SG/SM/6049

SECRETARY-GENERAL OFFERS WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO NEW DIPLOMATS

I want to thank and to congratulate everyone who has participated in this wonderful programme. My special thanks to our good neighbour in this great city, New York University, and to its President, Jay Oliva, for taking this initiative. I also thank the United States Institute for Peace for generously funding this programme. This investment will be repaid, many times over, in the benefits of peace and lasting security.

I spent a large part of my life lecturing to young diplomats, and to students preparing for the diplomatic service. So, today, I reassure you: I shall not give one more lecture.

Instead, I would like to share with you my love of diplomacy and negotiation. As you embark upon this career, you will find yourselves confronted by situations where documents have to be negotiated, sometimes word by word. There will be days when the work of diplomacy will seem tedious and mechanical. There will be days when long, patient negotiations are brought to a stalemate, when you find yourselves back at "square one".

But there will be other days, of this I am sure. There will be days of true friendship and cooperation. Days when you find yourselves working in harmony with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Days when the achievement of a successful negotiation will lead to concrete results, results that improve the lives of fellow human beings. And, most importantly, I wish you days when you return home, after many hours of diplomatic work, and say to yourselves: "today, I made a difference".

In all these days, the good, and the not so good, the United Nations and its staff members will be there for you. Our job is to assist you to make all negotiations successful, make all diplomatic work useful and relevant. You can count on us, on the staff of the United Nations, starting with the Secretary-General. This is why I have particular pleasure to welcome you to this House, to congratulate you on your achievements and to extend my warmest wishes, as you embark on long, successful careers.

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United Nations