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To the Harvard Kennedy School Class of 2023: congratulations!
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You have learned so much and done so much in your time with us.
Tomorrow, your graduation from Harvard will become official, and my colleagues and I will hand each of you a diplomaAn official document certifying that a person has successfully completed a course of study. as you walk across this stage.
We are looking forward eagerlyIn an eager way to sharing that important moment with you—and to the families and friends of the Class of 2023: congratulations to you as well.
These graduations are accomplishmentsSomething that has been achieved successfully not only of the graduates themselves but of everyone who has supported and encouraged the graduates during their time at the school.
My colleagues and I are thrilledExtremely excited and pleased. that you're all here with us today—and tomorrow.
Today, it is my great honor and privilegeA special right or advantage available only to a particular person or group to introduce Harvard Kennedy School's graduation speaker for 2023: former U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Secretary-General Moon is a distinguishedSuccessful global leader as well as an alumnus of the Kennedy School, and we are so lucky to have him with us today on this important occasion.
Secretary-General Moon was a Mason Fellow at the Kennedy School and received his mid-career Master of Public Administration degree in 1984.
Real people.
In fact, he mentioned to me earlier that on Class Day in 1984, he received the Lucius N.
Littauer Award.
He came back to the school in 2017 and served as our Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders Fellow.
In that role, he engaged with our students and faculty
and shared lessons from his career—but had to advance the Kennedy School's missionAn important order or task given to someone of improving public policy and public leadership around the world.
Indeed, through his lifetime of public service, Secretary-General Moon is an admirable example for anyone seeking to become a principledActing according to moral principles rather than convenience or self-interest. and effective policy maker and public leader.
Secretary-General Moon had a long and distinguishedSuccessful career in the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
His work included postingsAssignments to a specific place to New Delhi, Vienna, and Washington, D.C., including appointments as South Korea's ambassador to Austria and Slovenia and deputy ambassador to the United States.
He also served as Chief National Security Adviser to the president of South Korea among other senior positions.
He became South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2004 and was actively involved in talks with North Korea.
Then, in 2007, he became Secretary-General of the United Nations.
During the following decade, Secretary-General Moon addressed many of the world's most pressingRequiring immediate action or attention. public challenges—including wars, extreme poverty, climate change, humanitarian disasters, gender inequity, and lack of human rights.
His focus on climate helped lead to the landmarkOf great importance or significance Paris Agreement.
He helped to shape the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He spoke out in favor of LGBT rights.
He established an entityA thing with distinct and independent existence at the United Nations known as U.N.
Women, which continues to advance gender equity and women's empowermentThe process of giving someone the authority or power to do something today.
Secretary-General Moon also orchestratedTo plan and organize something carefully reforms of the U.N.'s peacekeeping work, strengthened its humanitarian efforts, and introduced measures to increase transparencyThe quality of being open and honest about what is happening and efficiency.
In all these prominentImportant roles—and indeed throughout his life—Secretary-General Moon has demonstrated
