Investing in people isn’t charity, says former UN official
The Star – 15/12/2005
KUALA LUMPUR: Invest in the people – that is the call by a former UN assistant secretary-general who served 13 months in Iraq, heading a humanitarian programme.   
“Look at it as an investment, not charity,” Denis J. Halliday said in an interview.   Halliday resigned from the United Nations in 1998 upon learning the consequences of sanctions on civilians.   
“Invest in healthcare, education, housing and employment – basically satisfying fundamental human rights, as opposed to investing in the military.   
“The US spent US$500bil in Iraq. The money could have been used to treat acute poverty which takes away the lives of 30,000 children everyday.”   
Halliday will share his views at the Perdana Global Peace Forum starting today at the Putra World Trade Centre here.   He will touch on subjects like causes and effects of terrorism, emergence of leadership from the South, revitalisation of the Non-Aligned Movement and reforms in the United Nations.  
Halliday has been travelling around the world speaking on peace-related issues. He has also taught peace studies at many colleges and universities.  
He commended Perdana Leadership Foundation on its initiative, saying that the forum had great vision and courage in promoting the culture of peace.   
“It is unusual, especially now when the world is so obsessed with war. A conference dedicated to peace is important,” he said.   
He hoped the participants of the forum could come out with a declaration of peace and practical ways to achieve a more peaceful world.  

Source: The Star | http://thestar.com.my