Message from the Right Honourable Lester B. Pearson

Former Prime Minister of Canada (1963-1968)

“As we enter a new decade, the decade of outer space, the decade of the dispossessed, the decade of choices between peaceful progress or total destruction, the problems we face both nationally and internationally (they can no longer be neatly separated) are quite unprecedented.

I suppose men have been saying this every new decade since the birth of political society; that its problems were unprecedented. But we can certainly say it now with complete, if discouraging, assurance; for our problems have indeed reached new dimensions. We are in outer space and inner turmoil; we have both cobalt bombs and hydrogen bombs. We can communicate with a satellite 25 million miles away, but not with a human across a curtain. We can spread political power throughout the nation, but we cannot be sure of its possible exercise.

These new developments of revolutionary importance which have taken place have a meaning for politics in a democratic society, a meaning which is often obscured by our obsession with old ideas and practices and prejudices; and with shibboleths that have lost their meaning…. In this new decade, political liberalism will be meaningless and irrelevant unless it produces policies and solutions that make sense in terms of today’s problems and today’s opportunities.” Lester B. Pearson

PAEP Canadian International Youth Letter – Peace Makers

Lester Bowles Pearson (1897-1972) participated in the disarmament conferences of 1933 and 1934, and represented Canada in the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He was appointed Minister of External Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent in 1948. Mr. Pearson was President of the seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly 1952-53. For his work in helping to resolve the Suez Canal crisis of 1956, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. Lester Pearson served as the fourteenth Prime Minister of Canada from 1963-1968.

He is remembered as one of the 20th century's most untiring and effective workers in the cause of world peace. For four decades, as diplomat, statesman, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, he gave unstintingly of himself in the service of Canada and the world community.

Photo credit: National Archives of Canada, PA-126393

Biography

Acceptance Speech

Nobel Lecture: The Four Faces of Peace

On Lester Bowles Pearson from the National Library of Canada

Lester Pearson’s Role in the UN & FAOP from UNA-Canada

Message from the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien

Former Prime Minister of Canada (1993-2003)

It gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest greetings to all those taking part in the Canadian International Youth Forum ScienceSpheres.

The theme you have chosen, "Preparing Youth for the 21st Century - Linking New Ideas to New Knowledge for New Skills and Careers." illustrates your commitment to our nation's young people. This unique forum offers participants a wonderful opportunity to invest in their own future as well as that of the global community. Through discussion and the exchange of ideas, students will gain valuable insights into the scientific and technological world, as well as its ethical dimensions. The event's guest speakers and the many planned activities will certainly interest and inspire the minds and imaginations of everyone in attendance. All those involved in the Public Awareness Education Programs and this youth forum are to be commended for their dedication to preparing young Canadians for the intellectual and moral responsibilities they will assume as the leaders of tomorrow.

Please accept my best wishes for a most productive program and every success in meeting the challenges of the years to come.

 

OTTAWA 2003