Ambassdor's speech at Beijing Foreign Studies University Academic Year Opening Ceremony
澳大利亚驻华大使安思捷在北京外国语大学开学典礼上的演讲

Beijing Foreign Studies University
Academic Year Opening Ceremony
Monday 11 September 2017
Thank you Mr Zhao.
President Peng, distinguished academics, guests and students.
It is a great honour to be invited to speak as a representative of the foreign diplomatic community of Beijing at this academic year opening ceremony.

北京外国语大学
开学典礼
2017年9月11日  周一
非常感谢，赵先生。
尊敬的彭校长、诸位学者、嘉宾以及各位同学：
我十分荣幸受邀作为北京外交团体代表，出席本年度的开学典礼并致辞。

I am conscious that in speaking to the new students of Beiwai, I am addressing you not just as future diplomats and intercultural communication experts, but also as kindred spirits.

在我看来，今天向北外新生的致辞，我面对的不仅是对未来外交官和跨文化交流专家，同时也是与我志同道合的一个群体。

I say that, because like me, you have chosen to follow your passion and embark on a journey that will take you to the world beyond – a journey that will open you up to different cultures, languages and ways of seeing the world and your place in it.

Just like you, I am passionate about learning languages.

之所以这么说，是因为像我一样，你们选择追随内心的热情，踏上一段通往广阔世界的旅途，这将是一段能令你大开眼界，领略各异文化与语言的旅程，你能从中体会到各式各样看待世界的不同方式，并领悟自身在世界中的地位。

和你们一样，我十分热衷于学习语言。

I learned how to speak Thai when I did a high school language immersion program in Thailand – no one spoke English.  I have also studied German and have spent a life-time learning French.  And now I’m learning Chinese [现在我学习一点儿汉语]

It is lucky that your journey begins here in one of China’s most internationally focused universities – a university that has played a significant role in training China’s diplomatic corps as well as foreign diplomats from around the globe.

高中时期，我在泰国参加语言沉浸项目时，学会了讲泰语。当时我身边没有人会说英文。我还学习了德语，并且一直在学法语。现在我学习一点儿汉语。

你们非常幸运，因为你们旅程的起点是一所中国最强调国际性的学府，这所大学在培养中国外交官以及培训来自世界各地的国际外交人员方面起到了至关重要的作用。

In fact, many of the Chinese colleagues and senior diplomats with whom I work in China graduated from this University. I just mention a few names here: Li Zhaoxing, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Li Baodong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Wu Dawei, former Special Representative for Korean Peninsular Affairs; Liu Jianchao, former MFA spokesperson, Vice Minister of China's National Bureau of Corruption Prevention. (I once said his English is impeccable and he agreed with it).

实际上，我在中国认识的许多中国同僚和高级外交官都毕业于这所大学。我仅举几个例子：前外交部长李肇星，外交部副部长李保东，前朝鲜半岛事务特别代表武大伟，前外交部发言人、国家预防腐败局副局长刘建超（我曾经对他说他的英文简直完美无瑕，他自己也表示赞同）。

It is even more worth mentioning that two former Chinese Ambassadors to Australia – Madam Fu Ying and Ambassador Zhang Junsai are both from BFSU. That makes me and makes Australia feel more connected to your University.

This year marks forty five years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China, and this gives us a chance to reflect on and celebrate the achievements of the last four decades.

还值得一提的是：前两任驻澳大使傅莹女士与章均赛大使先生，均师出北京外国语大学。这让我和澳大利亚都感到与北外分外亲近。

今年正值澳中建交45周年，借此我们得以回顾和庆贺过往四十载的光辉成就。

The most important part of the Australia-China relationship is the personal and professional relationships that have been developed between our people – between our students, our researchers, our professionals and our government leaders and officials.

With the growth of its economic strength, China is playing a more and more important role on international and regional issues. China’s foreign policies are also changing to match its increasing political and economic influence.

澳中关系中最重要的部分是两国人民中发展起来的个人交往与业务关系，其中有我们的学生、我们的研究人员、我们的专家、以及我们的政府领导和官员。

随着经济实力的增长，中国在国际与地区事务中发挥着越来越重要的作用。中国外交政策也在不断变化，以适应中国自身越来越强大的政治经济影响力。

As future leaders in diplomacy, international trade, education, science and communication you will form the critical bridge of understanding between China and the world.

As someone who has also followed this dream, I can say that working in the area of international trade relations and diplomacy is a great privilege.

作为外交、国贸、教育、科学与交流领域的未来领导者，你们会在中国与世界之间搭建起一座至关重要的理解桥梁。

作为一个拥有同样梦想的同道中人，我可以告诉你们从事国际贸易关系和外交事务是一项莫大的荣幸。

My own global education journey has taken me all over the world.  I have been an exchange student in Thailand; I have lived and worked in Paris, Washington and now Beijing.

就我自身而言，这趟全球教育之旅让我环游世界，我曾在泰国做交换生，曾在巴黎、华盛顿、如今在北京工作与生活。

I am not unusual, Australians are seasoned travelers. At any one time there are around one million Australians living and working overseas. That’s five percent of Australia’s population.

其实，我并非与众不同，澳大利亚人都是阅历丰富的旅行家。每时每刻都有大约一百万澳大利亚人在海外生活和工作，相当于澳大利亚人口的百分之五。

Australian university students also have a passion to explore the world beyond our shores – with 16 per cent of undergraduate students undertaking some form of study overseas – China is one of the most popular study destinations.

An international study experience is now viewed as a critical part of a well-rounded university education.

澳大利亚大学里的大学生也十分热衷于到海外游历，16%的本科生会进行某种形式的海外学习，而中国正是最受他们欢迎的学习目的地之一。

如今，国际学习经历被认为是大学综合教育中极其重要的一环。

As the old Chinese saying goes, “walk ten thousand miles, read ten thousand books.”

This proverb captures the importance of a global outlook to a good education.

正如中国古语所言：“行万里路，读万卷书。”

这句谚语形象生动地体现出全球视野之于良好教育的重要性。

This global outlook is increasingly valued by employers – who seek out graduates who not only have a sound basis in theory and knowledge but have the skills to build relationships, lead negotiations, and manage resources across cultural divides.

现在，雇主越来越看重全球视野，他们希望我们的毕业生不仅具有良好的知识理论基础，同时还要具有在不同文化间建构关系、领导谈判和管理资源的能力。

Employers are looking for talented individuals who are open to challenges and are able to make informed decisions based on ethical understanding and tolerance of difference.

雇主寻找的是那些能够敞开心扉迎接挑战的人，见多识广，能够接纳不同，有判断力的人。

These are the skills that the global community had in mind when in 2016 the United Nations included for the first time a focus on educating for global citizenship in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

当2016年联合国首次将培育全球公民纳入“联合国可持续发展目标”时，各国代表认为这就是全球公民应该具有的技能。

As commencing students at Beiwai, I encourage you to learn as much about the world as you can.  You should do this for the pure joy of learning and of acquiring knowledge, but you should also do this so that when you graduate, you can create your own relationships and contribute to the bridge of understanding between China and the world.

作为北外的新生，我鼓励你竭尽全力去了解世界，目的不仅是为了纯粹的学习与获取知识的乐趣，而且还为了毕业后，能够建立自己的关系，为中国与世界之间的理解桥梁作出贡献。

It is also my hope that you can all have the opportunity to either do further study in Australia or travel to our beautiful country in the future.

I wish you the best for the academic year ahead.

Thank you.

同时，我还希望你们以后都能有机会到我的美丽祖国澳大利亚来学习或旅游。

祝同学们学业顺利！

谢谢！

 

来源：https://china.embassy.gov.au/bjng/20170919speech.html

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