Speech of Ms. Lee Grane, Y4U2015 Ambassador

I would like to thank the National Association of UNESCO Clubs in the Philippines (NAUCP), Inc. And the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines for this recognition. I have the utmost respect, regard and admiration for everything that your remarkable organization has done and continuously does for humanity. And for everyone who I their own way contributes to the betterment of our society, thank you for your selfless service.

I am incredibly grateful to be given extraordinary opportunity to be part of UNESCO Clubs. I have a deep love for the environment and for all of life, and to have the honor of contributing my energy towards projects that support Sustainable Development, Climate Change, Human Rights and Education is a dream come true. From the depths of my soul, thank you for this gift.
 
I believe that we, as human beings have a great responsibility to our planet, to our fellow human beings and most of all to ourselves. It is only natural for us to care and protect everything around us that sustains our life here on this planet, not just for human beings but also for all of creation, most especially the ones who do not have voices. We are all, in a way, an extension of each other. We are all created the same. We bleed the same blood, we breathe the same air. It is our innate desire to live in peace and harmony with the world around us. In essence, there are more things that connects us than things that separate us. I envision a future where our skin color, our religious beliefs, our social status, our gender are no longer divisive issues but instead just outer expressions so that we can experience and appreciate the magnanimous diversity that exists within this life. A part of UNESCO’s constitution says that, “Since war begin in minds of men, it must be in the mind that the defenses of peace be constructed.” With this guiding thought in our hearts, we will achieve peace, everywhere. With the understanding that the outer world is a mere reflection of our inner world, we must strive to achieve peace within our own self. Make peace with ourselves. Once we experience this peace inside, this overwhelming feeling which is the natural state of our being, we will begin to consciously want this experience to be everyone else’s experience.
 
As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
​Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

So here is to hoping we continuously seek to be the embodiment of light for each other through our actions and our choices. May we have the courage to be a part and actively participate with the transformation that this world so needs, at this time in human existence. Let us be each other’s gate keepers and way showers. May we have the wisdom to understand that we do to others, we so do to ourselves, and with this understanding we will consciously choose life and harmony. Let us invite love in our lives and let love guide our own individual paths, for it is only through LOVE that we can bring peace and achieve peace in this world.

Peace be with all of you!