H.M. Drottningens tal vid insamlingsmiddag med anledning av att Mentor fyller 30 år

Allow me to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to each of you for being here this evening.

We are all united by a common mission: supporting Mentor’s vision of empowering young people to make healthy choices and preventing substance abuse and high-risk behaviors. Each of you play an integral role in Mentor’s success, and in the lives of countless young people.

I founded Mentor in Geneva 30 years ago together with representatives from the World Health Organization and tonight we are gathered to celebrate that milestone.

Each year, Mentor International reaches approximately 100,000 young people around the world. Since its inception, Mentor has carried out projects in numerous countries, impacting more than three million youths globally. Mentor continues to broaden horizons and unlock potential through mentoring programmes for teenagers. The need for positive role models was evident 30 years ago, and it is even more critical today.

With strong role models and effective coaching techniques, Mentor’s programmes foster improved academic and social outcomes, as well as greater inclusion. I urge each of you to take an active role in shaping the future we all envision.

Whether by bidding on the beautiful art tonight, becoming a partner, or finding other ways in your daily life to make a difference, your engagement is invaluable.

Together, we can create lasting change, step by step, action by action. In doing so, we ensure that every young person has the opportunity to lead a healthy, meaningful, and prosperous life – and perhaps, one day, become a mentor to others.

Thank you.