This morning, President Obama addressed the UN General Assembly for the first time. His speech covered some of the most pressing challenges of our time, such as climate change, peace building and the economy. In response, we sent out an open letter from MADRE Executive Director Vivian Stromberg to President Obama, calling on him to make women's human rights a central priority of his administration's policies. In it, she writes:
Your active participation in this key international discussion has set the stage for future US engagement with the world. If the Administration’s efforts to have a positive impact are to be fruitful, the United States must recognize and promote women’s human rights in every policy that it pursues.
You can read the full version of the MADRE open letter here.
Earlier in the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon also addressed the UN General Assembly, saying:
If we are to offer genuine hope to the hopeless if we are to truly turn the corner to economic recovery, then we must do so for all nations and all people. So much is possible if we act together. Together, we are here to take risks, to assume the burden of responsibility, to rise to an exceptional moment, to make history. This year, of all years, asks no less.
The UN Secretary-General also made reference to the newly created UN agency that will address women's issues and stated that "We have never been more empowered to empower women."
Videos of his speech have been posted below. What did you think of Obama's speech?
Part 1:
Part 2:
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