Merkel tells Harvard grads to tear down 'walls of ignorance'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told graduates of Harvard University they must "tear down walls of ignorance" and reject isolationism as they tackle global problems such as climate change and terrorism.

Merkel made the comments Thursday while delivering the keynote speech at Harvard's 368th commencement ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mostly speaking in German through an English interpreter, Merkel called for greater international collaboration and echoed her past criticisms of US President Donald Trump without directly naming him.

Addressing graduates and their families, Merkel decried the rise of "isolationism" and "protectionism." She said those forces have undermined global trade, which she called "the very foundations of our prosperity."
"More than ever, our way of thinking and our actions have to be multilateral rather than unilateral. Global rather than national. Outward-looking rather than isolationist. In short, we have to work together rather than alone," she said. "You, dear graduates, will have a quite different opportunity to do this in the future than my generation did."
"Walls of ignorance and narrowmindedness may exist between family members as well as between groups within society, between people of different skin colors, nations and religions," she said. "I would like to see us break down these walls."
"I firmly believe that we Europeans have united for the better," she said. "The relationship between Germans and Americans too demonstrates how former wartime enemies can become friends."
The chancellor spoke about the importance of truthfulness, saying leaders should not "describe lies as truth and truth as lies." She said problems can be solved "if we don't always act on our first impulses, even when there is pressure to make a snap decision, but instead take a moment to stop, be still, think, pause. Granted, that certainly takes courage."
While conferring the degree, Harvard President Larry Bacow said of her, "a wall came down and she rose up, leading her nation with strength and savvy, and guiding Europe through challenge and change."