Academics and Research / News

Ban Ki-moon tells Korbel Dinner that DU students are “shaping our world”

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the 14th annual Korbel Dinner on Aug 24, where he commended DU and the Korbel School for supporting global problem solving. Photo: Wayne Armstrong

In one of his first major U.S. trips since his re-appointment as United Nations secretary-general in June, Ban Ki-moon told an audience of about 700 at the 14th annual Korbel Dinner that a revolution in thinking and in action is needed in sustainable development and “now is the time to think big.”

The University of Denver honored Ban Ki-moon at the event with its Global Advancement Award.

“These issues are relevant for every country, including this one,” said Ban Ki-moon, who is known for his passionate agenda on human rights, climate change and efforts to engage world leaders in protecting people.

“We now live in a world where no country, no matter how powerful, can solve problems on its own. No global challenge, no matter how pressing, can be addressed in isolation,” he said. “The essence of leadership, and our collective challenge, is to step up and work together.”

He noted that DU students are making an impact — now and in the future.

“Your students are shaping our world. They are making a difference throughout the ranks of the diplomatic corps, in the United Nations, in nongovernmental organizations, in businesses and civil society across the country and around the world,” he said.

“Let me say, that when it comes to support for global problem solving, the Korbel School and DU score 100 percent,” Ban Ki-moon said.

He thanked Christopher Hill, dean of DU’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies, for his work and impact in the Republic of Korea and other countries while a U.S ambassador.

“When I learned of his appointment as your new dean, I was determined to come at the first opportunity to help him get his tenure off to a good start. The Korbel School and the Korbel legacy are in good hands,” Ban Ki-moon said.

The Korbel Dinner also honored Timothy and Bernadette Marquez with the Josef Korbel Humanitarian Award. NBA star Chauncey Billups received the University of Denver Bridge Builder Award.

The event is hosted by the Korbel School and honors Josef Korbel, a Czechoslovakian diplomat and DU professor who established the University’s school of international studies in 1964. Korbel’s daughter, Madeleine Albright, served as the 64th U.S. secretary of state.

More about Ban Ki-moon’s stop at the Korbel Dinner in:

The Washington Post

The Denver Post

Tags: , , ,

One Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*