream that it become as obvious in everyone's eyes that human migration accomplishes such enrichments on three levels: for the migrants, for their countries of origin, for the societies that receive them. Not only do migrants build better lives for themselves and for their families, but they are also agents of economic, social, and cultural development in the countries they go to and in the home countries they inspire when they return strong with new ideas and new knowledge.

    It is an issue of national pride for every country to participate in the World Cup. For countries that qualify for the first time, like my native Ghana, it is a badge of honor. For those that qualify after years of adversity, like Angola, it procures a sense of national renewal. And for those that are actively torn by conflict, like Ivory Coast, but for which the World Cup team is a unique and powerful symbol of unity, it inspires hope of rebirth. Which brings me to what we at the UN envy the most: the World Cup is an event which achieves its goal. I'm not only talking about the goals that are tallied; I'm also talking about the most important goal of all: taking part in the family of nations and peoples, celebrating our common humanity.

    I shall try to continue to remember that during the Ghana-United States match June 22 in Nuremberg. But of course, I can't promise to succeed.