[John F. Kennedy] This
nation was not founded solely
on the principle of citizen rights.
Equally important, though
too often not discussed,
is the citizen's responsibility.
[Dean Doug Elmendorf] Members
of the Kennedy School Community
are answering President
Kennedy's call to service
each and every day.
Some are well known.
Other members of our community
whom you don't know are also
answering that call to service
in their countries, in their states,
in their cities,
and in their neighborhoods
around the world.
[Professor Meghan O'Sullivan]
There are so many ways
in which our destinies are tied
to every single other
person on this planet,
climate change, pandemics,
all of these things are
really critical issues
for those aspiring to
serve in the kinds of ways
that President Kennedy called on us to do.
[Dean Doug Elmendorf] Too many leaders
have failed their fellow countrymen
and women by denying basic rights,
reducing economic opportunity,
and undermining effective governance.
We at Harvard Kennedy School
can do something about that.
We need to do something about that.
You need to do something about that.
That's why you're here.
