Remarks by President McAleese at the Gaisce Gold Medal Awards Monday, 29th November, 2010
Remarks by President McAleese at the Gaisce Gold Medal Awards Monday, 29th November, 2010
Dia dhíbh a chairde. Míle bhuíochas díbh as an gcuireadh agus an fáilte a thug sibh dom. Tá an-áthas orm a bheith in bhur measc anseo ar an ócáid speisialta seo.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I extend the warmest of welcomes to all of you to Dublin Castle for the presentation of the Gaisce Gold Medal Awards. I would like to thank everyone involved in organising this event, and in particular the Council of the President’s Award, under the formidable chairmanship of Dr. Laurence Crowley, and the staff of Gaisce, so ably led by Chief Executive, Barney Callaghan. Nothing is too much trouble to them for they have such faith in our young people and such determination to help them go for Gold and reach gold.
So today, if you are feeling burdened by the bad news of these times take a look around this room, listen to the stories of our Gold Award recipients and tell yourself this country will get through, will endure, will transcend the adversity and prosper again because in these young citizens we see a toughness, a determination, a staying power and a courage that has been tried, tested, stretched and has come through. In them we already see the Ireland of tomorrow.
Not one of them had to take up the Gaisce challenge. No law commanded it and everything they knew about it told them they were taking on an uncompromising task, not for the faint hearted, and definitely not for those who would find it impossible to be well out of their comfort zone. I see in their tenacity and their spirit of adventure, their ambition and their generosity, the qualities that have stood to Ireland through difficult times before. I see the resourcefulness, the selflessness, the community spirit, the curiosity, the creativity, the bravery and the ‘can do’ attitude that pulled this country out of the Third World and into the van of the First World. I also see something that previous generations did not have, a confident and assurance that comes with having grown up as proud Europeans as well as proud Irish citizens, well-educated and unafraid to be problem-solvers in a world of many problems.
Our awardees remind us that change does not come about when people sit back and do nothing, Mahatma Ghandi once said ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ It is currently an angry world- an angry, worried and disappointed Ireland, coping with reduced incomes, high debt, unemployment and fewer opportunities. It is so important that we do not become paralysed by negativity and despair but rather that these emotions galvanise us into positive action. So that the changes we need and desire become the work of our hearts and hands, so that we do not give up until they are in place.
While Gaisce encourages the individuality of each participant and wishes for each of them that they will grow strong in their unique set of skills, experiences and talents Gaisce has no time for the kind of perverse individualism that is so self-obsessed that it is disconnected from family, community and society. Gaisce’s individuals are young men and women who have a highly developed sense of belonging to family and community. More than that they have a mature sense of responsibility to do what it takes so that they can be community builders, leaders, sources of strength, “can-do” people, team players, steeped in values of generosity and voluntarism. When you need a meitheal of effort these are the kind of people you call on for their Gold Award tells you they can be depended on. Here are the very best of Ireland’s young citizens. Today we salute them, tell them how much we admire and respect them and thank them for taking on the Gaisce challenge and for seeing it through all the way. We thank their Pals and all those who stood by them, encouraging them to go for Gold and to reach Gold.
Whatever the role you have played to arrive here today thank you for being a light, a much-needed, much appreciated light in a place where there is much cursing of the darkness.
Comhghairdeas libh. Gurb fada buan sibh ‘s go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir.