Tannuka Juneja
Today’s college graduates can become the generation to succeed “where my generation has failed,” the UN chief said, urging the batch of 2022 not to work for “climate wreckers” in industries that follow benefiting from fossil fuels.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered his commencement address at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, one of the oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities in the United States, near New York City.
The UN Chief told recent graduates that they must be the generation that achieves the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals to end extreme poverty and hunger, reduce inequality and develop new technologies that can “end sickness and suffering.”
“You will be able to replace hatred and division with reason, civil discourse and peaceful dialogue. You will be able to build bridges of trust between people and recognize the inherent dignity and rights that we share as human beings. You will be able to balance the balance of power for women and girls so that they can build a better future for themselves and for all of us”.
In commencement address at @SetonHall University,
Secretary-General @antonioguterres gives graduates a simple message: Don’t work for climate-wreckers, but use your talents to drive us towards a renewable future.Full remarks: https://t.co/oWD8nNqyXe pic.twitter.com/pO9RiEMJFk
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) May 24, 2022
Guterres pointed out that the same students who had to face the obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic should be the generation that will take the reins of the “planetary emergency of climate change”.
The Secretary-General also highlighted the virtues of goodwill, tolerance and respect, calling on recent graduates to invest in being global citizens: “Be useful. Be aware. Be kind. Be brave. Be generous with your talents.”
