The School of Government and Leadership is a unique initiative with extraordinary potential to make important contributions to Turkish society. And here let me salute the vision and leadership of the Chairman of the Board of Bahcesehir University, Mr. Enver Yucel, a firm believer in the power of education to solve problems and make a difference. This is reflected, I believe, in the motto of our school: Helping Leaders Serve People, and Solve Problems.

The increasing complexity of the environment in which we live, requires innovative solutions and renewed commitment to public service. At the United Nations Leadership Conferences I organised in the late 1990s, and which brought leaders from over 100 countries, I proposed that in the age of globalization leadership must ultimately be about human development. Human development can be more effectively advanced in an environment of peace, democracy, and equitable social and economic development. That is why, today, more than ever, we need leaders inspired by vision, motivated by ethics, moved by courage, and determined to serve.

To those who ask why Turkey, I say: Turkey is a country blessed with greatness: Greatness in its history and culture, greatness in the spirit of its people, greatness in the unique and visionary leadership of its modern founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Turkey is a country blessed with greatness: Greatness of its civilisation that taught the world about multiculturalism and tolerance long before these words became fashionable.

To those who say what difference will you make. I say that here at the crossroads of cultures and civilisations, and the crossroads of seminal events in the history of international relations, we can make a great deal of difference. I say that in championing peace at home and peace abroad, as Ataturk proclaimed, we would be engaged in a leadership challenge. In choosing peace over war, we would be choosing life over death, hope over despair. In helping to democratise international relations, we would be providing leadership to a world that desperately needs it.. In insisting on a human face to the capitalism of globalization, we would be putting our humanity before our greed. In building strength while showing care for the weak we would be putting our compassion before our competitive instincts. In strengthening commitment to these values, we would be all engaged in leadership for human development. That is quite a difference we can make.

To those who say, what can education do, I say that leaders are people who want to learn, people who believe in the power of education. The power to conquer poverty, ignorance, and prejudice, to build capacities, and reduce socio-economic inequities; the power to promote democratic governance, empower people, and advance the cause of peace.

And so in conclusion, to the leaders of today and the leaders of tomorrow, to leaders in local and national governments; to leaders in public and private organisations, to leaders in citizen movements and local associations, to leaders in the schools and at the University, to leaders of women organisations and in non-profit associations I say: The school of Government and Leadership is Your School. Let’s renew our commitment to serving people, let’s pledge to promote leadership for human development; let’s determine to work together to make a difference. Together, let’s look to tomorrow with faith and confidence. Faith in the future; confidence in ourselves, and in the greatness of this country.