Ban becomes honorary graduate of NY prep school

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon delivers a speech at the first graduation ceremony of the Democracy Prep Public School at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City, Monday. Ban won an honorary graduation certification from the school’s founder, Seth Andrew. / Yonhap

By Kwon Ji-youn

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was made an honorary graduate of the Democracy Prep Public School in New York on Monday.

Ban, who visited the school to deliver the keynote address at its first graduation ceremony, was offered an honorary graduation certification by the school’s founder, Seth Andrew.

The school, which was established in August 2006, is known for its “Korean-style” education. Korean language is also a requirement at the school. Most students who attend the school are African-American or Hispanic.

Ban began his keynote address by showing the audience one of global pop star Beyonce’s music videos. The video of the song, “I Was Here,” was filmed at the U.N. General Assembly in celebration of World Humanitarian Day, which falls on Aug. 19.

The song’s lyrics remind the listener about what it means to exist. The song speaks of leaving footprints in others’ lives, making a difference in the world one lives in and touching the hearts of those one encounters.

“We need people like you,” Ban said after the song ended. “We need all people, whoever they are ― politicians, diplomats, lawyers, doctors, teachers, scientists or police.”

Throughout his address, Ban emphasized how important a role education plays in one’s life.

“Education changes the world,” he said. “I hope that every single one of you in the audience will be able to go to college.”

He went on to describe his schooling days when he had to study amid the ruins of the 1950-53 Korea War. He recalled listening to lectures under a tree, not in a classroom.

“But still we studied very hard,” he said.