Grand Chancellor delivers Lectio Magistralis at the SIOI

With 60 million displaced people in the world and 20 million on the move fleeing wars, violence and poverty, humanitarian diplomacy is challenged by unseen levels of desperation among many different populations. In delivering a Lectio Magistralis this morning in Rome at the SIOI institute (The Italian Society for International Organization) the Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Albrecht Boeselager, unraveled the enormous challenges faced by all humanitarian institutions and agencies.

The increase of non-state actors, the use of non-conventional weapons, and disregard for the application of humanitarian laws are all forces hindering humanitarian action, at a time when it is most needed, the Grand Chancellor explained.
“More than ever before, there is need today to strongly reaffirm humanitarian values codified by the Geneva Conventions, which date back to the end of the II World War” the Grand Chancellor stated, illustrating the key humanitarian interventions of the Order of Malta in 120 countries all over the world.

SIOI President –former Italian Foreign Minister – Franco Frattini also remarked that the implementation of humanitarian laws should always be accomplished in full respect of human dignity as “human rights are non-negotiable”.
Frattini also encouraged a stronger European action in dealing with the refugee crisis, calling all leaders to reject fear motivating sealing borders and building wall and to reaffirm the nature of Europe “as a land of rights and opportunities”.