Obama talks development, extremism with young African leaders
From NBC's Athena Jones
Calling Africa a "fundamental part our interconnected world," President Obama urged young leaders to help spur economic development and fight corruption, disease and extremism on the continent during a town hall on Tuesday.
Young people from nearly 50 nations -- including Ghana, Mali, Malawi, Somalia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Botswana and Liberia -- joined administration officials like Attorney General. Eric Holder, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, U.S. Trade Rep. Ron Kirk and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah at the East Room event.
When the president delivered what his administration billed as a major foreign policy speech to the Ghanaian Parliament, he said that the 21st Century would be shaped by what happened not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Africa, adding, "Your prosperity can expand America's prosperity. Your health and security can contribute to the world's health and security." He also said that "Africa's future is up to Africans," a theme he struck again today.
"We need young Africans who are standing up and making things happen not only in their own countries, but around the world and the United States wants to be your partner," Obama told the East Room audience. "We are rooting for your success; we want to work with you to achieve that success, but ultimately success is gonna be in your hands. Being a partner means that we can be there by your side, but we can't do it for you ."
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_new...elopment-extremism-with-young-african-leaders
From NBC's Athena Jones
Calling Africa a "fundamental part our interconnected world," President Obama urged young leaders to help spur economic development and fight corruption, disease and extremism on the continent during a town hall on Tuesday.
Young people from nearly 50 nations -- including Ghana, Mali, Malawi, Somalia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Botswana and Liberia -- joined administration officials like Attorney General. Eric Holder, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, U.S. Trade Rep. Ron Kirk and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah at the East Room event.
When the president delivered what his administration billed as a major foreign policy speech to the Ghanaian Parliament, he said that the 21st Century would be shaped by what happened not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Africa, adding, "Your prosperity can expand America's prosperity. Your health and security can contribute to the world's health and security." He also said that "Africa's future is up to Africans," a theme he struck again today.
"We need young Africans who are standing up and making things happen not only in their own countries, but around the world and the United States wants to be your partner," Obama told the East Room audience. "We are rooting for your success; we want to work with you to achieve that success, but ultimately success is gonna be in your hands. Being a partner means that we can be there by your side, but we can't do it for you ."
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_new...elopment-extremism-with-young-african-leaders