United Nations published this video item, entitled “UN Chief receives an Honorary degree at Seton Hall University Commencement Ceremony | United Nations” – below is their description.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, receives an Honorary degree at Seton Hall University Commencement Ceremony, 24th May.
” (…)
Dear graduates,
I do not raise these challenges to darken your special day today.
I raise them because it now falls to you, as Seton graduates, to use what you have learned here to do something about it.
To live up to your motto, and in the face of peril, go forward in building a better future.
My generation — and your parents’ generation — have fallen short in bequeathing the world you deserve.
But when I look out at all of you today — strengthened by the skills you have learned at Seton Hall — I have hope.
I have hope that you will succeed where my generation failed.
You will be the generation that succeeds in ending extreme poverty and hunger, and reducing inequality.
You will succeed in developing new technologies and breakthroughs that can end disease and suffering.
You will succeed in replacing hatred and division with reason, civil discourse, and peaceful dialogue.
You will succeed in building bridges of trust among people — and recognize the inherent dignity and rights we share as human beings.
You will succeed in balancing the scales of power for women and girls, so they can build better futures for themselves and for us all.
You will succeed in closing the fault lines and healing the divisions that needlessly scar our world.
And my friends, you must be the generation that succeeds in addressing the planetary emergency of climate change.
Despite mountains of evidence of looming climate catastrophe, we still see mountains of funding for coal and fossil fuels that are killing our planet.
That money continues to flow from some of the biggest names in finance, hedge funds and private equity.
But we know investing in fossil fuels is a dead end — economically and environmentally.
No amount of greenwashing or spin can change that.
So we must put them on notice:
Accountability is coming for those who liquidate our future.
Last week, I announced five actions to speed up the shift to renewable energy.
Today, I am focused on the action you can take.
As graduates, you hold the cards.
Your talent is in demand from multinational companies and big financial institutions.
But you will have plenty of opportunities to choose from thanks to the excellence of your graduation.
So my message to you is simple:
Don’t work for climate-wreckers.
Use your talents to drive us towards a renewable future.
Thanks to Seton Hall, you have the tools and the talents you need.
This is a Catholic University.
And as a Catholic, I have always been guided by the parable of the talents.
As the history majors here will tell you, talents were currency at the time of the Roman Empire.
And as the religion majors here will tell you, the parable reminds us that we are not only privileged to have the talents or advantages we have.
We also bear a solemn responsibility not to squander them, but to use them in a responsible and constructive way to the benefit of those who are less privileged than us.
Throughout history, humanity has shown that we are capable of great things.
But only when we work together.
Only when we overcome differences and work in the same direction, with the same aim — to lift all people up, not only those born to wealth and advantage.
Only when we look to all people as fellow global citizens — with goodwill, tolerance and respect.
So to all graduates, I urge you —
Be useful. Be mindful. Be kind. Be bold.
Be generous with your talents.
Once again, my deepest congratulations to the Class of 2022.
And my thanks to Seton Hall.
Thank you.
(…)” [Excerpt]
Full Remarks [as delivered]: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2022-05-24/secretary-generals-remarks-the-seton-hall-university-commencement-delivered
United Nations YouTube Channel
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