Sean todos muy bienvenidos a esta 28ª edición del “Harvard World Model United Nations”; y a los jóvenes que estáis hoy aquí presentes, que venís de tantos lugares del planeta para debatir sobre muchas cuestiones de la mayor actualidad, os doy un saludo muy afectuoso. Es un placer y un privilegio estar hoy aquí rodeado de tanto talento, de tanto entusiasmo y capacidad como los que habéis concentrado vosotros en Madrid estos días.
Expreso mi agradecimiento también a la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos y al BBVA por su apoyo a esta importante iniciativa. Y muchas felicidades a los 19 estudiantes de cuatro de nuestras universidades públicas madrileñas (UCIIIM, UCM, UAM, y nuestra anfitriona, la URJC) por vuestro éxito al presentar la candidatura para que este importante acontecimiento venga a nuestra ciudad, capital de España. El evento organizado por y para estudiantes más grande del mundo, una suerte de juegos olímpicos de los modelos de la ONU.
Antes de comenzar vuestros trabajos, quiero señalar que el objeto de los debates y actividades que lleváis a cabo en este contexto simulado de Naciones Unidas —de sus instancias, agencias y organismos— os permite conocer de un modo directo cómo funcionan realmente los mecanismos de la diplomacia multilateral, algo tan fundamental en el mundo de nuestros días, que no es tan antiguo (apenas un siglo) y que esperamos que siga creciendo en eficacia y, por tanto, en relevancia para todos, en todo el mundo.
Además, aprenderéis a abordar los desafíos del multilateralismo, familiarizándoos con las visiones y perspectivas de los diferentes Estados de la Comunidad Internacional, países con sociedades y poblaciones de culturas y lenguas diversas en sus formas de ver el mundo; y, por tanto, comprendiéndolas mejor. Estoy seguro de que este ejercicio que vais a desarrollar será todo un éxito y un verdadero descubrimiento para la mayoría. Y creo, sinceramente, que será también un ejemplo −incluso de liderazgo− y una enseñanza para nuestro futuro: el de todos, el que debemos compartir solidaria y responsablemente en el mundo entero.
In fact, I think that it is already a success, simply because this fascinating exercise reminds us of the role that young people play in the world in which we live. The youth agenda is gaining an increasingly high profile, both on the domestic and international stage. An issue of great importance that I have always aimed to highlight in our national agenda; it was, precisely, a key message of my latest annual Christmas speech to the Spanish people.
I believe that the main reason for this trend is that all of you young people, face a multitude of challenges that are unique to you, in addition to those that affect all citizens at large. These include a lack of employment opportunities, the dire need for adequate training and education, the rapid transformation of labour markets, use of the internet and social networks, effective achievement of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs, and climate change.
"...the youth agenda is gaining an increasingly high profile, both on the domestic and international stage. An issue of great importance that I have always aimed to highlight in our national agenda; it was, precisely, a key message of my latest annual Christmas speech to the Spanish people..."
To tackle all these challenges, for both moral and practical reasons we cannot disregard young people, their talent, values and spirit; on the contrary, it is essential for us to count on your keen engagement. You should be a part of, and be involved in, all the key issues of political life and international debate. This is the only way we can aspire to develop our societies into being ever more democratic, inclusive, and prosperous.
Our societies have placed great trust in young people, and you know that with great trust comes great responsibility: the responsibility to change and improve the world around us. Many of you are doing this every day. Innovating, contributing ideas, advancing technology, promoting culture, advocating such measures as transparency —in sum, opening yourselves to the wider world.
In this context, we must ask ourselves what is the role that different State institutions should play, which of them should we call upon to intensify their efforts in making young people’s rights a reality and to recognize your decisive contributions as agents of change at every level. We must provide you with tools, such as a good education & skills, so that you can face your responsibilities; autonomy, so that you can fully develop your professional projects and life plans; channels, so that you can participate in political life, enabling society as a whole to hear what you have to say. And —if you’ll allow me to say this—, we elders also need to learn to be a little younger. I do not mean in our physique; nor to be again reckless or naïve, or to be simply more carelessly juvenile.
Picasso once said, “It takes a long time to grow young.” I believe that it not only takes a long time; it takes a lot of effort. Because being young is not easy. You have to be creative, energetic, and flexible, to be genuinely enthusiastic about people and things. Being young is not easy: It is necessary!
I would not want to end these brief remarks without mentioning the role of the international organization whose proceedings you will be simulating. The United Nations are, and always have been, the highest expression of multilateralism, of the search for a more just and peaceful world. Its mere existence helps us to cope with the uncertainty of the world in which we live, and provides us with the hope we need to face the future. Multilateralism is the ultimate response to global challenges. It is an ethical reference.
Os deseo, por último, que estos días de debate sean muy productivos, y así como un futuro lleno de ilusión y de éxitos.
I now declare the 28th session of Harvard World Model United Nations officially open.
Thank you very much. Muchas gracias a todos.