Democratic Values and Leadership by a New Generation
Democratic Values and Leadership By A New Generation, SIPA Commencement Address 2011
“DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND LEADERSHIP BY A NEW GENERATION”
SIPA Commencement Address by H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan
Columbia University, New York, May 14th 2011
Thank you, Dean Coatsworth, for your kind words of introduction.
President Bollinger, distinguished faculty, proud parents, loving friends and, most importantly, the graduates of the class of 2011, good afternoon.
I am honored to be a part of such a joyous occasion, and at an institution so close to my heart.
From receiving an honorary degree from Columbia in 1998 to my current role as a Global Fellow, I count myself very fortunate to have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with this great university. When I was Secretary-General, I regularly turned to Columbia and its faculty for advice on the most pressing of global issues.
So today I feel privileged to be able to pay back a little of this debt by sharing some thoughts with you – the next generation of leaders.
Students of the class of 2011, you – and your parents and partners– have every reason for pride.
A diploma from SIPA is not only proof of your intelligence and hard work. It also highlights your commitment to focus on the problems our world faces. But I have to remind you that the diploma you are receiving also carries with it a big responsibility.
It is a responsibility to apply the knowledge you have gained and the analytical skills you have learned to help find and deliver the solutions to improve lives, extend opportunities, and serve your communities.
There is plenty for you to do. The challenges are, as you know, unprecedented in scale and complexity.
Extreme poverty, famine, disease, and natural disasters, are still widespread and will only be made worse by climate change. Wars within and between states, nuclear proliferation, and transnational organized crime also remain unrelenting.
And in the last five years, we
“DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND LEADERSHIP BY A NEW GENERATION”
SIPA Commencement Address by H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan
Columbia University, New York, May 14th 2011
Thank you, Dean Coatsworth, for your kind words of introduction.
President Bollinger, distinguished faculty, proud parents, loving friends and, most importantly, the graduates of the class of 2011, good afternoon.
I am honored to be a part of such a joyous occasion, and at an institution so close to my heart.
From receiving an honorary degree from Columbia in 1998 to my current role as a Global Fellow, I count myself very fortunate to have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with this great university. When I was Secretary-General, I regularly turned to Columbia and its faculty for advice on the most pressing of global issues.
So today I feel privileged to be able to pay back a little of this debt by sharing some thoughts with you – the next generation of leaders.
Students of the class of 2011, you – and your parents and partners– have every reason for pride.
A diploma from SIPA is not only proof of your intelligence and hard work. It also highlights your commitment to focus on the problems our world faces. But I have to remind you that the diploma you are receiving also carries with it a big responsibility.
It is a responsibility to apply the knowledge you have gained and the analytical skills you have learned to help find and deliver the solutions to improve lives, extend opportunities, and serve your communities.
There is plenty for you to do. The challenges are, as you know, unprecedented in scale and complexity.
Extreme poverty, famine, disease, and natural disasters, are still widespread and will only be made worse by climate change. Wars within and between states, nuclear proliferation, and transnational organized crime also remain unrelenting.
And in the last five years, we