2023-12-24 12:00:00
Ladies and gentlemen,
This year once more, we are experiencing dark times. The international scene is dominated by armed conflicts and wars – in Ukraine, Congo, Sudan…
And in recent months, we have witnessed unprecedented violence in the Middle East, which touches us to the depths of our humanity.
Our thoughts are with the many victims of terrorism and unbearable acts of war.
We must do everything so that people everywhere can live in peace.
For our part, let us set the example of a society where people of all origins and beliefs build a common future together. The example of a country that fully embraces its interculturality.
The Queen and I regularly visit beautiful initiatives created spontaneously by Belgians of emigrant origin. Their work towards better living together deserves to be better recognized.
Unfortunately, violence due to exclusion, discrimination and racism remains present in our society. I also think of verbal violence, which often occurs through the anonymity of the internet. To intra-family violence. Sexual violence, which spares no environment.
Violence breeds fear, it feeds anxiety and a feeling of helplessness in the face of an uncertain future.
Faced with geopolitical developments in the world, the vulnerability of our democracies, the scale of the climate challenge, even if the conclusions of COP 28 are encouraging.
We must face this reality. But to the fear and anguish that discourage and paralyze, and ultimately to violence, we can oppose a vital force: the force of hope.
This is not a question of naive or passive optimism. On the contrary, hope is an energy that we draw from deep within ourselves and which manifests itself through contact with those who are concretely committed to a better world. And it grows even more when you get involved yourself.
The strength of hope makes us move forward, with confidence, on a path enlightened by those who believe in the strength of democracy, in the constructive power of nuance, of listening, of dialogue, of respect for others , those who work for social justice and peace, those who welcome the distress around them. And those who bring us the benefits of science, as well as technological solutions, in particular to achieve the energy transition.
The strength of hope is also our children: those who are born today, and those who will be born tomorrow. Because every new generation carries within it strong ideas for building a better future.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our response to the dysfunctions of our world will be a spirit of cooperation and not division, of pursuit of the common good: a sustainable world, but also a warm society. Because the two go hand in hand.
Each and everyone, to the best of their ability, can participate in a virtuous circle that brings people together and thus allows us to approach the future with realism and without fear.
The Queen, our children, and our entire family join me in wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year.
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