Speeches

Back 2024 European Baccalaureate Ceremony of the European School Strasbourg

As delivered by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Dear Class of 2024, dear students,

We have come here to celebrate all of you – together with your families, friends and professors – and the leadership and administration of the European School in Strasbourg.

But first of all, let me extend a warm welcome to the Council of Europe and this truly historic meeting hall, where remarkable debates have taken place among parliamentarians, from all over Europe, determining the future of our Continent.

It is a great honour and pleasure to congratulate you on the completion of your Baccalaureate.

This brings an end to a particular chapter in your lives –

And signals the beginning of a new one.

Amid the excitement, and maybe a little anxiety, it is good to reflect a little on what all this means.

Our school years are formative – I still remember some of the teachers that I had, who made a lasting impression on me, and I still feel grateful for what they gave me.

And when you look back at your time at the European School, I hope that you will also remember some of the teachers and experiences that you have had – and the friendships that you have formed – some of which may last a lifetime.

In many ways we are privileged to be able to live in our beautiful and peaceful Strasbourg – particularly in mind of the ongoing war in Europe, which is causing so much pain and suffering.

Let us not forget that the brave Ukrainian soldiers in the trenches in Bakhmut, Avdiivka and outside Kharkiv are not only fighting for their own country, but for all of us – for a free Europe and a rules-based international order.

For this we are grateful and we are doing everything we can to support Ukraine.

But today at this celebration of you and our lives here in Strasbourg – if you think about it, not so many students have the opportunity of an international education –

With a focus on diversity –

On languages –

And on understanding the history of Europe and the wider world.

I believe this gives you a unique perspective, and a connection to one another, that other students often lack.

It is a real privilege –

And its roots draw from the extraordinary – and often troubled – story of this city, and this region.

Strasbourg and Alsace exist on a fault line of modern European history.

And it is no coincidence that the Council of Europe was established here 75 years ago.

Following the end of the Second World War, this was to be a site of peace and reconciliation –

Between France and Germany, but also for our continent as a whole –

With an international organisation that would help uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law on our continent.

This has indeed made a huge difference.

Think about it –

The Europe in which you have grown up, no longer applies the death penalty.

It has taken great steps towards improving the lives of national minorities and minority language speakers –

And it has helped ensure the rights of women and girls, LGBTI people, Roma and Travellers, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and many others.

It is true that we still have a way to go – and issues associated with this are far from completely resolved –

And I am sure that many of you feel strongly about that.

But it’s important to know that while there is still progress to make –

We have indeed come a very long way over the last 75 years.

In so many respects, life in Europe is better than it has ever been – for the great majority of us.

Yes, indeed there are certainly new major challenges we need to take on.

Climate change, of course, but also the rise of Artificial intelligence – and the terrible consequences of Russia’s appalling war of aggression against Ukraine.

But every generation is defined by what it does to meet the challenges and tackle the problems it faces – and most importantly the solutions that it finds.

Just last month, here in this building, European Foreign Ministers adopted a new international treaty on Artificial Intelligence. The first of its kind!

A global treaty that will help AI to uphold our rights, rather than undermine them.

It is a major step forward in making new technology safe technology.

Dear friends,

In the years to come, you will study or train –

Work or volunteer –

And in all of that you will have the opportunity to make a positive change to your communities, our societies – and the world around us.

Every individual counts, and every contribution matters.

A wise person once said: Decisions are made by those who show up. Don’t ever forget that you are a citizen of this world.

Show up! Participate! Contribute!

Of course, at times, the problems we face might seem overwhelming –

And we may feel – both you and I – a sense of frustration and despair –

But if previous generations could defeat violent, nationalism, overcome totalitarianism, and reunite our continent –

If they could rebuild Europe from destruction and war –

Escape from crippling poverty and disease –

And shape a modern continent where rights are respected as never before –

Then we should have no doubt that the problems we face today can also be overcome.

That we can be the masters of our fate.

But please do remember, that it is the hard and difficult days – when you struggle – the days that really challenge you to the very core – that will define you as a person and determine who you are.

Not the sunny days, where everything is going so smooth.

So, embrace those challenges, and try to emerge from them wiser and stronger.

Dear graduates of the Baccalaureate,

It is natural that we think today about school qualifications –

Academic studies –

And a future at college, or university and in the workplace.

But I want to finish with another point.

Although these things are important –

And they are very important –

What matters just as much, is what Martin Luther King described as the content of our character.

Kindness, acceptance and generosity.

Compassion, integrity and consideration for others.