Filip, King of Belgians, has addressed his people on the eve of Christmas. The king spoke of the armed conflicts that affect people in many parts of the world but also of verbal violence on the internet, domestic and sexual violence. He asked his people to set an example with people of all creeds and origins working together to build a better future. The king lauded initiatives by people of foreign heritage saying they often didn’t receive the recognition they deserved. King Filip also spoke of the power of hope, a spirit of cooperation and not division, in the pursuit of a common interest: a sustainable world.
King Filip's speech in full in translation from the Dutch.
Ladies and gentlemen,
This year too, we are experiencing dark times. The world stage is dominated by armed conflicts and wars - in Ukraine, Congo, Sudan…
In recent months we have witnessed terrible violence in the Middle East. Violence that affects us to the depths of our humanity.
Our thoughts are with the many victims of terrorism and intolerable acts of war. We must do all we can so that nations, all over the world, can once again live in peace.
In Belgium, let us show the example of a society in which people of all origins and creeds work together to build a common future :the example of a country where interculturalism is lived to the full.
The Queen and I regularly visit beautiful initiatives that were spontaneously created by Belgians with a migration background. Their commitment to a better co-existence deserves more recognition.
Unfortunately, there is still violence in our society as a result of exclusion, discrimination and racism.
I am also thinking of verbal violence that often anonymously finds its way on the internet, of violence within the family, of sexual violence, which occurs in all circles.
Violence breeds fear, and this fuels a sense of oppression and powerlessness in the face of an uncertain future - due to geopolitical developments in the world, the fragility of our democracies and the scale of climate challenges - even if the conclusions of the COP28 climate conference are hopeful.
We must dare to face this reality. But in the face of the fear and anxiety that can discourage and paralyse us - and ultimately in the face of violence itself - we can assert a force, a force of life itself: the power of hope.
This is not a naive, passive optimism. On the contrary: hope is an energy deep within us that is fuelled by contact with those who make a concrete commitment to make the world a better place.
And when we get involved and give a commitment, that hope grows even more. The power of hope gives us confidence and leads us forward on a path illuminated by those who believe in the power of democracy, in the constructive power of nuance, of listening, of dialogue, of respect for the other, those who work for justice and social peace, those who alleviate the distress around them and, finally, those who share with us the fruits of science and provide technological solutions, particularly to make the energy transition possible.
The power of hope, which includes our children and grandchildren because every generation brings with it new insights, with which we can build a better future.
Ladies and gentlemen, THAT will be our answer to what is going wrong in the world: a spirit of cooperation and not division, in pursuit of the common interest: a sustainable world, but also a warm society. Because the two go hand in hand.
Each of us can join, to the best of our ability, in a virtuous spiral, which brings people together and thus enables us to face the future soberly and without fear.
The Queen, our children and our entire family wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year.
