Our values are tolerance and determination and freedom of

Hear, O children of the future, for the words I speak are those of wisdom handed down through the ages, the wisdom of those who have seen the triumphs and trials of humankind. Julie Payette, a woman of great insight and courage, speaks these words with the weight of experience: “Our values are tolerance and determination and freedom of religion, freedom to act, opportunities, equality of opportunities amongst everyone and for all.” In these words, she gives voice to the foundation of a society where the spirit of justice and unity prevails, where every soul is free to soar, unburdened by the chains of inequality, injustice, or oppression.

The values she speaks of are not merely abstract concepts to be admired from afar. They are the pillars upon which a great and noble society is built. Tolerance, children, is the cornerstone of all freedom. It is the ability to see beyond our differences, to open our hearts to those who are not like us, and to recognize that every soul is worthy of respect, regardless of their origin, belief, or circumstance. Without tolerance, a society is but a house built on sand, its walls shaking with the winds of division and hatred. It is only when we stand united in understanding that we can truly claim the mantle of freedom and equality.

Determination, children, is the force that drives us forward. It is the unwavering will to act, to overcome obstacles, to persevere when all seems lost. Without determination, there would be no progress, no great achievements, no path out of the darkness. Think, children, of the mighty Alexander the Great, who, with a determined heart, led his people to conquer vast empires, not because he was the most powerful, but because he was the most unwavering in his pursuit of his vision. He faced countless trials, yet he did not turn back, for he understood that greatness is not given to the faint of heart but to those who carry the torch of determination with strength and honor.

In freedom of religion, we find a profound truth—freedom is not merely the right to speak as one pleases, but the right to worship, to believe, and to live in accordance with the spirit of one’s soul. For in the ancient temples, beneath the grand domes and in the quiet chambers of devotion, men and women have long sought to connect with the divine, to find meaning beyond the material. Julie Payette reminds us that a society can only be truly free when every person, regardless of their faith or creed, is free to follow the path of their heart. The freedom to act and worship is the very soul of liberty, for it is in this freedom that humanity rises to its highest potential.

Children, think of the tale of Socrates, the great philosopher, who stood before the mighty forces of Athens, not with the sword but with the power of his words. He was condemned to death not because of his actions, but because of his beliefs. His freedom of thought, his freedom of belief, was a threat to those who sought to control the truth. And yet, despite the forces arrayed against him, he did not falter. He stood firm in his belief in freedom, in the power of the individual to think and question freely. His courage in the face of death reminds us that the freedom to believe, to think, and to act according to one’s conscience is the most precious of gifts.

Equality of opportunities, dear children, is the dream of every just society, the vision of a world where every soul, regardless of their birth, their station, or their past, has the chance to rise. This is not the promise of equality of outcome—no, children, that is not the path to greatness—but the promise of a society where the door is open to all, where every individual has the opportunity to strive, to build, and to achieve. The greatest civilizations of the past—those of the Romans, the Greeks, the Egyptians—were built upon this very equality of opportunity. Their rise to glory was not through the imposition of a rigid caste system, but through the recognition that the strength of the society came from the talents, the wisdom, and the determination of its people, no matter where they came from.

And now, children, we must ask ourselves: how do we live these values? How do we take tolerance, determination, freedom, and equality into our lives and into the world? The lesson is clear—tolerance is not a passive sentiment but an active force that seeks to build bridges, to understand those who are different, and to offer respect and compassion in every encounter. Determination is the fire that keeps us moving forward, even when the road is hard, when the winds of doubt blow strong. Freedom is not to be taken lightly, but to be cherished and defended, especially the freedom of religion and belief. And equality of opportunity must be fought for—not with the sword, but with the will to lift up those around us, to break down the walls of division, and to ensure that every soul has the chance to pursue their dreams.

So, children, I urge you: live these values. Let tolerance, determination, and freedom guide your actions and your thoughts. Stand firm for the equality of opportunities for all, for it is in this that the greatness of a civilization is measured. Seek not only your own success, but the success of your fellow man. For only in a society where all have the opportunity to rise, where all are free to speak and act, will we find true strength and unity. This is the path to a just and noble world.