“On what foundation do we want to build this new future?” Former Polish President and 1983 Nobel Laureate Lech Walesa asks future leaders in DLSU’s Leadership Forum, held at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium last November 28, 2012.
“If you want to build a new world, you have to reach for values.” Walesa emphasizes on concrete values as the foundation of an effective leadership, addressing an audience of La Salle students and alumni, university stakeholders, and corporate heads.
Dean of DLSU’s College of Education Dr. Voltaire Mistades opened with a prayer of gratitude for Walesa’s visit. Vice Chancellor Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC introduced the speaker.
Spearheading Poland’s democratic revolution in the late 20th century, Walesa played a key role in overtaking Poland’s oppressive Communist rule.
Originally a working-class trade union leader, Walesa’s reforms during his presidency led to Poland’s economic and political progress, accomplishments that later earned him numerous prestigious awards and honoris causas from leading universities worldwide.
In addition to his line of recognitions, DLSU President and Chancellor Br. Ricardo P. Laguda FSC and Chairman Mr. Jose Pardo conferred Walesa DLSU’s highest award—the Signum Meriti medal.
The Signum Meriti medal is given to professionals who have garnered outstanding achievements worthy of public recognition.
In his opening remarks, Polish Ambassador to the Philippines Adam Jelonek shares that Walesa is a, “symbol of hope and dreams for justice, for reason, and for [a] better future”.
Retelling his leadership journey, Walesa brings the audience back to communist Poland, where he describes the Soviet’s oppression, and his consequent struggle against the faltering government.
Walesa furthers that the appointment of Pope John Paul II united Poland under a common value system, further propelling them towards triumph.
In good leadership, Walesa recommends that leaders must answer to three key questions: (1) the foundation of a country (its values, ideals, rules and regulations), (2) the economic strength of a country (its employment rates and sustainable environment), and (3) the democratic integrity of a country (its transparent politicians).
In what Walesa calls his “formula for democracy,” a country must first possess a constitution that allows any citizen an opportunity to run as leader. Then, a country must have people who have the knowledge and willpower to lead, and these people should be morally steadfast to adhere to the common good.
Walesa cites his experience as an example, where he ascended from working-class citizen to the President of Poland, representing worker’s rights and his trade union.
“Democracy is to organize yourselves to make progress, but you have to want to want it.” Walesa urges the audience to search for a common goal. He cites favorable conditions for modern development, such as Philippine’s recent economic progress.
Walesa also stresses that today is a generation of potential for progress – a generation of intellect and information, where barriers are dissolving, and modern technology is widespread. “You want it wiser, you want it faster… only, you have to organize yourselves [to progress].”
Despite being granted hundreds of awards for his achievements, Walesa shares that in the end, he owed it to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Queen of Poland, as a symbol of devotion that united him with millions of Poles.
Br. Ricardo Laguda FSC delivered the closing remarks while Dr. Charmaine Misalucha served as the Master of Ceremonies.
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