City of Québec, Tuesday August 12, 2008

Let me begin by saying how thrilled I am to be with you on this International Youth Day. It also gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the magnificent City of Québec, which is celebrating its 400^th anniversary this year.

Yesterday’s rousing opening ceremony—the performances, the Youth Champions Award and the presentations—set the tone for what is certain to be one of the most dynamic events taking place in this city this year.

I was deeply touched and honoured when Christian Robitaille from ReGeneration 2008 invited me to be the honorary patron of the fourth World Youth Congress over a year ago.

I was touched because this is an incredible opportunity to meet and exchange with some of the most prolific, determined and imaginative young leaders in the world.

I was honoured by the invitation because it recognizes my efforts to put youth at the heart of my actions and mandate as Governor General of Canada.

When I was installed as titular Head of State almost three years ago, I said that I wanted to make the institution that I represent a space for all Canadians, a space in which those in our society who do not always have a say—the excluded and the forgotten—could also be heard.

A space in which ideas and aspirations could clearly resound.

A space in which the most fundamental values of compassion, reconciliation, justice and liberty could stand strong.

A space to reflect on how we can pool our efforts, gather our strengths and develop our initiatives for the greater good.

And I always thought that youth should be at the heart of this vision.

During my years as a professional journalist, I paid special attention to the obstacles that young people must overcome, the difficulties that some of them face, and the extraordinary and creative efforts many of them are making to find viable solutions to a range of problems and to help improve living conditions in their communities.

I saw how sincere they were in their dedication and how they are mobilizing entire communities for positive change, even when faced with complex situations.

I also saw how they are giving new meaning and relevance to the notion of citizen participation and democratic life. 

Whether combating social exclusion or helping to protect the environment, it amazes me to see the imagination and tenacity with which young people find innovative approaches to mobilize millions of people around the world and to build hope for a better world in which anything is possible, even when there is little willingness to act.

I have always found them so inspiring.

There is still a latent tendency to dismiss young people as inexperienced stargazers who are not yet ready to occupy leadership positions in their communities. 

This has always shocked me, and I realized that this state of affairs had to change, that we could not ignore the dynamic and creative forces of our youth.

Young people must be considered part of the solution and valuable partners—not only in the future, but here and now—in our efforts to build a world in which we can all flourish.

And so, once installed as governor general, I asked myself: how can I make the institution that I represent more accessible and relevant to young people?

How can I make it a space in which the voices of our young people can be heard and taken seriously?

How can it bridge the gap that separates youth from the highest echelons of society, a gap that is especially wide for those who face the trials and tribulations of social exclusion?

And the first thing that came to mind was that I needed to ask young people themselves!

During the first year and a half of my mandate, as part of my official visits to the 13 provinces and territories of Canada, I made sure to consult young people in urban and rural areas to hear their recommendations.

And from one province and territory to the next, I was told:

“We need a national space in which young people can come together to have their voices heard and influence the decision-making process.”

“We need more opportunities to work and collaborate with our counterparts in other parts of the world on social and community development projects.” 

Their suggestions inspired me to develop a program offering a national and international platform for youth.

A platform through which their voices could be heard clearly.

A platform through which they could connect with young people all over the world.

A platform through which stronger ties of mutual respect, reciprocity and collaboration could be forged between the generations.

A platform that could inspire an entire nation to come together for the common good.

I want to reiterate that platforms like these are important to young people because they give them support, a voice and a place, especially young people at risk, or those facing exclusion or indifference.

Some young people are just looking for ways to express themselves and we must make certain that violence does not become their only recourse.

The eruption of violence that occurred in Montreal’s north end on Sunday night concerns me deeply and shows us that we must do everything we can to listen to young people, and to try to understand their points of view and the realities they face.

We must understand that they are part of solution and can help re-establish confidence, solidarity and mutual respect, and improve living conditions in their communities.

To preserve the constitutional prerogatives of my position, and obey the spirit with which they were written, I must act as a catalyst and share what I hear on the ground with decision makers, elected officials, and the heads of decision-making bodies here in Canada and abroad, as well as with the heads of State and other dignitaries I talk to and build ties with during my State and official visits all over the world. 

It is at the grassroots level, within the initiatives of civil society and community organizations, that the responsibility to act individually and collectively for the greater good is perhaps best understood.

I believe that that is where we find some of the most promising solutions to the global challenges of our era.

There is a kind of understanding that places the spirit of solidarity and the interests of the community above the narrow “every man for himself and his clan” mentality; a realization that puts openness toward one another above withdrawal into oneself.

This spirit of solidarity and togetherness is a powerful antidote to some of the pressures of globalization, which are usually slightly biased.

Biased in favour of profits and the bottom line.

Biased in favour of one particular group to the detriment of another.

Biased against the urgent need to protect our delicate ecosystems.

Decisions—whether they focus on the global economy, international security or natural resources—must give equal consideration to the human cost.

It is not simply a game with winners and losers. There is always room for compromise, dialogue and mutual growth and interests.

That is why I believe the time has come for us to return to more collective values, to reach out to each other in a spirit of global solidarity.

It is this commitment that inspired my motto: Briser les solitudes, “breaking down solitudes.” 

That is why I am so excited to be with you here at the fourth World Youth Congress.

Because you get it!

You are the “movers and shakers” of our planet—individuals who are deeply immersed in development projects that put human well-being first. 

And you are achieving remarkable results.

Just las t night, as I toured the exhibition in the agora, I was thrilled to meet some of you and to hear about your respective projects.

I was inspired to see how important achieving the Millennium Development Goals is to you.

I share your sense of urgency.

And, as we all know, the stakes are high, the bar has been set and there is no time to waste.

This year, 2008, represents the midpoint in our international campaign to bring millions out of poverty.

Significant progress has clearly been made since 2000.

According to the 2007 United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report, the proportion of women and men living in extreme poverty has dropped by approximately one-third.

The report also stated that there has been a net decrease in the overall number of people who are HIV-positive around the world.

Similarly, there has been an eighty-seven percent net increase in enrolment in primary school.

Yet it is too early to claim victory.

Why?

Because our planet is facing an environmental crisis.

Sharp rises in the costs of food and energy are destabilizing entire regions of the world.

Societal conflicts, exploitation and increasing levels of inequality are undermining global efforts to see peace, security, freedom and democracy prevail everywhere. 

And tension among world leaders could also make us lose momentum.

This is very serious.

As the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, said not so long ago:

“The year 2008 should mark a turning point in progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (…). Together, we must make this year one of unprecedented progress for the poorest of the poor, so that we can realize a better, more prosperous future for all.”

We all share his sentiment, for the world cannot afford to lose this battle.

Our future depends on it.

We must stand united in our commitment to build a better world.

But we cannot expect to meet these challenges when more than half the world’s population is not adequately represented at the table. 

Dear friends, the majority of the world’s population is aged thirty and younger.

And yet, I repeat and lament: young people are still not fully accepted as equal partners. 

This is not to say that progress has not been made.

Youth are present and making themselves heard in a variety of international, regional and national settings. 

Many international organizations are making a concerted effort to include young people and to see their concerns and ideas mainstreamed.

However, as I was told last June during a Youth Dialogue with members of the CIJEF—an umbrella organization representing all the national youth councils of member States of the Organisation International de la Francophonie—more can still be done.

This is why the fourth World Youth Congress is so important.

You are living proof that young people have a key role to play in global partnerships for development—proof that youth-led development is the way to go.

That is why I want to make a commitment here and now to do all that I can to ensure that your unique message of hope and fraternity is heard.

That your ideas and innovative projects are taken seriously.

That you are recognized worldwide, not as the leaders of tomorrow, but as the unequivocal leaders of today.

But I cannot do this alone.

I need to hear from you!

In that spirit, I am inviting youth from around the world to attend the Youth Dialogue I am hosting with “Apathy is Boring” at the Global Village Tent tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. 

It will be an unprecedented opportunity for you to be heard on the international stage, as it will be transmitted live around the world.

I encourage you to let world leaders know the indispensable role you play in solving global issues.

And most importantly, I encourage you to remind us to work assiduously to humanize globalization—to make globalization work for people.

Your friends, colleagues, family members and others who were not able to travel to the City of Québec will also be able to join you tomorrow night, as TakingItGlobal will be broadcasting the event live around the world via the Internet; your friends will also be able to participate in the discussion through webcam and text messages. 

Your actions and thoughts are important to me. I promise to echo them wherever I go.

Thank you once again for inviting me; I cannot wait to see you tomorrow night.