A/HRC/23/45 20. The following are some views expressed during the consultations with CSOs: • International solidarity became a reality after the Second World War, when certain systems showed what kind of horrors humankind is capable of perpetrating. International solidarity became a key element of the Charter of the United Nations, an expression of unity of the human family. The vocabulary is still not precise, expressions must be clear, and this is the work of the Independent Expert. • People in need have a right to assistance and this generates an obligation for others. This explains and widens the concept of solidarity as a mechanism for equalizing, providing for the people needing assistance and for concrete action. It is not a technical response that is required, but a definition and explanation of a moral obligation. • Solidarity and human rights converge to protect the dignity of everyone. Solidarity is a platform on which to build the implementation of other human rights. • The right to development cannot be realized in a poor country if there is no international solidarity. • The normative implementation of international solidarity is needed to help people claim their human rights in the international community. • The notion of international solidarity is concerned with supporting and creating a global common culture that will help to implement human rights. • Solidarity is the enabling environment necessary for human rights to be realized. • Solidarity must be the regulatory principle in the new global economic order marked by greater interdependence between States and peoples. • Solidarity has certain moral values but it is also a principle of international law. The preamble to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action explicitly refers to the fundamental value of solidarity. There will be no substantial progress in terms of human rights without international solidarity and cooperation. International solidarity is also at the core of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. • The Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community3 considers solidarity as a common value of the Member States of the European Union. • International solidarity must take into account the asymmetric power relations between and among States, which have implications in relation to rights, mutual obligations and equitable relationships. F. Other activities 1. Diplomacy Training Program 21. The Independent Expert participated in the 22nd Annual Regional Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Capacity Building Program for Human Rights Defenders of the Asia-Pacific Region, held from 26 November to 10 December 2012 in Dili. The two-week programme was organized by the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP), an NGO, at the invitation of DTP founder and patron, José Ramos-Horta, 1996 Nobel Peace Laureate and 3 See http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/index_en.htm. 9