Well done on a great conference. Congratulations to the Chairman, the organizers, Maryana and Uliana and yourselves, the delegates. You did a great job. You worked hard and you deserve a reward. Give yourselves a round of applause [lots of applause].
It is important to remember that if we were in a room together 60 years ago, we would be fighting with or against each other. But we are not fighting, we are talking and this is great progress.
We are communicating using a common language, English. Not being able to speak a common language means not being able to understand each other. So speaking the common language of English is more progress.
You are also using an agreed peaceful system to communicate, to make debate and to adopt resolutions. This is the European system and it gives you a voice as well as a way to debate.
The theme of this conference is Social Responsibility and you have accepted social responsibility by being here. You have accepted social responsibility and you have given yourselves a voice in your own futures.
Communication means sharing ideas in ways that people can understand. Do not expect people to understand you if you do not try to understand them. Understanding other people means putting aside your views and trying to understand where other people come from. Go to them in a way they understand and bring them to your position by good communication.
There are 4 possible solutions in a negotiation situation. I lose-You lose, You Win-I Lose, I Win-You Lose and I Win-You Win. I believe the ‘I Win-You Lose’ is the most popular system in Ukraine [some laughs]. This may make the winner feel good but it means the loser will never do business with you again. The WIN-WIN or principled process of negotiation is favoured by the European Union and Internationally for negotiations. It may take more effort but in the long term it is more profitable and more stable. Always try to create win-win situations.
Now I will ask you to have hope. I take inspiration from my friend Archimandrite Serge Keleher. 40+ years ago he believed the ‘Wall’ would come down. He worked hard trying to convince the right people to support this idea. At that time they thought he was totally crazy. But he was right. The ‘Wall’ did come down. He persisted, like Maryana and Yuliana (the organizers of this conference). and eventually succeeded.
A few months ago I met a fellow Irishman in Ivano-Frankivsk Airport. He told me his company were making their biggest investment so far in Ukraine. They were investing 250 million euro. I said ‘Eamon, you are a brave man to invest in Ukraine’. ‘No’, he said ‘It’s the smartest thing we ever did’. I will repeat that in case you didn’t hear me. He said ‘It’s the smartest thing we ever did’. So have hope.
There are two ways of thinking. I can’t do something….because…I have no money…no time….a million reasons. These same reasons can be used to show you can do something if you say; I can do it if….I get the money…..make the time….etc. Mariana and Yuliana are great examples. They persisted and never gave up hope.
Did anyone ever go to a dancing class to learn how to dance? Raise your hand if you did. [all hands up]. Most of you did. Did you notice that in the beginning you couldn’t do the steps right, you weren’t co-ordinated with the music or your partner? But over time, if you persevered, your steps improved and you advanced in proficiency. The European Parliament is like this. Today is a new step for you. If you practice you will continue to take higher steps towards a better future.
Have a vision and take steps towards that vision. Don’t give up, especially in hard times. Persevere, re-evaluate and succeed. Push yourself, but enjoy the process. Build bridges not walls. Be the best you can be not just for yourselves but for your world.
For the sake of those who did not hear the first day,
May I ask you one more time to answer the same question?
Do you think a better future is possible for Ukraine? [big YES]
One more time? [big YES]
Will you work to make that better future come true? [big YES]
Thank you. You have made my day. [applause].
Patrick Purcell, 7 March 2011,
Closing Ceremony of the European Youth Parliament.
White House Parliament Building, Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine.
end of speech
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