Muhammad Jameel Yushau
On this momentous day, the 24th of May 2023, the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, graced the graduating class of 2023 at Harvard Kennedy School with an impassioned commencement address. The atmosphere crackled with an electric energy, enveloped in a captivating aura that exuded the unique and dazzling essence of the occasion. This fervor stemmed from the realization that four decades prior, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon himself occupied a seat among the graduates, having embarked on his journey as a mid-career master’s student in public administration and an Edward S. Mason fellow in public policy and management.
The speech delivered by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon struck a harmonious balance between lighthearted humor and profound solemnity, centering on the pressing need for global justice and addressing the monumental issue of climate change. Fondly recalling a tradition shared by all Kennedy School students on their first day of class, he recounted the 15-second introduction he had given at the time. In a playful nod to his admiration for President Kennedy, whose indelible impact had reverberated within him two decades earlier during a visit to the United States, Ban Ki-Moon had introduced himself as “JFK from South Korea.” Serendipitously, upon assuming the role of Secretary General, he received a gift from Senator Edward Kennedy himself. It was a photograph from the Kennedy Library, bearing the caption “JFK meets JFK,” symbolizing the profound connection between two influential figures.
However, amid the light-hearted anecdotes, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon’s tone grew serious as he passionately implored the graduating students not to succumb to political maneuvering when confronting the urgent matter of #climatechange. He urged them to rectify the failures of his own generation, emphasizing the critical role they must play in charting a #sustainablefuture for our #planet.
The commencement address delivered by Mr. Ban Ki-Moon served as an extraordinary memento, etching itself into the collective memory of the Harvard University community. It resonated deeply, leaving an indelible mark on the eve of the graduation ceremony and imparting a lasting impression upon all the students in attendance.
