林毅夫在诺丁汉大学毕业典礼上的致辞

i am the luckiest person in the world commencement address at the university of nottingham

july 17, XX

justin yifu lin

vice chancellor, ladies and gentlemen:

i am grateful for the honor bestowed on me today. at this new landmark of my life, i have a small secret to share with all of you.

i would like to tell you that i am the luckiest person in the world.

i am the luckiest person in the world because at the age of 57 i still have the same dream as the dream that i had 35 years ago at an age similar to many of you here today.

i am the luckiest person in the world because i have a wife who is as supportive to my pursuance of my dream as the first day that i met her 38 years ago.

i am the luckiest person in the world also because i have had many surprises in my life that i have never dreamed of.

i did not make any application to study abroad. however, i was given a scholarship to do phd in economics by the university of chicago.

i did not have any intention to work outside china. however, i was offered the position of chief economist and senior vice president at the world bank.

i did not study at the university of nottingham. however, i am offered an honorary doctoral degree by the university of nottingham today.

at the commencement day, i understand all of you like me 35 years ago also have your own dreams.

my fellow graduates of class XX, i have a new dream today:

let us pursue our dreams together.

let us go ahead! work hard! do our best! never give up!

i am sure like me you will have many wonders that you have never dreamed of in the future.

i am sure every one you will also be the luckiest person in the world!