As we approach the end of the century and the beginning of the new millennium, we should consider three realities which I think will continue to influence global affairs until deep into the next century:

• the first is globalization;
• the second is the persistence of ethnic and religious conflicts
• the third is the failure of some parts of the world to join in the global march to prosperity.

The reality of the economic and political globalisation of the world was graphically illustrated by developments during 1998. The crisis in East Asian economics affected economic prospects throughout the world. The economic implosion in Russia sent reverberations throughout the global economic and political firmaments - and particularly throughout other emerging markets. We, in South Africa, were one of the main victims. Even though our economy was basically sound even though our currency was already undervalued, and even though we have one of the soundest and most sophisticated banking systems in the world, we could not avoid the repercussions of developments in far-away Russia. Within a week our stock market crashed by almost 20%; our currency once again came under pressure and slid against the dollar; and our banks were forced to raise interest and bond rates to levels which seriously undermine our ability to achieve economic growth.

In August 1998 Africa - and South Africa itself - were drawn unwittingly and unwillingly into the global dispute between radical Islamic fundamentalists and the United States. Fundamentalist terrorists chose Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam as the locations for their attacks against United States Embassies, apparently for no better reason than the fact that attacks there were unexpected and security was thus not so tight as it was in other places. Within days of the United States retaliatory attacks against targets in Afghanistan and the Sudan, a bomb was detonated in a crowded Cape Town restaurant, apparently in response to these developments. Again, the target was seemingly chosen for no better reason than its association with the United States. In these attacks, the main victims were Kenyans, Tanzanians and South Africans who had nothing whatsoever to do with the dispute.

All this underlines the reality that we are all, increasingly, part of a single global economic and political community. The implication is that none of us - and particularly not Europe - can afford to ignore problems and grievances in distant countries. We cannot marginalise non-performing economies to a basket-case category outside of the mainstream of global commerce, and we cannot relegate crises and conflicts in distant societies to thirty-second segments on the evening news. In our globalised society such problems and conflicts will sooner or later breach international borders and affect the interests of us all.

It is accordingly essential for us to develop the skills, the resources and the will to address intractable disputes in far-away societies and to take concerted action to ensure that a sizeable proportion of the human population does not fall further behind in the global economic race.

Europe, in particular, can play a key role with regard to the integration of Africa into the globalisation process. Europe has long-standing and deep ties to most of the continent, derived from the fact that until only 45 years ago nearly all of Africa was ruled by European powers.

It would seem that the main requirements for the integration of Africa into the global process will be:

• the termination of the conflicts which continue to afflict Africa;
• the development of stable and responsible governments;
• the adoption of sound, market-related economic policies; and
• the development of the continent's human resources.

These requirements are clearly inter-related: human development depends on the continent's ability to achieve high levels of sustained economic growth, which, in turn are dependent on stable governments and peace.

The reality is, however, that much of the continent has been riven by conflict and instability since independence. Much of this instability, in turn, has its origin in ethnic divisions within the artificial geographic entities created by colonialism and by the failure of European-style democratic systems to take root in Africa.

Europe cannot simply ignore the human catastrophes that are occurring in a broad belt of the continent from Somalia to Sierra Leone. It must find ways of working with African countries to resolve conflicts and to encourage the establishment of stable and representative governments that are suited to the conditions and cultures of Africa.

South Africa can play a constructive role in this process. We have a great deal of experience in dealing with intractable ethnic disputes. Until ten years ago, we were involved in a seemingly hopeless downward spiral of conflict and repression. Yet, to the surprise of the world - and sometimes to our own surprise - we managed to pull back from the abyss and resolve our long-standing differences through peaceful negotiation.

European countries should also do everything they can to promote economic growth in Africa. In particular, they should take much more positive steps to open their markets to African exports. They should also consider ways of addressing the massive foreign dept which hobbles many impoverished economies in Africa and which makes it almost impossible for them to break free from the bondage of poverty. Without interfering with markets, Europe and the developed world should also consider ways of protecting emerging markets from the kind of predatory speculation that has artificially wrought havoc with the value of many currencies.

By taking such steps, Europe will be able to help the people of Africa to share in the benefits of the globalized economy. In so doing, it will also help to ensure its own long-term security and prosperity.

Biography

Frederik Willem De Klerk is former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Laureate. He was born in Johannesburg in 1936.

After his graduation at Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education in 1958 he worked for an enterprise of attorneys. In 1973 he declined the offered Chair of Administrative Law at Potchefstroom University.

Frederik Willem De Klerk had been elected as Member of Parliament in late 1972. He was member of the Cabinet from 1978 onward, in charge of various portfolios, amongst them Home Affairs. He became elected State President as well as leader of the National Party in 1989 (elected leader of the National Party in Transvaal since 1982).

During his Presidency Frederik Willem De Klerk presided over the country’s constitutional transformation. After South Africa’s first universal democratic elections in 1994 and a peaceful handing-over of power Frederik Willem De Klerk served as Executive Deputy President in the National Unity Government until his party withdrew from Government in 1996. These days he became leader of the Official Opposition until he retired from active politics in 1997.

Frederik Willem De Klerk received beneath the Nobel Peace Prize of 1993 numerous awards, different prizes and honorary doctorates. He is a Patron of the Society of Founders of the International Peace University.