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Cheers to 21 Years: Speech Writing Tips for the Perfect 21st Birthday Toast

Stepping into the age of 21 is a significant milestone – a transition from adolescence to adulthood, a moment to celebrate achievements, and an opportunity to look forward to the adventures that lie ahead. If you find yourself tasked with delivering the perfect 21st birthday toast, fear not! In this article, we’ll explore speech writing tips that will help you craft a memorable and heartfelt toast that captures the essence of the occasion.

Start with a Warm Greeting: Setting the Tone

Begin your toast with a warm and genuine greeting to acknowledge the birthday celebrant. Consider incorporating a personal anecdote or a shared memory that highlights the significance of the day. Connecting with the audience from the start will create a comfortable and engaging atmosphere.

Reflect on Milestones: Celebrating Achievements

Take a moment to reflect on the achievements and milestones of the birthday honoree. Whether it’s academic accomplishments, personal growth, or unique experiences, acknowledge the journey that has led them to this moment. Highlighting these successes adds depth to the toast and underscores the significance of turning 21.

Share Anecdotes and Memories: Adding Personal Touches

Infuse your toast with personal anecdotes and cherished memories that showcase the celebrant’s personality, quirks, and positive qualities. Whether it’s a funny story from the past or a heartwarming moment, sharing personal experiences will resonate with the audience and make the toast more relatable.

Express Gratitude: Acknowledging Friends and Family

Acknowledge the importance of friends and family in the celebrant’s life. Express gratitude for the support, love, and shared experiences that have enriched their journey. This not only highlights the value of relationships but also involves the audience in the celebration.

Look to the Future: Embracing the Next Chapter

As the celebrant embarks on the journey of adulthood, express optimism and excitement for the future. Offer words of encouragement, share aspirations, and convey confidence in their ability to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This forward-looking perspective adds a hopeful and inspirational touch to the toast.

Inject Humor: Keeping the Atmosphere Light

A touch of humor can enhance the toast, creating a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere. Incorporate witty remarks or funny anecdotes that celebrate the celebrant’s sense of humor or playfully tease them in good spirits. Just ensure that the humor aligns with the celebrant’s personality and the tone of the celebration.

End with a Toast: Raising Your Glass to 21 Years

Conclude your speech by proposing a heartfelt toast. Encourage everyone to raise their glasses in celebration of the birthday honoree’s journey and the exciting years that lie ahead. A well-crafted toast not only wraps up the speech on a positive note but also invites everyone to actively participate in the celebration.

Crafting the perfect 21st birthday toast is an opportunity to celebrate the individual, share memories, and inspire hope for the future. By incorporating personal touches, expressing gratitude, and infusing humor, your toast can resonate with the audience and make the celebration truly memorable. So, raise your glass, offer your best wishes, and let your words create a moment that the birthday celebrant will cherish for years to come. Cheers to 21 years!

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21st Birthday Speech

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Toast your friend or family member on his birthday with a great speech that celebrates what turning 21 is all about. Whether your friend is planning to have a few drinks or just wants to celebrate this milestone occasion, tailor your speech to suit your friend's birthday style. Each speech is editable and can be downloaded using Adobe Reader .

Make Your 21st Memorable Speech

A 21st birthday is often one that stands out in people's minds for years, simply because of the milestone year. For a fun-loving birthday gal or guy who is excited to have a first alcoholic drink, this is definitely one s/he will remember for years. Bring up some past birthday moments and allude to making more in your speech.

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Exciting Adulthood Ahead Speech

Not every 21-year-old is going to have a birthday bash that involves a wild party. Instead, they may simply want a low-key adult birthday party. A speech for this celebrating 20-something and friends can focus on their full entrance to adulthood, past accomplishments, and future endeavors. It should be optimistic and celebratory.

Tips for Customizing Your Speech

Tailor the speech to suit your friend's personality and the specific party theme. For example:

• At a party with a theme, such as tropical oasis or retro 90s, tie the speech into the theme. Work in related phrases and even rhymes!
• For a truly unique birthday speech, consider writing a list of 21 "things" about your friend or family member. This could be related to anything; for example, you could talk about 21 funny moments in their life or 21 things you love about him or her.
• Don't make too many jokes about drinking unless you know it's okay with the birthday person. This can be something he or she is worried or nervous about, and you don't want to add stress to the event.
• Keep things clean; don't include raunchy or risque jokes, even among friends at a party where people are imbibing. You don't want to give a speech in poor taste, especially if someone is recording the event.
• End the speech by raising your glass in a toast. If the birthday person isn't a drinker, end by wishing him or her Happy Birthday and invite others to join you.

Toasting the 21st Birthday

A great birthday speech for a 21st birthday is one that honors the birthday person and suits his or her personality. Add a few light-hearted jokes, and you're sure to give a speech that makes them feel great about this milestone celebration.

How to nail your 21st birthday party speech

21st birthday parties  are a big deal, not to mention the all-important speech. It’s a tricky one: how do you find that perfect balance of sassy sarcasm and a serious expression of gratitude for the people around you? At  VenueNow , we’ve all been through it! And our crack team of venue experts plenty of tips to ensure you nail your have 21st birthday party speech.

It’s the milestone birthday that you’ve been waiting 20 long years to celebrate, and EVERYONE is going to be there to celebrate your significant milestone. Your best mates, oldest friends, new beau and extended family are expecting you to be on-game for the big occasion.

You definitely don’t want to slip up when it gets to crunch time, so how do you avoid a flop during your birthday speech? There are a few things you can do to make sure you rise to the occasion and deliver a tasteful speech that will be remembered. A few words of thanks are the least you can do; so let’s figure out how to make that moment a memorable one, and start with these tips.

Be prepared

The party is in full swing, you’re lost for the right words, but everyone is egging you on. This scene is very common, but it’s not where you want to be on the big day. Prepare your 21st birthday speech well ahead of time and practice it at least a few times before presenting it to the party. The most effective way to get your entire speech into your head is to practice!

If you’re forgetful, a little vague, or know you’re not a great speaker, it’s definitely worth having notes to prompt you during the speech. Some people prefer to write their speech out word-for-word to maximise efficiency and minimise the chance of forgetting key details, but your speech will actually flow better, and be heaps more engaging if you’re not looking down at a page for the entire time.

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Thank the key players

Your 21st birthday party speech isn’t a chore, but an opportunity to acknowledge the things and people that have made you the adult that you’ve become. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to thank the key players in the narrative that is your life. Your birthday speech is a great way to express gratitude to your family and friends for their endless support. To ensure you don’t forget to acknowledge mum and dad, a family member, your oldest pals, your best friend, or your lover, position the thank-yous at the start of your speech. It will be a great joy to watch their faces light up when you thank them.

Funny comes naturally to some of us, but if you’re not blessed with the humour gene, it’s easy to get some laughs with an anecdote from your past. Think of the time you laughed the hardest, the dumbest thing you did on that Contiki tour across Europe, or the holiday that went horribly wrong, then build a story around it to include in your speech. The trick here is to tell a genuinely hilarious story but avoid offending anyone in attendance. Your own speech should be cheeky but don’t cross a line when talking about people in your life.

The first time you got wasted and threw up on mum’s favourite gnome may be funny for some, but if your elderly grandparents are around, you’ll completely spoil their image of you as the angelic, innocent grandchild. Instead, have a dig at yourself, and try including an anecdote about that time you failed to read 24-hour time and ended up stranded at a bus stop in sleepy Somerset at 2 am on the last day of your holiday.

Know your audience and craft a speech with tasteful humour that will get the laughs, not the room-silencing, disapproving glares on your very day.

Choose your topic

Say something meaningful, interesting and relevant to your audience. Choose a topic that you know your guests can relate to, like the importance of friendship, lessons you’ve learnt over the past year or how much you’ve matured as a person since turning 21. Alternatively, if you want to keep it light-hearted and fun, tell a few stories about your most cherished memories from childhood, or how you’ve been affected by the people in your life. Keep it short and sweet, but make sure that every sentence packs a punch and resonates with your audience.

Say your birthday wish

Be sure to include your birthday wish in your speech as well. Make a thoughtful and heartfelt request or hope for the year ahead, be it world peace, an end to poverty or an abundance of career opportunities. And if you’re feeling brave, make it unique and personal like a romantic gesture or a plea for never-ending friendship!

While your guests are definitely expecting a speech on your special day, they’re not here to listen to you mumble about the great life that you live or tell dumb long-winded stories about the people that you love. They’re here to party, and party they will, as long as you don’t kill the vibe with an uncomfortable speech.

After a few drinks, and a bit of dancing, the attention span of your mates is likely to dwindle, so it’s important to keep things brief. Stick to a couple of minutes, and prepare a dancey playlist to lift the atmosphere and get the dance floor going post-speech.

The best speeches are those that are obviously prepared but allow room for a little flexibility. Who knows what’ll happen on the day. Your best mate or mum might interrupt with their own anecdote just as you’re getting to the best bit.

If your nearest and dearest are a talkative bunch, let them know your plan before the big day so that you (and your guests) are not bombarded with five boring, overly sappy speeches. This situation is a guaranteed mood killer and a sure-fire way to have your 21st birthday party remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Brace yourself, praise your party, cut the crap and add a bit of humour. You’ll be nailing that 21st birthday party speech in no time at all! Happy birthday!

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Birthday Speech Tips: How to Write the Perfect Speech

As a professional birthday speechwriter, I have written many milestone birthday speeches, including 21st, 40th, 50th, 80th and more. When it comes to creating an entertaining and memorable speech for a birthday party, you might not be sure how to begin. Here are a few tips for creating a birthday speech, whether it’s for your birthday or that of a colleague, friend or loved one.

Is it for your birthday or someone else’s birthday?

This will make a big difference in how you create this speech. If it’s for yourself, the speech will include thanking people for attending, sharing your memories (successes and challenges), mentioning the impact of your friends and family, and looking to the future. For example, if you are delivering a 50th birthday speech, you will cover important events and people in your life, thank people who have helped you along the way (parents, spouse, other family and friends, etc) and speak about plans for the future. It’s a big day of your life, so you’ll want to think about, plan and write a birthday speech well in advance. 

If a speech is directed at someone else who’s celebrating their birthday, the speech will be a bit different. In this case, it’s to honour that person and help them celebrate. This could include an overview of their life, major achievements and milestones, and best wishes for the future. Everybody loves funny birthday speeches, so it’s always a good idea to include some humour. The best way to do this is to tell funny stories about the person. If it’s a birthday speech for a best friend, it could include funny things that happened to you. 

21st birthday speech

Typically, this is delivered at a 21st birthday party by one of the parents or a close friend. The speaker reflects on the 21 years and offers best wishes for the future. If you are a parent giving a 21st birthday speech, you could mention their birth, what they were like as a baby, key milestones from the childhood and young adult years, and challenges and achievements. The best part of a 21st birthday speech is the opportunity for humour. Think back to all the funny things that happened over the years and include a few of these. Avoid things that might be too embarrassing or you might not speak to your child again. But seriously, a 21st birthday speech is a great time to honour a family member as they enter the next phase of their life. 

Here’s an example of a funny story from a 21st birthday speech for a daughter: 

Tanya has always known exactly what she wants and moves mountains to get it. When she was little, that included mountains of clothes! Sometimes it took us 45 minutes to an hour to get Tanya dressed for kinder in the morning. Her bedroom floor at home may have looked as though a tornado had ripped through it, but Tanya always stepped into kinder in style with a perfectly co-ordinated outfit. 

If you choose to include funny stories, it helps if your audience members have a sense of humour. 

Milestone speech for a best friend or loved one

Whether it’s for a friend’s 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th birthday, you can highlight your relationship with them and how you’ve been through thick and thin together. Speak about the best qualities of your amazing friend and provide a few examples or stories to support this. 

The birthday toast

Whether it’s for your child’s, spouse’s or friend’s birthday, the birthday toast is an essential closing to the speech. Depending on your relationship, it could be a serious or funny birthday toast. Here’s one example from a husband to his wife on her 50th birthday: 

Please join me in a toast to Belinda. Belinda, I am truly grateful for the wonderful times we have had and I anticipate many more to come. You mean so much to me, our family and our friends. As we grow older and our love grows stronger, I look forward to supporting each other, sharing good times and creating more happy memories together. Happy Birthday, Belinda!

Get in touch for birthday speech help

If you are stuck and wondering how to write a 50th birthday speech or how to write a speech for a friend’s birthday, we offer birthday speech writing services to create fun and memorable birthday speeches. 

Please contact us on 1300 731 955 or send us an email to discuss your requirements. 

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Speech Writing Tips For Your 21st Birthday

21st Birthday Speech Writing Tips

Birthdays: cake, presents, parties … speeches. Yep, Dad’s getting on and wants to reminisce, friends are celebrating their 21st birthday party  and want jokes that’ll dull the pain, and your third cousin just wants some filler while the candles are being lit. If you’ve been “privileged” with the task of presenting for a shindig, we’ve lined up a few birthday speech writing tips to keep the event as quick and painless as possible for everyone involved.

Scan the room

Ask the party planner about the guests rocking up. If toddlers or grandparents with heart conditions are in the front row, you may want to steer clear of any risqué anecdotes. Your buddy’s wife probably doesn’t want to hear an extended speech about his dating record, either. Know your crowd.

Let everyone get a few drinks in

Barring drunk uncle Larry, who’s bound to have tottered in half-cut anyway, most guests will probably take a little while to loosen up. Give them an hour or so to pound back a couple of beers before trying your hand at entertainment. Trust us: the jokes will seem infinitely funnier.

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Chuck in a joke

On that note, it’s a good idea to keep birthday speeches light and fluffy. Let’s face it, half the guests are probably annoyed at how long the cake’s taking, and the other half are probably trying to break up a family brawl across the room. A funny speech can set a great vibe and act as a welcome distraction.

Sadly, you’re not immortal

Before you start teasing the birthday boy or girl relentlessly, be aware that you probably don’t have the power to stay 29 forever. Your time will come, and they will find you.

The best speeches end with a toast to the guest of honour. Whether that’s in an effort to tug at everyone’s heartstrings or simply dull the pain with a tonne of alcoholic beverages, it doesn’t really matter. Grab a boozy drink, raise your glass, and breathe easy. You’re done.

Our best tip? Tell Dad you’re out of town for next year’s festivities.

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Birthday Speeches - Tips

Birthday speeches can be so nerve-wracking, especially when you're stuck for words. Don't know where to start your birthday speech? If you need professional speechwriting tips, you've come to the right place. I've written hundreds of speeches, so I have many insider tips for you.

By Kevin Nishmas   Updated: September 30, 2023

Tips to Make Birthday Speeches Memorable

To get started, take a look at my proven birthday speechwriting tips below and  check out some speech samples right here.

Because your loved one's birthday celebration is important enough to call for a speech from you, it's not enough to just get it right  — you need to make yours memorable.

Go the extra mile with these professional speechwriting tips.

8 things to consider before writing birthday speeches

1. Decide to write a formal or informal speech

• You'll need a formal speech (an average-length speech) for a formal reception
• Give an informal speech (a shorter version) for a casual house party

2. Consider your audience

• Find out who's invited to the birthday celebration.  Only family? Family and friends? Co-workers? The boss? 
• Tailor your speech to give your audience exactly what you think they want, need and/or expect to hear. For example, if your audience is mostly made up of family and friends, get a little personal with your birthday speech.
• Use a presentation style and project a personality that fits your audience.

3. Find out if you're the only speaker

• As the only speaker, you'll need to cover many topics.
• If you're one of many speakers, you may only have to cover one subject.

4. Pick the right tone of voice

• Generally, your tone should be light-hearted, funny, sincere, congratulatory and upbeat.

5. Avoid anything hurtful or embarrassing

• You can be humorous (i.e. tease the birthday boy or girl) but, as I mentioned above, be playful, not mean-spirited.
• Don't use any obscene language, unless the audience calls for it (again, know your room).
• Don't be off-color or pornographic in any way (most people don't enjoy anything too X-rated in mixed company).
• Never delve into any sensitive subject areas, like alcoholism (this will just turn the birthday celebration into a nightmare).

6. Determine how long you should speak

• If you're making an informal speech, make your birthday speech at least three minutes in length (the gold standard).
• Make your birthday speech longer than three minutes (but no longer than six or seven minutes) when it's for a major milestone birthday (40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, 90th or 100th birthday).
• Generally, use the KISS (Keep it Short and Simple) rule. The shorter the speech, the more memorable it will be.

7. Prepare and practice to stay calm 

• Preparation and practice will help you overcome a chunk of your public speaking fears. 
• Practice your speech until you can deliver it easily (until you have all the phrasing, pauses and timing exactly right).
• How long should you practice? That depends on you. But the rule of thumb is as follows: for every four minutes,you should practice four hours.
• Practice delivering the speech in front of a friend or family member you trust (this is one of the best ways to overcome stage fright).
• For more tips on calming your nerves before making a speech, take a moment to read this great article:  Crushing the Fear of Public Speaking . It's worth your time.   

8. Deliver your speech like a pro

• Scan the audience slowly (not too slow) and look at the birthday boy or girl as you speak. Basically, maintain eye contact with the birthday girl or boy and look just over the heads of the audience.
• Use your normal voice to deliver your speech (let the mic or the room's acoustics do the rest). 
• Write your speech on numbered index cards, which are so much easier to handle as you speak.

To round out your speechwriting knowledge,  check out 10 tips from Forbes magazine . 

To see my speechwriting tips in action, take a moment to  look at my custom-written speech samples.

Use a Time-Tested Outline to Write Birthday Speeches

1. Introduction

• Greeting: Start by welcoming everyone and expressing your pleasure to be speaking on such a special occasion.
• Relationship: Briefly describe your relationship with the birthday person.
• Purpose: Explain the reason for your speech, which is to celebrate the life and achievements of the birthday boy or girl.

2. Background

• Overview: Give a brief summary of the birthday person's life, focusing on the key events and achievements.
• Personal story: Share a personal story about the birthday person. This could be something fun, memorable or inspiring, which can showcase their character.

3. Achievements & Contributions

• Highlight their accomplishments in their personal or professional life or their contributions to the community.
• Describe how they've made a difference or had an impact on the lives of others.

4. Personal Appreciation

• Express your personal appreciation and feelings for the birthday person. What do they mean to you? How have they influenced or affected your life?
• Include any specific qualities or characteristics that you admire about them.

5. Birthday Wishes

• Present your personal birthday wishes to the birthday person. This could include your hopes for their happiness, health and continued success.
• Encourage others to express their wishes as well.
• Propose a toast to the birthday person, celebrating their past, acknowledging their present and looking forward to their future.
• Keep it heartfelt and positive, focusing on their qualities and the joy they bring to people's lives.

7. Closing Remarks

• Conclude with a final birthday wish or sentiment. This could be a quote, a proverb, or a simple expression of goodwill.
• Thank everyone for their attention and participation in the celebration.

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Use these 40 questions to write memorable birthday speeches.

Use the 40 questions below to write your speech. Try to answer each one. The more you answer, the better your speech will be.

• Can you please describe your relationship with the birthday person?
• What memorable experiences have you shared with the birthday person?
• What qualities do you admire most about the birthday person?
• How has the birthday person impacted or influenced your life?
• What personal birthday wishes or sentiments would you like to convey to the birthday person?
• Are there any specific anecdotes, stories or jokes you'd like to share?

About the Birthday Person

• Can you provide a brief summary of the birthday person's background (like where they were born and/or their upbringing)?
• What are some significant milestones or achievements in the birthday person's life? This could be educational, professional or personal.
• Are there any notable contributions the birthday person has made to their community or any significant influences on the lives of others?
• Are there any charities, causes or organizations that the birthday person is passionate about?
• Does the birthday person have any interesting or unusual hobbies, talents, or skills?
• Are there any challenges or obstacles the birthday person has overcome that you'd like to mention?
• What are some of the birthday person's most admirable qualities or characteristics?
• Are there any fun, amusing or interesting quirks about the birthday person that could be mentioned for a lighthearted moment in the speech?
• What are the birthday person's hopes, dreams, or aspirations for the future?
• Are there any significant life experiences or turning points in the birthday person's life that we haven't discussed?
• What are some of the birthday person's favorite things (e.g., music, movies, books, foods, places or activities)?
• How would the birthday person describe their own personality, values or life philosophy?
• Are there any specific cultural, historical or personal events that have had a significant impact on the birthday person's life?
• Can you share any lesser-known or surprising facts about the birthday person?
• Has the birthday person had any mentors, role models or heroes who have influenced their life?
• How would the birthday person like to be remembered, or what legacy would they like to leave?

About the Birthday Person’s Family

• Can you tell me about the birthday person's family? This includes parents, siblings, spouse, and children, if applicable.
• How would you describe the birthday person's relationship with their family?
• Are there any special family traditions or customs that the birthday person particularly cherishes?
• Has the family had any significant influence on the birthday person's life and choices? If so, how?
• Are there any memorable, touching or funny family moments, experiences or anecdotes that should be included in the speech or that the audience might appreciate?
• How have the birthday person's family relationships shaped them as a person?
• What role does the birthday person play in their family (e.g., peacekeeper, organizer, mentor, etc.)?
• Would any family members like to contribute personal messages, wishes, or stories to be included in the speech?
• How has the birthday person influenced their family members, and vice versa?

About the Birthday Person’s Friends

• Can you share some details about the birthday person's close friends?
• How would you describe the birthday person as a friend? What qualities make them a good friend?
• Are there any memorable, humorous, heartwarming anecdotes, experiences or adventures about the birthday person and their friends that would add a personal touch to the speech?
• Have the birthday person's friendships had a significant influence on their life? If so, how?
• What role does the birthday person play in their friend group (e.g., the planner, the listener, the comic, etc.)?
• Are there any humorous or heartwarming anecdotes about the birthday person and their friends that would add a personal touch to the speech?
• How have the birthday person's friendships evolved over the years?
• Do any friends wish to contribute personal messages, stories, or birthday wishes to be included in the speech?
• How have the birthday person's friends influenced them, and vice versa?

I've used these questions over and over again to write speeches for milestone birthdays, for both birthday boys and girls turning 30 to 100 years old. See my speech samples right now.

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Kevin, the "Message Guy" who writes the birthday wishes, quotes, poems, toasts and speeches on BirthdayMessages.net, has been a content writer since 1993. In 2012, Kevin created this site to share the incredible power of words with birthday well-wishers everywhere.

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How to Write a 21st Birthday Speech

Write your speech for a loved one's 21st birthday ahead of time so you're prepared and don't embarrass the birthday celebrant or yourself. Your speech should reflect your personality and your relationship with the birthday celebrant. Your speech can be sentimental, funny or both depending on how comfortable you are speaking in front of everyone and what message you want to convey to the birthday celebrant. Use your speech to touch on the celebrant's passage into adulthood on his 21st birthday.

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Make a list of the key sentiments, memories, wishes or ideas you want to include in the speech. If you've known the celebrant her entire life consider sharing something from different stages to touch on her growth into the adult she is becoming on her milestone birthday. Any stories or memories you include should not be embarrassing to the celebrant.

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Create an outline for your speech. It should include an introduction, which tells guests who you are to the birthday celebrant. Share any key events in his life that you were there for, such as a humorous story about how you met or a favorite moment you shared with him. Close with a toast, such as wishing him luck on his future endeavors, how you look forward to being a part of the rest of his life or a toast to his first legal drink.

Write your speech on paper or a computer, whichever you prefer. Leave a break in the speech so you can comment on the party, such as thanking guests for coming if you're organizing the party or thanking the host for inviting you to give a speech. Comment on something relevant at the party if you're comfortable coming up with something on the spot.

Read your speech to yourself out loud a few times to make sure it sounds smooth and feels comfortable. The speech should be short and to the point to highlight the birthday celebrant without dragging it out so long that guests get bored. Make any tweaks necessary to shorten the length of the speech or make it sound more natural.

Copy your speech on small index cards to take to the party with you in case you get stage fright and need the help. Try to memorize your speech so it sounds more natural.

If you are the birthday celebrant, thank your guests for coming, thank the host or hostess of the party, thank anyone significant who helped you make it to your 21st birthday and let everyone know what you plan on doing in the future, or simply make a statement, such as "I hope to see you all again next year."

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• My Birthday Venue: Giving a Birthday Speech
• Write Out Loud: How to Write a Speech

Cheers To You! Your Guide To Your 21st Birthday Speech

• February 16, 2022

Congratulations! You will soon turn 21 and brace yourself up for the rest of your adult life. Your 18th birthday was unique because you reached the age of majority and became a legal adult. But your 21st birthday is a big deal, and not to forget your speech.

Writing your 21st birthday speech can be a daunting task as you have hit a significant milestone. As your friends and loved ones gear up to celebrate your special day, this is an opportunity to share exciting anecdotes with them and show them you care.

If you are wondering how to put it all together, don’t worry, as we have some fantastic tips that will make your 21st birthday speech unforgettable.

Why Your 21st Birthday Should Be Memorable

Youngsters are very excited to turn 21 as this is the age where you are officially a responsible adult. From a historical perspective, the 21st birthday was celebrated as a momentous occasion during mediaeval times when a boy became a knight . However, 21st birthdays are no longer gender exclusive but are still considered a significant milestone. Traditionally young people were given the key to the family’s house at 21, making the event all the more special.

Enhance Your 21st Birthday Speech with These Amazing Tips!

Your 21st birthday speech should charm your audience and make your special occasion memorable. If you are looking for some terrific 21st birthday speech ideas, follow these tips to enthral your audience.

Be Prepared and Write It All Down

Make a list of all the wishes, memories, and sentiments you want to include in your speech. This will give you a clue on what you want to focus on in your speech. Once you have listed all the points, you can elaborate on them.

Prepare your speech in advance and practice it a couple of times till you are confident of presenting it to friends and family. If you think that you might forget something, write your speech word-to-word so that you don’t miss out on anything. But make sure not to read out the entire speech from the paper as your guests might die of boredom!

Let Everyone Get a Few Drinks In

Give everyone some time to sit back and enjoy so that they are ready to get entertained. Your jokes will seem funnier once your mates chug a few beers and loosen up.

Thank the Key Players

So many people, including your parents, siblings, and friends, have come together to make this occasion memorable. It is good to start your speech by thanking all the guests for coming. Make sure that you thank the host and let everyone know that you appreciate their efforts. After all, gratitude nurtures your relationships.

Chuck In a Joke

Grab some eyeballs with a funny anecdote ; after all, everyone is here to enjoy your special evening.

It’s okay if humour doesn’t come naturally to you; think about the last time you laughed uncontrollably. Share one of the dumbest things you did on a trip or a plan that went incredibly wrong, and you will take the entertainment quotient up a notch! But make sure not to crack a joke that offends anyone.

Here are a few sample funny 21st birthday speech ideas:

“Happy 21st birthday to my best friend/sibling/child! I can’t believe you’re finally legal… now we can get into all sorts of trouble together! Just kidding, please don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Or wait, scratch that. Do everything I wouldn’t do because that’s probably more fun. Either way, happy birthday and here’s to many more years of mischief and mayhem!”

“Welcome to the adult world, [name]! It’s a weird place filled with responsibility and boring things like paying bills and doing your own laundry. But on the bright side, you can finally drink alcohol! Just remember, it’s all fun and games until someone pukes on the carpet. Happy 21st birthday!”

“Happy 21st birthday, [name]! You’re finally old enough to do all the things your parents told you not to do when you were younger. Just kidding, please don’t actually do those things. But on a serious note, congratulations on reaching this milestone and cheers to many more years of good times ahead!”

Show Sincerity

It is good to have some kind words at the end of your speech. You can share briefly how your friends and family have added meaning to your life and show how much you care for all the people who’ve gathered to make your birthday memorable.

Keep Your Birthday Speech Short

Make your speech short and simple as people have other things vying for their attention. Wondering how long your speech should be? Ideally, it shouldn’t be more than five minutes, so avoid log stories and keep it to the point. Have a party playlist ready, as your guests might be in the mood to hit the dancefloor right after.

Keep Them Wanting More

Twenty-one years is a truly momentous occasion, and you can make it all the more special with a short and exciting speech. Your birthday speech is a great way to express gratitude to your family and friends for their endless support. Moreover, you can also share your future plans with them. The best advice is to make it crisp, straightforward, and funny.

Are you looking for the perfect venue for your 21st birthday bash? We manage all the nitty-gritty details so that you can have a fun bash! Check out Navarra Venues for Hire in Sydney to celebrate in style.

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21st Birthday Speech

Ai generator.

Introduction:

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for being here to celebrate [Birthday Person’s Name]’s 21st birthday. For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], [Birthday Person’s Name]’s [relation, e.g., friend, sibling, parent]. It’s an absolute honor to stand before you all and say a few words about someone who means so much to us.”

Personal Anecdote: “I’ve had the privilege of knowing [Birthday Person’s Name] for [number] years, and in that time, we’ve shared countless amazing moments. One of my favorite memories is [insert a meaningful or humorous anecdote, e.g., ‘the time we went on a spontaneous road trip. We got lost, but it turned into one of the best adventures we’ve ever had, filled with laughter and unforgettable experiences.’]”

Highlighting Qualities: “[Birthday Person’s Name], you have grown into an exceptional young adult. Your [mention key qualities, e.g., ‘kindness, determination, intelligence, and sense of humor’] are just a few of the many qualities that make you so special.”

Expressing Emotions: “Watching you grow up and reach this milestone has been a remarkable journey. Your passion for life, your resilience, and your ability to bring joy to those around you are truly inspiring. You’ve achieved so much already, and I am incredibly proud of the person you have become.”

Offering Well-Wishes: “As you embark on this new chapter of adulthood, I want to wish you all the happiness and success in the world. May your future be filled with exciting opportunities, new adventures, and wonderful memories. Always believe in yourself and follow your dreams.”

Conclusion:

Summarizing Key Points: “To sum up, [Birthday Person’s Name], you are an amazing individual, and we are all so fortunate to have you in our lives. Your future is incredibly bright, and I can’t wait to see all the fantastic things you will accomplish.”

Toast: “Now, if everyone could please raise their glasses… Here’s to [Birthday Person’s Name]! May your 21st year be filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Happy 21st Birthday! Cheers!”

Closing: “Thank you all for being here to celebrate this special day. Let’s continue to enjoy the evening and make more beautiful memories together. Happy Birthday, [Birthday Person’s Name]!”

Text prompt

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Birthday speech

Putting a birthday speech together can be a very daunting process, especially if you have to write it for someone else.

Like many of us, unless you have a natural talent, it’s not uncommon to go blank when it comes to this topic. The usual spiel of thanking everyone and telling them to enjoy their night is satisfactory though can be quite boring and leave everyone yawning.

But dont worry, by following these easy tips and examples of speeches, you will be able to ensure your birthday speech is one that captivates your audience and makes the moment a memorable one.

5 tips to help you with your next birthday speech

1. write it all down.

Take a few moments to list all the qualities and funny moments in dot points to give you an understanding of what you want to highlight. After listing them all down, take the time to elaborate on the points.

2. Find a sample speech that works

Find a sample birthday speech that you feel is suitable for the occasion. Use the points and information that you had written previously and incorporate them into the sample speech. By using the sample speech as a template, you have the benefit of following a proven recipe. It allows for the speech to be structured so it becomes fluent and highlights your points more concisely.

3. Engage your audience

Add humor to the speech to captivate your audience with a few laughs to enhance the vibe of the event. Not sure what to add? Why not take a moment to ask a close friend or relative of some funny moments they have experienced with the birthday person. If the stories are not suitable or non existent, then consider looking up some great one liners and add them into your speech to lighten the mood.

Your aim is to ensure the audience is actively engaged in your speech by focusing on the qualities of the birthday person which they can relate to. Bringing up memorable stories which highlight great times or milestones helps to resonate qualities of the birthday person and Incorporating a story or two can also make a point of enhancing the qualities which resonates what that person is really about.

4. Show sincerity

Towards the end of the speech, mention a few kind words to show them that you care. Thank everyone for coming, especially those who helped out in organising the event.

5. Keep it short

When people are at a party, they tend to have a short attention span and that’s if they haven’t had a drink yet. A speech which is between 2-5 minutes long is more than sufficient. By keeping it short, deep and meaningful, you can be sure to have your audience’s attention.

How to give a birthday speech – From friend to guest of honor

Here are a few examples of free birthday speeches for your next occasion:

Birthday speech example 1 – Thank you speech

Firstly I would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate this milestone with me. I am not one to come out and say a speech, this is actually the first for me. Normally I would shy off, though I feel today is a time where it must be done.

The reason why you are all here is that in one way or another, you have been apart of my life and moulded me to the person I am today. I would truly like to thank you all for that.

I would like to thank both my mom and dad for not only putting up with me but being there when it counted and making me who I am. Thank you! Also to those who I have grown up with and have helped me over the years, you know who you are… I can say that I am truly blessed to have you all in my life!

Last but not least, I need to say thank you to everyone who has helped to set up and make today happen. Now that’s enough of me saying thank you. I hope everyone enjoys themselves. Lets all have a drink and have a great time.

Birthday speech example 2 – Thank you speech

I want to take a moment to say thank you for everyone who has come down to come celebrate this birthday with me. It means a lot that you have all taken the time and I must say that I am blessed to have each and every one of you in my life. Thank you

Birthday speech example 3 – Thank you speech

A birthday is very important to a child. The cake, the candles and gifts are something which they which they look forward to weeks on end. As we get older, we begin to realize that more important than materialistic things are the things we celebrate to those who are most closest to us. I would like to say thank you for not only your best wishes and lovely gifts but for being here and making it the night that it is. Thank you.

Birthday speech example 4 – Coming of age and gratitude

I have to say that I am not one to perform any birthday speeches though with the amount of work which was put into making this night and the sheer turnout of people, I simply could not live with myself if I didn’t at least say a few words.

I would like to give a big shout out to all people involved it the planning of this special day of mine. As you all can see, a lot of time and effort has been spent to make this venue look beautiful and I am truly appreciative. Thank you.

For all of you who made the effort to come down here and celebrate this milestone of mine. I could not be happier as all of you in one way, shape, or form have shaped me to be the person I am today and for that I am eternally grateful. Through good times and bad, through sickness and in health, I have been supported and guided every step of the way and that has only reassured to me what really matters in life.

I have been quick to learn that all the flashy and shiny things in life slowly begin to fade, though the one thing that continues to shine in my world is the true connections and relationships I have formed with my family and friends.

So enough about all this sentimental nonsense. It’s time to put the music back on and get everyone back on this dance floor. Thank you all for coming and I hope you enjoy the night. Thank you!

Birthday speech example 5 – Coming of age

So whilst I am up here talking about this amazing day today we are celebrating, I have to say all the beautiful memories don’t I? Wrong. All I remember is the most embarrassing moments because I laughed so hard my glasses fell off my head, then I wasn’t too happy because I had to buy new ones.

So where do I start, my memory isn’t the best the older I get, that’s why my wife makes me do a crossword puzzle a day. Little does she know that I cheat from the answers on the bottom of the cross word page Ha-Ha. So as I get older and reflect, I would have to say best moments through out my life would have to be drawn to three main beautiful ones.

First would be marrying this beautiful lady I call my cook… I mean wife Ha-Ha.

Second would be becoming a father to these beautiful children standing in front of me, I am blessed to have the opportunity to raise these amazing children of mine and have never been more proud.

And thirdly, to the many people here today celebrating my birthday. I would not be the person standing here before you if it weren’t for each and everyone of you shaping me to who I am today.

I felt like writing this speech took me few minutes though I was told I was writing for most of the bloody day! Ha-Ha.

Thank you everyone for coming here today and celebrating this unforgettable night with me celebrating another year younger.

Birthday speech example 6 – For partner

Let’s face the truth. Some of us are not the best when it comes to remembering birthdays, but there is no way I could forget the birthday for the one I love. We are all here today to celebrate because (Name) has touched our lives in one way or another.

Today I want to openly say how much they mean to me. This is their birthday, and birthdays are supposed to be days which stand out in life. So (Name), I want to say thank you for being so caring over the years and making me so proud to be your partner.

Birthday speech example 7 – Birthday speech for husband

To the superman in my life. Happy birthday! Words are unable to express the amount of love I have for you. For anyone who knows you, knows how much of a kind hearted and bubbly character you are. Your generosity and strong nature are unlike no other I have ever met.

From when you came over to me over 20 years ago to ask me for my number, to building a strong relationship, falling in love, creating an incredible family, and now celebrating this milestone of yours today. It seems like a fairytale dream where I need to pinch myself every so often to believe that it is all true.

To all of you that have made the time to make it here tonight, thank you all for coming. Only people who were important to his life are here and it’s amazing how many people are actually here tonight.

Now back to my loving husband, on your birthday tonight, I want you to enjoy it without a care in the world, because a man like you deserves to be spoilt once in awhile. Happy birthday my love, may you continue to live with passion.

Birthday speech example 8 -Birthday speech for wife

To one of the most sexiest, beautiful, most amazing person apart from myself… Ha-Ha! To my incredible wife. I am unable to express how surreal it feels to have fallen in love and married such a beautiful soul. Never would I ever have thought i’d be so lucky to have such an angel like you in my life. Your smile, your character, your loving nature are just the tip of the iceberg of the many things you possess.

For all who are lucky enough to know her, understand that she is one who would do more for others than she would for herself. A quality which i’m sure we all agree is very rare these days. She always looks to see the positive in life, no matter how dark and gloomy things may be, something which she has allowed for me to adopt which has changed my life dramatically for the better, and i’m sure many others who are also here tonight.

To those who made the effort to come here today and celebrate this beautiful day today, thank you. You have made this day memorable and something i’m sure my wife will never forget. Now the party is still not over, so all of you grab a glass of champagne, and let’s party on well into the night as we celebrate this girls beautiful birthday.

Birthday speech example 9 – From mother to child

From changing your nappies to feeding you every time you cry, to making your favorite food which was always apple pie. The memories I have shared with you while growing up by your side, it was well worth the struggles and bumpy rides.

I look at you know and can’t stop smiling, for a beautiful grown boy/girl that you have become, no matter what you will always be my baby boy/girl, happy birthday and may this be another memory you will never forget like they first day we met. When you were born on this special day.

Birthday speech example 10 – 1 st birthday speech from mother

Even though your only one and you’re probably staring at me thinking what it this lady doing, my feeding time is soon. I am going to say this speech in front of all the family friends that are gathered here today to celebrate my child’s 1st birthday, where the fun times just keep getting better and better.

I remember the first day that I felt so sick and then after that my pants wouldn’t fit. I started eating everything in sight and my pantry would always start full and now and by night there was nothing left to right. After that I couldn’t sleep and I would become a grump in the morning which was nothing of the unusual Ha-Ha.

Then my feet started to swell jeez now I can’t find shoes that will fit well. So after all that complaining and whining, the day came where you were brought into this world. Your father had fainted, which was nothing unusual and all I cared about was that you were finally out!

Now, as we celebrate your 1st birthday, you don’t understand anything right now, but when you do I’ll be saying another speech like this to embarrass you. More for the loving mother that I am to make sure you never forget something so important like this day.

Birthday speech example 11 – From father to son

I guess I will start with most that I know and the beautiful things I remember. I was the happiest man when I found out you were a boy, I was filled with joy! Everyday I would buy my little man a different toy, but there was a problem. Instead of playing with them, I would find you out in the garden. Eating dirt, mud, insects and even snails. You weren’t very good at hiding your muddy trails. How sweet and cute that was.

Then you would complain of feeling sick. Sometimes you were so difficult, just like trying to use a chopstick. You would always cry when I tried to feed you, and you loved to pee on me when I tried to change you. You were a sneaky little bugger and you loved to touch. I even remember having to pull you away from someone’s crotch. These are the beautiful memories that I remember.

Though enough with me embarrassing you with these funny times, this is you birthday so let it be filled with great times. So happy birthday to my great son, never forget that you are my number one!

Birthday speech example 12 – From friend

On this milestone that you have achieved, what an honor it is to be sharing this celebration with you. As we all know, this person has been determined since they were little, to strive and be the best they can, no matter what the circumstances were.

As (Insert name) continued to grow and mature, they created beautiful memories by making each moment count and radiating the love filled passions to each one that they came across. Im sure we can all say that we are eternally grateful that you have came into our lives and that you never lose your zest for life as you grow up into adulthood.

We all love you dearly and wish you nothing but the absolute best as that is what you truly deserve. Happy birthday!

Birthday speech example 13 – 21st Funny birthday speech from friend

Can I have your attention. We are all here today to realise something special. Something so worthwhile to celebrate. Something fun, enjoyable and memorable. We have come here together to recognise and share in the joy this moment brings. I am talking about the open bar! Ha-Ha!

On a more serious note, I would like to draw your attention to one of my best of friends whose 21st birthday we are celebrating here tonight. I have known (Insert name) for more than 10 years and during that time, we have had many moments of fun, adventure and as many of you may know, mischief. Whenever together, we always seemed to find a way to get ourselves into trouble.

Just like the time we decided to play a trick on his mom by colouring in his younger brothers face an interesting shade of green. We took the time to make it look realistic and ensured it was with a permanent marker so it couldn’t be easily rubbed off. I remember the look on his mom’s face as she freaked out and rushed the brother to the hospital. After the doctor giving it the once over and explaining to his mom the cause of the problem. I remember her glaring at us in a trance like state. Lets just say I had never seen someones face go that red before. We both found it to be funny at the time though I don’t think he saw the light of day for at least a month after that incident. Ha-Ha

Anyone who knows him, knows that he will go out of his way to ensure everyone is having a laugh. Even at his own expense, he wants to ensure everyone is having a great time.

He has taken on many challenges, and succeeded many times. Not by chance, but by perseverance and heart. Anyone who knows (Insert name), knows he is full of heart.

So on this milestone may you continue to strive for all that you want and just wanted to let you know that I am grateful to have such a great friend like you. Happy Birthday.

Birthday speech example 14 – 21st birthday speech

Yay! Im finally legal! Wow, this has been a long time coming for me, I mean now i can have a drink… Legally! Ha-Ha! Mum doesn’t seem to impressed!

Firstly I’d like to give a massive shout out to my parents, for not only raising such an awesome child, Ha-Ha! But also for making me who I am, and making this beautiful day happen. To my beautiful family members who cooked up all this beautiful food and helped to decorate this place, thank you so much, it looks absolutely beautiful.

To my wacky and crazy friends. You are all a bad influence on me and I thank you for that. Don’t worry mum, i’m only joking… It’s more like the other way around… Ha-Ha! As I get older, I begin to appreciate the significance of true family and friends in one’s life. I have to say that I couldn’t consider myself any luckier to have all of you in my life.

So anyway, let’s get out the champagne and celebrate my 21st birthday!

Birthday speech example 15 – 40th birthday speech

I can’t believe my 30’s have left me… I think it’s about time I started acting more serious and more so, my age… Well, maybe after tonight…

I remember when I was much younger, I would look at someone who was 40 and say to myself, that’s an old person. Now that I have turned the big 4-0! I now realise it was just an old person who was trying to figure out where the hell all the time went! Ha-Ha! I guess time flies when you’re having fun. Well I Know it’s definitely true for me. I’ll tell you why.

Firstly I have an amazing wife who is nothing but a bundle of joy to be around, and is able to always find a way to put a smile on my face.

Secondly I have been blessed with two beautiful boys who are an absolute pain in my ass, Ha-Ha! Though I do love so dearly! Apart from my gorgeous wife, I never thought I would love these boys so much, as much as I do. It must be because they remind me so much of me when I was growing up… Ha-Ha!

And thirdly… To all of you beautiful people standing here before me today. How can I not enjoy having each and every one of you in my life. I mean how lucky can a man get to have such funny, supportive and caring friends. Blessed is the word I use to describe having all of you be apart of my journey through life. Thank you all for being here today. Its is honestly an honour to celebrate this day with all of you here tonight.

Anyway, enough with all this sentimental crap, let’s pump the music back up, all grab a drink and at least let me celebrate being 39 one more time! Ha-Ha! Thank you!

Birthday speech example 16 – 50th birthday speech

Wow, how time flies! It’s only yesterday I can remember starting my first job at McDonalds where I met my best friend. And now I have a glass of champagne in my hand, celebrating my 50th birthday in front of all of you amazing people.

Where do I start? Firstly I need to give a massive shout out to my beautiful wife who made tonight happen. To not only organise all of this, but also keep it a secret from me which I am blown away how much effort she put in. The amount of detail she has put into this venue is incredible. Such an amazing woman, and I mean look at her, even after all these years, she is still a stunner!

To my two boys, I am proud of both of you and must say you are both still a pain in my ass. Must be because you remind me of when I was a kid growing up. Ha-Ha, they do say that karma eventually comes around. I can now understand what I put my parents through when I was growing up! But jokes aside they a great boys and couldn’t wish for any better.

Obviously I need to give a shout out to mum and dad for putting up with me over my younger years. Considering i’m sure many of you agree, I was no angel growing up. I like to think I turned out alright. Ha-Ha! Though I do have to say they were always there for support and was truly blessed to have incredible parents. I love you both.

To all my close family and friends here tonight. Thank you all for coming and most importantly, thank you for being apart of my life. All of you, in one way or another have been apart of my incredible journey of being 50 years on this earth and I wouldn’t want it any way.

So everybody grab a drink and let’s turn this music up, because i’m pretty sure you will all agree that after all these years and crazy memories, who would have known I would have made it this far. Ha-Ha! Thank you all for coming and hope you enjoy your night. Thank you!

Birthday speech example 17 – From daughter to fathers 50th birthday speech

For those of you whose memories are fading or may have had a little too much to drink tonight, we are here to celebrate the birthday of my dad. Fifty years ago today, the world was given a great gift. A gift by the name of (Insert name). The first of three children, my father was and still is, a very funny and generous man. Throughout the years, he has told many of us his overly simplistic, corny jokes which keeps us all laughing to this day. Just earlier he told me a joke and had me giggling like a little girl again. He said “What do you call a cheese that’s not yours? Nacho Cheese!”. I know, corny right? But it still does the job.

I suppose the main reason why we all have a little laugh and look forward to his humor is that he always likes to remind us that life is not meant to be taken too seriously and that laughter helps to keep us grounded. To this day, I have incorporated this philosophy into my life and I am sure all of us look forward to the energy and humor that he gives us.

Married to his high school sweetheart for 28 years, and with two pretty awesome kids, Ha-Ha. Sorry but I had to add that in. He has shown to be the best role model any family could ask for.

He has always been one to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and is not shy to have a casual drink when in good company.

On this birthday, may you enjoy your night and continue to pass on your energy and happiness for many more years to come. Happy birthday dad!

Birthday speech example 18 – 60th birthday speech

I can’t believe that as I stand here before you, I have been on this earth for 60 years. Seems like a long time, though for me, it feels like only yesterday I was celebrating my 21st birthday. I ought to cut out drinking or before I know it, i’ll be 100 soon. Ha-Ha!

For me, I have experienced both the joys and miseries of life and through it all, I have been able to take one thing from it. Regardless of life’s ups and downs, its all about making the most out of each situation and being present in the moment. Because as I get older, I begin to appreciate all of the moments life has to offer and the truth of the matter is that nothing is owed to us. For every day we wake up is a blessing. And as I am now 60 years old and CONSIDERED wise… Ha-Ha! I feel that we should make the most of each passing day, and what better way with both family and loved ones.

Lucky for me, I have been extremely fortunate to have all of my nearest and dearest to me all here tonight and I have to say, I wouldn’t want to have tonight any other way. Although it may be the wine talking, I must say that I love each and everyone of you here tonight… Especially the caterer, the food served here has been delicious! Ha-Ha! Now let’s all embarrass ourselves by having a few more drinks and getting on the dance floor!

Birthday speech example 19 – From daughter to mother

Your loving touch is like no other, your smile is brightest of all. Your heart beats love and care, but sometimes truth be told you are unfair. You are the only best friend a daughter could ask for. The sacrifices you have made to make sure I have the right path of guidance. You are the best mother a daughter could ever have. Wishing you a happy birthday with many more fun filled ones to come.

Birthday Speeches – Eleven Top Tips on What to Say or Do

Articles for publication, you may publish the article on the left free of charge, but you must follow these guidelines:.

Author: Niamh Crowe

Keywords: Birthday speech, Birthday speeches, Birthday toasts, Birthday Toast, Birthday Party, Birthday Parties.

Summary: The 11 most important tips – to say or do when you are giving birthday speeches. Here is a practical and useful list of them!

• Your birthday speech should always end on a positive note. Be positive in your speech. Talk about the future and all the good things you wish for the celebrant in the days ahead. Above all your birthday speech should leave him/her with happy memories.

Niamh Crowe is the CEO of the web’s leading speech site (http://www.speech-writers.com) according to Alexa.com and Ranking.com. Online since 1994, her site has thousands of speeches for every event and occasion including birthdays, weddings, graduations etc. She lives in Ireland where she is married to Fred. The have 5 children.

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Free 21st Birthday Speeches - Celebrate in Style

Free 21st birthday speeches - celebrate this magical milestone in style.

Less can sometimes be more - especially at a 21st birthday party where speeches have the potential to overwhelm the occasion.

Free 21st Birthday Speeches

A meaningful 21st birthday speech to honor and celebrate a great day is a necessity. But, let's face it, everyone wants to party!

And why not - champagne, flowers, innovative 21st birthday gift ideas to surprise your friends and loved ones , excellent catering and creative decor design -  they all come together to create a night to remember.

So, keep it short and simple - then let the party begin!

Good evening Ladies, Gentlemen, family and friends -

What a truly special evening it is that we are celebrating this evening - an evening all the more special  because we are sharing this celebration with all of you.

A warm welcome to everyone and thank you so much for sharing [insert name]'s 21st birthday with us tonight. It just wouldn't have been the same without all of you - all the people who have played such an amazing role in [his / her] life.

Tonight is [insert name] night and we hope it will be a night that [he / she] remembers fondly in the years ahead.

Twenty one years have seen [insert name ] through many milestones. We've seen [his /her] baby years turning into toddling years. We've seen [insert name] learning to talk and walk - unsteadily at first but growing in confidence daily.

And those determined  footsteps have continued through elementary and secondary school,  through sporting teams and academic achievements. We seen obstacles overcome and accolades accomplished and we've witnessed such remarkable growth and development in every facet of [insert name] life.  * [highlight some of their achievements here to make your speech personal and meaningful]

Daily, incrementally and exponentially,  we've seen [insert name] walking steadfast and purposefully through tears and laughter, in and out of relationships and onwards towards [his / her] goals still to be achieved.

Through all of these magical milestone [insert name] has remained positive and empathetic.  [He / She]  embodies a passion and zest for life that is infectious and we have all shared in these moments - they have been magical and many and everyday!

What an honor and a privilege it has been to witness this amazing young [man / lady] and their journey  towards adulthood. And tonight, [insert name] as you stand on the brink of a new chapter in your life, please know that we are so incredibly proud of you and we love you.

May you continue to walk as sure-footed as you always have, may you remain as grounded as you have always been...and may you stay in mind and spirit, forever young .

Happy birthday!

Free 21st birthday speeches - done and dusted.

Now get to work on buying or making an incredible dress or tuxedo for that million dollar babe[or dude]look and planning a great party with easy party ideas and games - your complete guide to the perfect party or birthday with fun games, themes, invitations, recipes and more!

Let's not forget an amazing birthday cake and candles. All about Cupcakes has creative and innovative ideas to further enhance what is going to be a very special evening .

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How Long should a Speech be?

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking , Speech Writing

Speeches are of different kinds, consequently, their lengths differ as well. For instance, 1 – 2 minutes for an impromptu speech, while giving a toast at a birthday party or a wedding. On the other hand, speeches in TED talks usually make people lose interest if they go beyond 15 – 18 minutes. And speeches for political or motivational purposes might as well go up to 20 minutes. The length of a speech should be such that delivers the message to the audience but conversely, keeps them engaged and entertained as well.

Before giving a speech, you should always question yourself about what should be the length of your speech. If you ever get perplexed about how many words should be there in your speech or how quickly you should wind it up, you need not worry. Because this article will help you in bidding farewell to this confusion and making you an effective orator. So, READ ON.

Lengths of different speeches

A speech is delivered to influence and persuade the audience. Moreover, an effective speaker has quality content and is not at all dependent on the quantity of the speech. 

“A good speech should be like a woman’s skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.” Winston Churchill

It is quite significant to understand the disparate types of speeches and the appropriate amount of words or time to be consumed in each one of them. For you to comprehend easily, the speeches have been categorised as per their reasonable lengths.

1. Impromptu speeches

Imagine sitting in your office or at a party, minding your own business, and suddenly someone comes up to you and inform you that you will have to say a few words as a replacement for someone else, what would be your reaction? It would surely be frightening and it would put you in an awkward place. 

However, these kinds of situations should not make you panic. Because impromptu speeches should not be more than 1 – 2 minutes i.e. approximately 150 – 350 words . These are very short speeches for maybe giving an update about a project at the office, expressing your feelings about your friend at his wedding, addressing the audience as a politician or talking about a general topic at school in a JAM (Just A Minute) session.

For example, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was only 2 minutes with 272 words . 

Read the full speech here: Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

Another greatest example of an impromptu speech is given by Bernie Sanders at Town Hall hosted by CNN.

“It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” Mark Twain

Go through this article for more insights: 1-minute speech

2. Extemporaneous speeches

There might be some times when you get the time to prepare and practice your speech, these are known as extemporaneous speeches. These speeches are not memorised or read from the manuscripts. Hence, they ought to be of no more than 5 – 8 minutes i.e. approximately 600 – 1000 words .

Furthermore, this type is usually used in politics, business, education, religious sermons or preachings etc. For instance, an introductory speech for the guest of honour, a speech for a special occasion, a tributary speech etc. The speaker gets enough time to research, outline, prepare and practice the speech. Therefore, it could prove to be a success for a person as an orator because it delivers the message and amazes the audience in just a time range of 5 to 8 minutes. 

Kayla Kearney is one such example. She is a 17-year-old student who came out as a lesbian and delivered a speech at her high school assembly on the theme, “Time to break the silence” . She spoke for 8 minutes quite confidently without reading or referring to her notes because her words were in control of her. Moreover, she spoke about her personal opinions as it was her own story.

Another example is Winston Churchill ‘s speech, “Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat” , which comprised 688 words and was completed in only 5 minutes . 

3. Manuscripts 

These speeches are not memorised or impromptu but conversely, they are read by the speaker or orator. This kind is mostly used in political settings by politicians as their main motive is only to grab their audience’s attention and influence them. Moreover, it is also practised by motivational speakers or activists for campaigns. 

One of the greatest examples of a motivational speaker in this category is Martin Luther King Jr. , whose speech, “I have a dream” is still acknowledged and is an inspiration for the people. 

In addition, these speeches are pre-planned and are practised thoroughly. For instance, the speaker would already know how and when the audience will react and he would pause at that point for their applause. This kind of speech is prepared quite meticulously as it is only a matter of words. As a result, these speeches are usually long, about 10 – 15 minutes or at the most 20 minutes , i.e. approximately 1200 – 2400 words .

Another example is John F. Kennedy who delivered a speech, “Why go to the Moon?” at Rice University, the USA in 1962. It was a 15 minutes speech that influenced the audience on the need for exploration.

4. TED talk

It is the biggest and greatest platform for public speaking. It is quite impactful because some orators share their personal stories or viewpoints, and some share factual matters with the audience. Moreover, one of the major reasons for its success is the time limit they have set for their presenters. TED believes that a short talk requires the attention of the audience for a short period of time, therefore, the TED presenters can only speak for up to 18 minutes . 

“18 minutes is long enough to be serious and short enough to hold people’s attention. By forcing speakers who are used to going on for 45 minutes to bring it down to 18, you get them to really think about what they want to say. It has a clarifying effect. It brings discipline.” Chris Anderson (TED curator )

For example, Sheryl Sandberg , Facebook COO, delivered a 15 minutes speech on “Why we have too few women leaders” . This speech inspired a considerable number of women to lean in and step up as leaders. 

Another great example is Simon Sinek , who delivered his 18 minutes speech on “How great leaders inspire action” . Through this speech, many leaders acquired his “Start with why” movement, which was transformational. 

How to be productive with time constraints in a speech

“A tight five is better than a sloppy fifteen” A famous saying in standup comedy

1. Prepare and practice

A good input always produces good output. Therefore, to be an effective speaker, it is important to make a plan and outline for your speech. Moreover, practising it, again and again, would make you comfortable with the words and make your speech delivery look effortless. 

Especially, the lesser time you have to speak, the more practice and preparation it requires. Once a cabinet member asked Woodrow Wilson about the time it took to prepare his speeches. He replied, “It depends. If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; for fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now.”

2. Keep improvising

“Brevity is levity” William Shakespeare

It is important to have a concise speech. Keep practising and refining the speech until it only includes the best and most impactful points and personal stories. The speech ought to be of a reasonable time duration that keeps the audience engaged till the end. Also, modern-day audiences always have other matters to attend to.

The speech ought to be humorous, informative, short and engaging. You should be able to deliver the message to the audience within a short period because as time goes by, listeners tend to forget the sloppy details. As per research, after a speech, only 50 per cent is remembered by the listeners. However, only 25 per cent are remembered by the next day. And after a week later, only 10 per cent is remembered by the listeners. 

3. Always set a time limit even if there isn’t one

It is always a good idea to have a time limit for your speech before you start preparing for it. Because as you start writing the speech, you would have in mind to only include the significant points and examples in it. Moreover, you would not waste both your and the audience’s time.

In addition, if you feel that your speech is too short, it is not a problem. In other words, if the audience wants to hear more from you, it is never a bad thing. It means that you have proven to be an effective orator. 

4. Try to give your best shot

It is always better to speak only what you have prepared. Do not try to make on the spot changes to your speech, whether adding something new or deleting something from the script. 

In addition, speak only for the time for which you have prepared. For example, if you prepared a speech of 10 minutes and the organisers or audience asks you to exceed the time, then do not try to do the same but conversely, deny them politely. Only give your best performance and it is not always a bad idea to make the audience want more.

Read this article for more useful information: 11 steps to help you keep time during your presentation

Words in different lengths of speeches

Types of speeches and their lengths

Differences between speeches of disparate lengths

Final words

The length of the speech depends on the type of speech one intends to deliver. However, an orator should keep his speech as short as possible which would both deliver the message and engage the audience. It is completely wrong to contemplate that public speaking is not related to time. On the contrary, time is the most valuable asset of public speaking. Hence, to become an effective speaker, one should plan and prepare to deliver a speech within 20 minutes . 

Furthermore, always think about your audience first before writing your speech. Because it would not prove to be outstanding on your part if you keep holding the audience or in simple words, outstay your presence. It should be your only motive to be memorable and sound confident in front of the audience, instead of being lousy and mundane.

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How Long Should the Best Man Speech Be?

Make sure that your best man speech isn’t too long—or too short with this guide.

By Deanna deBara

Last updated February 5, 2024

When you’re writing your best man speech for a wedding celebration, there are a lot of things to consider. And, one of the most important factors that you’ll want to consider when writing your speech, is the length.

So, how long should a best man speech be? There’s no exact formula for how long the best man speech should be—but there are definitely tips to keep in mind when you’re figuring out how long (or how not-so-long) you want your speech to run at the wedding reception.

But, what exactly are those factors?

Your Best Man Wedding Speech Shouldn’t Be Too Long

Chances are that there are many things that you want to say to the newly married couple on their wedding day. You may want to share some of your favorite memories with the wedding guests , recount a few funny stories, or talk about how excited you are for the couple as they begin their new life together as a married couple.

But, even though you have a lot to say during the wedding celebration, you don’t want to take a lot of time to say it.

There are a lot of events that need to happen at a wedding—and time can be tight. The last thing you want to do is monopolize 45 minutes of the reception with your wedding speech. Not only does it cut into other important wedding activities (such as cocktail hour or dancing), but it can also be a drag for wedding guests to have to sit through a long wedding toast. Remember—they came to celebrate the newlyweds, not to listen to you talk about the happy couple.

But, It Shouldn’t Be Too Short, Either

If your best man speech goes too long, you risk taking time away from other speakers at the wedding reception—and losing the attention of the wedding guests.

But, just because you don’t want your speech to go too long doesn’t mean that you should go to the other extreme—and give a speech so short that, if the couple blinks, they’ll miss it.

Being the best man is a big deal ; the groom (or bride, if you’re on the bride’s side of the wedding party ) asked you to be the best man because you’re an important part of their life—and that should be reflected in your best man speech. If you’ve been honored with the best man role, no matter if you’re a brother or a close friend, it’s essential that you prepare a good speech for the big day.

If your speech is too short—as in “a minute or less” short—chances are that you’re not going to be able to say all of the things that you want to say. There’s a high likelihood that your speech is going to feel rushed or impersonal—which could not only cause the guests to become disinterested, but could also hurt the couple’s feelings.

Bottom line? You don’t want your speech to drag on for hours—but you also don’t want it to be over so fast that it barely has a chance to register with the newlyweds and wedding guests.

What’s the Right Length for Your Best Man Wedding Speech?

As mentioned, there’s no exact formula for how long your best man speech should be on the big day.

But, as a general rule of thumb, when you’re writing your best man speech, you should take what we like to call “the Goldilocks approach” to speech length: not too long, not too short, but just right.

And, just right is somewhere between two and five minutes. Two to five minutes gives you a good amount of time to move through your speech—whether you want to crack a few jokes, share a few stories, or simply propose a toast to the newlyweds. But, it’s not so much time that you’re likely to ramble or have the audience looking at their watches, wondering when you’re going to be done talking. It’s the perfect balance.

One thing to keep in mind as you’re writing your speech, depending on how fast you speak, is what you think two to five minutes worth of words on the page translates to in speaking time. So, if you want to make sure that your speech falls into that “just right” range, make sure that you practice it a few times before the big day.

Nailing the length of your best man speech is important. But, ultimately, the most important aspect of your speech is what you say. So, make sure that you keep your speech to a reasonable length, but also make sure that your speech conveys all the love you want to share with the happy couple.

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Advice to a 21 year old!

Things I wish I knew at this age – advice given to a 21 year old

My god-daughter recently celebrated her 21st birthday. I was asked to make a speech at her birthday celebration.  Although notice was given in advance, finding the correct words for my speech deemed a difficult task.  After contemplating on whether I need to talk about her character or just give her well wishes for the future, I then decided to give her some fruitful advice.  So below are snippets of my speech and the advice I gave to the 21 year old.

Congratulations on your 21 st birthday! As weird as it may seem to you the reality is your childhood is over.  18 is seen as the legal age In South Africa. To enter into legal contracts, marriage without your parents’ consent, getting a drivers licence, legally drink alcohol, purchase property and a whole list of which I am not going to mention.  I think the only thing you can’t do at 18 is purchase and apply for a firearm license.  And although 18 may be a legal milestone in this country; we all know that some 18 year olds are nowhere near accepting the responsibility of adulthood.  It’s 21 that marks the beginning of your life as a young maturing woman.

And as today may seem not much different to what yesterday was; the beauty of it all is that you don’t have to have life figured out at the age of 21. In today’s life, society put so much pressure and expectations on young adults to succeed in life from the onset. Adulthood will be your own journey to adjust to the responsibilities of life in your own time. It is a time to decide what you want for yourself without having a checklist and expiry date.  So with that in mind; I would like to share some advice with you. Knowing what I know now, I wish I was given some of this advice when I turned 21.

Perhaps the advice that I give you today will make no sense to you now.  However, I want you to go back and look at these points in 2 or even 5 years from now and see if it resonates with you.  I don’t expect you to remember everything off hand and therefore I printed a copy.

• In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Proverbs 3:6. Thank God every day for your blessings and accomplishment – no matter how small.
• Your parents will remain your parents for the rest of your life – no matter how old you are. They have raised you well up to this age. Love them equally and maintain a healthy relationship with them.  Always have that line of respect and appreciation for them. Even if you don’t agree with their spoken words or actions – you now have the ability to guide them into the right direction.  However cutting the umbilical cord doesn’t mean you can’t ask your parents for guidance and advice. You might not have to take it but you might learn something from it.
• You are blessed with wonderful grandparents. They had a huge influence on your life since you were a baby. I’m sure should God spare them they will continue to have an influence on your adult life. Treasure those special moments spent with them. Make new memories as not all of us here are and were as fortunate as you to enter adulthood with your grandparents by your side.
• Having siblings is a gift from God. They are friends for life – don’t take the bond that you have with them for granted.
• You now have the authority to make your own decisions. Also know that sometimes there are consequences for your decisions and you need to take responsibility for it. If you find yourself facing difficult decisions in your life and you can’t speak to your parents about it for guidance – find yourself a mentor.  Someone you can trust to confide in, someone that will listen without judging you, someone that can give you guidance.  That someone doesn’t have to be a professional person – it can be an aunt, uncle, cousin or a friend.
• Complete your studies and continue to learn for years to come – learning is a process and a source of empowerment.
• Have a vision and set goals for yourself – it gives you the power to take control of your present and your future.
• Don’t be in a hurry to live life. Enjoy the present without putting pressure on yourself about the future.
• Love is beautiful but choose wisely and carefully when seeking a relationship. If the person does not respect you and treat you well – that is not love.  You are still young; getting married and having children can still be delayed for a couple of years.
• Your first job is not going to be your last job, and there will be plenty of crappy jobs that will come your way. However learn from your career experiences and do not quit a job until you have another one lined up.  The right job will eventually come your way and once you found it – don’t undervalue yourself for what you are worth, and be more than just your job description and don’t compromise your integrity for bribery and corruption.
• Success in your 20’s does not happen overnight – its more about refining and defining yourself. So have patience as success takes time.
• Be grateful for what you have and don’t dwell on what you don’t have. Value comes from within and no amount of money or material possessions will bring you happiness.
• Being an adult can be tricky. Being surrounded by people that support you can make all the difference. Surround yourself with those who have a positive influence on you and bring value to your life – choose your friends wisely – friendship is about quality not quantity. Separate yourself from gossip, drama and everything that has a toxic effect on your life.
• Take responsibility for your mistakes and learn from it – don’t play the victim and blame others.
• Your reputation is the most valuable thing that you have. It should be guarded like a sacred treasure because once it’s broken or lost, it will take years to restore it or get it back.
• Stay out of debt – if you can’t afford it don’t buy it.
• Save at least 20% of your income since the day you start working – even if it is a casual job. Spend your money on experiences – like travel – take advantage of your freedom and flexibility while you are young and while you still living with your parents.
• Invest in your retirement now already – I know it might sound silly – you only just reached the age of 21 but saving a little towards it now will see you reap the rewards later.
• Invest in a good medical aid – that’s if your job does not come with that benefit.
• Give without expecting to receive.
• Get your driver’s license in you don’t already have it – it is a step towards your independence.
• Take care of your body and treat it well; you only get one. Eat a balanced diet and don’t punish it with toxins like addictive substances. Whatever you put into your body now will have affects you can’t even imagine later.
• Trust your gut as a woman it will rarely fail you – if something isn’t right – listen to your heart and act on it.
• If at some point between 21 – 29 years old, you are freaking out as you don’t know what to do with your life with no hope in sight and it feels as if you are going through a quarter-life crisis – life doesn’t always go according to plan. Have faith and pray about it as God’s plans for your life are bigger and better than your own dreams.

To conclude, I hope that your journey into adulthood will be full of memorable experiences and that you embrace whatever comes your way.  Once again, congratulations!

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Such great advice – it’s a good thing you wrote it and published it.

Thanks Melissa – wish I received this bit of advice when I was 21. Well I made sure to give the 21 year old a copy of it – to reflect back in a couple of years time. Hoping that some at the advice was taken.

Fab fab fab post and I wish that I had been told this when I was 21 especially saving 20% of my income! I hope you had a brilllant party for your daughter and that she takes onboard all those top little pieces of advice. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x

Thank you, it was actually my goddaughter’s 21st – I really hope she does.#fortheloveofBLOG

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Speech calculator:  how long does it take to deliver your speech?

With this speech calculator, you can easily calculate how long it will take you to deliver a speech.

How many words per minute?

In the English language, people speak about 140 words per minute. A fast speaker will get to 170 words per minute, a slow speaker will use around 110 words.

Professional speechwriters use this speech calculator to find out how long a speech takes.

Copy your full text and paste it in the box below:

The entire analysis happens within your browser. The text will NOT be stored and NOT be sent over the web.

Word count:

Your speech rate:

Speech duration:

FAQ’s

How many words is a 3 minute speech  .

A speaker with an average speaking speed will need 420 words for a 3 minute speech. A fast speaker will need 510 words while a slow speaker will only need 330 words.

How many words is a 5 minute speech?  

A speaker with an average speaking speed will need 700 words for a 5 minutes speech. A fast speaker will need 850 words for the same speech length. A slow speaker will only need 550 words.

Is this a word count calculator?  

The speech calculator is a word count calculator. Insert your text and the tool will automatically calculate the word count.  It will then also calculate the speech length depending on the selected talking speed.

How to best select the right speaking speed?

Fast, average or slow? The answer depends on the speaker, the speech type and the speech setting.

The speaking speed of the speaker

Some speakers are natural fast or slow speakers. The best speakers keep a variance during their speeches. They speed up to keep momentum and slow down to put special emphasis on other parts.

The speech type

The type of speech matters a lot in selecting the right speech speed. If you read the whole speech word for word from paper then your average speech speed will be lower. If you intend to use the written speech as speaker notes then your average speaking speed will be much higher.

The speech setting

An informal setting will have a faster average speaking speed compared to a more formal setting.

Keeping all three factors in mind you will able make a better judgement about selecting the right speech speed in the speech calculator.

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War and Peace in the 21st Century. A New Era of Geopolitics in Europe: How Can the EU Secure a New Peace in Ukraine?

“A New Era of Geopolitics in Europe: How Can the EU Secure a New Peace in Ukraine?” was the subject of the twentieth War and Peace in the 21st Century seminar, held on March 12th 2022. Organised in collaboration with EsadeGeo - Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics and supported by Barcelona City Council and “La Caixa” Foundation, the seminar provided expert insight on the security architecture in Europe following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the extent to which the EU and other global actors can help secure a new peace on the continent. 

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has posed an unprecedented threat to Europe and the international order. It has undermined Ukrainian territorial integrity, caused a major humanitarian crisis and brought war back to the European continent. However, the conflict in Ukraine also mirrors the fractures that mark today’s world and the contestation of the international norms designed to secure global peace in recent decades.

Structured in two panel discussions, CIDOB’s War and Peace conference for 2022 critically reflected upon the implications and consequences of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The first session focused on the impact on the European security architecture and the prospects for European strategic autonomy; while the second panel debate offered an overview of the geopolitical and systemic dimensions of the conflict and provided some insights into the position of some of the main global actors.

In order to obtain an inclusive overview on the issues addressed, the conference brought together academics and analysts from research institutes in countries including France, Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and China. 

In her opening speech, Laia Bonet (Third Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council) emphasised how the war in Ukraine has shifted policymakers’ priorities. After years in which new security challenges (from the economic crisis to climate change and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic) have been at the centre of the policy agenda, the war in Ukraine has forced states to refocus on their primary responsibility: protecting citizens from violence. The Deputy Mayor welcomed the EU’s united and unprecedented response but also recalled that, as well as defence cooperation, it is equally important to adopt a collective response to address the socioeconomic challenges the war is already posing to citizens. Because freedom from fear is intrinsically and inextricably linked to freedom from want .

The floor was then given to Antoni Segura (President, CIDOB), who reiterated CIDOB’s condemnation of Russia’s aggression and the institution’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people, in line with the statement CIDOB published on February 28 th . In his view, the war in Ukraine represents an unprecedented challenge for both the European security architecture and the international liberal order that makes EU strategic autonomy even more imperative. Javier Solana (President, ESADEGeo and Honorary President, CIDOB) echoed Segura’s words, emphasising how a war on the European continent is an event of exceptional gravity that caught many off guard. Preparing the ground for the panel discussions, Solana said that we should look back to the 2004 Ukrainian elections – won by the pro-Western candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, ahead of the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych –  and the 2014 Euromaidan protests in order to fully grasp the roots of the struggle over Ukraine’s future.

The first panel discussion, chaired and moderated by Anna Bosch (Foreign Affairs Correspondent, TVE), reflected upon the implications of the war in Ukraine for Europe and the prospects of European strategic autonomy.

According to  François Heisbourg (Special Adviser, Foundation pour la Recherche Stratégique), the war in Ukraine represents a strategic turning point for Europe that is no less significant than the end of the Second World War in the 1940s or of the Cold War in the 1990s. The magnitude of the crisis makes it necessary for Europeans to reconsider existing institutions, frameworks and setups. The events have made the concept of strategic autonomy, often framed in recent years in terms of an EU–NATO dichotomy, appear somewhat outdated. What matters now is to invest more in defence. NATO and the United States are essential to providing strong (nuclear) deterrence. However, the uncertainty surrounding the future of Washington’s foreign policy requires a more proactive Europe. In Heisbourg’s view, greater investment in defence is a win–win solution for Europeans that will prove wise if NATO and the United States remain involved in European security and vital if they do not.  

Jeremy Shapiro (Research Director, European Council on Foreign Relations) agreed with this argument. Europe needs to reflect critically on the capabilities it will require in order to be able to formulate its own policies in the light of deteriorating geopolitical conditions. In particular, European states should focus on those capabilities – such as intelligence, surveillance, readiness and preparedness and mobility – where they clearly fall short. Despite Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, East Asia is likely to remain the United States’ top foreign policy priority and Washington will thus keep asking Europe to take increasing responsibility for the security of its continent.

Besides the strong impact on the European security architecture, the war in Ukraine is also having significant economic repercussions, which André Sapir (Senior Fellow, Bruegel) addressed in detail. When it comes to trade, Sapir believes that the war is unlikely to have a huge impact on global value chains but will certainly affect sectors like energy and, as a consequence, regions like Europe that are heavily reliant on Russian gas. European states’ attempts to cut gas imports from Moscow and diversify energy sources will provide Europe with greater autonomy. However, this will not result in a price reduction, as liquified gas remains much more expensive than pipeline. Rising inflation and the uncertainly surrounding the war’s developments are thus likely to pose a tricky challenge for European monetary and fiscal institutions, which will have to find a way to prevent Europe lapsing into stagflation. Along with defence, Sapir sees energy security as another public good on which the EU needs to develop a common long-term strategy and achieve a greater degree of autonomy. Measures like the common debt instruments adopted to counteract the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic should therefore be considered for tackling the challenges emerging in the energy/climate field.

While traditionally associated with defence, the concept of strategic autonomy actually encompasses a much broader set of policies. The war in Ukraine has clearly shown that energy is an area where the EU would highly benefit from greater autonomy. However, according to François   Heisbourg , another field should also be at the centre of the long-term EU strategic autonomy agenda: technology. The United States – the leader in the field – and the European Union, with its ability to set global standards, should work together in order to jointly counter growing Chinese power. Because if, in strategic terms, Russia is today’s weather, China is climate change.

Digital transformation plays a major role in the contemporary world and is expected to have important repercussions on future power distribution dynamics. The current technological revolution has profoundly transformed modern warfare and, in turn, influenced strategic decision-making in foreign and defence policy. Nonetheless, what has puzzled many is that the current war in Ukraine seems to be very “old-fashioned”. Heli Tiirmaa-Klaar (Director of Digital Society Institute, European School of Management and Technology of Berlin) confirmed that cyber-attacks have not played a major role in Ukraine thus far, and advanced some potential explanations: little coordination between Russian intelligence services and military forces, sound preparedness on the Ukrainian side, and the fact that pre-planned conventional attacks on critical infrastructure simply make cyber-attacks pointless. Nonetheless, Tiirmaa-Klaar highlighted the ways Russia has been using cyber capabilities in its information warfare. Domestically, it has targeted its population with strong pro-war propaganda, while internationally it has sought to interfere in foreign elections and affairs on several occasions over the years.

Tiirmaa-Klaar actually affirmed that, within the cyber domain, a “new Cold War” began a decade ago. However, François Heisbourg did not fully agree with this interpretation of the current landscape, stressing that what we are witnessing is not a cold but a real war. Unlike the Soviet Union, which had a clear interest in preserving the empire it had created over the years, modern Russia is a revisionist power that is seeking to change the current status quo. 

The second panel, chaired by Judy Dempsey (Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe), focused on the geopolitical and systemic dimensions of the conflict in Ukraine and offered an overview of the position of some of the major global players.

In his speech, John Ikenberry (Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University) argued that the Ukrainian crisis is a proxy for a more fundamental struggle between two models of world order. On the one hand, the Western liberal model, based on multilateralism and democracy and anchored in institutions like the EU and NATO. On the other hand, the order that Russia is attempting to create and which would instead build on autocratic governance at home and spheres of influence abroad. In Ikenberry’s view, what we are witnessing in Ukraine is an autocratic state that does not accept the independence of a neighbour democracy and its closeness to the West out of fear of the potential consequences for its own system of government.

Exploring in greater detail the causes of Moscow’s action, Andrey Makarychev (Professor of Government and Politics, University of Tartu) argued that the underlying reason for the military intervention in Ukraine lies in the fact that Russia is very weak where Europe is strong: normative power. Unable to compete on this playing field, Putin decided to change the rules of the game and to resort to hard military power. However, Makarychev believes that Russia will pay a high price for its adventurism in Ukraine. Not only in economic, financial and technological terms, but also because of the long-term implications of greater reliance on China.

An overview of the role and position of Beijing was provided by  Lanxin Xiang (Director, Institute of Security Policy of Shanghai). Xiang argued that China has a fundamental interest in a prompt resolution of the war in Ukraine and speculated that, given the good relations it has developed with both parties, Beijing could also be a good candidate for the role of mediator. Yet, the definition of what is happening in Ukraine opened up a lively discussion. While moderator Judy Dempsey and the other panellists referred to it as an “invasion”, Xiang claimed that the Chinese would define it as a “badly managed international relationship that ended up in a humanitarian crisis”. Xiang also clarified that, from a Chinese point of view, what is happening in Ukraine is not very dissimilar from what occurred in Vietnam or, more recently, in Iraq, and that China’s guiding foreign policy is driven by the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The role of NATO was also the subject of dispute. Lanxin Xiang asserted that the Atlantic Alliance’s eastward expansion had certainly played a major role in the Ukrainian crisis. China, he affirmed, is not interested in alliances like NATO, including with Russia, because of a certain scepticism about military compromises and obligations. While recognising that in analytical terms it is possible to affirm that NATO’s expansion has unsettled Russia’s attitude toward the West, Leslie Vinjamuri defended NATO’s open-door policy, arguing that access to an alliance that offers restraint and protection cannot be denied to people. Andrey Makarychev , meanwhile, recalled that NATO’s enlargement was not the result of the imperialism of its member states but of the free choice of the countries involved.

The different views that emerged during the panel discussion mirror the divisions we are witnessing in global affairs. In this regard, Leslie Vinjamuri (Director of the US and Americans Programme, Chatham House) noted that, regardless of whether this newly rediscovered Western unity holds, the broader international community remains very divided. This was evident at UNGA vote on the resolution demanding the immediate withdrawal of Russia military forces from Ukraine on March 2 nd 2022. Although the text was eventually adopted thanks to the vote in favour by as many as 141 countries, the latter only represent about 40% of the world’s population, while the 35 states that abstained from voting account for half of the total.

From both panel discussions it clearly emerged that the war in Ukraine is both a conflict with case-specific features and dynamics and a reflection of the broader divisions and fractures that mark the current international order. In his concluding remarks, Pol Morillas (Director, CIDOB) underlined that the conflict in Ukraine is the result of the transitional phase we are experiencing. When the old order is highly contested and a new one has not yet emerged, conflicts and disputes are likely to arise. There is great uncertainty surrounding the nature of the emerging order but, in Morillas’s view, it will be even more strongly shaped by dynamics of power politics and great power rivalry than what went before. Nonetheless, today’s world is much more interconnected than previously, and major challenges are increasingly transnational in nature. The contestation of existing norms and institutions in a world shaped by growing interdependence requires the creation of new frameworks and setups that will certainly need to be more inclusive. More states should be involved and other actors – from cities to civil society and international organisations – should have a say. Javier Solana echoed Morillas’s words, saying that in these challenging circumstances safeguarding global public goods remains fundamental and that only dialogue platforms, where all parties have a voice regardless of ideology or system of government, can bring common solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.