As it happens, neither President Obama nor President-Elect Trump gave a New Year's speech this year. However, a number of world leaders celebrated 2017 with important speeches. Although these were all, on their face, speeches to celebrate the holiday, many of them talk about important policy questions and national issues. Here were a couple that I found interesting:
1. The King of Thailand gave a speech on the topic of national unity. Thailand has been struggling with political instability for years, and is currently ruled by a military junta. The military and government officials have had a great deal of difficulty agreeing on the new Constitution. The country faces considerable internal stresses. King Vajiralongkorn, who is said to be less popular than his father, is widely expected to endorse the new constitution, which will restore some version of a more democratic government. Speeches can be given to encourage division, but Thailand, given its troubled political history, received a speech of unity.
2. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia, presented a New Year's speech in which he praised Australia's tradition of national unity and harmony: "Conflict around the world should make us all the more grateful and proud that we are such a harmonious society, with people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds living together in peace." He also, however, promised strict defense against the threat of terrorism. He also praised the Australian people for their refusal to be intimidated or cowed by the threat of terrorist activities.
Ceremonial speeches, such as New Year's Day speeches, are important to mark milestones in people's lives. They also give speakers a chance to reinforce values, such as harmony, unity, or strength, and remind the audience how these values need to influence either personal or national policies. One should never dismiss ceremonial speeches or special occasion speeches as mere fluff. They rarely are.
Here's Part 1.
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