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Extracts from the address of Chief Guest
H.E. Dr. Paul Kagame
President of the Republic of Rwanda
at the 3rd International Conference of the Chief Justice of the World
on 7th December 2002 at World Unity Convention Centre, City Montessori School, Lucknow, India

Let me seize this opportunity to thank City Montessori School for organizing this and previous conferences, and congratulate them on their efforts to promote peace and security in our world. It is heartening to see young people take the lead in fostering this timely dialogue. This is a shining sign that the world should be hopeful about a brighter, more peaceful and prosperous future...

I would also like to pay tribute to the people and Government of India for enshrining Article 51 in their Constitution, an article that seeks to promote international peace and security...
I am honoured indeed to be able to address this august audience composed of eminent personalities. I know that over the years many of you have made significant contributions to international justice in general and the rule of law in particular...

The theme of the conference today, following the previous ones on similar themes, reminds us of the turbulence of the world we live in, and the urgent need to have minimum consensus to enable us to act together. Indeed, there could not be a more pertinent theme for this conference, given the state of world peace today...

Let me finish on a positive note by saying that the perils of the past centuries should not obscure the tremendous progress that has been made by humanity. The hope and the opportunity of this and subsequent centuries belong to you children, the future of our world. This may sound like a dream, but I am reminded that the biggest achievements started as a dream...