Calgary, Thursday, January 25, 2007

I am here today to extend my greetings and to recognize your efforts to make Canada a “citizen society,” that is, a conscientious society that is concerned about its fellow citizens all over the world.

But I am also here to recognize and celebrate that same spirit of solidarity that drives you, and that brings you and me together.

We have just been blessed by the presence of the amazing Adisa Lansah Yabuku, who perfectly embodies this spirit of solidarity.

A wise woman from Ghana, she reminded us, with great conviction, that anyone with opportunities can make an enormous difference in the world. She is a great source of inspiration and she gives us all plenty to think about.

Adisa, I hope you know that there are a great many of us who also believe that anything is possible when we decide that nothing is impossible.

That may sound redundant, but I see it as an invitation to reach out to others and a willingness to turn hope into action.

Everyone gathered here today is undeniable proof of that. Each and every one of you has decided that you can change the world.

Everyone here today is passionate about improving the state of the world.

Your lives, and your commitment to humanity—which guides your choices—speak of a growing desire and a promise of change.

As Parker said, you are inspiring a generation to take the future in its hands, to take action and to initiate real change, rather than simply talking about it or hoping for it.

And Parker is right—which is why I am so pleased to be here with you today.

Because I believe in your commitment to reducing poverty.

I believe in your determination to turn your ideas into action.

I believe in your desire to change the world.

I believe in the power of saying yes to humanity and no to the notion of “every man for himself.”

The power of saying yes to emancipation and no to defeatism.

Like you, I believe that the most productive approach to international development depends on dialogue.

It certainly does not depend on the unilateral transfer of technologies and practices from the West to developing countries. It depends on constructive dialogue that enables good technologies and practices to be adopted and adapted to specific contexts.

Sometimes all it takes is a well, a water filter, new ways to cultivate the land, or a school to change the fate of an entire community.

I know this because I was born in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the Americas.

I know that solutions can only come from citizens who take charge, though they sometimes need help from more affluent societies to improve their everyday lives, health services, and educational opportunities.

The philosophy of guidance and not interference that underlies Engineers Without Borders is the way of the future. I know because I have seen it in action.

And this philosophy is full of possibilities when we set our hearts on reducing poverty. When we decide to work together to find ways to fight the impoverishment of so many women, children and men around the world who live in deplorable conditions.

Your approach is one that is open to others, to their needs and traditions, which is also why I wanted Engineers Without Borders—represented by Parker and George—to be a part of the official delegation for my first State visits, which I made last November to five African countries: Algeria, Mali, Ghana, South Africa and Morocco.

The knowledge you possess—and from which our affluent societies benefit—is one of the most powerful tools we have to alleviate hunger, quench thirst, and share knowledge.

Everywhere I went in Africa, just mentioning Engineers Without Borders would spark a conversation about very real problems and the solutions that could be found through effective partnerships.

Preserving architectural heritage, like in century-old Djenné, in Mali; improving housing; transferring technology; treating water—our hosts immediately raised so many questions. South Africa’s Deputy President was enthused about the possibility of working with your organization.

And in Ghana, I saw the results of the partnerships between some of your members and their counterparts in the local communities.

I would especially like to mention Luke Brown, Christian Beaudrie and Kristy Minor, who work tirelessly to improve access to water, implement better agricultural practices and increase the efficiency of programs in order to fight poverty in Tamale, a town in northern Ghana. I had the opportunity to speak with them and to see the impact of their work.

To see the work a few of your members are doing on the ground, and to see the importance of their contribution reflected in the eyes and words of those with whom they have developed partnerships and friendships was an important lesson for me, one that I want to share with all young Canadians.

After all, as George said, we were born in an affluent country by sheer luck. And I strongly believe that with this luck comes responsibility.

An absolute responsibility to create opportunities for those with the greatest need.

I must tell you that I was deeply touched by the commitment these young Canadians showed in their work in African communities. And not because of chauvinism; far from it.

I was touched because of the Canadian tradition of non-indifference to current world issues, such as social justice, ecological integrity, and freedom of expression, which, in my opinion, are a few of our greatest national resources.

As is our inability to remain indifferent to the suffering of so many of people around the world.

Ever since my installation speech as governor general of Canada, I have said that I want to promote this incredible generosity that Canadians have shown throughout history.

It is your generosity that I am here to honour today, the generosity of the many volunteers in humanitarian actions, who often work in the shadows in the name of a peaceful ideal of freedom and justice.

Words cannot express how proud I am.

You are completely contradicting the old stereotype—still prevalent today—that young people in affluent countries are indifferent and self-centred.

Let us be frank—another misconception is to perceive young people as consumers without a social conscious.

But nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth is, despite what people may think, you are driven by an ideal.

Others must follow your example so that we may find new ways of living together. This is especially important right now, as new ideas are needed to help us solve the problems of today and tomorrow.

We need ideas that are more fair.

Ideas that are more equitable.

Ideas that are—dare I say it—more humane.

This goes for developing countries as much as it does for us, here, in a country full of opportunity.

We must not forget that there is a developing world, that there are developing communities, right here in Canada that we can no longer ignore. Let us admit once and for all that the developing world is closer than we think.

These were the ideas that came to me as I traveled across Africa; I saw situations and needs there that are identical to the situations and needs in Canada.

For example—it will not be news to you—a number of Aboriginal communities in Canada have told me how difficult it is for them to provide their people with clean drinking water; how their young people are feeling more and more marginalized; how important it is to find a balance between ancient knowledge and the modern world; they told me about violence against women; the desperate need for adequate housing and health infrastructure; and the need to promote education as a means of growth and development.

These are challenges that need approaches like the ones you so passionately advocate.

Think about it. The situations that helped you decide to give so much of yourselves to help others do not exist only on the other side of the world.

There is urgent work that needs to be done in our own backyard, and this work could be an example for the entire world. It should be part of making Canada a model global citizen.

Young Aboriginals could learn so much from you. And all they ask in return is to participate in their own way, in partnership with you, in the reconstruction of not only their communities, but of humanity itself.

It is my dream that this solidarity will finally exist between us.

It is my dream to see you overcome this barrier as well.

Think about it.

After all, it is your non-indifference that makes each and every one of you so precious in a world without borders. For me and for so many others, you represent the incredible opportunity we have to rebuild the world on a better foundation.

Thank you for inviting me here to be with you today.