martha's vineyard. he is looking forward to spending the next week or so with his family up there. there is one item on the president's scheduled next week, fundraiser, that will take place on monday afternoon on martha's vineyard. the president is planning to return to washington next sunday. just for a day or two -- and return to martha's vineyard and then return next sunday back to the white house. >> i do not anticipate there will be briefings at the white house during the two days, not next week but the week after, when the president is here so the president is traveling with members of the national security staff and the president's able principle deputy press secretary will be on the trip with him so you will be informed from highly

qualified sources about what the president is up to while spending team up there. [inaudible] >> in terms of the family's travel schedule, we'll have to get you additional details when that travel begins. >> gosh, there will be some briefings on the vineyard? >> we'll -- i don't have the schedule to lay out for you in terms of what the briefings will look like but between the president's national security adviser, deputy national security adviser and principle deputy press secretary we'>÷g8c keep you well informed. with that i hope you get a chance to take a break while the president is away as well, and we'll do a briefing in here in a couple of weeks. thanks, everybody. ...

>> we posted a question on our facebook page asking for your thoughts of president obama's authorization of targeted strikes in iraq. go to facebook.com/cspan and join in the conversation. >> c-span2's booktv this weekend. tonight at eight eastern with books on marriage equality, the obama's versus the clintons and the autobiography of former mayor of washington marion barry, jr. saturday on "after words" bob woodward interviewed former counsel for president nixon john dean on the watergate scandal. sunday at five anthony marx,

president and ceo of the new york public library sheds light on the libraries past present and future. booktv, television for serious readers. >> tonight on c-span watch our coverage of the annual western concerns summit. here's a look. >> the middle east, the bloodiest and most dangerous and most unstable region in the world is in flames from tripoli across the horn of africa all the way to the mediterranean. in syria, a bloodthirsty dictator that this president drew a red line and said if he crossed it he would pay, and

then retreated at the behest of vladimir putin. that dictator has slaughtered 160,000 of his own innocent civilians in order to keep our this administration that in the cheap seats and watched it happen. >> catholic priest and evangelical ministers have been beheaded by al-qaeda, terrorists who are seeking to overthrow that administration. in egypt, the muslim brotherhood took power immediate they beginn to destabilize the sinai peninsula turning it into the wild west, and it has not been replaced by a military regime. in iraq, isis, an al-qaeda affiliate, presides over a radical muslim caliphate that stretches from the syrian border all the way to the outskirts of baghdad.

and by the way, over 60,000 christians in iraq, ma the last remaining christians left in that country have literally had to flee for their lives. and these terrorists are mocking the entire free world and essentially spitting on the graves of americans who gave their lives to liberate that country, and this administration couldn't do anything other than send 300 military advisers. spirit watch all of this year's western conservative summit in colorado hosted by christian university in denver tonight at eight eastern on c-span. >> first lady michelle obama and her predecessor laura bush attended a symposium as part of the u.s.-africa summit that focus on creating opportunities for women and girls. that you talked about the initiatives they chose to spotlight, how about -- how they went about selecting the issue.

the first lady kicked off a symposium with some opening remarks. [cheers and applause] >> good morning. good morning. thank you so much. thank you so much, everyone. well, my name is michelle obama and i an african-american woman. [cheers and applause] >> on behalf of myself and my husband, it is truly a pleasure and honor to welcome you all here to washington. we have so many distinguished leaders here with us today. of course, with president bush and mrs. bush who are here today, and i want to thank them both and the bush institute for the passionate leadership on the issues that we're going to be discussing today. i also want to recognize my dear

friend, dr. jill biden, who is here as well. she has been a tremendous partner over the past five and a half years, and i'm thrilled that she is here with us today. and, of course, most of all i want to thank all of you for joining us at this event. we have a fabulous program lined up for you today, as you've heard. we will be discussing important issues. we'll be hearing from renowned experts and we're going to be making some really exciting announcements about new initiatives acss africa. so this is going to be a really big day. this has been a day that's been a part of a big week that's been part of a big couple of months actually. as you may know, the summit that your husband or attending this week is the largest gathering of african leaders ever hosted by an american president. and about six weeks ago, 500 young leaders across africa

arrived here in the united states to take part in the mandela washington fellowship are young african leaders. and i have to tell you that these young men and women are truly extraordinary. many of them are barely half my age -- i don't want to say that, but they're young. [laughter] , and they've already founded ngos, started their own businesses. dave mason to senior levels of the government's. and as part of the mandela fellowship they have undertaken intensive academic coursework and leadership training at universities across america. and the passion, intelligence, the dedication of these young leaders has inspired all of us here in the u.s. who have had the pleasure of spending any time with them. i had the privilege of speaking with these fellows last week, and i met with a group of men who share my interest in girls education. and two other fellows from that meeting will be doing a

presentation today about their stories and their ideas. and i'm not going to do any of the thunder because they are remarkable individuals. but i can tell you this, that while we talked about a range of issues, there was one thing we kept returning to. again and again, these young people emphasized how important it is for them to have support from leaders in their governments. and this is a very same message that i hear so often from the young american leaders that i meet with. these young people are working so hard in their communities. they're facing so many challenges and obstacles. and they're looking to all of us for inspiration. they're looking to us to champion the issues they care about. and most of all they are looking to us to empower them to be part of the solution. and that means that we all are

going to be do everything in our power to bring these young people to the table. we need to spend a lot of time with them, more time listening. and i mean really listening, to their voices, to their views so that we can understand the challenges that they're facing through their eyes. and we need to learn from their experiences and from their expertise. you see, these young people are developing all kinds of new technologies and social media strategies to address problems that our generation hasn't yet solve. whether it's an app to fight cervical cancer or a new approach to clean energy, they are coming up with solutions that we never could have dreamed of. so the question is, can we and our governments learn from them and follow their lead? can we embrace their ideas and incorporate them into policies

and strategies? and in our work as first ladies, first spouses, can we find new ways to be more inclusive of these young people and show them that we truly value their voices? and so many of you are already embracing the young leaders in your countries through your work, whether it's improving girls education or fighting cervical cancer or hiv, or supporting microfinance. you all have the potential to inspire millions across the globe. and so it is my hope that today we will rededicate ourselves to these efforts and emit to new efforts to lift up our young people. and i hope that you all will have a chance today to really connect with each other, and learn from each other, and hopefully be inspired by each other. and with that it is now my pleasure to begin a conversation

with a first lady who has long been an inspiration to me. laura bush set a high bar for me during her time in the white house, and she has continued to do outstanding work around the world since she and her husband left washington. and i consider not just a role model, but also a friend. and i'm thrilled that our conversation today will be moderated by another woman who i greatly respect and admire, one of america's leading journalists, our friend, cokie roberts. and with that i will have them come out to the stage so that we can begin our conversation. inc. is a much for joining us. enjoy the rest of the day. [applause] >> well, i am so excited that we

get to do this again. spent we did this last summer. spent in tanzania. thank you so much for that. it was a wonderful, wonderful experience for all of us to be there with you so thank you for hosting it last year. and thank you for hosting us this year. so here we are. but it is, i remember as i recall you were still getting blowback about your banks. [laughter] >> that's over. let's see what they say about this one -- bangs. >> have bangs in the program. since then you -- your daughter has turned 16. i know but i have to tell you i'm envious of anybody who's had a daughter turned 16. in the us to have it happen in the white house. you kind of can keep an eye on them spend you can share the experience with the world, all the pain and pleasure last

night. >> president johnson's daughter turned 16 in the white house and got a driver's license. she said, this is permission to drive a motor vehicle, that's all it was. for most people a driver's license is freedom. >> but you are experiencing it well, right? >> the girls are growing up, and as lower and the president know, that is a true testament to the parents to raise wonderful young people through this experience. and we've had some terrific role models, jenna and barbara are just amazing young women who are doing extraordinary things, not just in this country but around the globe. and once again they are setting a high bar for the girls. i'm very proud of them. spent and you have a grandbaby? >> that's right. we have our first grandbaby. a darling --

[applause] our darling little girl. george and i are guy, over our baby. >> she is 16 months. >> she is doing great. >> we just saw that very important video. and mrs. obama, you spoke with the young african leaders and you were very strong in your statements about the need for educating girls and treating women and girls with dignity and equality. why did you choose to do that? >> well, so often what we find in our position is that you have to change attitude before you can change behavior. one of the things i said to the young people that we can talk about the need for more resources when it concerns girls education, the need for school fees and the need to improve

transportation. but the bottom line is that until men, leaders, women, we value women and girls. we won't tackle those other problems. until we prioritize our girls and understand that they are as important in their education, important as the education of our sons, then we will have lots of work to do. and i wanted to just implant that notion in the minds of these young leaders, because they have to approach the work with a whole new attitude. and one of the things i asked the young men is that you have to be in perspective and ask yourselves whether you truly believe that women can be your equal. and in sharing my story, understand the power of having men in my life who valued me and put me first and treated me with respect and didn't abuse me and didn't talk down to me. i want young men around the

world to understand that they have a role to play alongside of women who are fighting for these rights. i want our young men to understand that at an early age. [applause] >> mrs. bush, you've been working on this issue for a long time, particularly with women of afghanistan. are you still doing that? tell us about what you are doing. >> yes, we are still working on that. after september 11, the spotlights turned to afghanistan and we in the united states looked at the we went in afghanistan were treated. many, many people, women and men in the u.s. were concerned. and that's what first started working with women in afghanistan. and mrs. obama is right. in fact, one person said to me one time, what are you working with women? if men that have the problem. and i think we do need to make sure worldwide that all humans are valued, the women and men

are valued, the girls and boys are valued. and that human life is valued. i think that's really the most important thing we could do, all of us can do is try to increase that knowledge worldwide that every life is precious. >> on this question, the question of girls education and women's health and all that, we havhave so much a data now that shows that if you educate a girl you say they country. so are you finding that you're able to keep working on that, that that is something are able -- one of the questions i got last year after you'll finish talking and i stayed for a couple of days, from these wonderful women, was how do you keep it going? >> one of the things we've done, george and i have done, obviously when you live in the white house you -- your platform but former first ladies and former presidents continued

other platform and a convening power come and we tried to do that with the first ladies initiative that we started last summer with the first conference. and that is to bring together first ladies from around the world. we started with african first ladies but we are interested in engaging women from every country. to talk about those very unique platforms that the spouses are world leaders have, to help the women in the country, to make sure that everyone is being attention to the education of boys and girls in their country. and that we are making sure that women have the opportunity to be involved in the economic live in other countries because only countries where all people are involved can be successful. when we look around the world, when we see countries were half of the population is marginalized or left out, then we uses the countries that are failing. so it's important to keep

talking about that. >> and it's important as i sit in my opening remarks to make room for the next generation of leaders. because one of the things that the young people said to me as i mentioned is that day, they asked me to ask the first spouses to make room for them. because they are looking or a place at the table and they specifically said that when you meet with the spouses of our country, tell them that we want to help, but we wanted voice and that we are looking to them. they are looking to all of us to provide that seat, and that's where that platform that vicious bush -- that mrs. bush speaks of his own portrait young people, they get their inspiration from us. they're looking to us, they still don't quite know that they have the expertise and the skills already. they think we know more. we do, we do, we do. but when you listen to the

opening speakers can when you think about social media, just listening to the hashtags and the twitter accounts. army, that was a little nutty. but it's how you continue the conversation. >> and globalized. >> and young people are more adept at that. as i tease my kids can i tell him i want them to use instagram to take a picture of something really important rather than their food. [laughter] but young people can be -- no one really cares what you had for lunch. >> you both talked about shining a light on an issue and that you're in this unique position, that you have the opportunity to shine the light and that some point people stop looking at what you're wearing. one of the questions i get all the time is how do you choose, how do you choose what you want to choose the light on.

when you came and you knew you wanted something with military families. you expect to do something about childhood education, and, of course, september 11 changed all that. how do you put it together to decide exactly what you're going to do? >> well, i think you look at yourself and see what your expertise is. when i came to the white house i had been a librarian. i loved to read. i had been a teacher, and so education and literacy were very, very obvious interest of mine. and expertise of my. so that's what i started with. but then i'll tell you, look at what appears and are the ways you can take advantage of different things that happened ago in another way. i got a phone call, for instance, from the head of the national heart lung and blood institute here in washington. and she said to do know that

heart disease is the leading cause of death among american women? and i didn't know that. i just assumed cancer was the leading cause of death among american women. so i knew if i did know that heart disease what the leading cause of death that many american women didn't know that either. so i was presented with the opportunity to talk about the hard truth and to get the word out to american women that heart disease was the leading cause of death so that they could start doing things with heart disease is often presentable -- preventable. but also that you know you might have a heart attack, he wouldn't just be your husband who had a heart attack, then you can rush to the hospital yourself and get the kind of treatment that you would demand for your husband, but you might not realize you would need it yourself. so i think there are both ways, both look at your own expertise and then take advantage of other interests that come up and see if you can make a difference in your country.

>> also, where your passions lie. because i found that i've been most effective when i am uniquely -- there's a sort of, there's an authenticity to what i say. so that means have to really believe passionately in the causes that i take on. and that lends itself to more power, more effectiveness. it just makes you a better advocate because this is something you care deeply about. this is true when it comes, came to the issue of educating our young people. i just started an initiative this year, reach higher. because one of the things i'm deeply passionate about is the role that education is to play in the lives of young people. my story is the story that i try to share with young people to motivate them. there's nothing in my life that would indicate that i would be sitting here on this stage with

a former first lady and one of the most renowned journalist and every first spouse in africa. nothing in my life indicated that, but my parents believed in the value of education, even though they were not educated themselves. and i pushed my brother and i to do the best that we could do. so what i want young people in america to understand is that we are blessed in this country to have public education, to have opportunities that many girls around the world are putting their lives at risk to achieve. so it's incumbent upon us here in america today to finish at every opportunity come and young people have to own their education. i can do that because i believe it. it is my story. it is why i am sitting here. and my hope is that i can start a national conversation about reigniting hunger for education in our young people and using that to talk about the issues that our girls around world are

facing with 60 million girls today not in school, 30 million in sub-saharan africa. i want our young people across the globe to be talk about how do we fix that. so that's just an example. i am clearly passionate about. [laughter] >> but one of the things that we're going to do today in the various panels is how to, essentially, and you all have done a how to. part of that is private public partnerships, and on all of your initiatives it seems to me that you both done that, that you brought in universities, companies, foundations, whatever combination of things work. can you talk about a person helping america's youth? >> helping america's youth was one of my initiatives and i traveled around the country and some conferences in many parts

of the united states with all of the youth serving agencies types of agencies from individual foundations that people had to individuals themselves. two men for instance, who used force to teach character building in seattle, and worked with sports groups because they knew they could detract -- attract boys then they attracted of their mothers because their mothers would bring the boys to the sports practices so they would talk about sportsmanship in a way that really talks about life. and the way the people can use all the characteristics of a good sport to also be a good person. so what they discovered the that their mothers were in many cases single mothers. they didn't have a community really of their own and so they started after the sports games they would have barbecues so the

mothers could meet each other and be with each other and really they were out to help the boys but they help for the whole family with this one agency, or one foundation these two men charted and that's just one example of many others were part of helping america achieve spent and helping them not get into drugs, not get into -- it seems to me in some ways you have build on that with let's move. it is being preventively healthy, you know, all along. so talk to us about how you put that together. >> for those who yo don't know, let's move is my initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation. and we have really relied greatly on public-private partnerships because what we all have to understand is government has limits, limited resources,

limited power, people looked at him and think government can do everything but many of the solutions that we are trying to achieve require the involvement of nonprofit sector and the private sector. so we are really interested companies to market through differently to kids so that they are not marketing unhealthy products. we even listed sports organizations to get kids up and moving, tried to invest in more sports and communities that are underserved, whether it's u.s. tennis association or the nba or what have you. many of these private players have been very eager to step up and partner with us to achieve this goal. because we all have an interest in making sure that the next generation is as healthy as possible. we spend billions of dollars in covering obesity related illnesses, and all of these

illnesses are completely preventable with good diet, nutrition, exercise. so what we have said too many of our partners is that we all have an interest in this, and there's a way that we can all do well by doing good. you know, companies can still be profitable by creating foods and educating parents and families to help them make better choices about what they feed their kids. >> i must say, with teenage daughters though it must be am i suspect sometimes they say to you, let's move, mamma. [laughter] >> yet, you've been sitting at our dining room table, cokie? [laughter] ..

>> >> to continue to do the work even though it is painful and sometimes unappreciated.

it is important to have a vision because if you have a vision and to know what you are passionate about what direction you were going going, all the arrows and the spears and criticisms are gone because you keep doing the work every day. >> you may get shot in the eye but you catch yourself up to get back into the game. >> that is an important message because it is hard to do what you do. but certainly not for those spouses. it is not with that goal. it is important to say that it you live through that. >> everyone comes to the position with different temperaments.

watching mrs. bush, she has been able touche traverse different levels of kindness and compassion and to see our transition and we talked about this in tanzania but people are who they are and i said about the president. been president does not change who you are but a reveals who you are and also for the first spouse's because you come with a temperament. some people are shy and others are more outgoing. maybe a bit more aggressive to withstand the heat of the spot light that shines but we have to bring what is uniquely us to the table and that is what people around the world don't understand. we don't choose this

position we just happen to be in it. [laughter] >> i cannot be fired. >> we will see. [laughter] >> but your voice you were both quite eloquent how important it is for women to use your voices and your power. it is not complicated but complex. i think that is a good way to put it but why is it important to be in this particular position to be heard? director of first lady has an opportunity to talk about what is most interesting to her aunt how she kim helper

country the best. just to'' ladybird johnson that the first lady has the podium and she intends to use it and she did. she was with another texas first lady i got to know her later but she used what she loved she loved the flowers and the natural beauty that is you see here along the george washington parkway. but she accused education and civil rights suit was very important for her to speak out against civil rights and she did. for those laws that were passed for the johnson

administration. >> once again i go back to young people. really to thousands of young people around the world to have a seven year-old walked up to you to say thank you for what you do cover you inspired me, that reminds us all we are role models like it or not. the young girls are looking to less for how we should be or how to use our voices did we have a responsibility to show them the way in whatever way became an. that may be as something simple to embrace a child to tells them they are beautiful and you are proud and that they are important and valued. i think about that for coho

who knows what is going blind in her life she is bullied or lost a parent and that interaction we have with that individual for that moment could change their life. so we can not waste the spotlight. it is temporary. and life is short and changes needed. and women are smarter than men. [laughter] [applause] in that men can complain because you are outnumbered today. >> mrs. bush you talked about a temporary spot light but now you are working hard. and i think that continuity is very important. you have the george w. bush

first lady initiative, you keep them going. >> we are working through the george bush is to now at the bush library and museum. it gives both of us a chance to keep working on the issues that were the most important. the peeing crippen and the red ribbon are part of the initiative to we have launched in three countries and we will hear about more but because pepfar was started under bush, looking at numbers across africa and across the world to see that cervical cancer which is preventable is the leading causes of cancer for african

women, we figured out there was a way to use the pepfar platform to add the testing treatment for sir:and breast cancer to pepfar the global health initiative has given us a way to keep building. so thank you to the partners and the first lady's for where we are getting ready to launch spinning gear really does combine so many elements that are so sensible. but the fact is you have the pepfar clinics but breast cancer is not caused by the same disease is. you need somebody else to

come in and with those pharmaceutical companies but that turned out to work. >> partnering with u.s. government as well because we are reducing pepfar but cervical cancer really can be treated. but not advanced that that is why women are screened early island and be treated then the of vaccination programs was many african first lady's talk about the vaccination programs so they don't have to worry about cervical cancer. >> do you think about that mrs. obama? you are in the middle of it. [laughter] >> not all.

>> but how you can carry on? >> you have done these around the of military. >> we started to join forces which is a nationwide effort to provide the support with respect to men and women in uniform and their families and have worked with companies to create jobs as they transition into civilian life to get all the support they should expect having put their lives. >> and the medical schools? >> nurses are trained to identify and support men and women who have ptsd to educate the entire country

of what that means duties stigmatize of these men and women feel that they could seek help when needed. it is a passion for jill and i she is of blues star mom and she has grandchildren she has seen grow up while her son was deployed. it is truly a passion for her and for me is something i will do long after relieve the white house. itc through former first spouses and presidents that the platform continues. that is something i would encourage all the you to think about to say that foundation for the legacy to create for yourself. we should not be afraid t talk about our legacy and

what we want to leave behind. guests there are so many symbolic responsibilities but there is nothing wrong to think about vegas a but what we want to leave for the world. that that takes planning and coordination but the time will come and i will embrace that. what i have seen from the bush family there is a level of freedom that comes after you are out of the spotlight is new and different but there is more of you were able to do outside of office >> i remember you saying to a guy before you call a

member of congress to get something done. [laughter] >> but the african summit you have shown such a strong interest in very much to help and shy in a spotlight and that is more about that could news but i am wondering how you got there? but why africa? >> obviously it started with pepfar when george wants it -- launched its 2003 people were dying every single day it was the the continent of orphans if no one did anything about it so a george sought it was important for the united states to be actively involved and healthy and it

was so important for us because we couldn't also because we should. trying to save as many lives as possible so i went in 2003 when pepfar was launched and our daughter barbara was with us as well a and she has made life choices because of that trip. now the head of global health and engages young people from every part of the zero world she founded global health corps to engage young people to work in the wholesale -- field in africa and also course in the united states. but because of that we just had a huge interest and of course, it traveled there

with a wonderful trip this last march is the business trip to ethiopia. africa has become an important continent because of that and also our experience is there. >> africa is an important continent to the rest of the world. it is interpol to is the success of the )c3-[7ç nationñ united states and the world. it is undervalued or under appreciated continent. it is incumbent upon the world to have a better understanding what africa has to offer. the importance is very personal to me because as we

said last night, africa is home for us. his family is there we have relatives there in have visited the continent on several occasions it have taken and our daughters back to his grandfather's village and they have seen a part of themselves. so to partner with this continent means a great deal to us and we have seen that power and the potential to meet the young leaders and how hungry they are to take the countries to a new level that passion is infectious and something that young people should know and understand. we want to to travel and understand of language do stand cultures and to true the see the investment

opportunities which is why this summit is so important to because but some of the nation's most powerful businesses or prestigious nonprofits which is why it is so important because our success as a nation is directly tied to the success of africa. now it is time for the united states as a whole to embrace the reality. this is the beginning of fall lot of work that needs to be done. we are in church and optimistic. >> this has been great for the whole country. i've rarely do. >> is a good to have african leaders here in the united states and to educate the country what is going on but

i will and that as good as the news is, it will be as good as it can be intel be. >> for posting in the use summit to hear and to one tutus and -- for the conference last summer as well and 54 the great work which we will hear about and a few minutes for all the good work. [applause]

>> had absolutely. with that example set in tanzania us through the bush institute and they jumped at the chance to continue the conversation can't continue to be inspired by each other. what i would say we have to fight for our girls. there should never be a girl in this world that has to feed your getting educated. that is something to us and i can only think of my own girls to see them we want

the best for our daughters to be smart and empowered and healthy to be mentally sound and if it is good enough for our girls it is good enough for every single girl and the world but it will take leadership like us to speak up to make sure that young girls are not subject to abuse and their loved and valued and until we do that, we will not solve these problems. people who raise our children, thosep÷ who take care of families come the day are the most important work that they do talk about economic empowerment and tells the start to value when in and girls, we will continue to struggle on this

planet but i have high hopes when i look around the room we will not tolerate that anywhere on the planet. if we continued to work together to lift up the young people better fighting for a better future, we will see some progress and i look forward to working with you guys in the years ahead. [applause] >> thank you both for the work you are doing and coming together to set such a good example for the and then. [laughter] but also for allowing me to participate in this conversation. [applause]

[inaudible conversations] >> it is an honor to be with you. i note this is called the first spouse is yvette. [laughter] not the first ladies' event because there are few men whose wives are more famous and popular than they are. i one. rightly so. i suspect that obama would say the same thing so to michelle and borrow thank you for the first example you brought to the office of first lady. i want to sink the african first douses it is great to see you again. while someone to give a shout out to barbara my daughter not many things convince her to come back to washington. [laughter] the first lady's summit also

to dine with our word to your daughter who is making a of big difference. i love you baby. [applause] also an honor to see dr. biden again that i am pleased to see ms. blair and give my best he is retired like i am. also from the of secretary of education doing a fabulous job at the bush institute and members of congress thank you for coming. >> also to sink the cochairs on behalf of african women i a appreciate our founding partners i appreciate you

being here and also the president and ceo of susan g. coleman. i have more time on my hands these days. surprising way with some painting but that does not cause me to have the enthusiasm for the future as a father to wonder for pearls and now the grandfather of the world's smartest granddaughter. [laughter] i am more concerned about the future, not less. to the bushes to rearing cajun issues that define our time in the white house and throughout many priorities has one theme of the success of any nation is impossible without the political participation and economic

empowerment and education and health of women. a decade ago it was an uncontrolled aids pandemic seven of you probably have family stories but together we witnessed a brighter chapter in the human story of a combination of global resources and local courage has demonstrated to points points, a disease can be defeated in people living with aids refused to be defeated they hold jobs and raise crops to start small businesses and contributing each day to african success. the commitment has reached across political divisions and two administrations thanks touche pepfar and the rising commitments of resources of african

governments more than 9 million men women and children are on aids treatment with sub-saharan africa. [applause] a generation on the verge of being lost has been found. life expectancy is up and health care systems have grown stronger many people in the less productive years are contributing to africa is economic growth and many of the first lady's or spouses have led efforts to end a mother to child transmission of first and necessary step to create the aids free generation restart the battle was the emergency response was no alternative. a great need at this stage is to focus efforts and resources better data and

treatment off -- options help officials to have the highest groups along with clear goals and accountability it presents an amazing opportunity the beginning of them end of aids and also requires something from the rest of us, it is impossible to direct help when it is needed the most when any group is targeted was legal discrimination and stigma. compassion and and tolerant -- tolerance are important medicines. [applause] >> one group that requires attention is women and girls. women are vulnerable of hiv/aids and poverty and violence. there for a fire if more times more likely to develop

cervical cancer because those bodies have reduced infection to fight to of hdtv the circle can be broken and it is our job is to break it but taken together cervical and breast cancer is the number-one killer in africa the disease is surrounded by stigma and ignorance and as the spreads across generations the mother dies young said children are less likely to be educated and more likely to die young as well and the best way is to help the mothers live to raise them. a few years ago the bush is to shoot was the public-private partnership that combats winning cancer with a simple commitment people living with aids should not be dying from preventable and untreatable diseases. by bringing together a broad

partnership of government of corporations and foundations in multilateral organizations to set out to raise awareness with high populations age peavey vaccinations through low-cost methods. we work to with the shadow of the stake -- stigma of what targets women the goal is not to build a bureaucracy but a commitment we work to show the idea can work to increase capacity end of the three countries where pink ribbon redware even -- red ribbon started more than one hit a dozen women have been screened for cervical and breast cancer.

[applause] the first lady is a champion about those false rumors with the of hpv vaccine that needs to be done here in america as well. [applause] >> the first lady of tanzania has been a great advocate for mass screenings. and for spouses. [applause]3=).ffgñ they are leading foe way. florid doing what you should be doing. the last two summersç we have then refurbished with the health clinics i was in charge of the painting. [laughter] she was in charge of going over the spots that dennis. she had a lot of work cut out for her we always think

of the zambian people. [applause] >> besides standing with the women this is what i remember the most. [laughter] the women were nervous at first to be screened but then became joy yes to know that people lived on to be healthy so far this indian partners have tested 3,000 about one-third tested positive for pre-cancer circles calls so it was a

matter of survival. and by the way for those first lady's if you are worried about your husband's political future that is good politics. [laughter] [applause] >> many share the credit with pink ribbon and a red ribbon and i also want to thank pepfar and susan g. coleman for demonstrating a commitment. also the generous foundation members and many are here for their consistent dedication to girls and africa also up partnership in which we operate they thrive on and local leaders to commit to resources as we have seen with tanzania and

botswana. to work -- to have working models overtime can expand and incorporate into plans. has been my approach. so i am pleased to announce we are including to partner countries. ethiopia and namibia. [applause] i am pretty leave grateful to bristol-myers squibb foundation and the american cancer society for their willingness to work in those two countries to provide vaccination's screening and treatment today we will1b announce as well latest screen -- distinguished group of advocates called pink ribbon/red ribbon embassadors to take this

across the continent of africa.ç i would say their last names i am confident i would mispronounce them. and we are throat but the first ladies ought to be ambassadors as well. they have the chance to impact the future of the country. your uniquely positioned people died of a stigma. because of false rumors with the of ladies the stigma may feel like it is unreachable but through the leadership can be outspoken and honest

and compassionate for the sake of mothers and grandmothers. it takes a lot for me to leave dots -- dallas this conference surely is one reason i came. it is great to and we think the white house and the bush instituted and its team in the first lady and also mrs. obama to join on the stage. god bless you all. [applause]

[applause] >> excellence the san distinguished guests, let me take this opportunity for the government for gratitude in honor of your age mayor. with cancer in all its forms is a problem in the third world. with those leading cancers among women however with

communicable diseases they have not been as easy to access says in the past. prevention is included in the national institutes of health and currently for the treatment for the pre-cancer treatment in with those of institutions with those

partners with prevention into that community is also access to treatment to provide the projected services to treat cancer we also need to work to prevention. that is the most sustainable way in the long term.

[inaudible] including some unnecessary medications. to have that statement border the challenges is awareness. in the end without that they

have the least chance of survival. so last but not least the expectation and in ethiopia to be given partnership to do prevention including hiv or treatment. [inaudible] day que.

>> caller: [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, the first lady of namibia. her excellency. [applause] >> your excellencies and gentlemen. to invest in our future of the african leaders summit i am delighted that my country and namibia will be one of the next two countries for pink ribbon/red ribbon.

investing in and committed to our future, is a noble goal that we must embrace. and to implement this goal is for the women. we are here today. [inaudible] as a growing health problem in our country the second most frequently the breast cancer is number one.

and those that died from the disease. losing one is cause for concern in my country. about my country but to experience this for the namibian women. over midyears. said to be in cities and towns and families all across the country and

because of the women and hiv and those who have had to be the that hiv negative it is now even more pressing. said good news is to the program with this approach from pink ribbon/red ribbon. they give for the of commitment of pink ribbon/red ribbon. thinks to working with our government.

already a receives its trading to save our women. in fact,, this shows the it 11 i these error there are treated the same day but if left and screened will develop into cancer. women who benefited retable to return to their families with hope for the future. i am encouraged that the

government is committed to women's health to prevent cervical cancer coming to the introduction but but if the current chapter with cervical and breast cancer, our country's readiness to tackle this head on and and then we can

end is a vocal cancer by 2050. [applause] >> and then we could be in a fight together against all cancers hoping to have the end of hiv in part thanks to the support for the american people we can do is the same with cervical cancer and we must. but with pink ribbon/red ribbon to stand in this battle for all women. working together from hiv

and though women's cancer. thanks for your attention. [applause] >> please welcome pink ribbon/red ribbon ambassadors. [applause] >> your excellencies. we are here today for nothing short forby, sub-saharan africa and the with the prevention

they never have to face the possibility with cervical cancer. it is important. the key to power is strong women in the world. we are truly thrilled to be pink ribbon/red ribbon ambassadors we are eager to use our voices in many forms we are committed to giving and healing for hopes as a continent. [applause]

>> your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,, . [inaudible] but to me that as an ambassador. but to be the pink ribbon/red ribbon ambassadors we are gathered here today to be ambassadors for the women of africa. joined with us in our mission. you can use your influence

for the champion of solutions. are to incorporate by capacity as an individual you to use the power that you now have to share with your network and i want to commit myself to the rich experience to serve africa once more. but the white to stake you to join us at and that those

legion of women in africa. that we will work alongside. thank you. [applause] >> ladies the incentive please welcome the second lady of the united states, said dr. biden. [applause] >> i feel so tall. [laughter]

good afternoon. fake you for that warm welcome. it is up pleasure today to be here with my great friend and partner michelle obama, you have been a great example of the profound difference first ladies can make. thank you for your of leadership and friendship. [applause] it is wonderful to see president and mrs. bush again we had had great event together in texas and 84 though work you we're doing for the of 9/11 veterans with your initiative to all the african first lady's and other distinguished guests thank you for taking part in the historic summit and adding your voice to this

conversation. i have been a teacher for over 30 years in my classroom and in my travels around the of world i have seen firsthand the difference of a strong educational foundation can make. incredible opportunity to visit a girls' school in kenya when i saw how education provided a sense of hope of marble sea and a chance for a better life. last month when i visited in zambia and, though -- condo and sierra leone ims students who were eager to learn and dedicated to their studies with big plans for their future. of colorful board caught my attention. students had posted notes on the board describing what

they would dream to become one day grow up. doctors, lawyers, and my personal favorite, a teacher's. posting on the board and a desire to give back to their community to move forward. that is the spirit of the next generation in africa. to make this possible to make sure all students boys and girls have access to quality education united states is committed to making sure young women have the tools they need not just to survive but thrive in their communities and we are here today because we believe it is our responsibility, yours and mine to provide the next generation of women with the confidence they need to

succeed because we know a nation cannot receive its time for them to me there's. thank you very much. [applause] >>. [laughter] ladies and gentlemen, please will, representing the mandela fellowships for young african leaders. [applause] >> honorable ladies and ladies and gentleman i come from mozambique from a remote village.

i am proud to be an african woman. faugh my brother's hand have many more challenges. and to go to school is very rare in mind village. girls don't make decisions they say that they should just raise children. but during the sixth grade she is put to into marriage of old men of 51 to be another wife with many children.

and he may be infected with hiv/aids. . . i wish to start an organization where girls like my cousin get to school, because i believe

they have a better future. i believe they still have a future. with their hands, their skills, with their knowledge that can help themselves move up in life. honorable first lady's, ladies and gentlemen, if it's not now, then when? if it's not us, if it's not you, then who will support girls education in our communities in africa? it is time to take action. thank you very much. [cheers and applause] >> honorable lady's and gentlemen girls face many problems and challenges to finish school. they are traumatized, they are

abused, neglected and abandoned just because they are girls. i am from the democratic republic of congo. today, i want to share with you my story. in 1998 my family was attacked at night by rebels. they attacked our neighbors first. they killed all the seven children and their father. there were 25 rebels, and they all raped their mother. we are hearing the screams of our friends. the next door was ours. they entered in a house. they told us to make a line and to not look at them. at that time i was nine years old, and i didn't feel afraid. i was looking at their commander

without shaking my eyes. he pushed me and said, young girl, and don't you know that i can finish you in a second? i said, yes, i know but i'm not afraid. i know you're going to kill us, but you will also pay for what you have done. he looked at me and asked, what's your name? i replied, my name is miriam, and i'm not afraid. he said, i have killed many people. i've killed girls and boys, but i've never seen someone resisting me like you. you surprise me. i won't kill your family but i want you to move away from here. since that day i grew up with one mission, fighting for human rights and for girls education. [applause]

>> i continued my studies. i saw many of my classmates killed by guns and raped. i graduated last year, and i was the only girl among boys to pass. [applause] >> i decided to start a project to educate women and girls, victims of sexual violence. today, i ask you to join me without any fear. because fear is -- [inaudible] this date i ask all the girls all over the world to take out the fear and to take up books. let us take them back to school. thank you cheers back o.

[cheers and applause] >> hello, everyone. glad to be here. i'd like to thank everyone so much for joining us this afternoon. we would especially like to thank mrs. obama, mrs. bush and all the wonderful first ladies were here. we just delighted to have you. in the united states we have a very powerful notion that we'll hear about from time we're children, that education is the key to a better future for us and for each successive generation. i certainly heard about it in my family where i was the first person to graduate from college. and mrs. obama spoke about powerfully today and think it's a similar experience for. in the united states we refer to as the american dream. but in my travels around the world as an ambassador for global women's issues i've discovered it is a really just an american dream at all. it's the universal dream. millions of parents want their

children, girls and boys, to learn more, to do better, to achieve greater things than they did. i saw at st. joseph's girls go in sierra leone a couple of weeks ago where i traveled with dr. biden. we all saw it, girls trying so hard and again such incredible odds to get an education in northern nigeria. these girls and their parents know intuitively what the data shows us, that girls education is one of the smartest development investments that the international community can make. education increases a girls individual are empower i can-20%, the majority of which she invests back in her family. girls who stay in school longer through adolescence are up to six times as likely to be married with children. girls attendance informal school during adolescence is correlated with later childbearing, lower rates of hiv and aids, fewer

hours of domestic and labor market work, and greater gender equality. in addition a child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to live past the age of five, and more likely to remain healthy, safe and in school herself. we know that keeping girls in school through secondary school, most importantly, is better for girls, their families and their communities. it is absolutely critical to expanding women's meaningful participation, workforce, and it's the key to the universal dreams of empowering the next generation to do better than the last. i'm so pleased to be here today with our distinguished panelists to talk about what we can do to ensure that girls in africa get the education they deserve and they need to become the leaders of tomorrow. so let me briefly introduced our wonderful panelists. doctor sarah back -- we're not

in -- sara ruto is the regional director for east africa which is a citizen driven initiative operating in kenya, uganda and tanzania. seeks to draw public attention to children's learning. she will speak about completion of primary education and about getting parents involved in supporting education. the honorable aicha bah diallo is the chairperson and founding member of the forum for african women education. many of you of heard of this commissars way as an ngo working throughout africa to ensure that education is tailored to address the specific needs of girls. she was share some of her thoughts for girls competing secondary education. ann cotton is the founder and president of camfed international, working to address poverty in africa for girls' education. she will speak about empowering the next generation of women leaders and campus expertise

working with governments and others. finally, shelly esque is board chair for the intel corporation. the intel foundation is working to get girls and women more opportunity participate in the global economy. she will speak about the importance of empowering girls for access to technology. so let me begin with my first question. sarah, understand you use an innovative approach to improve leaders see for girls which we know is the challenge in many places. what barriers do see that keeps girls from pursuing and obtaining primary education? want intervention do you think are most successful? >> thank you. i think we are looking at the barriers against progress that we have made, and evidence, we talk about women and children

since 2000 shows about 90% of the children have at least heard five years of schooling in east africa. then there is a 10% who are missing some were. there often to be found in public hotspots, to be found in rural remote areas. these districts are not country specific. if you go to kenya and uganda, they are neighboring. the reason they're keeping the out i think it's been talked about by so many people, attitude, religion, research. so we need to be listening to the evidence a little bit more. but 90% or in school, they've only been there for about five years. when you look at the numbers go in school in terms of gender, it's almost equal boys and

girls. because we test the chosen ability, that's out of level that they're not any better or worse than boys. but later on you will find that girls go faster than boys in the preteen ages. school inefficiency is affecting our children. because our -- in uganda the school that is supposed to be seven years. children are taking 11 years to complete. the older a girl and schools the more vulnerable. we need to be looking at that. in terms of their successes, let me talk about three of them. the first one, when a mother has primary education and especially secondary education, you see that her daughters and children generally have higher learning outcomes. the evidence is there. not so much for the men but more so for this.

the second piece of evidence which we need to be looking at is the role of leadership. where schools have good dynamic leaders, in charge of over 500, maybe 1000 girls and boys. and the third one is girls owned resilience. when you introduce the girls too many activities, whether it's to build confidence, to think about, they have to draw on own -- [inaudible] but you seem mothers, and then the girls themselves, all of us. >> could you talk a little bit about the role of the family? in particular what you can do to convince families, particularly when they're facing situations of limited resources, how you deal with that problem and convince them that they have a couple of children or if they

have to choose between sending voice of girls to school, how you encourage them to send the girls and make those decisions, that it's worth the investment to send the girls to school? >> when you see that 90% of the children are in school, and it's near gender parity, for me it looks like half the battle is done. because many parents believe and are sending their girls to school. i think the biggest thing that will lead to -- [inaudible] is if our girls, our children have nothing to show for the years he spent in school. so those of us were sitting over here are evidence of this excess of schooling. this has to be spread to all the others. if we do that, i remember when i went to a village one time and we had a fundraiser and the daughters sent money because their mothers said this was her import. and later on, he told us it's

important to send girls. it was evidence of the success that will be what will drive us. it is worthwhile to educate your children, your girls, your voice. >> so you are the evidence. thank you. isha, i was wondering, working in 33 different african countries to foster positive policies, practices and attitudes towards girls' education. i was wanted on your organization has worked with the government, community, so side to make education for adolescent girls a priority. could you talk about what you see that works best, what more can be done? if you could do with some specific examples of gender-based violence, vocational training and give us your sort of just based on your experience what your views are about the best opportunities. >> let me just maybe start by giving you some statistics.

we have some chilling keep out of school, 54% are girls. 52 million adolescents are out of school. 54% are girls. therefore, we have to do something. we can't just sit and wait. we hav had worked together. to give to these people the right to quality education. so fawe is working for gender, equity and equality for all children in a particular girls. what we have done is to develop innovation to convince, because if you don't convince, you cannot reach the result you want. we start with, look at the active committee level. i think you talked about it. you have to convince both male and female, because these are

the ones who have to take the decisions. either going to take the girls or the boys to school? you have to tell them and explain to them, the value of education them the benefit of educating girls. i think today we have seen it. the video has shown us evidence. i don't have to go through. what we found out is today, men are supporting girls' education. and women support girls' education. they even, what we call mother, and they are the ones now for our -- [inaudible] school attendance now is looked after by these women clubs. we have another innovation which is really important. it's empowering girls than boys. it's -- it means stick out. so in the school men, the girls

and the boys get together. they identify the problems, they analyze them and they together find solutions. what we have found out from activities, we have found out that now girls stick out. they are self-confident. they have the skills. they have leadership skills. and they are fighting against what you call culture, cultural -- [inaudible] now they know they have rights. we have another innovation. it's giving -- [inaudible] when you give a birthright to a girl who is bright, it makes a difference. we gave birth rights to more

than 46,000 girls and boys. you see, you cannot just discriminate against boys either. you have to put them come get it, they have to work together. with the foundation we are going to have 1200 schoolgirls in rwanda. it has been announced already. and then -- 800 scholarships and it's going to make a big difference. you educate a girl, you educate a family and a mission to a boy, it's just impossible. [laughter] so we also have what we call the center of excellence. i'm mentioning it because -- [inaudible] in that school, responsive school.

girls are empowered and boys also. teachers are trained to be gender a where. and now they know how to treat boys and girls equally. even in math and science is much better. it's amazing how the school now has an environment for learning. there's no gender bias at all, which is important. we have trained adolescent girls in six countries which were -- [inaudible] what we did work to give them the skills and competencies into disciplines, such as mechanics, you know, electricity, carpentry. and they did very well. the four they finished, we go

and -- they lobby the companies to hide them when they finish. it has made a big difference. when you have confidence in the girls, she can do, i was the it is better than the boys. i'm saying that because africa in 2011, the population was -- 20% were youth. and in 2015, 50% of the population is going to be used. therefore, africa will have to invest in its youth in particular, it's girls come if you want the continent to be a dynamic, productive economy. and i believe in girls' education to if you ask, and

it's amazing because my father was when he said all my girls have to go to school. therefore, please, let's get together and work for girls' education. [applause] >> thank you very much. i'd like to ask you all a bit about camfed unique approach which understand you call a virtuous cycle which also like you to explain a moment if you could, camfed is educated girls since 1993 and supported young women to tackle poverty in rural communities working for national and local systems with parents, teachers, government officials and traditional affords which is really critical in many of these communities. i would like to understand how you've worked with the girls through development and education and beyond that? if you give some idea, as i said, if you could explain a virtuous cycle, i would appreciate that.

>> i'm happy to. we work in rural areas and that's where poverty is deepest. and really families are not in positions to make choices in fact. they make decisions based on economic grounds. and so we understand and work and respect that decision-maki decision-making. so the protest is one partnership with parents conclusion of parents. and the point of transition from prime to secondary school is where so many girls drop out because the cost of education's rise. so our partnership with parents means that they don't have the means but this would have an abundance of love. our data shows that that support, encouragement we are seeing between 80%-93% attendance across five countries. the number of girls are high, 108,000 secondary education.

parents are not withholding their girls from going to school domestic and agricultural schools. in the schools, girls are coming to school with problems. we have a network of trained teacher mentors across 5000 government schools and that is having a significant impact on progression which is 90% across all programs. you mentioned traditional leaders. they are some of the most powerful advocates. one other traditional leaders said some years ago, in zimbabwe, he said i understood in speaking with girls that they are refugees. he is an advocate and there's a network of traditional -- and, of course, government really our partnership with government is the foundation stone. we work in government schools and our partnerships that are district level a national level

our directors in africa, all as policy worked very closely with industries of education -- ministries of education. strategies, policy table. so it's a very inclusive program for the education of girls. and we are seeing significant improvements in academic results of the poorest children. but when they leave, what next? they are confronted sometimes by a lack of employment and often they will be in a position where they're under pressure to marry. and also then they go to town and search for work where they are very vulnerable. so at that point we support beyond secondary education, dependent on grace and aspirations, into universities, into tactical training colleges, and with business training in loans and grants. that's where you really see investments in education start

debate highly significant dividends. and the family as well as support themselves. but how do you make that dividend grow? how do you make that dividend grow for the district, for the nation? so what we've been discredited and alumni. so that is the completion of a virtuous cycle. where is the leadership emerging of young women? cabinet members, 24,435 graduates in that network, across ghana, tanzania, malawi, and zimbabwe extraordinary young women. one of the indicators of this virtuous cycle is that there's one of those members is supporting between two and three children in schools. outside her own family. she's all supporting within her family. so this is really the power. and i think what camfed has done, they say we unite and commitment to change.

they are proud of the rich. so often poverty carries with it the marks of shame. they have transformed the into empathy. i think that is at the heart of their activism. >> so we have an incredibly powerful group of people here, officers, spouses. i'm just curious about how organizations including governments, spouses engage in this vital piece of women's empowerment process. >> yes, indeed. it is an extraordiextraordi nary powerful, and i'm deeply honored to be here. and the partnerships is wide and broad. the partnerships with the private sector as well as government. one of our partners is in ghana. where we are working on a long-term program of support secondary and tertiary level of

education. young women and girls in that program have prepared a chronicle of the experiences forth the ladies that they want to shoot. just give you an indication, one of them, in junior high school she was living with her family in one room. it was so noisy that she didn't have time, opportunity study. what she decided to do was to go to bed at 7 p.m. every evening. get up at 2 a.m. and to study whatever else was asleep. and then go to school. now, bertha wants to be a pediatrician. and what she says is i want to be a pediatrician because i see my role as being with children. i love children and i see their vulnerability. that's the theme we hear time and time again. there are young women we support who have had a background in

education. sharing personal expenses. my grandmother left school at 12. there was no one more committed to education that she was. read a book with her, constantly with me. that commitment grows exponentially when you're suddenly have that opportunity. suddenly that's power, that power becomes life because of your education. so they all say we want to be doctors because we want to be and are committed but we want to be midwives because we see women something. we want to tell the world about our communities. it's about them that it's about what they can do in the world. >> so first ladies, they are so ready to work with you to as mentioned detriments ideas to share the of platforms that you have to really bring their voices forward are just extraordinary and i would say i would urge you to raise your

voices and use those platforms effectively. >> thank you so much. shelley, i'm struck, the couple of questions for you but i was just struck by all of these networks of people that was mentioned, it strikes that might be a good project for you to network all these people together. not that you become anything else to do, sure you're busy but there's some and groups of people that we could try to get together. but any case the internet is a powerful tool for education. and intel is doing so much to address gender gap. i was just curious about how you see technological tools really advancing, letters and economic opportunities for women. i was hoping you could give us some idea of the things you all are doing in that field. >> and give a great idea. we're talking about that in the

marketplace, how do we network all these concepts together and make it easy for people to access them. so india we've been committed to education and ensuring that women and girls have access to quality education. we have a three-pronged approach. first is around raising awareness and ensuring access. the second is inspiring girls and women to not just be consumers of technology but created. we want girls and women to know that they can create the next solution that will solve the problem that their community is facing ever wanted to know they can play an active role because women often don't take that role. in most parts of the world. the third area is this idea of bringing people together in an ecosystem economic and people so they have a platform to communicate and they have a network to support them. we find that this idea of the community is critical even when reusing technology, that people need to know there's people that are nd