March 30, 2023
* This is a courtesy translation. Only the original Spanish version should be considered authoritative.
Education is the foundation on which the future is built. This is now truer than ever.
Throughout time and around the world, we have seen entire nations change when education becomes accessible to all children. We have seen time and again how education opens doors to new opportunities and jobs, where a person can not only survive, but also thrive.
Since I came to the country a couple of months ago, I have had the opportunity to talk with Salvadoran youth and hear about their projects, their ideas, and their goals. This country has a generation of creative, ambitious young people, eager to develop their talents, and school can be the place where these boys and girls begin their paths towards a better future.
In an increasingly complex and ever-changing world, it is more important than ever that young people are prepared to bring knowledge and problem-solving skills, to use their creativity to meet tomorrow’s challenges. If El Salvador wants to be a nation where future leaders and workers have the ability to understand and overcome the challenges they face, having access to education is essential.
In that sense, I want to thank CONAPINA for their incredible valuable work that they do every day for the children of El Salvador. And of course I want to thank all the teachers here today for their dedication and commitment to their students. My father was a teacher and I know firsthand how a teacher can impact the lives of his students, especially the younger ones.
Let’s continue working together so that this and future generations can make their dreams come true here in El Salvador.
Congratulations and thank you very much.
