A Message from Chancellor Angela Merkel for the Opening of the Academic Year

Mr President,
Rector,
Students and members of the University,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The most exciting and perhaps most important part of starting a new academic year
is meeting people face to face. This year is an exceptional one, however. Contact
with others is for the most part restricted to the virtual sphere. The start of the new
academic year will be overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. But as disconcerting
as the effects of this crisis may be, they can do nothing to dampen the thirst
for knowledge that you have displayed by choosing the internationally renowned
Bocconi University.

"Society, Europe and Future" – that is the highly apt theme of this year's opening
ceremony. It highlights the extent to which our future depends on cohesion and solidarity
in our societies and across Europe in these trying times. Sooner or later,
many of you will play a part in shaping this future in positions of great responsibility.
Today, you are laying the foundations for this as you enter a new phase of your life.
Studying at Bocconi University is something you can be very proud of. And I believe
that in spite of all the restrictions triggered by the pandemic, you can be confident
that traditional university life, with all the proximity that is so important to us as people,
will return in due course.

I hope your studies get off to the very best start, and wish you every success! And
of course: stay healthy!