Reception with the Diplomatic Corps

Rideau Hall, Thursday, September 23, 2010

What moving images! What remarkable occasions! What happy memories!

The world is both larger and smaller than ever before.

Larger because every decision we now make extends beyond our own borders and affects humanity as a whole.

Smaller because, no matter where we are in the world, there are powerful communication networks capable of capturing every moment, live.

The time for the “fend for yourself” mentality has truly passed and, as I said before UNESCO’s Executive Board last fall, the challenges we are facing today are global in nature and require a new ethic of responsibility and sharing.

It is in this sense that I believe diplomacy is still one of the most effective means of establishing and fuelling a productive dialogue to bring together different people from around the world.

Over the last five years, with your support, I myself have practiced what I like to call diplomacy at the human level in the context of nearly 40 missions abroad, and my main objective each time was to contribute to this dialogue, one that is so essential today.

In so doing, I sincerely hope I have allowed solidarities to be created, encouraged new ideas and increased the number of opportunities for sharing.

I am proud and touched to say that my husband and I owe a large part of the success of these visits to the excellence of Canadian missions abroad, to your willingness to serve, to your sense of duty, to your understanding of the countries in which you work, their traditions and cultures, and to the wonderful collaborations you continually strive to create.

This success is also due to the strong partnerships we have developed with the teams and officials at Foreign Affairs, right here in Ottawa.

It is therefore with great emotion and certainty that my husband and I thank you very much.

As you know, new challenges await me within the big UN family, and I am certain that we will have the pleasure of once again working together and of proudly sharing Canada’s voice—a voice of hope—with the world.

Thank you very much!