Rotary Klub Novo Mesto

Monday, March 6, 2006
Novo Mesto

“VeÄ? pomagaš, veÄ? dobiš”

Good evening!

Thank you very much for having me as your guest this evening.

First, a few words about being Ambassador and living in Slovenia.

We have a big embassy:  about 30 American employees and 50 Slovenian.  That’s small for an American embassy, but it’s still the biggest in Ljubljana.

Our job is to help Americans, tourists who have problems, get sick, lose their passports, have an accident as well as those who live here—and there are over 600, incl John Boyd—registered as living here in Slovenia.

It means helping American businessmen find partners here for new investment, and expanded trade.

It is also to work closely with your country’s leaders on issues of common concern and interest, be it NATO, the Balkans, trade issues, the UN Human right commission, the crisis in Darfur.  Every day something different.

I also see it as one of our most important tasks to get out of the embassy, and make friends for America.  One of my priorities is expanding exchanges between our two countries, so that more American and Slovenian high school and college students, among others, get to experience first hand what our countries are all about.

It also means explaining America’s policies, not just to your political leaders, but also through meetings like this and thru the press.

I have to say it is an incredible honor to be the American ambassador in Slovenia.  One of the fun things is knowing that besides representing the President and his government, I represent 300 million Americans, a few hundred thousands of whom have roots with Slovenia.

Slovenian Americans are proud of their heritage.  Just last week we received a package from an old friend of ours—and inside was a potica he made himself.  And believe me, it was delicious.  The best of the home country.  I would bet that in this room tonight are more than a handful of people with relatives in the U.S.

You should be proud:  you are a small country that has made a difference in the world.

I could go on and on, but I want to mention one area that is close to my and Antoinette’s heart, and that I know is close to the hearts of those in Rotary.

When I think of Rotary, I think of service – in the community and around the world.  There are few organizations in Slovenia, the United States, or worldwide that have done as much as Rotary to address many of today’s most critical problems, from helping at-risk children, to addressing poverty and hunger, preserving the environment, and ending illiteracy.

I know that Rotarians worldwide have united to work for the eradication of polio, raising over $500 million dollars, and making incredible progress.  And I know your organization is ambitious here in Slovenia as well.

While your club has been meeting, volunteering, and helping in the Novo Mesto community and the Dolenjska and Bela krajina regions since 1993, this June will mark the 10th anniversary of your admittance into the International Rotary Family.  Let me be one of the first to congratulate you.

I should also tell you that I am impressed with the great number of service projects that you have worked on in the club’s relatively short history.  From those in your own community, like giving scholarships to motivated but underprivileged students, in other parts of Slovenia, like raising funds to help Slovenian earthquake victims, and internationally, like raising money to de-mine regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.  From what I have heard about Rotary club Novo Mesto, you truly exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

Back home, Rotary is one of the strongest and most respected non-governmental organizations.  But it is one of many strong charities in the U.S.  Americans have always placed a high value on public service and give generously of their time.  Close to 100 million Americans volunteer their time or services.  That is almost half the population over the age of thirteen.  Their time is valued in the equivalent of $240 billion, but they also give their money.  In 2003, U.S. private donations to developing countries totaled $62.1 billion from U.S. foundations, corporations, non-profits and volunteerism, universities and colleges, religious organizations and individuals.

Of course, governments have a leadership role in providing both humanitarian relief and development assistance.  As the largest world economy, the U.S. is also the largest donor nation.  U.S. overseas development assistance has risen faster over the last four years than at any time since the Marshall Plan, to approximately $19 billion in 2004.  The image of the U.S. military providing disaster relief has become ubiquitous, from tsunami relief to the earthquakes in Pakistan, the U.S. military is there to help with personnel, airplanes, ships, mobile hospitals and helicopters.  

And Slovenia’s government is helping too.  We are eager to support President Drnovšek’s humanitarian efforts in Darfur.  We have also urged the Slovenian government to adopt
tax laws that are more supportive of charitable giving, and the current government has made clear that they support this.

But in the end, the issue is not just about the action of governments, but about each of us as citizens and individuals.  Courageous NGO’s like Europa Donna, Skupaj, the Red Cross, Caritas, and Rotary make a difference at home and abroad because of the people who support them.  These are real people who juggle schedules to find time to help the elderly, clean up the environment and lobby for and against political causes.

We enjoy a very good life here in Slovenia – let me tell you, it sure beats working back in Washington – and each of us has to think about ways that we can give back, just like you do in the Rotary club.

During my time here in Slovenia, I have been working hard to further promote volunteerism and service. 

- Over ten of our Embassy staff, my wife and I joined Slovenians and other Diplomats in the Run and Walk for Hope in Ljubljana and in the Terry Fox Run in Maribor this past September to support cancer research. 

- Last summer, at the Diplomatic Regatta in Izola, we spearheaded an effort to raise funds for the victims of the flooding in Krško and Sevnica.  

- This month, I am working on organizing a charity bike ride that will benefit the Slovenian NGO’s working to provide assistance to people in need in Darfur.  It would be wonderful if Rotary members joined us.

The Embassy is also making considerable effort this year to support the growth of Slovenia’s NGO sector by encouraging cooperation, supporting public awareness, and pushing for greater involvement from the private sector. 

- We sent Slovenian NGO leaders to a regional training session in Prague, to trade experiences with NGO officials from all over Central and Eastern Europe.

- We also assembled NGO leaders for a daylong workshop here in Ljubljana with Former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Nancy Brinker, the founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, an American charity that has raised 750 million dollars to fight breast cancer.

Slovenes have a long tradition of volunteering for their community cultural and music groups, hiker’s associations and firemen’s brigades.  But we hope to help support the further growth of Slovenian non-profit organizations. 

Volunteerism is the fabric that binds our communities together and provides services to those who need them.  But if you ask a volunteer, he or she will tell you something else.  Volunteers feel lucky to have the opportunity to help others.  That’s right – the volunteer is also the beneficiary.  You learn, meet others, strengthen your community and, most importantly, feel more human by helping. 

Slovenia is a young nation, with great ambitions, and great character.  And you all have a great goal ahead of you:  to ignite a spirit of community that can harness the character and compassion of your nation.  I am happy to see that your club has taken a lead role in Slovenia’s philanthropic efforts.