Consul General Paul A. Folmsbee Remarks to the Global Millennium Development Goals Summit - India 2008

November 7, 2008, 7:00 pm | Turf Club, Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai

United Nations Association Leaders, Jai Hind College, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for the honor of joining you tonight to launch the Global Millennium Goals Summit - India - 2008.

You have come together as friends early in this 21st century to attack age-old enemies.  The Millennium Development Goals include eight tough problems that have plagued humans throughout history. All eight can be found on all continents.  Others before you have tried to tackle these eight problems which are:

• Poverty and hunger
• Education for all
• Gender equality
• Child mortality
• Maternal health
• Diseases
• Sustaining a clean environment
• Developing a global partnership for development

There are many reasons - many of them quite different as to why some of these conditions exist within humanity.  War, pestilence, natural disaster and ignorance to name a few.  Many for us have seen some success in combating them, whether by negotiating peace, developing new medicines and new crops, training teachers or raising environmental awareness. But as of today, these eight problems persist, and people in some parts of our world suffer tremendously, at this very moment.

What is different this week, and this upcoming weekend?

1. You are more powerful than you know.  Each one of you brings to this event knowledge and commitment, and over the next few days, you will be challenged to discover the depths of your power.
2. Many of you have not met each other before.  You will have the chance to discover the knowledge and the power of others through dialogue.
3. You have tools that no generation before you has had.
4. The world is ready for your solutions. Ask tough questions - seek out solutions.

This week, in my country, people your age and people from many different backgrounds discovered the power within them.  They discovered the great power of democracy.  What made the campaign of Barack Obama so remarkable was not the color of his skin or his background.  What made the campaign so exceptional was the hope that was generated when millions of individuals took small actions-talking with their neighbors, helping register voters, offering rides to polling places--motivated by a desire to reach a common goal.  What they learned was that, together, they could make a difference.

You have probably read about the brilliance of the Obama campaign strategy - very much a NEXT generation strategy. 

• They advanced the use of the internet for fundraising begun during the 2004 campaigns.
• They used You Tube and Facebook and MySpace and e-mail groups to reach people who hadn't given politics a lot of thought.
• They generated enthusiasm among people from many backgrounds, even by telling them they would need to sacrifice.
• Because of India's role in IT development, Indians played a role in the platform for this campaign.

Now, after months of debate, Senators McCain and Obama have declared that it is time to move away from the election and on towards finding solutions.  They have given Americans and people around the world hope that we can reach solutions-IF we work together.  Together we can achieve anything, divided we will fall.  Senator McCain pledged his support for President-elect Obama and encouraged all  of us to work together to find solutions.  Likewise - President-elect Obama complimented Senator McCain and noted how the senator will help reach across the aisle and find unity and solutions. 

I understand you will use video technology to communicate in sophisticated ways.   I applaud you for applying new technology to old problems.  I applaud you for using your knowledge of history, psychology, economics, mathematics, science, art, music, or drama to advance the Millennium Goals.  And I challenge you to help others to do the same.

Let me close with an invitation.  The Department of State invites you and those you know to join a worldwide movement to define Democracy in our era.

The "Democracy Is..." Video Challenge invites you to produce a three-minute video, upload it onto YouTube, and let the world judge the winner of this challenge. 

The prize is a visit to the United States, with filmmakers and social activists and NGOs who want to join with you in defining Democracy for the 21st Century.  Please consider participating. 

Now, let me hear you chant what so many Americans chanted this week:  Yes We Can!