Harvard Model Congress Asia Congratulatory Remarks

Event: Harvard Model Congress Asia
Date: 09:30, January 8 (Fri), 2016
Venue: Auditorium, University Cultural Center

Hello, everyone.

On this joyous occasion of the 12th Harvard Model Congress Asia, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all gathered here today: The students from various high schools in Asia and their coaches, the board members and other student leaders from the Harvard Model Congress, and of course, the student volunteers of Seoul National University without whom this event would not have been possible.

For more than a decade, Harvard Model Congress Asia has provided a unique and invaluable platform for many high school students striving to become the next generation of global leaders.

Through this interactive program, they study global issues, draft policy, debate, and form cross-cultural ties with delegates from Asia and other parts of the world. I sincerely hope that this conference offers the high school students an excellent opportunity to achieve all of those and ultimately become the global leaders of tomorrow. Now, first and foremost, I would like to say a few words for the participants from high schools around the world.

I hope all of you realize how much effort has gone in to this event. Make sure you thank all of your coaches for teaching you how to develop analytical skills, build sound arguments, and competency in public speaking. You should also thank the members of Harvard Model Congress for making this platform possible.

I have no doubt that your participation at this Harvard Model Congress event will help you succeed as the leaders of tomorrow. I truly hope you do your best to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, and form life-long friendship along the way.

Secondly, I would also like to express my appreciation for the board members and student leaders of Harvard Model Congress Asia who have devoted time and effort in bringing this conference in Seoul. All of you flew all the way to Seoul to organize this event. Your classmates are enjoying their winter break in warm Florida or Mexico in swimsuits, but you are here in Seoul, probably several degrees colder than Cambridge today!

I am very impressed. It is clear that you are demonstrating the very leadership skills that you strive to teach these high school students. I also have no doubt that you are, at this very moment, making a huge impact on the global society through your efforts. Thank you all for being here.

Finally, a few words of thanks are in order for the student volunteers of Seoul National University. Along with the Harvard College students, you are also serving as a good model for the future leaders. It is truly wonderful that these student-participants and the members of the Harvard Model Congress will get the chance to get to know Seoul National University, the City of Seoul, as well as our country, through each one of you. I am very proud of you.

I would like to share with you today what I always tell my students at Seoul National University. Since my tenure as the SNU President, I have always emphasized the importance of ‘virtue and compassion’ to my own SNU students.

Yes, I am sure you will become a leader in your society, as global leaders. But I also hope that you would be a leader with ‘virtue and compassion’, caring for others and your community at large. Intelligence, which I have no doubt you all have, is important - but it is not enough.

Good will and warm hearts, products of ‘virtue and compassion’, are equally important, if not more important, than intelligence in a leader. Without ‘virtue and compassion’, you are merely an ‘actor,’ and not a ‘leader.’ As a leader, you need to be proactive, ready to work for your community and society when the needs arise --- when you see an opportunity for you to make difference.

I trust that Harvard Model Congress Asia in Seoul will serve as a jumping board for your future aspirations to become a leader --- a leader with ‘virtue and compassion’.

My best wishes to everyone --- and thank you all.