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What would you like to ask Britain's new foreign secretary? He's promised to listen: http://www.avaaz.org/en/ask_miliband/?cl=14407377

After 10 years under Tony Blair, Britain has a new government -- and its new Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, promises to "listen as well as lead". This could be a new beginning for British foreign policy -- and the UK has a huge effect on the global issues we care about, climate change, global poverty, Iraq, Israel-Palestine and more.

Remarkably, impressed by our momentum, Miliband has asked Avaaz to co-host his first major speech this Thursday -- and agreed to take questions and comments from all of us as Avaaz members. He promises "A New Diplomacy", and wants to get off on the right foot by engaging with our community - and global public opinion. Do you have a question for the new British foreign affairs chief? A statement, piece of advice, warning or encouragement? We'll put members' questions to him after his speech, and compile your words of advice into a book that he will keep in his office and consult when looking for the views of people around the world. Click below now to contribute a question or comment:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/ask_miliband

Miliband is asking himself some questions too: what Britain's foreign priorities should be, how to be more multilateral. It's fine to be challenging (you might want to ask what he'll do about one of our campaigns!) but please keep it appropriate and respectful. We're also hoping that some Avaaz members will submit their questions via video - it would be particularly powerful for our members from the Middle East, Asia or Africa to ask questions by video. (Just email comments@avaaz.org for help if you need it.) And a webcast of the whole event will be on the site after Thursday.

The best time to influence a government is in its first few days in power. We'll judge David Miliband by his actions -- and take nothing for granted. But if we are to make the views and values of the world's people shape global decisions, we need to engage openly and honestly with the people who decide. This is a great opportunity for our community to do just that.

So let's test the waters -- and give this Foreign Secretary some food for thought:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/ask_miliband

For more information on Miliband, check out the links below:
http://commentisfree.guardian.co....e_appointment_of_david_milib.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Miliband

PS If you want to post a video question, YouTube is the best way - you can just use your computer's webcam at this link: http://www.youtube.com/video_response_upload?v=yCRePHUVoiU
Email comments@avaaz.org if you want help uploading video!

And to watch the webcast of the event at any time, just visit the same link after Thursday: http://www.avaaz.org/en/ask_miliband

Great! I suggest he reads the following.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/b3ccpr.htm

Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious or Linguistic Minorities
http://www.ohchr.org/english/law/minorities.htm
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/d5drm.htm

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/h2catoc.htm

European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages http://ec.europa.eu/education/pol...ages/langmin/files/charter_en.pdf

Framework Convention for National Minorities http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/157.htm

Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Con ference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993 http://www.ciemen.cat/mercator/onu-gb.htm#8

1994/45. Draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People of 1994 http://migs.concordia.ca/documents/UN_DRAFT_INDIGENOUS_PEOPLES.pdf

2004/51. Resolution on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities http://www.ciemen.cat/mercator/onu-gb.htm#10

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The Cornish Democrat