Ambassador Speeches

Ambassador Trivelli at the Ave Maria Graduation

Ambassador’s Speech at the Ave Maria Graduation

May 12,  2007

I am absolutely delighted to be here today to congratulate this wonderful group of Ave Maria graduates and to congratulate Ave Maria, a fine institution which is doing a first rate job of educating its students in a country and region which so badly needs well educated, thoughtful, articulate, and centered young adults.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to see off a group of young people whom we call “Youth Ambassadors.”  These are students 15-18 years of age, a little younger than yourselves, whom we chose by their academic record, their dedication to community service, and their ability to speak at least a bit of English.  We are sending them to the United States for two weeks – a week in Washington to visit historic sites and museums, to see a baseball game and talk with policymakers; and a week in the American heartland to live with an American family, attend an American school, and touch the American dream.  These are young people from humble backgrounds hailing from the Atlantic Coast, and Esteli and Matagalpa.  These are young people who likely would never have such an opportunity without our support.  I couldn’t help thinking what a powerful gift we were giving them, and that this experience will change their lives.  And now I look at you all here today on this stage and I can’t help thinking that the gift that has been given to you – a quality college education – is a hundred times more powerful.

So I ask you before this day is done that you express profound thanks for that gift – to your professors, to the Ave Maria staff, of course to God -- and perhaps most importantly to your parents and family who have no doubt sacrificed to make this wonderful day possible.

You know – two days ago – I had the opportunity to witness a debate among experts at the Dutch Embassy, a debate about poverty and inequality.  It was a very academic affair, and the participants discussed such ideas as social exclusion and producer’s link on the supply chain.  All those complex notions may in fact shed light on the problem.  But somehow I think the problems of underdevelopment and poverty are simpler than that.

Countries are not poor because they haven’t been granted enough natural resources. 

People aren’t poor because somehow they are less intelligent than their fellow human beings. 

Countries aren’t poor because they have been somehow victimized by their neighbors, or by the great powers, or by the world trading system. 

Countries are poor because many of their leaders are self interested and ill-prepared. 

Countries are poor because their political institutions are too weak or disinterested to put into the hands of all citizens the tools of their salvation – a decent education, a working health system, and the rule of law. 

Countries are poor because their political culture has not yet fully embraced the ideals of democracy, decency, and economic opportunity. 

Countries are poor because their citizens have not been fully prepared to compete in a globalized world. 
 
But thankfully, the graduates sitting on this stage are fully prepared – they have been well trained in an academic discipline, and they have been well instructed in a powerful system of values.
 
You know when you read any biographies of the Kennedy clan, they all relate that Rose Kennedy, the matriarch of the family, had a favorite saying for her children and grandchildren – “To whom much is given, much is expected.”
 
In much the same vein, I say to these graduates, maybe tomorrow, or a month from now, or a year from now, you’ll be reading La Prensa, or La Prensa Gráfica, or La Tribuna, or even The Miami Herald and you’ll read about a terrible tragedy, or a terrible injustice, or a terrible political scandal.  You’ll be tempted to say to yourself, “Gee, someone really needs to do something about that.”
 
But I say to you, don’t look around the room for that somebody.  Don’t look to the National Assembly for that somebody, or to the Presidential Palace for that somebody.

Look into a mirror.

Look into your heart.

With the diploma you’ll be given today you’ll be handed the power to change your lives.
You’ll be handed the power to change the lives of others.

Whether you’ve studied English or psychology or business administration or biology, you’ve been handed the tools to make a real difference.

I pray that you use them well.

Once again, congratulations and may God bless you.