GLOBAL YOUTH FORUM CLOSING SESSION: YOUTH ASSEMBLY Closing Remarks
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
19/10/2022
GLOBAL YOUTH FORUM
CLOSING SESSION: YOUTH ASSEMBLY
Closing Remarks
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
19 October 2022
19 October 2022
(Plenary Hall, 19:00 hours)
Dear Young Friends,
1. I listened to what you have said, and I hope that now you can listen to what I am going to reply - this is the way for a friendly exchange, across the generational gap.
2. I have listened closely to what you have said, even to your complaints.
3. I have always considered myself a close friend of young people, even to my daughter.
4. This is the thing that I am the proudest of: she grew up with me as a friend, not only as the father. And now I am doing the same with my little grandson.
5. I have based my 59 years of life on one of the things I learned from my grandmother when I was a very small boy: she said “Do not complain. If you complain too much, you will get into a negative mood.”
6. Look at all the successful leaders, scientists and business persons - they never complain.
7. You need to always think deep and come up with realistic solutions on your own first.
8. Then, consult with the colleagues you trust, and sometimes even with those you do not trust.
9. This is the way to come up with a good solution to a problem.
10. As Director-General of FAO, I always consult with my senior managers, my colleagues and even my driver.
11. So, my first advice to you is never complain!
12. My second advice is to never ask for money first.
13. Look at all the changes I have made at FAO since becoming Director-General – and I did it all without asking for any additional money from the FAO Members, neither from the rich countries, nor the poor ones.
14. You should prepare yourselves to do the best you can, without asking for help. This way you will not be disappointed if they cannot help you – remember they may have their reasons.
15. You should show yourself to be a valuable and reliable partner.
16. This also applies when you try to find a boyfriend or a girlfriend – you should first make sure that you are a valuable and reliable person. This is the same advice I gave my daughter.
17. Prepare yourself for your future, improve yourself as much as you can.
18. For example, during these difficult economic times, even though some Members and donors were having difficult times in supporting FAO, they doubled their voluntary contributions to the Organization!
19. This was the result of their trust on me, in my team and in the efforts that FAO is making.
My Dear Young Friends,
20. My third advice to you is to always remember how fortunate you are.
21. Do you know why North America has a Thanksgiving Day? And also there are similar ways in the Chinese culture, and in the Muslim culture, as well as in many other cultures, where we need a day and time for thanksgiving!
22. It is because it is important to show appreciation for what we have.
23. Do you know how many people, many of your same age, still go to bed hungry? About 20% of the world population!
24. You need to show appreciation for the people you meet, and for your parents who gave you your life.
25. For example, I am 59 years old – but I want to be here with you to show you my appreciation for what you are doing and to have a heart-to-heart discussion with you.
26. Even with my not so young colleagues, we are all here because we want to listen to you, learn from you and understand you.
27. There is a Chinese proverb which says that you cannot swallow a big elephant in one mouthful.
28. When you have a big problem, remember to take one small bite at a time. All big problems are solved through small actions.
29. Let us do small actions together - with your parents, with your classmates, with your friends.
30. First, you need to learn for yourself, and then you will do more and more, and better and better.
31. I hope that we can all learn together, work together and change together, because the world is yours.
32. My hope for you is that you will prepare yourself with knowledge, with a change of mind-set, with experience, and through self-criticism and evolution.
33. In Chinese we say: “Three times a day, we have to criticize ourselves.”
34. This is the way to build up your own, mature personality. Across cultures, across religions, to become a universal citizen of this planet.
35. I hope you will have great success and good luck!
36. Thank you.