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JOINT DECLARATION
ON
LIBERTY AND PROSPERITY
WE,
the delegates, consisting of
jurist, lawyers, diplomats,
academicians, economists,
legislators, policymakers,
executive officials,
non-government organizations
and developmental partners,
from different parts of the
world, gathered in the City
of Makati, Philippines for
the Global Forum on
Liberty and Prosperity
to:
(a) examine Liberty and
Prosperity as a philosophy
and as policy imperatives;
(b) consider the challenges
confronting its fulfillment;
(c) forge international
understanding of the
principles of Liberty
Prosperity; and
(d) adopt a declaration
promoting the twin beacons
of Justice, Liberty and
Prosperity, and hereby
RE-AFFIRM that
adherence to the Rule of Law
is a key element in
promoting good governance
and achieving sustainable
economic development; one of
the essential facets of such
a regime is an independent,
competent, efficient and
effective Judiciary;
RECOGNIZE that the
safeguarding of the liberty
of the citizens of the
world, and the nurturing
their economic well-being
require commitment to the
Rule of Law;
MINDFUL that while
every jurisdiction must
operate within the context
of its unique legal,
cultural and economic
systems, the countries of
the world are bound together
by universally-held values,
rights and entitlements
which apply to every
society;
WE HEREBY DECLARE THAT,
the safeguarding of the
rights and liberties of
citizens, and the promotion
of their economic
well-being, are inseparable
key objectives of the rule
of law, that one without the
other would be illusory, and
that in striking the
delicate balance between
these twin beacons of
justice, liberty and
prosperity:
• All sectors of society,
both public and private, are
encouraged to promote within
their spheres of
jurisdiction or influence
the liberty and prosperity
of their citizens, and to
ensure a judicial system
that remains independent,
competent, efficient and
effective;
• Judges are enjoined to
remain steadfast in their
primary role of deciding
legal controversies. Towards
this objective, they must
avoid encroaching on the
competence of political and
policy agencies of
government, but at the same
time, assume a dynamic and
innovative attitude in
evolving their judicial role
through judicial education
and greater rapprochement
with their publics;
• The dynamic changes in the
world require continuing
international dialogue that
promotes the twin beacons of
Justice, Liberty and
Prosperity and explore the
possibility of a Global
Foundation for Liberty and
Prosperity which shall serve
as a forum for the exchange
of country experiences, best
practices, and visions for
the future.
Done at Makati City,
Philippines on the 20th day
of October 2006. |
