We need to keep hope alive and strive to do better.

The line urges a dual posture in the face of crisis or disappointment: emotional and moral resilience (“keep hope alive”) paired with practical responsibility (“strive to do better”). In Annan’s public rhetoric, hope is not passive optimism but a civic resource that sustains collective action—especially in international affairs where progress can be slow and setbacks frequent. The second clause implies accountability and continuous improvement: institutions and individuals should learn from failures, correct injustices, and renew commitments to peace, development, and human rights. Read together, the quote frames hope as a discipline that enables reform rather than an excuse to wait for change.