奥巴马在社区大学开学时的演讲

第一篇：奥巴马在社区大学开学时的演讲

The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release October 05, 2010

Remarks by the President and Dr.Jill Biden at White House Summit on Community Colleges

East Room 12:17 P.M.EDT DR.BIDEN: Hello.Good afternoon, and welcome to the first ever White House Summit on Community Colleges.I’m Jill Biden, and I’m proud to stand here today as a community college professor.This is an historic and exciting opportunity for all of us in the community college world.For years I have said that community colleges are one of America’s best-kept secrets.Well, with the President of the United States shining a light on us, I think that secret is out.(Laughter.)Today’s summit is an important next step in our efforts to meet the President’s goal of having the best-educated, most competitive workforce in the world by the end of this decade.As we meet here today, families all across our country are struggling.We see that struggle firsthand in community colleges.We see people who are determined to build a better life for themselves and their families, no matter how hard it is.Today, community colleges are the largest, fastest-growing, most affordable segment of America’s higher education system.For generations, these schools have been an option for many students who didn’t have other options: recent immigrants, working adults, or students who could not afford or were not quite ready for a four-year institution.Community colleges are uniquely American--places where anyone who walks through the door is one step closer to realizing the American Dream.These schools are flexible and innovative.For that reason, countries around the world are looking at community colleges as a model to increase workforce preparedness and college graduation among their own citizens.Community colleges are uniquely positioned to provide the education and training that will prepare students for the jobs in the 21st century.Schools are forming partnerships with businesses in their communities, ensuring that students are trained for jobs that need to be filled.Getting Americans back to work is America’s great challenge.And community colleges are critically important to preparing graduates for those jobs.We are here today because community colleges are entering a new day in America, and here’s why: For more and more people, community colleges are the way to the future.They’re giving real opportunity to students who otherwise wouldn’t have it.They’re giving hope to families who thought the American Dream was slipping away.They are equipping Americans with the skills and expertise that are relevant to the emerging jobs of the future.They’re opening doors for the middle class at a time when the middle class has seen so many doors close to them.As the President said, the nations that out-educate us today will out-compete us tomorrow.That is why he is committed to increasing the number of college graduates in America, so that we will once again lead the world in the percentage of our citizens with a college degree.Community colleges are absolutely critical to reaching this goal, and to ensuring out country’s economic prosperity in the future.That is why the President has also challenged all of us to graduate an additional 5 million community college graduates by 2020.Reaching that goal will take the commitment of everyone in this room, and all of the hardworking community college leaders, faculty and students you represent.Community college students and graduates across the country are working in jobs that will enable us to expand our green economy, provide Americans with the excellent health care they deserve, and rebuild our country’s infrastructure.These are the students like the ones I visited in their state-of-the-art radiology lab last spring at Delgado Community College in New Orleans.Or the woman I met who, after 16 years as a lab tech, came to Kingsborough Community College in New York for retraining, and graduated in nursing with a job offer waiting.I meet students and learn about industry partnerships on every campus I visit that reinforce what we in this room know well: Community colleges are at the center of Americans’ effort to educate our way to a better economy.I’ve been a teacher for nearly three decades, and I have spent the past 17 years teaching at a community college.I know the power of community colleges to change lives.I have seen the wisdom of Yeats who said that, “Education is not the filling of the pail, but the lighting of a fire.” All of the teachers here today know the magic of lighting that fire in the soul of a student.But as I work hard every day to inspire students, it is ultimately they who inspire me.I’m inspired by students who overcome significant odds just to show up, workers who have returned to school to improve their job prospects, mothers who juggle jobs and childcare while preparing for a new career, and students who spend two years at a community college before transferring to a four-year school.At the President’s request, I have visited community colleges around the country to see innovative job partnerships and creative student support programs.At each school, I hear stories about the perseverance of community college students to make a better life for themselves and their families--students like Albert, who inspire me and who I am thrilled to welcome here today.You’re amazing, Albert.The programs are different, the students are different, but the aspirations are the same.These students are working hard to get the training and education they need to make their lives better.They know that education can open the door to a world of new opportunities.They are students like the mother who shared her experience with us on the White House website of working towards a degree while raising three children and straddling financial challenges.Now employed and the holder of a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree, she wrote, “Community colleges didn’t just change my life, they gave me my life.”

Community colleges do that every day.With the support and the attention of the people in this room, we can serve more students and serve them better than ever.Our challenge is not just to get students into college, but to keep them there and to graduate them faster with the skills they need to succeed in the American workforce.This is the moment for community colleges to shine.Teaching is my life’s work.I am grateful and tremendously proud to work with a President and Vice President who value that work.President Obama is committed to restoring the promise of the American education system.He recognizes the value of community colleges and is investing in them so that they are the best that they can be.His leadership is inspiring to all of us who believe that each and every American deserves the opportunity to realize his full potential.I am honored to introduce a leader who shares our belief in the power of the community college, President Barack Obama.(Applause.)THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.Thank you very much.Thank you so much.Thank you, everybody.Thank you very much.Everybody please have a seat.Thank you so much.I want to acknowledge some of the folks who are here who are making an incredible contribution to this effort.First of all, our Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, is here.(Applause.)Our Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, is here.(Applause.)Someone who cares deeply about our veterans and the education that they receive, our Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, and his wife, Ms.Mullen, are here.(Applause.)Representative Brett Guthrie, Republican of Kentucky, is in the house, and has been doing great work on this.And obviously I am thrilled to not only see Jill Biden here but also Albert Ojeda, who introduced Jill Biden, because I think the story he tells is representative of so many incredible stories all across the country.I’m so grateful for Jill being willing to lead today’s summit, first of all because she has to spend time putting up with Joe.(Laughter.)And that’s a big enough task.Then to take this one on, too, on behalf of the administration is extraordinarily significant.I do not think she’s doing it for the administration.She’s doing it because of the passion she has for community colleges.Jill has devoted her life to education.As she said, she’s been a teacher for nearly three decades, although you can’t tell it by looking at her--(laughter)--a community college professor for 17 years.I want it on the record Jill is not playing hooky today.The only reason she’s here is because her college president gave her permission to miss class.(Laughter.)And this morning, between appearing on the Today Show, receiving briefings from her staff and hosting the summit, she was actually grading papers in her White House office.(Laughter.)So I think it’s clear why I asked Jill to travel the country visiting community colleges-– because, as she knows personally, these colleges are the unsung heroes of America’s education system.They may not get the credit they deserve.They may not get the same resources as other schools.But they provide a gateway to millions of Americans to good jobs and a better life.These are places where young people can continue their education without taking on a lot of debt.These are places where workers can gain new skills to move up in their careers.These are places where anyone with a desire to learn and to grow can take a chance on a brighter future for themselves and their families--whether that’s a single mom, or a returning soldier, or an aspiring entrepreneur.And community colleges aren’t just the key to the future of their students.They’re also one of the keys to the future of our country.We are in a global competition to lead in the growth industries of the 21st century.And that leadership depends on a well-educated, highly skilled workforce.We know, for example, that in the coming years, jobs requiring at least an associate’s degree are going to grow twice as fast as jobs that don’t require college.We will not fill those jobs-– or keep those jobs on our shores –-without community colleges.So it was no surprise when one of the main recommendations of my Economic Advisory Board-– who I met with yesterday-– was to expand education and job training.These are executives from some of America’s top companies.Their businesses need a steady supply of people who can step into jobs involving a lot of technical knowledge and skill.They understand the importance of making sure we’re preparing folks for the jobs of the future.In fact, throughout our history, whenever we’ve faced economic challenges, we’ve responded by seeking new ways to harness the talents of our people.And that’s one of the primary reasons that we have prospered.In the 19th century, we built public schools and land grant colleges –-transforming not just education, but our entire economy.In the 20th century, we passed the G.I.Bill and invested in math and science –-helping to unleash a wave of innovation that helped to forge the great American middle class.But in recent years, we’ve failed to live up to this legacy, especially in higher education.In just a decade, we’ve fallen from first to ninth in the proportion of young people with college degrees.That not only represents a huge waste of potential;in the global marketplace it represents a threat to our position as the world’s leading economy.As far as I’m concerned, America does not play for second place, and we certainly don’t play for ninth.So I’ve set a goal: By 2020, America will once again lead the world in producing college graduates.And I believe community colleges will play a huge part in meeting this goal, by producing an additional 5 million degrees and certificates in the next 10 years.That’s why last year I launched the American Graduation Initiative.I promised that we would end wasteful subsidies to big banks for student loans, and instead use that money to make college more affordable, and to make a historic investment in community colleges.And after a tough fight, we passed those reforms, and today we’re using this money towards the interest of higher education in America.And this is helping us modernize community colleges at a critical time-– because many of these schools are under pressure to cut costs and to cap enrollments and scrap courses even as demand has soared.It’s going to make it possible for colleges to better harness technology in the classroom and beyond.And it’s going to promote reform, as colleges compete for funding by improving graduation rates, and matching courses to the needs of local businesses, and making sure that when a graduate is handed a diploma it means that she or he are ready for a career.We’re also helping students succeed by making college more affordable.So we’ve increased student aid by thousands of dollars.We’ve simplified the loan application process.And we’re making it easier for students to pay back their loans by limiting payments to 10 percent of their income.But reaching the 2020 goal that I’ve set is not just going to depend on government.It also depends on educators and students doing their part.And it depends on businesses and non-for-profits working with colleges to connect students with jobs.So that’s why we’re holding this summit.That’s why I’m asking my Economic Advisory Board to reach out to employers across the country and come up with new ways for businesses and community colleges to work together.Based on this call to action, yesterday we announced a new partnership called Skills for America’s Future.And the idea is simple: Businesses and community colleges work together to match the work in the classroom with the needs of the boardroom.And already, businesses from PG&E, to UTC, to the Gap have announced their support, as have business leaders like my friend Penny Pritzker, and the Aspen Institute’s Walter Isaacson.I hope that the companies, schools and nonprofits that all of you lead will take part.Today, we can also announce the Gates Foundation is starting a new five-year initiative to raise community college graduation rates.This is critically important because more than half of those who enter community colleges fail to either earn a two-year degree or transfer to a earn a four-year degree.So we want to thank Melinda Gates, who’s here, for that terrific contribution.And the Aspen Institute and several leading foundations are launching a competitive prize for community college excellence.It’s going to shine a spotlight on community colleges delivering truly exceptional results –-places that often don’t get a lot of attention, but make a tremendous difference in their students’ lives.So we’re investing in community colleges.We’re making college more affordable.And we’re bringing together businesses, nonprofits and schools to train folks for the jobs of a new century.Now, all of this will help ensure that we continue to lead the global economy-– but only if we maintain this commitment to education that’s always been central to our success.That’s why I so strongly disagree with the economic plan that was released last week by the Republican leaders in Congress, which would actually cut education by 20 percent.It would reduce or eliminate financial aid for 8 million college students.And it would leave community colleges without the resources they need to meet the goals we’ve talked about today.Instead, this money would help pay for a $700 billion tax cut that only 2 percent of the wealthiest Americans would ever see –-an average of $100,000 for every millionaire and billionaire in the country.And that just doesn’t make sense-– not for students, not for our economy.Think about it.China isn’t slashing education by 20 percent right now.India is not slashing education by 20 percent.We are in a fight for the future-– a fight that depends on education.And cutting aid for 8 million students, or scaling back our community--our commitment to community colleges, that’s like unilaterally disarming our troops right as they head to the frontlines.So we obviously have to get serious about our deficit.That’s why, after decades of profligacy, my administration report pay-as-you-go rules, proposed a three-year freeze on non-security spending.That’s why we’ve formed a bipartisan deficit reduction commission.But what we can’t do is fund tax cuts for those who don’t need it by slashing education for those who do.There’s a better way for us to do this.And I want to work together with everybody concerned--Republican and Democrat--to figure that out.To use an expression familiar to those of you who are from the Midwest: You don’t eat your seed corn.(Laughter.)We can’t accept less investment in our young people if our country is going to move forward.It would mean giving up on the promise of so many people who might not be able to pursue an education, like the millions of students at community colleges across this country.So I just want to use as an example Derek Blumke, who’s here today.Where’s Derek? Right here.Derek spent six years in the Air Force, three deployments in the Afghan theater, putting his life at risk to keep this country safe.And when he returned, he started classes at his local community college in northern Michigan.Now, apparently, what I’m told is, he wasn’t sure whether he was smart enough to do the work, and he also was concerned that he wouldn’t get the support that he needed.And he was wrong on both fronts.His professors not only helped him transition from the military-– even as he continued to serve in the Michigan Air National Guard-– but also helped him to earn his associate’s degree with honors.Then he transferred to the University of Michigan--Go Blue--(laughter)--where he graduated just a few weeks ago.And while he was there, he co-founded Student Veterans of America to help returning veterans like himself.So congratulations, Derek.(Applause.)Or we can look to the example set by Albert Ojeda, who just spoke to you.He didn’t have any advantages in life--grew up in a tough neighborhood in Phoenix, lost his father to violence, lost his mother to prison.But that didn’t stop him from pursuing an education.It didn’t stop him from attending community college, become an honor student, become the first member of his family to graduate from college.There are so many folks out there like Derek and Albert.And I think about the many community college students who’ve written letters to me or emails through whitehouse.gov about how important community college has been to them.One person said he had been laid off and decided to return to school after 17 years.And attending community college “literally helped save my life”--that’s what he said.“I can not only see an associate’s degree next year, but a new future filled with possibilities for the first time.” A new future filled with possibilities.That’s why we’re here today.That’s the promise of an education not just for any one student, but for our entire country.And that’s why it’s so important that we work together on behalf of community colleges-– and an education system that harnesses the talents and hard work of every single American.So thank you for the incredible work that each and every one of you do out there in schools, business folks who are supporting these community colleges, the students who are doing so much to contribute to our country.Let’s get busy.Thank you very much.END 12:40 P.M.EDT

第二篇：奥巴马开罗大学演讲全文

奥巴马开罗大学演讲全文

一、我来此地，就是要在美国和穆斯林世界之间寻求一种全新的开端。我很荣幸来到开罗这座永恒的城市，并受到两所卓越的院校的款待。过去一千年来，阿兹哈尔（Al-Azhar）就是伊斯兰教义传播过程中的一盏明灯；过去一个世纪，开罗大学则是埃及前进的动力。你们一起展现了传统与发展之间的和谐。我对你们和埃及人民的盛情表示感激。我也很骄傲的带来了美国人民的善意，以及美国穆斯林对你们的问候：assalaamu alaykum（愿安拉赐您平安）。我们于此刻相会，正值美国和全世界穆斯林的关系紧张，这种气氛根植于历史，与现在的政策争论毫无关系。伊斯兰与西方世界共存与合作已长达几个世纪，同时也存在冲突甚至宗教战争。就在最近，这种紧张关系得以升级，罪魁祸首包括否认许多穆斯林拥有的权利和机会的殖民主义，以及政治冷战。在冷战中，穆斯林国家经常被认为是某些势力的代理人，而自己的渴望却被忽视。此外，由现代化和全球化带来的巨大变化，也令许多穆斯林认为西方对伊斯兰传统怀有敌意。

暴力极端主义者已经在数目小但却力量大的穆斯林中制造出了紧张局势。2001年9月11日的袭击以及极端主义者对平民那接连不断的攻击，这一切使我的国民不单单把穆斯林视作对美国和西方社会的威胁，也把穆斯林被视作是对人权的威胁。

但凡我们的关系是由彼此的所差异决定，我们就会纵容那些播种仇恨而非和平的人，那些挑起冲突而非平复冲突的人，然而，正是那些平复冲突的人才能够使我们的人民达到正义和繁荣。这个猜疑和混乱的圈子必须得到终结。我来此地，就是要在美国和穆斯林世界之间寻求一种全新的开端；这种开端建立在彼此的利益和相互的尊敬之上；建立在美国和穆斯林并非只能存一，不需要相互竞争的观点之上。恰恰相反，美国和穆斯林世界是相互交叠的，遵循着共同的价值观：正义和发展的价值观；以及宽容和人类尊严的价值观。诚然，我知道变革不是在一夜之间发生的。没有什么演说可以消除多年的猜疑，同时，此时此刻的我也不能医治在这一点上所有的沉疴。但是我已经证明了一点：为了前进，我们必须说出自己的心里话，那些常常是在彼此在背后才会说的话。我们必须学会倾听彼此、互相学习、相互尊重；我们必须寻求共识。正如《可兰经》中所说的，“感受安拉的存在，永远诚实。”这也是我一直在试着做到的一点——尽我所能地说实话，谦恭地面对我们眼前的工作，牢牢地守住我的信念，相信这样一点：作为人类之间我们共享的利益远比那些把我们分开的力量要强大得多。

此信仰部分根植于我自己的经历。我是个基督教徒，而我的父亲来自一个肯尼亚家庭，世代都是穆斯林信徒。小时候，我在印度尼西亚生活过几年，在黎明和黄昏都听到azaan的呼唤。年轻时，我在芝加哥社区工作，在那里，许多人都从他们的穆斯林信仰中找到了尊严和平静。

作为历史专业的学生，我也知道文明对伊斯兰教犯下的罪孽。是伊斯兰教——在像艾资哈尔大学这样的地方——展开几个世纪的学习，为欧洲的文艺复兴和启蒙运动铺平了道路。是穆斯林社区的创新开发了数学秩序；磁罗盘和航海工具；钢笔和印刷技艺；使我们了解疾病如何传播，又该如何治疗。伊斯兰文化为我们提供了宏伟的拱门和直插云霄的尖顶；永恒的诗歌和珍贵的音乐；优雅的书法和平静思考的地方。纵观整个历史，伊斯兰已经通过文字和实际行动证明，宗教宽容和种族平等的可能性。

我知道，伊斯兰也一直是美国历史的一部分。第一个承认我国的国家就是摩洛哥。1796年，我国第二任总统约翰·亚当斯在签署《黎波里条约》中写道，“美国本身没有反对法律、宗教或穆斯林宁静的敌意性质。”建国以来，伊斯兰信徒为美国的富裕做出了贡献。他们在我们的战争中战斗；为政府工作；主张公民权利；开创企业；在大学教书；在我们的竞技场表现突出；赢得诺贝尔奖；建造我们最高的建筑，还点燃了奥运火炬。最近第一位穆斯林-美国人被选入国会时，他宣誓捍卫我们宪法所用的神圣《古兰经》，是我们的一位建国之父托马斯·杰斐逊保存在自己私人图书馆中的。

在来到伊斯兰教的发源地之前，我已经在三个大洲上接触过它。过去的经历使我坚信，美国和伊斯兰世界国家之间的合作关系必须建立在求同存异的基础上。作为美利坚合众国的总统，我觉得我有责任消除人们心中对伊斯兰教存有的成见。

但同样的原则也适用于穆斯林对美国的看法上。正如穆斯林并不粗鲁一样，美国也并非一个自私自利的国家。在人类所取得的所有进步中，美国的贡献是非常之大的。我们也是通过抗争才赢得了独立。我们的建国理念是人人生而平等，数个世纪以来，我们一直在为实现理想而斗争，也为之抛洒过热血——无论是在国内，还是在全世界范围内。美国包容着多元的文化、吸引着来自世界各地的人，这一切都只为了实现一个简单的理念：合众为一：“众人戮力，只为一心”（E pluribus unum: “Out of many, one.”）。

过去的一切已经证明，一个名叫巴拉克·侯赛因·奥巴马的非裔美国人也能被选为美国总统。但我个人的经历并没有那么独特。虽然并非每个在美国的人都能实现心中理想，但对于每个踏上美国土地的人来说，他们的梦想都会得到尊重——现在，包括近700万在美国的穆斯林在内的人都享受着比普通人更高的收入、更好的教育。

此外，美国的自由与实现宗教信仰自由密不可分。这就是美利坚合众国的每一个州都有一所清真寺的原因，我们国土上有1200多所清真寺。这同样也是美国政府致力于保护妇女和少女有权戴穆斯林头巾的原因，谁要是阻挠必将受到处罚。因此毫无疑问：伊斯兰教是美国的一部分。我相信在美国这片土地坚持真理，无论是什么人种、什么宗教或生活在何处，我们所有人都有共同的愿望——我们想要和平安宁的生活；我们想要接受教育和有尊严地工作；我们热爱我们的家庭、社会和我们的神。这就是我们的共性。这就是我们全人类的愿望。

当然，认识到人类的共性只是我们任务的开端。仅仅靠耍嘴皮子并不能满足我们人民的需求。只有当我们在接下来的几年里大刀阔斧地行动；只有当我们懂得面对的是人类共同的挑战、认识到无法满足这些需求就是损害是我们全体利益的时候，人民的需求才能得以满足。

二、我们需要共同面对的问题。

最近我们吸取到的经验是，当一个国家的金融体系削弱时，各地的繁荣也将受到打击。当一种新型流感感染了一个人，那么所有人都有危险。当一个国家推行核武器，那么所有国家遭到核武器袭击的危险性就提高了。当极端分子在一片绵延的山区活动，那么大洋彼岸的人也会陷入危险之中。而无辜的波斯尼亚和达尔富尔人被屠杀，成为我们公德心上的污点。这就是在21世纪共享同一个世界的含义。这是作为人类我们对彼此的责任。

这是一个很难履行的责任。人类历史经常记录着民族和部落为了实现他们自己的利益而相互斗争。可是在这个新的世纪，这种做法会弄巧成拙。因为我们是相互依赖的，所以任何那一个国家或者组织的成员凌驾于其他人之上的行为必将失败。因此，不管我们怎么看待过去，我们都不要束缚其中。我们的问题必须通过合作解决，必须共同进步。

那不意味着我们会忽略紧张局势源头。实际正好相反：我们必须正视这些紧张事件。因此，在这种精神指引下，让我对一些具体的问题尽可能清楚和明白的做出解释，那就是，我相信我们最终必将共同面对。

我们必须面对的第一个问题是各种形式的暴力极端主义。

我曾在安卡拉明确表示，美国目前没有，也不会和伊斯兰世界开战。然而，我们对那些给我们的安全造成极大威胁的暴力极端主义分子不会手软。这是因为我们不欢迎那些全世界各种信仰的人民都不欢迎的事情：滥杀无辜的男女和儿童。作为总统我有义务保护美国人民。

目前阿富汗的局势表明了美国的目标，我们需要为此共同努力。七年前，美国对抗基地组织和塔利班的行动得到了国际社会的广泛支持。在有些事情上面我们别无选择，只能做出必要的行动。我知道有些人对9/11事件有疑问。但首先让我们明确一点，基地组织在那一天杀死了大约3000人。这些受害者包括美国和其他国家的男女和儿童，这些无辜的人没有做过任何伤害他人的事情。然而，基地组织选择无情地杀害这些人，借此攻击事件宣传自己，即使现在仍坚持大规模杀戮的理念。他们在各国都有分支机构，并且正试图扩大势力范围。这些不是可以辩论的观点，而是不容争辩应当得到处理的事实。不犯错误：我们不想让我们的军队驻扎在阿富汗。我们不想在那里有军事基地。失去美国的年轻人对我们来说是痛苦难忍的。继续这样子的冲突代价太大，政治上也阻力重重。如果我们能够自信的说，阿富汗和巴基斯坦没有坚决要杀死尽可能多的美国人的暴力极端主义分子，那我们将非常乐意将军队里面的每一个人带回家。但是现在，还不行。

所以我们会参加46个国家的联合部队。尽管付出了代价，美国的承诺不会变弱。真的，我们中的任何一个都不应该容忍这些极端分子。他们在那么多国家杀人。他们杀死了不同信仰的人们，而其中最多的就是穆斯林。他们的行为对于人权，国家的进步，还有伊斯兰都是难以想象的。《古兰经》教导说：如果杀了一个无辜者，那就好像杀死了全人类，而如果拯救了一个人，那就好像拯救了全人类。10亿多人的持久的信念要比一部分人的狭隘的仇恨强大的多。与暴力极端主义分子的战斗中，伊斯兰不是其中的问题的一部分，而是促进和平的重要的一部分。

我们也知道，单单就军事力量是不能解决在阿富汗和巴基斯坦的问题的。所以我们计划在未来的五年之内，每年投资15亿美元与巴基斯坦人们一起建造学校，医院，道路，还有商业，还将投资数千万来帮助流离失所的人们。所以我们会提供28亿多美元来帮助阿富汗发展他们的经济和输送人们日常需要的设施。同时我也想谈谈伊拉克的问题。与阿富汗不同，对伊拉克的战争是个可选项，是否应当开战在我国和全球各地都有巨大分歧。虽然我相信，伊拉克人民在摆脱萨达姆·侯赛因的暴政统治后比以前过的好，但是我也相信，伊拉克事件提醒美国在有可能的情况下，应选择通过外交手段和建立国际共识的方式解决我们的问题。在此我想引用托马斯·杰佛逊的话： “我希望我们的智慧可伴随着我们的力量一起成长，并同时教导我们，使用的力量越少意味着我们越强。” 今天，美国肩负着双重责任：一是帮助伊拉克建立一个更美好的未来，二是把伊拉克交还给伊拉克人民。我已经明确向伊拉克人民承诺，我们不会在伊拉克保留军事基地，也不会争夺其领土和资源。伊拉克是具有独立主权的。这就是我下令在明年8月前撤走我们的作战旅的原因。这也是我们履行我们和伊拉克民选政府的的协议。将于7月把作战部队撤离主要城市，并且在2012年全部撤军的原因。我们将帮助伊拉克建立自己的安全部队并发展经济。但是，我们只将作为维护伊拉克安全和统一的伙伴，并不会成为它的靠山。

最后，正如美国绝不容忍暴力极端主义分子，我们绝不会改变我们的原则。9/11对我国是一个巨大的创伤。由此引发的(对伊斯兰世界的)恐惧和愤怒是可以理解的。但在某些情况下，这使我们的行为违背了我们的理想。我们正在采取切实行动转变方向。我已经明确禁止美国政府使用酷刑，并已经下令在明年初关闭关塔那摩监狱。

因此美国在保护自己的时候，会尊重其他国家的主权和法规。而且我们将和也遭受威胁的穆斯林共同体一起这么做。极端分子越早被穆斯林世界孤立和拒绝，我们大家就会越早得到安全。我们必须探讨的第二个导致紧张局势的主要源头是以色列人、巴勒斯坦人和阿拉伯世界之间的情况。

众所周知美国和以色列的紧密结合。这种结合是牢不可破的。它是基于文化和历史的粘连，还有公认的对犹太人家园的渴望，它根植在犹太民族悲惨的历史里，不容否定。

全世界的犹太人被欺压了几千年，欧洲的反犹主义在一场空前的大屠杀中达到极致。明天我将访问布赫瓦尔德集中营，它是犹太人被第三帝国奴役、折磨、射杀和关毒气室屠杀的众多集中营里的一个。600万犹太人被屠杀－－比今天以色列国犹太人总人口还多。否定这些事实是毫无根据的、无知的、可恶的。以毁灭的言辞或重复关于犹太人的卑鄙的陈词滥调来威胁以色列，是极端错误的，而且只会唤起以色列人最惨痛的回忆，这将妨碍这个地区的人民得到本应享有的和平。

另一方面，不可否认，巴勒斯坦人民——穆斯林信徒和基督教徒——在寻求家园的过程中遭受了磨难。他们忍受了六十多年的痛苦和**。许多人在西方的难民营、在加沙以及周边地区等待着他们从未享受过的和平安全的生活。他们每天都忍受着大大小小来自占领军的屈辱。因此，毫无疑问，巴勒斯坦人民的处境是难以忍受的。美国不会背弃巴勒斯坦人寻求尊严、机会和自己国家的合法愿望。几十年来，出现了一种僵局：两国人民都有合法的愿望，每一个都饱含着痛苦的历史，使得折中的希望渺茫。指指点点很容易——对巴勒斯坦人来说，你可以指出其流离失所是以色列建国所致；而对以色列人来说，你可以指出在其整个历史中，它们在境内外不断受到敌视和攻击。如果我们只从单方面来看待这个冲突，我们就会迷失真理：唯一的解决办法是满足两国双方的愿望，即以色列人和巴勒斯坦人各自和平安全地生活。

这是符合以色列的利益，符合巴勒斯坦的利益，符合美国的利益，也符合世界的利益。正因为如此，我愿意付出这项任务所需要的全部耐心，身体力行地追求这一结果。当事双方已经同意执行路线图的义务是明确的。为了和平的到来，他们以及我们大家该履行我们的责任了。

巴勒斯坦人必须放弃暴力。通过暴力和杀戮进行抵抗是错误的，也不会成功。作为奴隶的美国黑人遭受几个世纪鞭笞和隔离羞辱。但是，并不是通过暴力赢得了全面平等的权力。美国建国的中心就是坚持和平和坚定的理想。从南非到南亚，从东欧到印度尼西亚的人们都能讲述同样的故事。这是含有一个简单真理的故事：暴力是一条走不通的死路。向熟睡的孩子发射火箭，或在公交车上炸死一位老妇人，既不是勇敢，也不是力量的象征。这不是道德权威所提倡的，而是道德权威所摒弃的。

现在是时候让巴勒斯坦人把精力集中在他们所能创立的事情上了。巴勒斯坦当局必须发展其管理的能力，要建立服务于人民的体系。一些巴勒斯坦人确实支持哈马斯，而他们也有自己的职责。要想发挥自己的作用，实现巴基斯坦人的愿望，哈马斯必须结束暴力、承认过去的协议、承认以色列的生存权。与此同时，以色列人也必须承认，正如以色列的生存权不可否认一样，巴勒斯坦人的生存权同样不可否认。美国不承认继续建设以色列定居点的合法性。这项建设违反了以前的协定，破坏了实现和平的努力。现在是这些定居点停建的时候了。

以色列同样必须履行它的义务确保巴勒斯坦人民能够生活、工作并发展自己的社会体制。就像加沙地带摧毁巴勒斯坦居住区这样的人道主义危机并不能保证以色列的安全；同时巴勒斯坦西岸地区也不会永远没有和平的机会。改善巴勒斯坦人民的日常生活肯定是走向和平的必经之路，而且以色列必须采取具体的行动作出这种改善。

最后，阿拉伯国家必须认识到“阿拉伯和平倡议”是一个重要的开端，而不是结束他们的责任。阿拉伯和以色列间的冲突不应该再成为阿拉伯人民关注的焦点。相反，它必定会引发一场行动帮助巴勒斯坦人民建立起维护他们国家的体制，这个行动也将使以色列得到合法承认；这个行动选择的是发展，从而结束了过去那种适得其反的纠缠。

美国将调整与寻求和平国家之间的外交政策，并且会公开和以色列、巴勒斯坦以及阿拉伯国家私下里的谈话内容。我们不会强求和平。但是私下里，许多穆斯林都认识到以色列不会消失。同样，许多以色列人也认识到需要有一个巴勒斯坦国的存在。众所周知，现在使我们真正采取行动的时候了。

人民流过的太多的眼泪，付出了太多的鲜血。我们大家为了目标都有责任付出，为那一天，以色列和巴勒斯坦的母亲们可以看着自己的孩子在免收恐惧的环境下长大;为那一天，三个伟大信仰的共同圣地成为上帝希望的和平之地；为那一天，耶路撒冷成为安全之地，成为犹太人，基督徒和穆斯林共同永久的家园，亚伯拉罕的子孙能如伊斯拉的故事中描述的一般聚集一处和平生活，摩西、耶稣和默罕默德(保佑他们)能够一同参与祈祷。

第三个造成紧张局势的原因是我们在核武问题上各国权利和责任的共同关注。

这一问题是美国和伊朗伊斯兰共和国紧张局势的根源。多年来，伊朗已经明确表示反对我国，而且事实上我们之前的确有动荡的过去。在冷战时期的中段，美国在推翻民选的伊朗政府上扮演了重要角色。伊朗伊斯兰革命以来，伊朗持续劫持美国军人和平民，并对他们使用暴力。这段历史是众所周知的。我已清楚地告诉伊朗的领导人和其人民，与其继续陷于过去，不如向前迈进，我的国家已经准备好了。现在的问题不是伊朗反对什么，而是未来应当如何建设。

要克服几十年的猜疑和不信任是困难的，但我们将凭借勇气、正直和决心继续前行。我们两个国家之间会有很多议题需要探讨，而且我们也原意在互相尊重的基础上不附带任何条件地推进两国的交流。然而对很显然大家都关心的议题，比如核武器，我们已处在一个决定性时刻。这不只是简单地关系到美国的利益。它关系到防止在中东地区展开核军备竞赛，那将导致这个地区以及全世界走向危险之路。我理解有人抗议有些国家有核武器有些没有。没有单独哪一个国家有权挑选和指定那些国家可以拥有核武器。这也是我为何着重重申美国的义务，寻求一个无核的世界。而且任何国家，包括伊朗，如果他们遵照自己在核不扩散条约下应负的责任，就应该有权使用以和平为目的的核能。这个义务是条约的核心所在，而且所有完全遵守条约的国家必须保持下去。我希望这个地区所有的国家都能共享这个目标。

我要谈的第四个议题是民主。

我知道，近几年曾有关于发扬民主政治的争论，其中大多数都与伊拉克战争有关。在这里允许我澄清一下：一个国家不能也不应该将一种政治系统强加于另一个国家。

然而，这并不能削弱我的承诺：政府应该代表人民的意愿。每个国家以自己的方式致力于这一准则，不同的方式又以国家传统为基础。美国并不认为自己通晓对所有人都有利的方式，就像我们不能预知一场顺利的选举的结果一样。但是我有一个非常坚定的信念，人民在渴望某种东西：可以表达思想的能力，以及评论自己如何被统治的能力；对于法律中的信心，以及相应的对于正义的贯彻；透明的、并且不会被夺走的政府；选择生活的自由。这些不仅仅是美国人的想法，而是人权，也是我们不管在哪里都支持它的原因。

实现诺言的道路并不平坦，但非常清晰：保护这些权利的政府更加稳固、成功和安全。镇压思想的方法绝不会让思想消失。美国尊重所有爱好和平并合法的声音响彻全球，即便我们可能不同意这些想法。而且，我们欢迎所有民选的、爱好和平的政府——倘若他们也受到自己人民的爱戴。

最后这一点很重要，因为有些人只有在不掌握权力的时候才鼓吹民主，一旦上了台，他们就毫不留情地压制别人的权利。无论在何处，民治与民有的政府为所有掌权者设立一条单一的标准：你必须籍由赞成而非威压而保有权利；你必须尊重少数群体的权利，并怀着宽容与妥协的精神参与其中；你必须将人民的利益和政治过程的合法决议置于自己的政党之上。没有这些内容，单靠选举无法带来真正的民主。

我们需要共同讨论的第五个问题是宗教自由。

伊斯兰教有着傲人的宽容传统。在宗教裁判所时代，我们在安达卢西亚和科多巴（Andalusia and Cordoba）的历史中可以看到这一点；当我童年在印度尼西亚的时候，亲眼看到这一点，在那里，在一个穆斯林占绝大多数的国家，虔诚的基督教徒可以自由地做礼拜。这是今天我们所需要的精神，每个国家的人民都应当可以自由地基于自己内心和灵魂的信念选择并坚持自己的信仰。这种宽容对于宗教的兴旺发达必不可少，但如今却正受到多方挑战。

在某些穆斯林当中，有一种令人不安的倾向，那就是通过拒绝他人的信仰来衡量自己信仰的坚定程度。我们必须支持丰富的宗教多样性-无论是黎巴嫩的马龙教派还是埃及的科普特教派。穆斯林当中的错误倾向也必须停止，我们看到，尤其在伊拉克，逊尼派和什叶派的分歧已经导致了悲剧性的暴力冲突。宗教信仰自由是人们能在一起生活的核心问题，我们要永远对这一点保持关注。比如在美国，法规使得穆斯林很难履行自己的宗教义务。这就是为何我会承诺与美国的穆斯林一同工作，以来确保他们可以完成自己的扎卡特（天课）。同样，还有一点很重要，西方国家应避免仅凭自身好恶妨而碍到穆斯林民众的宗教修行，比如，讨论穆斯林妇女应有的穿着。我们不能假借自由之名来掩饰自己的敌意，对宗教进行攻击。的确，信任会将我们带到一起。这就是我们在美国建立将基督教、伊斯兰教和犹太教的信徒带到一起的公共机构工程的原因所在。我们欢迎像沙特阿拉伯国王易卜拉欣的不同宗教间的对话，我们欢迎像土耳其领导层的不同文明联盟。在全球领域，我们可以把对话转在不同信仰之间的机构内进行，因此这种桥梁才能让不同信仰的人们冲破彼此的隔膜。--不论是对非洲的抵抗疟疾行动还是在对自然灾害后提供的援助上。

我要说的第六点是关于妇女的权利。

现在让我澄清一下：女性平等问题绝不仅仅是伊斯兰世界的问题。在土耳其、巴基斯坦、孟加拉国和印度尼西亚，我们已经看到这些穆斯林占多数的国家选出了女性领导人。同时，在美国生活的很多方面，以及在全球各国，争取女性平等的斗争还在继续。

我们的女儿也能像我们的儿子那样为社会做出同样的贡献，并且允许所有人（男人和女人）发挥自己最大的潜力，将会推动我们的共同繁荣。我不认为女性为了平等必须做出和男性一样的选择，并且我尊重那些生活中选择传统角色的女性。但是这应该由女性自己决定。正因为如此，美国将和所有穆斯林占多数的国家一道，帮助减少女孩文盲，并且通过小额贷款帮助人们实现自己的梦想，帮助年轻女性追求自己的职业生涯。

最后，我想谈谈经济发展和机会。

在教育方面，我们将扩大互换学生项目，并且增加奖学金，就像当年把家父带到美国的那笔奖学金，同时鼓励更多美国人来穆斯林地区学习。而且我们还将为有前途的穆斯林学生安排在美国的实习机会；为全世界的教师和学生投资联网在线学习项目；创造一个新的在线网络，以便一个远在堪萨斯州的孩子能和身处开罗的同龄人即时通讯。

在经济发展方面，我们将创立一种新的商业志愿者团体，和以穆斯林为主体的国家的商业组织合作。而且我还将在今年召开企业家峰会，来确定我们将如何加深美国、穆斯林国家和全世界范围内的商业领袖、创业者和企业家之间的纽带关系。在科学和技术方面，我们将在以穆斯林为主的国家推行一个新的基金来支持他们的科技发展，并帮助把科技理念转化到市场上去，以便创造就业机会。我们还将在非洲、中东和东南亚开设优秀科技中心，并任命新的科学特使来合作开展项目，包括发展新能源、创造环保的工作岗位、数字化唱片、清洁饮用水和引入新农作物。今天我还宣布了一项新的全球性措施，计划和伊斯兰会议组织共同努力消除脑灰质炎疾病。我们还将拓展和穆斯林团体的合作来促进儿童和孕妇的健康。

三、让美国与穆斯林世界携手前进。

所有这些事情都必须通过合作完成。美国人民已经准备好了，在全球范围内与其他市民、政府一起，与社区组织、宗教领袖一起，与穆斯林世界的企业一起，帮助人民追求更好的生活。

我所描述的问题并不是很容易能解决的。但是，为了我们寻求的世界，我们有责任携起手来，使得在这个世界上，极端分子不再威胁我们的人民，美国的士兵们都回到家乡；使得在这个世界上，以色列和巴勒斯坦的人民都可以在自己的土地上安全生活，核能源都被和平的使用；使得在这个世界上，政府为人民服务，诸神的子孙的权利都得到尊重。这些是我们的共同利益。这是我们所寻求的世界。但是，只有我们一起努力才能做到。

我知道有很多人，既有穆斯林也有非穆斯林，对我们有疑问，质疑我们是否能够建立新的开端。一些急性子的人点燃了怒火阻挡了我们前进的道路。有人告诉我们，这样的努力并不值得，人民注定会有反对的声音，文明之间注定会发生冲突。有更多的人只是怀疑是否真能产生变化。有如此多的担心，如此多的不信任。但是，如果选择被过去束缚，我们将永远无法向前迈进。我尤其要强调的是，各国各信仰的年轻人们，你们比其他任何人都有能力来改变这个世界。我们每个人都只能在这世界上停留一瞬。在这有限的时间里，我们到底是要彼此排斥，还是要共同努力、不停地寻求共识，为了我们子孙的未来和全体人类的尊严而奋斗。

发动战争比结束它们更容易；责备他人比审视自我更容易；挑剔别人比寻求共识更容易。但我们不仅要去做容易做到的事，更要去做正确的事。每种宗教都遵守着同样一条原则——己所不欲，勿施于人。这一真理超越了国界和种族——它自古就存在着；它也不为黑人、白人抑或褐色人种所独有；它更不是基督徒、穆斯林或犹太人的专利。它是自文明之始就跳动着的信仰，至今仍存在于亿万人的心中。是它让人们对他人充满了信心，今天，也正是它把我带到了这里。我们有能力改造世界，但在我们立志要开创一项事业的同时，也必须铭记我们所受过的教诲。

《古兰经》上说：“众人啊！我确已从一男一女创造你们，我使你们成为许多民族和宗族，以便你们互相认识。” 《犹太法典》上说：“所有教律都是为了促进和平。”

《圣经》上说：“使人和睦的人有福了，因为他们必称为神的儿子。” 世界上的人们必能和睦相处。这是上帝的远见。所以现在，也必须由我们为之而努力。谢谢你们。愿上帝赐和平于汝。

第三篇：奥巴马开罗大学演讲（范文模版）

Good afternoon.I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions.For over a thousand years, Al—Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning;and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement.And together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress.I'm grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt.And I'm also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalaamu alaykum.We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world — tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate.The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars.More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim—majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims.The attacks of September 11, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights.All this has bred more fear and more mistrust.So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity.And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition.Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress;tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight.I know there's been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point.But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors.There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other;to learn from each other;to respect one another;and to seek common ground.As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” That is what I will try to do today — to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience.I'm a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims.As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk.As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam.It was Islam — at places like Al-Azhar — that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment.It was innovation in Muslim communities — it was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra;our magnetic compass and tools of navigation;our mastery of pens and printing;our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed.Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires;timeless poetry and cherished music;elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation.And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.I also know that Islam has always been a part of America's story.The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco.In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they've excelled in our sports arenas, they've won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch.And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson — kept in his personal library.So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed.That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't.And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America.Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire.The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known.We were born out of revolution against an empire.We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words — within our borders, and around the world.We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum — “Out of many, one.” Now, much has been made of the fact that an African American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President.But my personal story is not so unique.The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores — and that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average.Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion.That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders.That's why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab and to punish those who would deny it.So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America.And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations — to live in peace and security;to get an education and to work with dignity;to love our families, our communities, and our God.These things we share.This is the hope of all humanity.Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task.Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people.These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead;and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere.When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk.When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations.When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean.When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience.That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century.That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.And this is a difficult responsibility to embrace.For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes — and, yes, religions — subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests.Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating.Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail.So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it.Our problems must be dealt with through partnership;our progress must be shared.Now, that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension.Indeed, it suggests the opposite: We must face these tensions squarely.And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.In Ankara, I made clear that America is not — and never will be — at war with Islam.We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security — because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children.And it is my first duty as president to protect the American people.The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together.Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support.We did not go by choice;we went because of necessity.I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11.But let us be clear: Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day.The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody.And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale.They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach.These are not opinions to be debated;these are facts to be dealt with.Now, make no mistake: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan.We see no military — we seek no military bases there.It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women.It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict.We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can.But that is not yet the case.And that's why we're partnering with a coalition of 46 countries.And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken.Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists.They have killed in many countries.They have killed people of different faiths — but more than any other, they have killed Muslims.Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam.The Holy Quran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as — it is as if he has killed all mankind.And the Holy Quran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind.The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism — it is an important part of promoting peace.Now, we also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan.That's why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who've been displaced.That's why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on.Let me also address the issue of Iraq.Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world.Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible.Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be.” Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future — and to leave Iraq to Iraqis.And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources.Iraq's sovereignty is its own.And that's why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August.That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012.We will help Iraq train its security forces and develop its economy.But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles.Nine-eleven was an enormous trauma to our country.The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals.We are taking concrete actions to change course.I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.So America will defend itself, respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law.And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened.The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.America's strong bonds with Israel are well known.This bond is unbreakable.It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust.Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich.Six million Jews were killed — more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today.Denying that fact is baseless, it is ignorant, and it is hateful.Threatening Israel with destruction — or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews —is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people — Muslims and Christians — have suffered in pursuit of a homeland.For more than 60 years they've endured the pain of dislocation.Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead.They endure the daily humiliations — large and small — that come with occupation.So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable.And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.For decades then, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive.It's easy to point fingers — for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought about by Israel's founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond.But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest.And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires.The obligations — the obligations that the parties have agreed to under the road map are clear.For peace to come, it is time for them — and all of us — to live up to our responsibilities.Palestinians must abandon violence.Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed.For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation.But it was not violence that won full and equal rights.It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America's founding.This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia;from Eastern Europe to Indonesia.It's a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end.It is a sign neither of courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus.That's not how moral authority is claimed;that's how it is surrendered.Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build.The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people.Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have to recognize they have responsibilities.To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, recognize Israel's right to exist.At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's.The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace.It is time for these settlements to stop.And Israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that Palestinians can live and work and develop their society.Just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security;neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank.Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be a critical part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.And finally, the Arab states must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities.The Arab—Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems.Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize Israel's legitimacy, and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs.We cannot impose peace.But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away.Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state.It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.Too many tears have been shed.Too much blood has been shed.All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear;when the Holy Land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be;when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer.The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us.In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government.Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage—taking and violence against U.S.troops and civilians.This history is well known.Rather than remain trapped in the past, I've made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward.The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve.There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect.But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point.This is not simply about America's interests.It's about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not.No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons.And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons.And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it.And I'm hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq.So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people.Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people.America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed;confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice;government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people;the freedom to live as you choose.These are not just American ideas;they are human rights.And that is why we will support them everywhere.Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise.But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure.Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away.America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them.And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments — provided they govern with respect for all their people.This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power;once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others.So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion;you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise;you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party.Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.AUDIENCE MEMBER: Barack Obama, we love you!PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you.The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance.We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition.I saw it first-hand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country.That is the spirit we need today.People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul.This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it's being challenged in many different ways.Among some Muslims, there's a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of somebody else's faith.The richness of religious diversity must be upheld — whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.And if we are being honest, fault lines must be closed among Muslims, as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together.We must always examine the ways in which we protect it.For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation.That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit — for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear.We can't disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.In fact, faith should bring us together.And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.That's why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action — whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.The sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights.I know, I know — and you can tell from this audience, that there is a healthy debate about this issue.I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.Now, let me be clear: Issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam.In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, we've seen Muslim—majority countries elect a woman to lead.Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons.Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity — men and women — to reach their full potential.I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.But it should be their choice.And that is why the United States will partner with any Muslim—majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro—financing that helps people live their dreams.Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory.The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home.Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities.In all nations – including America – this change can bring fear.Fear that because of modernity we will lose of control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities – those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.But I also know that human progress cannot be denied.There need not be contradiction between development and tradition.Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures.The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim—majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai.In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.And this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work.Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development.But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas.I am emphasizing such investment within my country.And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to his part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America.At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities.And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America;invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world;and create a new online network, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim—majority countries.And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim—majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs.We'll open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops.Today, I'm announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio.And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.All these things must be done in partnership.Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments, community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.The issues that I have described will not be easy to address.But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world that we seek – a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home;a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes;a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God's children are respected.Those are mutual interests.That is the world we seek.But we can only achieve it together.I know there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim – who question whether we can forge this new beginning.Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress.Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash.Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur.There is so much fear, so much mistrust that has built up over the years.But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward.And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to reimagine the world, to remake this world.All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time.The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort – a sustained effort – to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.It's easier to start wars than to end them.It's easier to blame others than to look inward.It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share.But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path.There's one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn't new;that isn't black or white or brown;that isn't Christian, or Muslim or Jew.It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world.It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.The Holy Quran tells us, “O mankind!We have created you male and a female;and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.” The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.” The Holy Bible tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” The people of the world can live together in peace.We know that is God's vision.Now, that must be our work here on Earth.Thank you.And may God's peace be upon you.Thank you very much.Thank you.

第四篇：奥巴马演讲

奥巴马演讲

Hello, everybody.In the State of the Union, I laid out three areas we need to focus on if we're going to build an economy that lasts: new American manufacturing, new skills and education for American workers, and new sources of American-made energy.These days, we're getting another painful reminder why developing new energy is so important to our future.Just like they did last year, gas prices are starting to climb.Only this time, it's happening earlier.And that hurts everyone – everyone who owns a car;everyone who owns a business.It means you have to stretch your paycheck even further.Some folks have no choice but to drive a long way to work, and high gas prices are like a tax straight out of their paychecks.Now, some politicians always see this as a political opportunity.And since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas.I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill, and step three is keep drilling.We hear the same thing every year.Well the American people aren't stupid.You know that's not a plan – especially since we're already drilling.It's a bumper sticker.It's not a strategy to solve our energy challenge.It's a strategy to get politicians through an election.You know there are no quick fixes to this problem, and you know we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices.If we're going to take control of our energy future and avoid these gas price spikes down the line, then we need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and more.We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks;in our buildings and plants.That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge.Now, we absolutely need safe, responsible oil production here in America.That's why under my Administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years.In 2010, our dependence on foreign oil was under 50% for the first time in more than a decade.And while there are no short-term silver bullets when it comes to gas prices, I've directed my administration to look for every single area where we can make an impact and help consumers in the months ahead, from permitting to delivery bottlenecks to what's going on in the oil markets.But over the long term, an all-of-the-above energy strategy means we have to do more.It means we have to make some choices.Here's one example.Right now, four billion of your tax dollars subsidize the oil industry every year.Four billion dollars.Imagine that.Maybe some of you are listening to this in your car right now, pulling into a gas station to fill up.As you watch those numbers rise, know that oil company profits have never been higher.Yet somehow, Congress is still giving those same companies another four billion dollars of your money.That's outrageous.It's inexcusable.And it has to stop.A century of subsidies to the oil companies is long enough.It's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and use that money to reduce our deficit and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising.Because of the investments we've already made, the use of wind and solar energy in this country has nearly doubled – and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.And because we put in place the toughest fuel economy standards in history, our cars will average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.Now Congress needs to keep that momentum going by renewing the clean energy tax credits that will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil.Look, we know there's no silver bullet that will bring down gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign oil overnight.But what we can do is get our priorities straight, and make a sustained, serious effort to tackle this problem.That's the commitment we need right now.And with your help, it's a commitment we can make.Thank you.

第五篇：奥巴马演讲

Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you very much.Everybody, please have a seat.Well, Madam President, that was an outstanding introduction.(Laughter.)We are so proud of Donae for representing this school so well.And in addition, I also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal, who has been here for 20 years--first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal--Anita Berger.Please give her a big round of applause.(Applause.)I want to acknowledge, as well, Mayor Gray is here--the mayor of Washington, D.C.is here.Please give him a big round of applause.(Applause.)And I also want to thank somebody who is going to go down in history as one of the finest Secretaries of Education that we’ve ever had--Arne Duncan is here.(Applause.)

Now, it is great to be here at Benjamin Banneker High School, one of the best high schools not only in Washington, D.C., but one of the best high schools in the country.(Applause.)But we’ve also got students tuning in from all across America.And so I want to welcome you all to the new school year, although I know that many of you already have been in school for a while.I know that here at Banneker, you’ve been back at school for a few weeks now.So everything is starting to settle in, just like for all your peers all across the country.The fall sports season is underway.Musicals and marching band routines are starting to shape up, I believe.And your first big tests and projects are probably just around the corner.I know that you’ve also got a great deal going on outside of school.Your circle of friends might be changing a little bit.Issues that used to stay confined to hallways or locker rooms are now finding their way onto Facebook and Twitter.(Laughter.)Some of your families might also be feeling the strain of the economy.As many of you know, we’re going through one of the toughest economic times that we’ve gone through in our lifetime--in my lifetime.Your lifetime hasn’t been that long.And so, as a consequence, you might have to pick up an after-school job to help out your family, or maybe you’re babysitting for a younger sibling because mom or dad is working an extra shift.So all of you have a lot on your plates.You guys are growing up faster and interacting with a wider world in a way that old folks like me, frankly, just didn’t have to.So today, I don’t want to be just another adult who stands up and lectures you like you’re just kids--because you’re not just kids.You’re this country’s future.You’re young leaders.And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you.So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that responsibility.It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be.Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment.It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time--although that’s not a bad goal to have.It means that you have to stay at it.You have to be determined and you have to persevere.It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work.And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while.You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future.You’ve got to wonder.You’ve got to question.You’ve got to explore.And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want.And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities.One hour you can be an artist;the next, an author;the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter.This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas.And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited--the career that you want to pursue.Now, if you promise not to tell anybody, I will let you in on a little secret: I was not always the very best student that I could be when I was in high school, and certainly not when I was in middle school.I did not love every class I took.I wasn’t always paying attention the way I should have.I remember when I was in 8th grade I had to take a class called ethics.Now, ethics is about right and wrong, but if you’d ask me what my favorite subject was back in 8th grade, it was basketball.I don’t think ethics would have made it on the list.But here’s the interesting thing.I still remember that ethics class, all these years later.I remember the way it made me think.I remember being asked questions like: What matters in life? Or, what does it mean to treat other people with dignity and respect? What does it mean to live in a diverse nation, where not everybody looks like you do, or thinks like you do, or comes from the same neighborhood as you do? How do we figure out how to get along?

Each of these questions led to new questions.And I didn’t always know the right answers, but those discussions and that process of discovery--those things have lasted.Those things are still with me today.Every day, I’m thinking about those same issues as I try to lead this nation.I’m asking the same kinds of questions about, how do we as a diverse nation come together to achieve what we need to achieve? How do we make sure that every single person is treated with dignity and respect? What responsibilities do we have to people who are less fortunate than we are? How do we make sure that everybody is included in this family of Americans?

Those are all questions that date back to this class that I took back in 8th grade.And here’s the thing: I still don’t always know the answers to all these questions.But if I’d have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life.So that’s a big part of your responsibility, is to test things out.Take risks.Try new things.Work hard.Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away.You’re not supposed to be good at everything right away.That’s why you’re in school.The idea, though, is, is that you keep on expanding your horizons and your sense of possibility.Now is the time for you to do that.And those are also, by the way, the things that will make school more fun.Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well--the traits that will lead you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet.Or what will help you figure out a way to use the sun and the wind to power a city and give us new energy sources that are less polluting.Or maybe you’ll write the next great American novel.Now, to do almost any of those things, you have to not only graduate from high school,--and I know I’m just--I’m in the “amen” corner with Principal Berger here--not only do you have to graduate from high school, but you’re going to have to continue education after you leave.You have to not only graduate, but you’ve got to keep going after you graduate.That might mean, for many of you, a four-year university.I was just talking to Donae, and she wants to be an architect, and she’s interning with a architectural firm, and she’s already got her sights set on what school she wants to go to.But it might, for some other folks, be a community college, or professional credentialing or training.But the fact of the matter is, is that more than 60 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma--more than 60 percent.That’s the world you’re walking into.So I want all of you to set a goal to continue your education after you graduate.And if that means college for you, just getting into college is not enough.You also have to graduate.One of the biggest challenges we have right now is that too many of our young people enroll in college but don’t actually end up getting their degree, and as a consequence--our country used to have the world’s highest proportion of young people with a college degree;we now rank 16th.I don't like being 16th.I like being number one.That’s not good enough.So we’ve got to use--we’ve got to make sure your generation gets us back to the top of having the most college graduates relative to the population of any country on Earth.If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future.And so will America.We’ll be able to make sure the newest inventions and the latest breakthroughs happen right here in the United States of America.It will mean better jobs, and more fulfilling lives, and greater opportunities not only for you, but also for your kids.So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school.You are not done learning.In fact, what’s happening in today’s economy is--it’s all about lifelong learning.You have to constantly upgrade your skills and find new ways of doing things.Even if college isn't for you, even if a four-year college isn't for you, you’re still going to have to get more education after you get out of high school.You’ve got to start expecting big things from yourself right now.I know that may sound a little intimidating.And some of you may be wondering how you can pay for college, or you might not know what you want to do with your life yet.And that’s okay.Nobody expects you to have your entire future mapped out at this point.And we don't expect you to have to make it on your own.First of all, you’ve got wonderful parents who love you to death and want you to have a lot more opportunity than they ever had--which, by the way, means don’t give them a hard time when they ask you to turn off the video games, turn off the TV and do some homework.You need to be listening to them.I speak from experience because that’s what I’ve been telling Malia and Sasha.Don’t be mad about it, because we’re thinking about your future.You’ve also got people all across this country--including myself and Arne and people at every level of government--who are working on your behalf.We’re taking every step we can to ensure that you’re getting an educational system that is worthy of your potential.We’re working to make sure that you have the most up-to-date schools with the latest tools of learning.We’re making sure that this country’s colleges and universities are affordable and accessible to you.We’re working to get the best class--teachers into the classroom as well, so they can help you prepare for college and a future career.Let me say something about teachers, by the way.Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days.(Applause.)Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –-your teachers are giving up their weekends;they’re waking up at dawn;they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities.And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.And they don’t do it for a fancy office.They don’t--they sure don’t do it for the big salary.They do it for you.They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn.They live for those moments when something clicks;when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming.And they’re proud of you.And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed.They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow.They know you’re our future.So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we don’t just need you for the future;we actually need you now.America needs young people’s passion and their ideas.We need your energy right now.I know you’re up to it because I’ve seen it.Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks.They’re not waiting.They’re making a difference now.There are students like Will Kim from Fremont, California, who launched a nonprofit that gives loans to students from low-income schools who want to start their own business.Think about that.So he’s giving loans to other students.He set up a non-for-profit.He’s raising the money doing what he loves--through dodgeball tournaments and capture-the-flag games.But he’s creative.He took initiative.And now he’s helping other young people be able to afford the schooling that they need.There is a young man, Jake Bernstein, 17 years old, from a military family in St.Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people.And they’ve held volunteer fairs and put up an online database, and helped thousands of families to find volunteer opportunities ranging from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.And then last year, I met a young woman named Amy Chyao from Richardson, Texas.She’s 16 years old, so she’s the age of some of you here.During the summer, I think because somebody in her family had an illness, she decided that she was interested in cancer research.She hadn’t taken chemistry yet, so she taught herself chemistry during the summer.And then she applied what she had learned and discovered a breakthrough process that uses light to kill cancer cells.Sixteen years old.It’s incredible.And she's been approached by some doctors and researchers who want to work with her to help her with her discovery.The point is you don’t have to wait to make a difference.You’re first obligation is to do well in school.You’re first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career.But you can also start making your mark right now.A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do anyway.We just need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom.When I meet young people like yourselves, when I sat and talk to Donae, I have no doubt that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you.Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government.You will be the one who are making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed.You will be the ones that are charting the course of our unwritten history.And all that starts right now--starts this year.So I want all of you who are listening, as well as everybody here at Banneker, I want you to make the most of the year that’s ahead of you.I want you to think of this time as one in which you are just loading up with information and skills, and you’re trying new things and you’re practicing, and you’re honing--all those things that you’re going to need to do great things when you get out of school.Your country is depending on you.So set your sights high.Have a great school year.Let’s get to work.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)