Reception for the Diplomatic Corps

Rideau Hall, Thursday, January 21, 2010

My speech today was originally going to call for greater solidarity in an era when challenges are globalizing at the same pace as the markets and require an international approach.

But instead, this almost-unbearable call has come directly from our sisters and brothers in Haiti, who have once again been hit by a disaster of unimaginable proportions, the call has come from their empty stomachs, their outstretched hands, their haggard faces.

It is a call Canada and the entire world have responded to with extraordinary generosity and kindness since the first images and reports of the devastation reached us.

This outpouring of friendship helps ward off my pessimism and feelings of helplessness, and restores my hope in a humanity capable of working together to get through the very worst of situations.

Our collective fates are now so intertwined that we can no longer remain indifferent, fend only for ourselves or go it alone.

We have certainly started 2010 running, and there is now no denying that global rules are being rewritten or that we must redefine the nature of the ties that unite us at the international level.

This was also made abundantly clear by the crisis that plunged the entire global economy into a recession near the beginning of 2009, exacerbating food and humanitarian crises that were already chronic in certain areas of the world.

I witnessed it countless times on my travels last year, most recently in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica, three countries I visited just a few short weeks ago. Not to mention in Haiti, near the beginning of 2009, which had already been hit hard by four cyclones, Liberia during the International Colloquium on Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security, Ukraine, Norway, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece and Afghanistan.

And in October, speaking to the Executive Board of UNESCO, I shared my conviction that the world was going through a crisis of values, and in urgent need of an ethic of sharing.

Everywhere I went, the sense of urgency was the same: the women, men and young people I met repeated tirelessly that we have no choice but to broaden our definition of responsibility.

In a world of unprecedented openness, we cannot remain indifferent to the consequences of our actions and decisions, as they have a huge impact on so many people and their environment.

I think there is a heightened awareness in this regard all around the world, a heightened awareness that will lead humanity down the paths of peace, reconciliation and reconstruction.

I also believe that the pacification we are all leaning towards will be realized, in part, through diplomacy.

As representatives of your country abroad, you play an important role in establishing a new world order based on finding joint solutions to the problems of the day, problems that affect each and every one of us, from north to south, east to west.

Because your task focuses on a willingness to work together and cooperate, and on a constant desire to find a balance between the interests of one and the needs of the other.

It is in this same spirit of openness and willingness to engage in dialogue that we will welcome young people from around the world to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver in February and March.

And we are counting on you, our friends from the four corners of the globe, to make this exceptional event a celebration of winter and excellence, of course, but also a celebration of solidarity.

I believe that Olympism is the best antidote to inaction, fatalism and barbarism. Because in the peaceful battles of competition, players do not use power or violence to impose themselves, they rely solely on their own merit.

Let us make the most of the opportunity theses Games present to reiterate our commitment to finding the common good and promoting peace, dialogue and friendship between peoples.

This is my wish for the New Year.

Let us take this opportunity to celebrate together the individuals, communities, governments, institutions, businesses, associations and organizations in each of the countries you represent who want to contribute to the emergency efforts in Haiti.

I thank you and I wish you, your families and your fellow countrymen peace, prosperity and joy.

And let us hope that these serious and trying times will not cast a shadow on the bright days ahead. We owe it to our children and to everyone all around the world.