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"Approaching the midpoint of the race to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, we need [young people's] participation more than ever. Their energy and idealism can help make up for lost ground and achieve our development goals in full and on time." Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, United Nations |
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And yet at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit [of service] that must inhabit us all. For as much as government can do, and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child that finally decides our fate. Barack Obama, President, United States |
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"I have hope that stems in large part from my knowledge that the future of this planet lies in the tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and commitment of young people around the world. I have often said that every individual counts, every individual has a role to play, and every individual makes a difference. Global Youth Service Day proves it. Let us support this opportunity to move forward with hope -- with faith in ourselves and in our intellect. And let's celebrate the indomitable spirit of youth." Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder, The Jane Goodall Institute |
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"If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness. And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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"Global Youth Service Day is important precisely because it can translate those generous impulses into organized action. It is a concept we call Moving to Citizenship." Elizabeth Hollander, Former Executive Director, CampusCompact |
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"Global Youth Service Day honors young volunteers and is an invitation to others-adults as well as youth-to join hands and do our part as Americans." General Colin Powell, Founding Chairman, America's Promise |
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"The United Nations can never succeed alone. Only by forming partnerships with governments, the private sector, and civil society around the world, can it change lives, save lives, strengthen democracy and human rights, and offer support, comfort, and protection to the poor, the sick, and the dispossessed. Volunteers are some of our most valued partners, and Global Youth Service Day celebrates the efforts of the youngest of them. These young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they can play a leading role in the development of their communities today. Let us hope that their good works today blossom into lifelong commitments that will benefit all the world's people." Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General, United Nations |
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"Today, volunteerism is a powerful force in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Thousands of youth participate every day in community service activities. These types of actions are vital to their personal development, the strengthening of their communities, and the reduction of poverty. Volunteerism is emerging as a viable strategy for socio-economic development in the region; therefore, it is important for the Bank to promote a regional culture of volunteer service. Global Youth Service Day helps to advance in this area, by facilitating platforms for young people to participate, get them engaged and celebrate their contributions to the communities where they live." Luis Alberto Moreno, President, Inter-American Development Bank |
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When I talk to kids everywhere, I remind them that they're never too young to serve, that they're never too small to do something big, because that's the way that they learn what it means to make a lifelong commitment to service. Michelle Obama |
