Outline the challenges humankind faces according to the speaker.

Analyze how the message of the poem is conveyed. Focus on use of language and poetic devices.

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In her poem “An Ode We Owe”, presented at the 77^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2022, Amanda Gorman addresses several major challenges humankind is currently facing and calls for global solidarity and responsibility.

First of all, the speaker refers to multiple crises that are affecting humanity at the same time. She mentions “death, despair and disparity” (l. 4), which suggests widespread suffering, social inequality and insecurity. In addition, she points to violent conflicts and atrocities taking place “across cities, towns & countries” (l. 5), causing many human casualties and destruction.

Another major challenge addressed in the poem is climate change. Gorman speaks of “climactic costs” (l. 6) and emphasizes that humanity has only “one planet to call home” (l. 27). She warns that preserving the earth is essential for the future of humankind and presents the climate crisis as a global responsibility.

Furthermore, the speaker criticises inequality and discrimination in society. She stresses that people’s worth should not be determined by “race, gender, class, or identity” (ll. 51–52). Poverty is also described as a serious problem that prevents people from living dignified lives.

Besides these external crises, Gorman also highlights negative attitudes within society. According to her, many people react with numbness, apathy and indifference instead of compassion and action. She states that humans have become “strangers / To one another’s perils and pain” (ll. 9–10), which illustrates a lack of empathy and solidarity.

Moreover, she criticises the unwillingness of people to support disadvantaged groups and points out that many fail to understand that global problems can only be solved through collective effort and cooperation.

Overall, the speaker presents humanity as facing environmental, social and moral challenges that can only be overcome if people act together responsibly and compassionately.

In her poem “An Ode We Owe”, presented at the United Nations General Assembly in 2022, Amanda Gorman conveys the message that humanity can only overcome global crises through solidarity, equality and collective action. She uses inclusive language, rhetorical devices and poetic imagery to emphasize both the seriousness of the current situation and her hopeful vision for the future.

From the beginning of the poem, Gorman underlines the complexity and urgency of the challenges humanity faces. The rhetorical question “How can I ask you to do good, / When we’ve barely withstood / Our greatest threats yet” (ll. 1–3) immediately confronts the audience with the seriousness of the situation. In addition, the spoken-word style of the poem, which lacks a strict rhyme scheme or regular form, reflects the complexity and interconnectedness of the crises she describes.

Furthermore, the speaker presents the planet as being in desperate need of rescue. She uses enumeration and alliteration in phrases such as “The depths of death, despair and disparity” and “Lives lost, climactic costs” (ll. 4–6). These stylistic devices stress the large number of global problems and create a dramatic atmosphere. The imperfect rhyme and rhythm also contribute to the impression of instability and crisis.

At the same time, Gorman portrays saving the planet as a difficult but achievable task. The word field of war in “Though this battle is hard and huge, / Though this fight we did not choose” (ll. 22–23) emphasizes the magnitude of the challenge. Parallelism and alliteration strengthen this effect. However, the antithesis in “not a battle too large / To win, but a blessing too large to lose” (ll. 24–25) introduces hope and suggests that success is possible if humanity acts together.

Another important aspect of the poem is the connection between humanity and the planet. Gorman uses punctuation, repetition and personification in the lines “Our people have only one planet to call home / And our planet has only one people to call its own” (ll. 27–28). This parallel structure highlights the close relationship between humans and the earth and stresses humanity’s responsibility for protecting it.

Moreover, the poet repeatedly expresses optimism about the future. Through repetition and contrasting constructions such as “We can either divide and be conquered by the few, / Or we can decide to conquer the future” (ll. 29–30), she presents two possible paths and appeals to the audience’s sense of responsibility. Future-oriented expressions like “today a new dawn we wrote” (l. 31) and “We will forever have hope” (l. 33) create a hopeful and motivational tone.

Gorman also emphasizes equality and solidarity as essential values. Inclusive pronouns such as “we” and “our” are used throughout the poem to show that all humans are affected and must work together. In addition, the assonance and alliteration in “Not because of our numbers, / But because of our numbness” (ll. 8–9) criticize people’s indifference and lack of empathy. The isolated line “– Equality” (l. 13) and the enjambment in “Doesn’t mean being the exact same, / But enacting a vast aim” (ll. 14–15) draw attention to equality as a key condition for solving global problems.

Towards the end of the poem, the speaker directly appeals to the audience to take action. The metaphor of a “new dawn” (l. 31) symbolizes a new beginning, while “we are one human kin” (l. 54) reinforces the idea of global unity. Finally, Gorman uses anaphora, alliteration and contrast in “That you care before it’s too late, / That you live aware and awake, / That you lead with love in hours of hate” (ll. 58–60). This emotional appeal encourages listeners to change their behaviour and actively contribute to a better future.

Overall, Gorman combines rhetorical devices, imagery, repetition and inclusive language to convey both the urgency of global crises and her hopeful belief in humanity’s ability to overcome them together.

In an interview, Amanda Gorman claimed that “Poetry and language are often at the heartbeat of movements for change.” Her poem “An Ode We Owe” strongly supports this idea because it uses emotional and poetic language to encourage collective action against global crises. Nevertheless, while poetry can inspire people and raise awareness, it also has certain limitations when it comes to creating political and social change.

On the one hand, poetry and carefully chosen language can be very powerful tools in social and political movements. Gorman’s poem demonstrates how poetic language can communicate complex global issues in an emotional and memorable way. Through metaphors, repetition and imagery, she transforms abstract topics such as climate change, inequality and solidarity into vivid and relatable ideas. For example, the metaphor of a “new dawn” symbolizes hope and a new beginning, while phrases such as “lead with love in hours of hate” appeal directly to the audience’s emotions. This emotional impact can motivate people more effectively than purely factual or technical language.

In addition, poetry often attracts public attention. Political speeches are usually formal and factual, whereas poetic performances are more unusual and therefore receive greater media coverage. Gorman herself became internationally known after performing at important political events, including the inauguration of Joe Biden and the United Nations General Assembly. As a result, her messages reached millions of people worldwide. This shows that poetry can help social and political causes gain visibility.

Furthermore, poetic and rhythmic language is often easier to remember than long political arguments. Throughout history, movements for change have relied on slogans, songs and symbolic language to unite people around a common cause. Examples include protest songs during the Civil Rights Movement or modern hashtags such as #MeToo. Gorman’s repeated use of phrases like “we” and “our” similarly creates a sense of unity and collective responsibility. Poetry can therefore strengthen solidarity and encourage people to identify with a movement.

Another advantage of poetry is that it can create a more personal and emotional connection to political issues. Facts and statistics alone may inform people, but artistic language can make them feel involved. In Gorman’s poem, listeners are not only informed about crises but are emotionally challenged to act. Her direct appeals such as “I dare you to shape our fate” encourage audiences to reflect on their own responsibilities. This emotional engagement can help create momentum for social change.

On the other hand, poetry also has limitations. Poetic language is often open to interpretation and may therefore be difficult for some audiences to understand. Unlike political programmes or laws, poems usually do not offer concrete solutions to problems. Gorman’s poem inspires hope and solidarity, but it does not explain exactly how climate change, poverty or discrimination should be solved politically. As a result, poetry alone cannot replace practical political action.

Moreover, some people may focus more on the artistic form than on the actual political message. In certain cases, creative performances can even distract from the issues they are trying to address. In addition, poetry and spoken-word performances often appeal more strongly to educated or culturally interested audiences, which may limit their influence on society as a whole.

Overall, however, Gorman’s statement is convincing. Poetry and language have repeatedly played an important role in social and political movements because they can inspire people emotionally, create solidarity and communicate ideas in memorable ways. Although poetry alone cannot solve political problems, it can motivate people to think, speak out and take action. Gorman’s poem itself is an example of how language can become a powerful force for change.

Is the United Nations Still the Best Instrument for Making the World Less Fragile?

In a world shaped by wars, climate change, poverty and growing inequality, international cooperation is more important than ever. Former Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi once claimed that “The United Nations system is still the best instrument for making the world less fragile.” Although the United Nations is often criticised for inefficiency and political conflicts, the statement is still convincing to a large extent because no other international institution has comparable global reach, legitimacy and experience. Nevertheless, the UN also faces serious structural problems that limit its effectiveness.

One important argument in favour of the UN is its universal character. Nearly all countries in the world are members of the organisation and can participate in discussions and decision-making processes. This makes the UN a unique platform for diplomatic dialogue and international cooperation. Especially in times of global crises, such as climate change or pandemics, cooperation between states is essential because these problems cannot be solved by individual countries alone. Through initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN promotes international collaboration in areas such as education, health, poverty reduction and environmental protection.

Another strength of the UN is its long experience in dealing with international challenges. Since its foundation after the World War II, the organisation has worked to prevent conflicts, support peace processes and protect human rights. UN agencies such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme or the World Health Organization provide humanitarian aid, fight diseases and support vulnerable populations worldwide. The cooperation of experts from different fields — including health, security and environmental protection — allows the UN to respond to complex global problems in a coordinated way.

Furthermore, the UN is generally seen as a politically neutral institution. Unlike individual states, it represents the interests of the international community rather than national agendas alone. Its broad legitimacy and funding from many member states strengthen its credibility. In many conflict situations, the UN therefore serves as an important mediator between countries and political groups.

However, the United Nations also has significant weaknesses. One major problem is the structure of the Security Council. The five permanent members possess veto power, which often blocks decisions and prevents effective action. Political divisions between powerful countries can therefore make international cooperation slow and ineffective. As a result, the UN is sometimes unable to react quickly to urgent crises.

In addition, not all UN missions are successful. Peacekeeping operations have occasionally failed to prevent violence or protect civilians. Critics also point out that some member states do not fully respect democratic values or human rights, which can undermine the credibility of the organisation. Bureaucracy and lengthy decision-making processes further reduce efficiency, especially in emergencies where rapid action is required.

Another challenge is financial dependence on member states. If countries reduce their contributions or pursue mainly national interests, the UN may lack the resources necessary to carry out humanitarian or peacekeeping missions effectively. This weakens the organisation’s ability to achieve its goals.

Despite these criticisms, there is currently no realistic alternative to the United Nations. No other institution combines such broad international participation, diplomatic legitimacy and global expertise. While the UN certainly needs reforms — especially regarding the Security Council and decision-making processes — it remains the most important platform for addressing worldwide challenges collectively.

Overall, Ciampi’s statement still holds true to a large extent. The United Nations is not perfect, and its effectiveness is often limited by political conflicts and structural weaknesses. Nevertheless, in an increasingly interconnected and fragile world, the UN continues to be the best available instrument for promoting peace, human rights and international cooperation.