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From: White House Press Office <noreply@messages.whitehouse.gov>
Date: Wed, Jul 2, 2014 at 8:56 AM
Subject: Remarks As Prepared for Delivery by Dr. Jill Biden at Shalom
Community School in Zambia
To: missy.owens@gmail.com


THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2014


*Remarks As Prepared for Delivery by Dr. Jill Biden*


*Shalom Community School Lusaka, Zambia*

*Wednesday, July 2, 2014*


Hi, everyone! Thank you, Martha, for that great introduction! Dr. Scott,
thank you for joining me today. I can see very quickly that we share many
of the same passions.


Provincial Education Officer Ngosa Korati and District Education Board
Secretary Ruth Phiri – thank you for honoring us with your presence today.
Head Teacher George Kaamba and students – thank you for such a warm welcome!


It’s a pleasure to be here at Shalom Community School and to meet all of
you – and to be joined by Administrator Raj Shah, head of the U.S. Agency
for International Development, Cathy Russell, the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large
for Global Women’s Issues and David Young, our Charge d’Affaires in Zambia.

I don’t want to keep you from your studies so I just want to say a few
quick words. I am very lucky – as Second Lady of the United States, I have
the opportunity to travel all around the world.


And as a lifelong teacher, one of my favorite things to do when I travel is
to meet students, like all of you.


What all of you are doing – putting your education first – is so important.
By focusing on your studies, you are creating a lifetime of opportunities
for you and your families.


So on my trip over the next few days, one of the areas I will be focusing
is education.

But I will also be looking at how women’s participation in government, the
economy, and civil society can accelerate economic development, improve
health and educational outcomes, and foster peace and security.


The United States is committed to making sure girls and young women have
the tools they need to not just survive – but to thrive in their
communities.


Through partnerships with Zambia and other African governments, we hope to
improve women’s lives through educational opportunities, access to
healthcare, combatting gender-based violence, and empowering women –
because a nation cannot reach its full economic potential until its women
reach theirs.


Many countries around the world now recognize that bringing more women into
the workforce is key to economic growth, productivity and prosperity.


From Japan to Italy to Mexico and certainly in the United States,
governments and business leaders understand that we cannot afford to leave
growth on the table and are pursuing new policies to make sure that women
can enter, stay and contribute to the economy.


First and foremost, this means making sure that all students have access to
quality education.


I have seen firsthand what a difference this can make all over the world.


A few years ago I had the incredible opportunity to visit a school for
girls in Kenya where I saw how a strong educational foundation can provide
a sense of hope – of normalcy – and the chance at a better life.


Last year, I visited a local Muslim girls’ school in India where I will
never forget how enthusiastic they were to learn, and just how proud they
were to show me their school. I already have the same feeling from all of
you!

And today, I’m proud to stand with Dr. Scott, your Second Lady, who has
been a leading voice in Zambia to raise awareness of gender violence and
girls’ education.


Earlier this year, Dr. Scott’s efforts brought together thousands of young
people, the First Lady, celebrities and the UN, for a “Bring Back Our
Girls” event to show solidarity for the kidnapping of young Nigerian girls
from their school.


The horrific event in Nigeria has rightfully captured attention and anger
everywhere.


Their story reminds us that girls around the globe risk their lives to
pursue their ambitions – and together, we must do more to ensure that all
girls and boys have the opportunities everyone deserves:

· We all want the opportunity to pursue our dreams and be treated
with respect – regardless of our gender;


· We all want to have access to resources to help us stay healthy;


· And we all want to feel safe and secure as we pursue our dreams.

Education makes all of those possible.


I’ve been a teacher for over 30 years. I love helping students – navigate
their future and see it grow bright before their eyes.


And that’s exactly what’s happening to all of you.


Because of the education you are getting, you are being set on a lifelong
path where most of all, you have the confidence and tools you need to
succeed.


Over the next few days, I look forward to learning more about what is
happening here in Zambia, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in
Sierra Leone.


Next month, the United States will host the first U.S.- Africa Leaders
Summit where I hope to share what I learn during this trip, including your
story – a story of an aspiring generation prying open the doors of
opportunity to all, including women who want to participate in your
government, help grow and drive your economy, and to foster peace and
security in your country and throughout Africa.


Your generation will write a new chapter in the story of Africa—one of
vibrant, peaceful societies – where the problems of the past are a distant
memory – where young Africans are enjoying opportunities undreamt of by
their parents and grandparents.


Where the sky is the limit and growth and progress are happening fast.


That Africa is already emerging, year by year.


Zambia is part of that story.


And if you work hard and study hard, that will be your story, too.


As Nelson Mandela said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you
can use to change the world.”

You may ask yourself: how does the life of one person – me – fit into that
big picture?


If you change one classroom, pretty soon that classroom has changed one
school. That school has changed a village, that village has changed a
province and that province has changed a country.


None of that happens if it doesn’t start somewhere.


It starts with you, making a difference in your own life. Your own school.
Your own village.


Thank you so much for opening your school to me. You all are my
inspiration and I’m excited to see what you do in the future.

#


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