Celebrating 90 Years - Foreign Policy Association

Good Diplomacy
versus Bad Diplomacy
98 | FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION
(Continued)
It is tempting if you live in Europe
or in the United States to think
that order and progress is the
natural state of affairs in the
world. But order and progress
happen for very specific reasons.
This keynote address was delivered by Sir John
Sawers at the Foreign Policy Association’s 90th
Anniversary Dinner in New York City.
conflict reconstruction, but it is learning from
experience and heading in a better direction.
What is the big picture? It is tempting if
you live in Europe or the United States to think
that order and progress is the natural state of
affairs in the world. But order and progress
happen for very specific reasons. I first arrived
in New York, fresh from university, thirty years
ago. The city was not a happy place then, yet it
has been transformed. I would like to say that
New York is now as safe as London is. When
people are safe, they can be generous and
creative. Part of New York’s transformation
comes from its firmness and more focused effort
in tackling crime and building a prosperous
community. There are no longer no-go areas
in New York. Part of its success comes from a
new sense of partnership among the city authorities,
civil society, and the public. Central
Park has been cleaned up, and the public is
keeping it clean.
This progress is the way to proceed at the
international level: creative partnership and
enlightened self-interest, plus firmness and
intelligent policy leadership. America remains
uniquely well-placed to offer the world this
combination. Those of us who work at the
United Nations or out in the world’s trouble
spots will respond to that winning formula.