The thirtieth anniversary of ASERI invites us not only to celebrate, but to pause and reflect on what we have learned and what is the call of present times. We can build on experience to gain a clear recognition of the difficulties around us, but we also need a reasonable, active hope in the possibility that the ASERI community can play a role in driving change for a more decent coexistence and more inclusive development.

The international context today is far from reassuring. Armed conflicts multiply. Inequalities deepen - between states, within societies, even across neighbourhoods. The multilateral institutions created to promote dialogue and coordination are often powerless, fragmented by rivalry and short-term interests. The space for cooperation seems to shrink just when we need it most.

And yet, it is precisely in these moments that the true meaning of international cooperation reveals itself: not as an abstract ideal, but as a shared responsibility grounded in our common humanity. The field of development - where many ASERI graduates are engaged with dedication - reminds us that coexistence is not automatic. It must be imagined, negotiated and sustained, day by day, through institutions and relationships.

The kind of cooperation that matters today is not only technical or diplomatic. It requires courage, prudence and a sense of human dignity that transcends borders. It is made of gestures that are at once visionary and practical - like the patient, silent work of those who care for the most fragile, or who build trust where there is only fear. We might call them "artisans of development", and their work is indispensable.

ASERI has always believed in this approach: over the years, it has cultivated a method that combines analytical depth with ethical awareness; it has trained people to think critically, to work across disciplines and to engage the world not as passive observers but as responsible actors. This is not a simple task but it is the only one worth pursuing.

The challenges we face, such as debt, climate change, institutional fragility, will not be solved by formulas alone. They require shared vision and renewed alliances. They require spaces like ASERI, where research and education come together in the service of a more just and peaceful coexistence.

As we mark these thirty years, let us not grow weary. Let us continue to form minds, open dialogues and build bridges - one conversation, one collaboration at a time.

A very Happy Birthday, ASERI!