3
P
rince
of
A
sturias
A
wards
1981-2014. S
peeches
Laureates. Excerpts
It is clear that our world must change and that each one of us must break the misfortune of his or
her own indifference. This transformation that drives us, at times in which the skyscrapers of world
finance seem to crash down upon us, when the fragility of our civilization is more clearly manifest,
this transformation, which we feel to be essential, starts deep down in our heart.
Because what is collapsing in this world is irresponsibility and selfishness. How do we think we
are going to save the planet from global warming if we do not agree to consume in a different way
and, therefore, if we do not agree to change our habits and our pleasures?
How do we believe we can survive the flood of human beings that are migrating towards Europe
or the United States if we do not agree to recognize their right to desire the same as what we desire?
With each word we can reclaim other relationships, other commitments, other solutions... We
can accept trade agreements that are not so good for us, but which are fairer. We can seek to invest
with a greater sense of solidarity and less speculative yields. We can offer more dialogue and less
imposition by force.
Above all, we can not resign ourselves. Because to resign oneself is to die a little, it means not
making use of the possibility to choose, it means accepting silence. The word, however, precedes
actions, prepares the path, opens doors… Today, more than ever, we must use our voices to shatter
chains.
I have the profound conviction that when we talk, we are changing the world. The great
transformations in our history were always announced previously. That is how man reached the
Moon, the Berlin Wall fell... that is how apartheid fell. I hope that that is how terrorism has to
disappear, too.
Ingrid Betancourt
—
Prince of Asturias Award
for Concord
2008
Excerpt from the speech given on
the occasion of receiving the Prince
of Asturias Award for Concord on
24/10/2008.
