Kofi Annan's Five Lessons

On January 1, Kofi Annan will leave his position as the 'face of the United Nations'. Here, in brief are five lessons he says he's learned during his time at the U.N. To read them in detail, please go HERE.

First Lesson: In today's world, we are all responsible for our reciprocal security. No nation can assure its own security by attempting to establish its supremacy over all the others.

Second Lesson: We are also responsible for everyone's well-being. Without solidarity, no society can be truly stable. It's not realistic to think that a few may continue to derive great advantages from globalization, while billions of others are abandoned or plunged into abject poverty.

Third Lesson: Security and prosperity depend on respect for human rights and a government of laws.

Fourth Lesson: Governments must be held responsible for their actions, as much on the international as on the domestic scene.

Fifth Lesson: These institutions must be organized in a just and democratic manner that gives the poor and the weak some influence over the actions of the rich and the strong.