Address by Ambassador Chris Lu on the occasion of the annual Nelson Mandela Day

Ambassador Chris Lu
US Representative for UN Management and Reform
New York, New York
July 15, 2024

AS DELIVERED

Thirty years ago – just months after being elected as South Africa’s first President – ​​Nelson Mandela came to the United Nations to address the General Assembly.

He said: “We live in an interdependent world, bound together by a common destiny. The universal struggle against apartheid was therefore not an act of charity… but an affirmation of our common humanity.”

As host nation, the United States is honored to honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela, whom President Biden called “the most remarkable human being I have met in my entire career.” Let us recommit ourselves to what Mandela called “the affirmation of our common humanity,” whether it is human and civil rights, equality and anti-racism, food security or peace.

Today, the fight against poverty and inequality seems more urgent than ever. All over the world, countries are still struggling with the legacy of colonialism and conquest, exploitation and slavery. And we are facing new and complex challenges that affect us all: climate change, the weaponization of technology, increasing authoritarianism, democratic regression.

It would be easy to become discouraged or cynical about our ability to overcome these crises, but let us be inspired by Mandela’s story of struggle and triumph.

A man who had every reason to give up hope – who languished in a prison cell for nearly three decades – and yet maintained his faith in a better future.

A man who had every reason to be hateful and vengeful – and yet held on to the power of forgiveness, growth and empathy.

A man who had every reason to believe himself to be exceptional – a unique force for good in our world – and yet he said simply that the best way to judge leaders is by the impact they have on the next generation – those who continue to strive for justice, progress and universal dignity.

One example of this pursuit is the Mandela Washington Fellowship, a program that brings the U.S. government together with nearly 6,500 young leaders from across sub-Saharan Africa.

Today, the Mandela Washington Fellows continue his legacy by: advancing the rights of the disability community in The Gambia; helping to silence the guns in Somalia; tackling food shortages in Lesotho; promoting transgender visibility and safety in South Africa.

These leaders – and millions of young people like them – are Mandela’s legacy.

So let us commit ourselves to empowering these young people and all those who share his spirit of compassion, courage and conviction. Let us root out bigotry and embrace our common humanity, even when our differences seem insurmountable. And let us embrace our ability – our sacred responsibility – to make a difference – on Mandela Day and every single day. Thank you.

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From the United States Mission to the United Nations | July 15, 2024 | Topics: Highlights, Remarks, and Highlights