ID :
66683
Fri, 06/19/2009 - 18:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/66683
The shortlink copeid
Gillard meets Joe Biden
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has met US Vice President Joe Biden on the first
stop of an international tour that takes her to the United States and Israel.
In Washington, Ms Gillard met Mr Biden - the first Australian political leader to do
so - as well as Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Deputy Secretary of State James
Steinberg.
A scheduled meeting with Hillary Clinton was cancelled after the secretary of state
shattered her elbow in a fall.
In a speech to the Foresight International Conference, Ms Gillard said progressive
responses were needed from nations at a challenging time for the global community.
"But the success of those responses is not guaranteed," she said.
"For example, we are warned and worried by the advances of the right and far right
in this month's European elections, just as we are cheered that change has come and
continues to come to Washington."
Progress depends on bringing together areas of political and policy action that have
traditionally been kept separate, she said.
"What I mean is that building a productive, sustainable future through education and
work depends on our taking effective global action to bring peace, security,
environmental responsibility and democratic legitimacy," she said.
She cited the Middle East, which she will visit next week, as an example of where
this strategy was most necessary.
"But every nation, every community faces some version of the same shared challenge,"
Ms Gillard said.
After years of conservative rule, Ms Gillard said Australia was playing catch-up in
some areas like climate change and skilling its workforces.
"In some of these areas, we are acting to catch up on progress made by other
countries during the last decade. But we are also ready to lead and to help shape a
new path of progressive reform," she said.
"That, in particular, is where our relationship with the United States and its role
in a changing world are so important."
Next week, Ms Gillard will lead a delegation to the inaugural Australia Israel
Leadership Forum.
stop of an international tour that takes her to the United States and Israel.
In Washington, Ms Gillard met Mr Biden - the first Australian political leader to do
so - as well as Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Deputy Secretary of State James
Steinberg.
A scheduled meeting with Hillary Clinton was cancelled after the secretary of state
shattered her elbow in a fall.
In a speech to the Foresight International Conference, Ms Gillard said progressive
responses were needed from nations at a challenging time for the global community.
"But the success of those responses is not guaranteed," she said.
"For example, we are warned and worried by the advances of the right and far right
in this month's European elections, just as we are cheered that change has come and
continues to come to Washington."
Progress depends on bringing together areas of political and policy action that have
traditionally been kept separate, she said.
"What I mean is that building a productive, sustainable future through education and
work depends on our taking effective global action to bring peace, security,
environmental responsibility and democratic legitimacy," she said.
She cited the Middle East, which she will visit next week, as an example of where
this strategy was most necessary.
"But every nation, every community faces some version of the same shared challenge,"
Ms Gillard said.
After years of conservative rule, Ms Gillard said Australia was playing catch-up in
some areas like climate change and skilling its workforces.
"In some of these areas, we are acting to catch up on progress made by other
countries during the last decade. But we are also ready to lead and to help shape a
new path of progressive reform," she said.
"That, in particular, is where our relationship with the United States and its role
in a changing world are so important."
Next week, Ms Gillard will lead a delegation to the inaugural Australia Israel
Leadership Forum.
