ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF ‘SCHOOLS ENCOUNTER/SENIOR CITIZEN ’DAY
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE ON THE OCCASION OF ‘SCHOOLS ENCOUNTER/SENIOR CITIZEN ’DAY AT ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN
I’d like to extend a warm welcome – a fáilte mór – to each and every one of you, to this – ‘schools encounter/senior citizens day’ at the Áras. I know that many of you have travelled long distances to be here and I hope that you are not too tired too enjoy the afternoon’s activities. I am delighted at the standard and quality of the collages that you have sent to me and the manner in which you captured this year’s schools encounters theme. In coming here today, you are now part of history – the unfolding story of this great house – a place that has seen so much change as the events of this island’s history have ebbed and flowed over the last several centuries.
Later I will be inviting you to take a closer look at the house and perhaps – if weather and time permit – a stroll in the very interesting and historic grounds. The art and architecture of this house – the place which I now call home – reflect the many changes in generation and use with which it is associated – the British history – the Irish history – and our shared British/Irish history. It has been very carefully preserved and maintained – and is still used not just as a home – but also as a place where we conduct State business – surrounded by the many influences that have made us the people we are today. It bridges the generations and the traditions and – in a very real sense – is a fitting place for us to meet and extend that concept to this and future generations.
In the days that followed my inauguration, eighteen months ago, we were absolutely overwhelmed by the number of schools and colleges that expressed interest in coming to see the Áras. As you know, I see it as part of my mission as President to promote links and contacts between individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds – to encourage the building of bridges of understanding and respect between the traditions and cultures – and to promote an atmosphere of tolerance and recognition for each other. The obvious focus is on the two main traditions – between the Unionist and Nationalist – and between Catholic and Protestant. But there are other groups who are different – and who see themselves as different – groups who can exclude and be excluded – groups who live in some of our poorer communities or who are disabled – groups who suffer exclusion because of geographic isolation –groups who find that they are strangers in a strange land. I want to focus on these groups too – to establish links with and between them – and between them and their opposites.
But it is important to keep in mind that – by building those links and bridges – we are not doing it to dominate each other – but to learn from each other and about each other – and to enrich ourselves in the process. If we approach each other with joyful and generous curiosity – it’s remarkable what comes out of that process – and how much there is to be gained. The more we engage – the more we cross the boundaries and divisions between us – the more we use our full God given resources and energies productively – the more we will be surprised at what we are able to accomplish when we get to know each other – and work together – without the energy-sapping fear and fearfulness that keeps us apart.
The particular theme I chose for this year’s schools encounter is “Handing Over – Building Bridges into the new Millennium”. As we prepare for the new Millennium, we look forward with anticipation to the many benefits that it will inevitably bring to us – in areas such as medicine and information and communications technologies. It is an exciting time and it is right that we should be excited at the prospect of what lies ahead. We should also take the time to reflect on - what has been - what we have achieved in the past and on what we have learned from our experiences through the generations.
In this the International Year of Older Persons, we are presented with an important opportunity – an opportunity to focus our attention on our senior citizens – to learn about what life was like when they were secondary school students – when few people had cars – when there was no television – no computers and no “Fat Boy Slim” or “Spice Girls.” It doesn’t bear thinking about!
What is very important is that our young people realise that there is a vast reservoir of knowledge, skills and experience which our older citizens possess and can be so easily accessed if they take the time to do so. Acquiring such knowledge will prove to be of much benefit to them – our next generation of decision-makers as they endeavor to make informed decisions.
I am looking forward to hearing schools tell of how they built bridges and forged links with older people in their communities - about how they made their contacts – and about what it has meant for them. For your pleasure this afternoon – we are very honoured to have a number of entertainers to perform for us – so it should be a very enjoyable experience for all.
After the performances – I will go to each table to meet you. You will then be invited into the house for a tour of the rooms and the Visitors Centre. I hope you enjoy the remainder of the afternoon – and I look forward to meeting you all later.