Macron assails nationalists
FRENCH PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron is assailing self-interested world leaders, saying that “nationalism always leads to defeat”.
Speaking yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly, Macron urged fellow leaders, “Don’t accept our history unravelling,” and added, “Our children are watching.”
He acknowledged that the old world order has failed to solve widespread inequality, and he called for a “new world order with a human face”.
Macron noted there has been increasing scepticism toward the UN, European Union and other international bodies and said that “you may be tired of multilateralism.” But he urged against complacency and isolationism.
Macron drew wide applause in the hall for his impassioned plea for global cooperation, which came soon after US President Donald Trump frustrated some by defending his America-first policies.
The French president said it’s time for authorities to stop telling women “what to do with their bodies” and wants international cooperation to stop violence against women.
ENDING SEXUAL BUSE
According to Macron, “it’s time to put an end to all of this,” to stop allowing women to be victims of sexual and other abuse and, instead, to give women “their due place” in world leadership.
He urged other leaders gathered in New York to join him in an initiative to “guarantee across the board” an end to violence against women.
Macron has been outspoken against sexual misconduct since the #MeToo movement emerged last year, though his government has been criticised for not going far enough to protect women’s rights.
The French president is joining Canada and some other countries in launching a new initiative this week to get more girls in school around the world. Millions of girls around the world never go to school and millions more drop out at a young age.