German Chancellor Angela Merkel's address | Harvard Commencement 2019 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses Harvard graduates, urging them to tear down walls of ignorance and narrow-mindedness, take joint action, question their actions, value freedom, embrace possibilities, and understand the risks that come with new beginnings.

Key Insights

• 😫 Personal experiences can inspire individuals to embrace new beginnings and challenge what may seem set in stone.
• ✌️ Multilateralism is crucial in addressing global challenges and ensuring peace and prosperity.
• 😒 The responsible use of technology and prioritizing human dignity are vital for a sustainable future.
• 🤳 Honesty, empathy, and self-reflection are essential in making ethical choices and shaping a better world.
• 🥡 Freedom and progress cannot be taken for granted; they require constant effort and the breaking down of walls of ignorance.

Transcript

(applause) >> THANK YOU, AND I THINK LET'S START. (laughter) PRESIDENT BACOW, FELLOWS OF THE CORPORATION, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF OVERSEERS, MEMBERS OF THE ALUMNI BOARD, MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY, PROUD PARENTS, AND GRADUATES. TODAY IS A DAY OF JOY. IT'S YOUR DAY. MANY CONGRATULATIONS. I AM DELIGHTED TO BE HERE TODAY AND WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Angela Merkel's upbringing in East Germany shape her outlook on freedom and new beginnings?

Merkel grew up under a dictatorship and witnessed the oppressive nature of the Berlin Wall. The experience of being so close to freedom yet unable to reach it inspired her to embrace the opportunity for new beginnings when the Wall fell.

Q: What challenges does Merkel highlight that the Class of 2019 will face in the coming decades?

Merkel mentions challenges such as protectionism, trade conflicts, digital transformation, wars, terrorism, and climate change. She emphasizes that graduates will play a crucial role in addressing these challenges.

Q: What approach does Merkel suggest in tackling the challenges of the 21st century?

Merkel urges graduates to adopt a multilateral approach, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation, openness, and an outward-looking mindset. She believes that working together rather than alone is key to addressing global issues effectively.

Q: How does Merkel emphasize the role of technology in shaping the future?

Merkel highlights the transformative power of technology, mentioning artificial intelligence and empathetic robots as examples. She encourages graduates to use these opportunities responsibly and to consider the impact on individuals and society.

Summary

In her commencement speech, German Chancellor Angela Merkel reflects on her experiences growing up in East Germany and the fall of the Berlin Wall. She emphasizes the power of change and the importance of working together in a global, interconnected world. Merkel encourages the graduating class to embrace new opportunities, challenge themselves, and break down walls of ignorance and narrow-mindedness. She reminds them that freedom and progress cannot be taken for granted and urges them to always consider what is right, rather than simply what is possible.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Angela Merkel feel when she was close to the Berlin Wall?

Angela Merkel, when she was close to the Berlin Wall, had to turn away at the last minute, in order to head towards her apartment. Every day, she had to turn away from freedom, which she found frustrating.

Q: How did the fall of the Berlin Wall impact Merkel's life?

The fall of the Berlin Wall allowed Angela Merkel to step out into the open, leaving her job as a scientist behind and entering politics. She describes it as an exciting and magical time, but also acknowledges moments of doubt and worry.

Q: What challenges does Merkel emphasize that the graduating class will face in the future?

Merkel mentions challenges such as protectionism and trade conflicts jeopardizing free international trade, the digital transformation affecting all facets of our lives, wars and terrorism leading to displacement and forced migration, and climate change posing a threat to our planet's natural resources.

Q: What does Merkel believe can help us tackle these challenges?

Merkel believes that multilateralism, global cooperation, and an outward-looking approach are essential to addressing these challenges. She encourages the graduating class to work together rather than alone, prioritizing the well-being of people as individuals and embracing new beginnings.

Q: What does Merkel say about technology and human interaction?

Merkel raises important questions about the relationship between technology and human interaction. She asks whether we are laying down the rules for technology or if technology is dictating how we interact. She emphasizes the need to prioritize people as individuals and to view the world through the eyes of others.

Q: What does Merkel say about walls in people's minds?

Merkel believes that walls in people's minds, such as ignorance and narrow-mindedness, prevent us from envisioning the world in which we want to live. She calls for breaking down these walls and embracing diversity and understanding.

Q: What does Merkel believe is the key to creating change and progress?

Merkel believes that change and progress begin in the mind. She highlights the importance of respecting others, their history, traditions, religion, and identity. She also emphasizes the need for honesty, self-reflection, and the courage to challenge the status quo.

Q: What message does Merkel want to leave with the graduating class?

Merkel's message to the graduating class is to tear down walls of ignorance and narrow-mindedness and to remember that nothing has to stay as it is. She urges them to take joint action in the interest of a multilateral global world, to surprise themselves with what is possible, and to never take freedom for granted.

Q: How does Merkel view the future and the opportunities it holds?

Merkel sees the future as open and full of possibilities. She encourages the graduating class to embrace new beginnings, even if it involves letting go of the old, and to always remember that everything is possible.

Q: What personal experience does Merkel share to inspire the graduating class?

Angela Merkel shares her experience of leaving her job as a scientist and entering politics after the fall of the Berlin Wall. She emphasizes the excitement and magic of new beginnings and encourages the graduating class to take risks and seize opportunities.

Takeaways

In her speech, Angela Merkel emphasizes the power of change, global cooperation, and the importance of embracing new beginnings. She encourages the graduating class to challenge themselves, break down walls of ignorance, and view the world through the eyes of others. Merkel cautions against complacency and reminds the audience to be vigilant in protecting freedom, as progress and well-being are not guaranteed. Ultimately, she leaves the class with the message that everything is possible if they work together and remain open-minded.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chancellor Angela Merkel shares her personal experiences growing up in East Germany and witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall, emphasizing that anything that seems set in stone can change.

• She highlights the importance of multilateralism and working together in the face of challenges such as protectionism, digital transformation, wars, terrorism, and climate change.

• Merkel encourages graduates to embrace technological advancements responsibly, prioritize human dignity and values, and be honest with themselves and others.