The following speech is from Dr Mohamed Aar (Somaliland’s Ambassador at large) on the occasion of the 2nd annual Project Hope Special Needs Children International fundraising that took place on April 18 2008 in the City of Toronto Canada.The Benefit dinner/ concert/entertainment event was attended by many distinguished people for more details see Project Hope links on this website.

Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen many thanks for being here this great evening, where we are about to support Project Hope and learn how two years ago these brave Canadians came up with this great idea of extending a helping hand to those who were born with disability and have zero chance in surviving in a tough content that still having her own struggle.

Canada has always been good at producing world class citizens, who make tangible contribution to the noble endeavour of promoting and protecting humanity in this wonderful, yet challenging world.

Canada will always be remembered for Lester Pearson’s envision of the formation of the UN peace keeping operations in conflict zones.

What is so touching about Project Hope is when the founders of Project Hope arrived in Somaliland, they did not start complaining about the lack of proper roads, caused by the absence of international investment, but they did what was and still are renowned for Canadians: they asked what they could do so as to make the children of Somaliland smile and feel happy.

They added a twist to President John F Kennedys’ call to the citizens of the world and said “Let us ask what we, as the citizens of Canada and Somaliland, can do together so as to give a hope to the most disadvantaged children of Somaliland.”

To some, this may sound a simple approach, for us within the diplomatic corps, it reminded us how Secretary John Peters Humphrey initiated the creation of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” as Project Hope’s mission does not plan to stop in Somaliland, but to keep extending a helping hand to the children of the world. In other words, another hope given to the humanity by Canadians.

Somaliland had been a victim of terrible dictator, whose inhumane act against the people of Somaliland had caused lot of pain and death within our country. Since we pulled out from that disastrous union over 16 years ago, our nation has gradually been recovering and making noticeable progress in democratisation, human rights, economic, social and security development, with little, if no assistance, from the international organisations founded to assist those who need most.

On behalf of the people and government of Somaliland, I assure you that any help given will be highly appreciated and we will always remember you, for we may be good at forgiven, but never at forgetting.

For the people Somaliland, Canada always occupies a special place in our hearts and minds, as Canada was the first country that captured and kicked out those who committed war crimes in Somaliland during the dark and dire hours of our nation’s history.

The Role of Women – The women of Somaliland has always been the base of our families and ensured the promotion of humanity within our nation and tonight we are glad to note that Project is led by women.

Women are the majority of the tax payers in Somaliland. Women make a tangible contribution to Somaliland’s progress. Why then women are not too conspicuous in Somaliland’s political spectrum? I gave you the answer of this question for homework and intend to answer it in our next meeting. But we encourage you to do what is needed, so as to empower women in back home.

Multiculturalism? It is good, but do not allow it to isolate you from the recent of the Canadian communities. If you abuse the noble cause of multiculturalism, it will simply abuse you back and cut you off from this progressive country of yours. Instead, use it to help you integrate and be part of this great nation of yours. We encourage you to seek the top offices of your adapted country, be among those who are making positive contribution to Canada’s economic, political and social development.

As April is a very unique month in the history of the people of Somaliland and those nations like Canada that had helped us and open their doors to our fleeing refugees, and we are only four weeks away from the 17th anniversary of the reassertion of Somaliland’s sovereignty, join us in celebrating this highly valued day of 18^th May.

The sad saga of Somalia. As we stand here tonight, children are dying needlessly in our neighbouring country – Somalia. When we meet international diplomats and UN top officials, they always ask us, “why Somaliland succeeded and Somalia continues to fail and hurt itself?”

Our answer to this question is simple and realistic. We tell them Somalia is the only country in the world where international community empowers warlords at the expense of their victims. We point to them every country in Africa, from Serra Leone and Liberia to Rwanda, those who perpetrated war crimes against humanity were hunted, captured and then brought in front of the International Criminal Tribunal. The same was done in Ex-Yugoslavia. But Somalia is given an opposite treatment.

And the day the international community acknowledges this depressing mistake and rectify it, Somalia may become a peaceful country that cares about her children.

After all, to strengthen the peace and security of the Horn of Africa, we need to have peaceful neighbours in the region. And therefore we call upon Somalia to become a peaceful country, for we do not like to see our next door neighbour suffering needlessly and endlessly. Let the children of Mogadishu get the help that they need.

And tonight, we unite here in supporting Project Hope and respond to its unique call of “let us ask what we, as the citizens of Canada and Somaliland, can do together in order to give a hope to the children of Somaliland.”

Thank you so much. God bless you.