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北京大学英语新闻网/Peking University News
Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt Delivers
a Speech at PKU
PKU NEWS 2008—04--14
http://ennews.pku.edu.cn/news.php?s=208159504
Peking University, Apr. 14, 2008: Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt visited
Peking University and delivered a speech at the press hall of Overseas Exchange
Center on April 14. Centering on the issue of globalization, Reinfeldt addressed the
audience with his understanding of globalization as an exchange of knowledge,
information, technology, capital, as well as a way to unite people of different
countries to tackle common challenges such as climate change and global warming.
To begin with, Reinfelt spoke of the application of knowledge, which according to
him, opens doors to future careers and to personal success if one uses it the right
way. ―A wise man once said, ‗to study and not to think is a waste‘, but to think and not
to study is sometimes dangerous.‖ Reinfeldt‘s witty words won warm applause from
the audience. ―Most importantly with knowledge and the ability to succeed comes
social responsibility—social responsibility to use your knowledge not only for your
own good or for personal gain, but also to make a difference to other people,‖
Reinfeldt added.
Reinfeldt described globalization as a momentum for positive developments and a
bridge between people in different parts of the world. ―It has created new
opportunities and possibilities for human interaction, development and progress,‖ he
said, ―We are seeing an exchange of knowledge, information, technology and capital
that generations before us could only dream of.‖
Echoing his speech at the Bo‘ao Forum, Reinfeldt brought up again the common
challenges of climate change and global warming. ―This issue is one of the greatest
challenges facing our world today. We have a major responsibility to future
generations to ensure that we proceed in achieving sustainable development at both
local and global level.‖ Reinfeldt proposed that people ought to cooperate on an
international level to address climate change in an effective way, and promised to
work hard to reach an international agreement at the UN summit in Copenhagen in
December of 2009. ―In the last 25 years, we have seen tremendous growth in China,
but we have also seen major environmental challenges,‖ Reinfeldt said, ―When we
approach the issue of climate change and energy, we need a new political approach.
We must show that economic growth can be combined with the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions.‖
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