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 behind them. one young woman told us i know

there's an army of women ready to support the, and they're all over the world. that kind of confidence comes from knowing that they exist. but what we found when we did a study in 2013 is that women are sadly left behind in terms of internet access. in our report women in the web which we did with your assist and you with women in polls, we identified how large this gap is. unfortunately, in sub-saharan africa is the largest gap that we identified. these women and girls are being left behind for a variety of reasons that been mentioned today. we found that when they have access to the internet have access to education, the information that can help them with health care, job creation, society development and disempowerment that comes to meeting others that are like you. and so we know that by closing that gap we can make a tremendous impact.

we have been committed to a goal of reducing the gap in sub-saharan africa by 50% in the next five years, and we have numerous, tremendous partners that are working with us on that project. we are very excited about possibilities because as we all know the possibilities of education, the possibilities of information, what they can do in the hands of young women all over africa. we are looking forward to welcoming more partners and working with more governments to also share this goal of bringing assess and closing the gender gap. >> could you talk about the role of public-private partnerships in your work? >> absolutely. i think it's been shared today and we firmly believe that it's only through partnership that we're going to have sustainable impact. we have worked with partners in government for many years and most of her education from rams. now we're reaching out to a

larger ecosystem. many technologies countries are interested in this work, and other players, other foundations. so bringing all those people together toward a common goal is really what we're trying to do to greatest ecosystem of people that care about this gender issue and want to help educate girls and empower them to really be a voice and a leader in their local community. >> great. sara or isha, i was struck by what mrs. obama said earlier about the important role of men and boys in this ever. something to tell sometimes i get an initial schedule and it will be a lot of meetings proposed rfid to propose meetings with women's and visits to women centers and also witnessing, i think i need to talk to the men. i need to meet with boys and understand what you're doing as well. i think sometimes we do spend a lot of time talking to ourselves. i was just wondering if either

of you have some insights into the really critical role that men and boys play, and how we need to engage them, how best to engage them? if either of you had any thoughts about that? >> in the family, most of traditional african, men are the ones who are doing the choice. therefore, you have to talk about then and women, explain to both education. and give examples of benefits of education for girls. then they will understand. otherwise they will always send the boy, if they don't have enough money to send both. that's one. second, in the schools if you don't bringing together to talk to each other, in life they are

going to check they will be together, therefore it is better to bring them together, to make them understand it, the concept of learning to live together. that's where the teacher has a key role to play. so training teachers, for them to be gender of where, gender responsive, to know that in each child there is potential, and have to tap into that potential and make both boys and girls succeed. >> i think one of the things we need to do is to be more multidisciplinary. when we look at missing 10% in east africa, the things that are keeping them out of school is not because the mothers don't want them to go to school to its a cultural something, we have to look at who has the power, where does the power resides. so you have to dash that when

you're talking about issues, i think for a long time we have to focus on the victim. understand who is the decision-maker, where the power lies and then get them to be your friends and your partners in creating change. changing that attitude, it needs a lot of -- so the discussion can move on and start bringing those changes that can sustain and make sure that girls get to school and succeed. >> an example, i will not tell you in what country we did it, but what we did was take a movie showing how girls were -- going through the operation, so we

gathered the males. when they saw the pictures, they said, oh, my god. >> shocked spent they were shocked. they said when we're going to be -- to fight this. just let them see it. >> i think the power of film is very important. because the phone -- the film sunup mediates the dialogue. it takes with attention. because there's a story and everybody is connected with the story. we have a film called the child within which is about an early pregnancy. that film has unlock tremendous understanding and empathy in the communities. my colleague in africa, who actually is one of the first girls who -- she's the region director for cancer. she was telling me about an instant in malawi, they gather together, it was a chief meeting.

so it was men, and she said how about wives? and the paramount chief, not totally keen on this idea. but a little bit of discussion going on. he went off and he was on his mobile phone. and seven his wife came. and then the other chiefs wives came and so that a very -- i think it's about, sometimes humor, opening it up. but that power of the film and introducing stories, really understanding. we are seeing in our data coming through in malawi and five, 4 million -- in our programs 5% of the gross who have supported are becoming mothers in the same age group with the national rate is 26.8. that intervention in terms of

education is preventing a significant child marriage, preventing another generation really being born into poverty. >> well, i would like to thank you all -- oh, i'm sorry. >> we wanted to make an announcement. >> of course. >> we are very thrilled to announce a new allies but it's called women and the web allies. and uncle is to bring 600,000 young women online in nigeria, in kenya and the next three years, and we're going to do that by catalyzing and ecosystem. right now the alliance include usaid, intel, net hope, world vision, u.n. women, and women in technology nigeria it at a just wanted to share the news with you because we are open and welcoming of all partners who are interested. we think it's very critical that we create local content,

localized training with gender specific resources for women, and really try to greatest network so they can support each other. i'm proud to make that announcement. [applause] >> well, i would like to thank all of you so much, first for being here but also for their tremendous work you do every day for women and girls. i met a woman many years ago, i think -- i can't remember what country she was in. maybe in the drc, and her name was christine and she told me something that always stuck with me which was one woman can do anything, but many women can do everything. it always resonated with me, and i think what is the amazing women like all of you i believe that. i think together we can do tremendous thing for women and girls everywhere. so thank you for what you're doing. thank you all for being here. [applause]

>> well, good afternoon, everyone. what a fabulous morning we've had so far and what a fabulous song and dance we've had at lunch time. it's truly been an inspirational day. we are here to celebrate the power of african women. and in particular, the power of those fabulous and fortunate active women who are the first spouses of their country. i was the wife of a british prime issue. actually i still am tony blair's wife. [laughter] but in my 10 years when my husband was in 10 downing street, i learned myself was a significant platform being

married to the prime minister was, to address not just pressing needs in our own country, let those around the world. and during that time i met with me first ladies from africa, and, indeed, have continued to do so since. and i'm always inspired and impressed by the works that they do, either supporting and sometimes initiating great work in their country. i want to commend, of course, my dear friend laura bush and the bush center all they're doing to foster a network of first ladies, working to advance education, good health, and economic opportunity for women and children in africa. but to be truly effective, of course, first ladies cannot do it on their own.

we need to foster integral valuable public and private partnerships, and this of course is what this conference is about. and it's about what is the work of the bush center is doing. wringing together partners, both in business and in the voluntary sector to work together so that we can achieve so much more than what we can do on our own. effective partnerships are the best way to achieve change. my own foundation is committed to partnering with different organizations across different sectors, and i'm really delighted that a number of our partners are here today. i want to of course acknowledge our friends from exxon mobil where we're working with them in tanzania to build up the capacity of women entrepreneur is in tanzania. and to those from ge sponsored i

work for the last two years of working with the first women's business network in sierra leone, helping them expand their skills and the capacity, and build a network to bring the power of women entrepreneurs together. after is a priority region for my foundation, and we continue with exciting new projects. we are working with rwanda with a new initiative combining business training, use of the mobile phone, financial literacy, and mentoring. or with visa in nigeria where we are training and helping visa set up a network of women visa money agents. and across africa online mention platforms linked women with men and women across the world who want to help them expand and grow their businesses.

but in all this we have to focus. we have to prioritize. we all have limited resources, and if we don't focus on key issues, the people can be confused about what we really stand for. i have to say it's easier said than done. i found it particularly challenging when i was at 10 downing street, because people are always asking me to support the good causes and we always want to help, particularly when they have such a great platform. but, of course, as with the torture and all the time, if we try to do everything, you may end up focusing and nothing in particular. so we need to wait, we need to look for inspiration. and actually it was in tanzania

where i got that inspiration. because the world bank asked me to go on a visit there to launch a line of credit that they were giving the business, to banks to get to business women in the country. and i met some extraordinary women entrepreneurs. and i realized with the right support these women would not only just improve their businesses and their own status, but actually would be the drivers of the element in their own economy, makes the most not just of their talent but of the talent of the other men and women who they employed, as a contract with, who they help to make the country grow. and that's why women's economic empowerment is so important. it's important for the bottom line of their business. it's important for the development of their countries, but it's more than just economic

growth. because we know that empowered women ensures that the children are healthy. empowered women send their daughters to school, and as we heard already, empowered women make sure that their daughters are not driven into early marriage and early childbirth, and sometimes, sadly, unfortunately death, also. today we had a wonderful panel to talk about the work that many different organizations are doing across africa to help women fulfill their potential as partners in the growth of their economies. i'm looking forward to hearing from them all, as i am sure you are, and so let me stand back and let the panel commenced. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please

welcome noa gimelli of exxon mobil, neha misra of solar sister, kay kuenker of dow agrosciences, damaris achieng odeny of the international crops research institute of the semiarid tropics, deb allen of the ge foundation, and dr. bernard for the center for public health and development. [applause] >> good afternoon, everyone. and a very warm welcome to the honorable first spouses, guessing which guests, ladies and gentlemen. i'm so pleased you're here with us for this first panel of the afternoon. my name is -- i also am the founder of a nonprofit called we can lead common rotation dedicated to empowering and education girls across africa.

so this is close to the hard for me, empowered women and being part of this debate. i am a proud african woman. i will be your moderator for this afternoon's panel. public-private partnership fostering women economic participation and promoting healthy lives through technology and training. but before i delve into the topic and bring it in focus to you, and to some of what i want to get out of this conversation let me first thank our host, mrs. obama, mrs. bush, the white house, the bush institute and the state department for hosting this important event. event. it's wonderful event to our thanks to them and that thanks is on behalf of everyone here on the stage, so thank you. now, most of you have heard already, read the headline africa rising to its two it is. when you look at the trendlines come when you look at the stats, most of you know that from 200

2000-2010, six of the 10 fastest economies in the world were in africa. immense strides made to get more children into school. those health indicators, in the is being built the right direction would comes to maternal health and child mortality. don't get me wrong, there is a lot still to do. we need to get more girls in school. no doubt about that. we need to make sure that africa's growth is inclusive, that everyone is lifted the. there's a lot to do. the basket is moving in the right direction but it is moving upwards. they key to keeping that movement, keeping that momentum, africa's women. that is key to doing that. you've heard it said today that if you empower women, if you invest in women, then what you're doing is not just improving their lives and their families, their commutes, and nation. but what you're doing is ultimately laying the groundwork for greater economic growth in that country. and also really strengthening

social stability. and the key to that if you really want to turbocharge that change of public-private partnership, they go a long, long way to being able to scale up that large-scale success. so really what i want us to do as we have this esteemed panel, these are people from different sectors, but they are key stakeholders when it comes to this public-private partnership model. what they're going to do is really give us an up close look at public-private partnerships, and basically show what works. what does it look like? want to best practices, what are some of the challenges that crop up which can impede large-scale success? let me introduce the panelists now. to my right is noa gimelli, director of women's economic opportunity initiative with exxon mobil, and a collaboration

with this foundation, they've done a lot of work in this area. researching effective programs to improve women's economic status. and then you have neha misra, solar sister's, brings women driven solutions to energy poverty. kay kuenker is global leader public affairs and government affairs dow agrosciences. so those of you who don't know, dow agrosciences is a chemical companies agriculture business. damaris achieng odeny is a senior scientist at international crops research institute for the semiarid tropics. she is one of 180 african women scientists and when an african women in agriculture research and development award. well worth pointing that out. she says as the president of the ge foundation and chief financial officer. one of those senior women at the company and she won numerous

awards herself, too many to list today. [laughter] and finally we have a man on the panel -- [laughter] [applause] >> the brave man sitting up here last night he is found and executrix of the center for public health and development, a kenyan physician and public health specialist with more than 10 years experience working the areas of public health and development. really what i hope when you for all these people speak, what i hope you'll take away from all of this is that first of all you get a critical perspective on public-private partnerships. secondly, you will be inspired to come up with new ideas, new ideas to employ this model and seek out for the ways to lift up women in your countries. that's what i hope what we get out of this. first of all i want to turn to you, noa. as you are me say in your introduction at exxon mobil has

done a lot of work in this space with the u.n. foundation. last year you released an evidence-based report. really looking at women's economic empowerment. let's talk about that report. what are the key lessons that emerged, and how can government and private companies use some of those findings to better improve how they support women's program? >> isha, let me start by thank you for that introduction but before i start talking about the report i'd like to take just a moment and talk about the origins of the study. about a decade ago, exxon mobil foundation decided to expand its focus of our fellow throbber giving. we were looking for an investment that would be applicable in every country where we have operations, and also have an impact. like we approach every aspect of our business, the first thing we looked at was the data. they did it was clear for the reasons that you mentioned and mrs. blair mentioned that when you invest in women they reinvest in the children, their

families. that is not only a multiplier effect but a multi-generational impact. so we launched our initiative providing women with economic opportunities. but what we found was that there was a crucial knowledge gap in knowing which intervention could move the needle the farthest. so we teamed up with the united nations foundation, and led by michael bennet come we look at all of the empirical evidence and develop a roadmap for promoting women's economic department. this roadmap identifies nine proven, nine prime and a number of high potential intervention. the truth is i could spend all afternoon talking about the research and this roadmap but that wouldn't be fair to my fellow panelist or any of you. so let me highlight a few funnies which i think would be particularly interesting to the group here today, and applicable. the first is the are really no silver bullets. i think those of you working in

this area understand that intuitively. that is to say that you will have to tailor a program based on the women's economic status and the country where she lived. subprogram network in rural chad may not work in urban -- for a woman who owns a small business. secondly, and it's along the same lines, you really have to tailor programs based on limitations that women have, whether those are cultural or related to time poverty or infrastructure. one of the things that the study does point out is that solar -- excuse me, cell phone technology is one of the ways you can overcome some of those barriers. because it's a very cost effective way to do stupid critical marketing information or provide services. thirdly, we found that for very poor women you really need a more comprehensive set of conventions. that is, you need to bundle

intervention. the work that solar sister thing is really good example of that. they identify e-mail tech agency to provide them with an asset which is solar technology. a given business skills training and then they further those women by providing efficient. what we found is through those three, that combination of intervention, you restart is the and impact of women being able to earn more income. spent let me bring in the others, solar sister. people are waking up to what it means. talk to me about the work that solar sister is doing. >> sure. thanks. so solar sister is addressing energy policy in africa by marrying woman power with transfer made of practical technologies. let me step back and say white energy policy is fundamentally a woman's issue, and i'm sure a lot of you would relate to the. because energy poverty is a model was cooking and a small kitchen come inhaling smoke is

going to two packs of cigarettes every single day. because of the inefficient cook stove. a young girl in africa who cannot catch up with her studies at night because there is to lead. as a midwife i was trying to assist with a typical the birth, in outer darkness. i have met midwives in uganda told me how they have assisted with very difficult births with old-fashioned phones in the mouth and pressing the phone while trying to bring a new life into this world. the good news is that energy prosperity is also a woman's solution and the good news is that we have the technology today as i speak to really make change happen. it is precisely what sources is doing by including, training and mentoring women across africa as solar sister as we're bringing light and opportunity to communities. noa mentioned the roadmap. one of the critical findings is the role that rural electrification can play on

advancing agriculture contacting enterprise. we see this in nigeria. we have solar sister who is retired maternal nurse. she is now delivering babies in bright solar lit rooms. she's also using -- a boil water and saving time and money on fuel. we have solar sister in tanzania and. she is able to work longer hours that because she has on her life and she's a user and also a seller, such as solar products to many villages across where she lives. we have solar sister from the uganda who runs an orphanage, and our children in her orphanage can study with a bright solar light, and they are seeing better school results instead of studying in dark with very dangerous, rickety terracing lanterns, a sample of which you can see in the marketplace. so every solar sister opposite for newer -- entrepreneur is

just a transformative. we can do it. we can do it now. >> transforming and have a knock on effect that we were talking about. noa, let's dig deeper into exxon mobil's work in this space. you are investing in basically supporting programs to provide skills, skills training and utilizing technology to empower and support women in agriculture and in business. how we understand why exxon mobil is doing this, and really give me a sense of how you make sure these partnerships are effective. ..

>> >> and find other partners. so i have a couple of examples when i say helped do develop the capacity of a local organization. next month we will bring 26 women from all over africa to be a part of a month-long global whitman id management trading. they will leave that with the plan how to strengthen the local organization to

better serve their women but also a network of 25 appears the has impact to call on people with similar experiences and to send a and ba projects out so it helps them with the performance indicators. so by providing this capacity we can see how these organizations help women. and i promise those you will find it very easy to use to will. then with those private public partnerships.

>> talk about social enterprise now it is 24/7 on judge berger's we want to have solar sister up across africa we cannot do this alone. we have to be on board together. said those who'd try to figure out of nigeria or uganda with the women's organization. also working with the "twilight" foundation so house do we bring those opportunities?

so the government's view trying to figure out a share the belief that women's empowerment is the human rights issue whether education or health or life a good we need to empower women. with those pardners who supported us when we were a ty abc day and to -- a tiny seed. [laughter] but we need the fet agile support that is crucial. can to what i say is the 6 degrees of impact. i am sure many people so

exxon mobile introduced us to the state department looking for that global alliance. so that creates a massive impact and also future capacity building and that program from uganda in and i am happy to say a they will be going to that initiative so to invest in the people who visit and create that final standing globally. also with exxonmobil

partnering to monetary and evaluation and finally to build the blueprint of the training program we brought our first solar brother to do a phenomenal job. i just want to urge all of you here that police for all of us in one capacity maybe though boatman's organization. and a guide us with the education. how can we bring them together.

>> it is very inspiring to take your ideas to be a part of agriculture. i know that is a terrible segue. [laughter] but let me bring in an cates i saw this that i want to share that 1 billion people are food is secure as the population begins to grow and go for the next decade we will have to grow 70 percent more food and we need more with less land and less water. what are the scientists doing about food insecurity? in give the sense of why it is that the table for this

conversation in. >> s.a. mentioned earlier said dagger science is the subsidiary made we are the agricultural division. the strategy are the fundamentals by 2050 the world's population will have more than 9 billion people that is already increasingly constrained land space and water access. and what all of that drives to is we have to have more yields and productions and we believe the way to do that is through technology and innovation. it can take on many forms and as simple as management

practices are higher quality feed or stated the are biotechnology but innovation is required to get more per acre. and all three or four of those areas is why it agra science does. but why that is important is a think it is best summed up in the brand promise solutions for the growing world. not only can we but we have a role and a responsibility to help with food insecurity. but the challenges of the world today are so complex

that no single entity can do with a loan. together means with ngos or other governments or a combination. and one of the brand values his collaboration. it is a natural link of the public private partnerships so a couple of quick examples what is already been mentioned is agriculture to talk about that like kenya to start with state it health organization but doubts science is involved as the

parts of an impasse to get more yield per acre so it is sustainable. >> you said interesting things. said bringing my perspective as an african woman as an african far murai corrupt on a farm and throughout that throughout the challenges. that drove me to study agriculture. into different sectors. but to spend time over six months so i could figure out how powerball the difference sectors is that agriculture

needs to modernize. but it's it does not necessarily mean to bring agriculture to the way that it is but the success is to utilize those challenges that africa had with the environment or the demographics or the talent pool that is led by africans that is what after ted needs to achieve for securities. >> what is key to a successful? >> one of the issues with

those partnerships is it the most important person is an acknowledged. you lofted know the challenges but often times she is not able to use them. again then also to engage to incorporate it is. to provide the structure to provide an environment to matched the activities of the male farmer who is there. there is no reason to compete with each other

their know-how to get things done. and then to come in to provide the right seat but at the same time the private sector to invest in to the talent pool and then that stands for african women funded by the united states and international development. the with that private sector also the public sector and

already working with women farmers with those private sector experience is to do their work much more efficiently with those innovations and also to partner with them. >> do you want to to add to that? >> to explain the benefits with the private sector and the company in this private share -- partnership is worth mentioning for one farber that has 1 acre so what is so powerful to that

is where we needed now your help. is the use partnerships with the young population of today they care so much above sustainable agriculture it is a pillar of our corporate responsibility with community's success. with the employer pays of food and security and globally what is the first

thing to help us with is the full support and awareness aware of the partnership then i turn it over to them. >> and i feel honored to be a part of that. and the institute continues to work with the resources available within africa so at the end of the day so those giant hands of the talent pool has a continued

movement to aspiring jong women scientists. where they believe there is the future of agriculture to create a real innovation by creating partnerships. >> from a very impressive lady that has work on the ground. thank you to you both. but if i could start with you in kenya you have a variety of experiences to be

in the trenches and talk to me about the challenges of women health care right now. border the best interventions that are working? >> thank you. my work is about women and children's health even though i am a man. [laughter] but that is where the good news ends because we have seen a lot of progress. for the of a woman that has come to deliver so how many

children died but also i don't want us to talk about numbers because it is a human thing. in this place in the woman walks away from the hospital it is really tough but then for me to take the mother and the newborn child. why is that so simple? because you need to have that effect is like one that

takes off successfully. the doctors are there and then we have to go to another hospital so that is why with our program you will see it is a huge problem in africa but for every doctor that can help there is only one.

so in collaboration end we hope this increases to solve the problem. just this week going back to the republic of self city and you might wonder? to the vitter not -- be leaving it or not it it is a increase but then there is another big problem that we face whether from the

government that those that work for more than two years. the power of the systems who don't know how to use them will also supporting biomedical

och7but the lattice dylan to maintain equal of men from the g. standpoint but the more recent push a journey of the african-american group on

the prosperity to look at addressing these issues so what can they do that would make a difference? to fondu the continent of africa where we have capacity building with localized impact for sustainable outcome was. so we have funded in basically allowing people on the continent how to repair those machines talk about those skills. the anesthesia issue we funded a program that was just graduated as first

class those african students will go out to a minister anesthesia. surgery is great but if the it anesthesia is:you will lose the of mom. that is huge. it is something we can do and does not take a lot of people. >> but then what do they do to promote health in madison? but then talk about effectiveness and statistics -- sustainability to promote this issue of a sustainable program? >> this story of the mother and the child of the

statistics in the country so what we can do is to identify so if we talk about these areas we get together with the local partner with the similar initiative and it can be problems that we can achieve. so with that initiative is part of that agenda. >> i agree. you could pilot and learn from it and expand and try again.

but it has to be about capacity and sustainability. ge has committed over $120 million to the continent of africa for maternal health that we committed another 20 million this week because we think it is important and to make sense. and then not only the of man on the panel but we have heard give a man of fish he can feed his family but if you teach him a, etc. give the woman batista woman to fish she can feed the village but if you inspire

her or expand her capacity to fish she will feed the world. [applause] >> first of all, thank you to be so specific about what is working and what is not to speak directly to how they can play a role and it doesn't have to be perfect but you have to be involved in those solutions are there. but my take away is also a the local talent we have the people on the ground and

another point is a good public-private partnership is beyond that, over a beyond that with the space you are operating to make wise decisions ending gates the people you are trying to help. it was horrible side so and to do think about it did has inspired you to get involved. because again it does not have to be perfect. you have the role to play and have a special platform and and there is other groups and organizations that make a huge difference on the ground. thank you to the panel.

and sharing that important conversation. [applause] [inaudible conversations] >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome vice president of international corporate affairs at wal-mart. [applause] >> hello. thinks for the opportunity to speak today to speak to those leaders and making a difference across the african continent. i will start with the statistics that has been mentioned so ready because

it is important to the context of today's event. more than 1 billion people live in poverty worldwide of which 70 percent are women. we're working to change the fact in 2011 wal-mart and its charitable arm the wal-mart foundation pledged $100 billion to further develop the women's initiative. to help women around the world to work three key areas of sourcing, training and diversity in inclusion. it is not just about the right thing to do but also smart business with those 200 million customers other women that control $20 trillion of consumer spending globally. add to the fact women of the emerging markets investment% of the income back into

families and communities it is why the zero women to be empowered economically whole stronger communities help us to better understand our customers'. with initiatives is the focus on women farmers in africa. to deal with organizations like usa id. it will reach 33,000 vegetable growers through a partnership with mercy corps and with the gates foundation we're reaching 50,000 women farmers in cameroon and on the ivory coast and nigeria. we're focusing efforts for women to succeed in the work place with digital skills.

and those that will increase their ability to compete in the global economy. none of this would be possible with that collaboration is the best way. but then for workers in africa i am pleased to announce the wal-mart foundation will fund a training at 135,000 for women in africa by 2016. [applause] >> working with usaid to deliver three projects. first the wal-mart foundation funding will hold support the expansion of usaid programs to provide training and 50,000 workers on agricultural techniques.

and second the wal-mart foundation funding will support the expansion of marketing and asset control to reach 45,000 farmers. so with skills of leadership and agriculture by helping to do have suppliers and service providers for training and business fundamentals. finally wal-mart foundation will support the expansion of the 1 acre fallen to the funds enable the farmers to improve their agricultural practices and increase market access from one planting season and will receive seed and fertilizer and credit and support to

allow them to work fully and fairly compete in the value chain. so to receive appropriate prices the through these grants we can express the commitment to africa to uncover africa is women. thank you for your collaboration, guidance, and support wal-mart is excited and hopeful about the difference we can make. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and joe komen please welcome president of the foundation in global director of corporate social division. [applause] >> i will also like to thank the first lady michelle

obama and president bush and all the first lady's of africa is an honor to be here i represent the caterpillar foundation with our employees around the world and our mission is to eliminate poverty by investing in what yields the best results that is girls and women and we have learned a lot about them the last few days also the perfect partnership is one that you can mix and collaborate with with the government and the ngos to have the holistic approach to eliminate poverty ourselves and we are happy to announce our partnership with the state department for $1 million to open the first ever after concentre to implement the partner with the start of cost.

it will give these women the entrepreneurialism tools and resources and mentor ships that they need to grow their businesses and as they grow the economies will grow. that will impact the country and the continent. we believe in the women and it is a the way to go. we cannot do without the state department so when you think about lifting up a continent together so what we believed in to get her stronger we believe in a the continent with the state department. thank you. [applause]

>> ladies and gentlemen, welcome deputy secretary of state minister and resources and the founder of the childrens investment fund foundation. [applause] >> good afternoon today i am pleased to announce a bold new partnership to save hundreds of thousands of children living with hiv/aids. last year 3.2 million children under the]çiq was living with hiv/aids globally 91% of the sub-saharan africa gets those that receive retro viral therapy must change. and 80 percent will die before their fifth birthday. that is why the u.s. president's emergency plan for aids relief began by

president bush in partnership with the children investment fund foundation is launching the hiv/aids treatment initiatives. we will double the number of children with anti-retrovirus of their peak in 10 countries over the next two years. together we will invest of $150 million it another 50 million to unable 300,000 more children living with hiv to receive help over the next two years. act will save children's lives and it is the smart thing to do because healthy children can pursue there g. ames for africa's future to help growing economies and create jobs and contribute to families and communities for decades to come and will contribute to realizing

president obama and secretary kerry is a vision for the aids free generation and. pepfar is extremely proud to take this step together and we hope other partners will join us in a tough fight to make aids history and invest in the next generation. [applause] >> i am truly honored to be here with you today. it has been almost one decade since the children's investment fund foundation began the campaign to make anti-retrofire rolled treatment available globally to hiv-positive children. at that time there were fewer than 10,000 children on treatment outside europe in brazil and europe the cost of treatment could be as much as 1500 per child

per year we had no knowledge of what about treatment would mean with expectancy or quality but today over half a million children are on treatment in africa. said drugs now cost as little as $100 to keep the child alive for one year and we now know they can lead full lives. we also believe we are within reach of eliminating transmission of hiv/aids mother to child. and while this is great progress we have more to do because the only reach the children who need treatment. also the only demographic

where the statistics invades is increasing and we are proud to partner with u.s. government and african governments and pepfar with this initiative committing to double the number of children that have lifesaving treatment. not only is your role as first lady's to join us and let's help the babies thrive. thank you. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, plays will come back followed by a special musical performance.

>> what's schaede day a terrific day. thank you again for being here and before we close to reflect on the partners to do with announcements over $200 million of support to programs that foster education and economic opportunities but still it is a tremendous accomplishments if we have made so much progress had in fact, i was telling her if this was an able yvette but bier not making news with that. [laughter] but what is the eighth annual event but the ford

foundation the convoy of hope and doubt agra's sciences and until thank you all for being here we are thrilled to be partnering with you and for your consideration and looking forward to working with you. >> once again clearly. thank you. [applause] i like to thank the african first lady's you're the reason we put this to gather it was a great opportunity to come to gather with governments and foundations and experts to consider the issues that are important that we share. one of the things that obama talks about is house stories

here across continents over oceans resaw that today and it is inspiring especially the young people we saw in the videos and also saw a leader initiative fellows who courageously told their stories and their experiences only redouble but my personal commitment to follow through on the tremendous possibilities the incredible progress that is demonstrated and what we have here is a opportunity here a moment in time if we

redouble the efforts we can see a tremendous opportunity for all children as the executive director in addition into my chief of staff we are passionate as we unleash the true potential and talent of women and girls around some of the globe. also love to the bush institute to mrs. bush's entire team, we were ever so grateful for their leadership in africa and their great work on this in the final shot to the

kennedy center that is just perfect for the bin you tonight a and we are just about ready. [laughter] i am thankful that you are in for a treaty because one of the things after all the great energy had after lionel richie of great musical week as well as mrs. obama to close out the session and here with that same kind of energy and excitement. we are just about ready? we are it is my great pleasure in the we are so delighted to give using your

and songwriter anthony hamilton. thank you. [applause]

>> the middle east the bloodiest most dangerous and unstable region in the world is getting blamed from tripoli or the horn of africa to the mid -- mediterranean. that this president through a red line said if he crossed it he would pay then retreated at the behest of vladimir putin that dictator has slaughtered 160,000 of his own innocence of millions in order to keep power while this administration sat and watched it happen.

catholic priest in ministers be headed by al qaeda at terrorist who seek to overthrow the administration. in egypt, the muslim brotherhood took power immediately two-room destabilize the sinai peninsula turning into the wild west committed is now replaced by a the military regime now to preside over a caliphate that stretches from the syrian border to the outskirts of baghdad and over 60,000 christians in iraq the last remaining left in the country and literally had to flee for their lives. and these terrorist block the entire free world spitting on the grave of

americans who gave their lives to liberate the country and this administration could not do anything vance and other than 300 military advisers. >> very soon now we are coming up on this historic

mark of half a century since the signing of the zero long overdue, bitterly struggle for bipartisan enacted civil rights act of 1964. 99ers after the long delayed steps to realize the patient stated ideal from this conference is all created equal. this distinguished panel will explore for half an hour and we could do it half a day not fully doing justice but the question can america be and is it a yes or no question i will push to tell the presenters why to tell us about their position and what to do a

and name names to lead us in that direction. hot i want to start with the pastor who is our guest from new jersey. how do we do to realize all created equal after the civil rights act, pastor? >> thanks to colorado christian for hosting this event and inviting me from let me say that we could go into detail but i would confess to i do not know what was conservative and tell i met bob. [laughter] i thought i was simply helping people get out of poverty with increasing self sufficiency and promoting programs to empower people to revitalize neighborhoods

to adopt children and then i realized what i was doing is what the culture diems conservative. i think we're doing well 50 years later like those who are gathered here can find out like me because without the labels many of us just do the work in our own neighborhoods. [applause] but what i think we should focus on is what the potential is high and the preachers who i would be remiss. [laughter] and although some of today's challenges i have been hearing about all day are insurmountable but it says a greater achievement for us.

[applause] so i am here to say we need to build relationships to make sure the right people know that we're not just waiting for election cycles we need to bring resources to each other and see each other as partners. and we need to make sure our principles of righteousness are the guiding principles. i a middle civil-rights activist agrees that people should fight to demand their rights and not long before i had to begin the you have to live right. so i think at forums like these with our existing relationships with the least

of god's children tear transformed america with racism and it can be defeated. [cheers and applause] >> that is the great beginning coming from someone who has walked in those shoes. now lives in boulder now you are a great woman when i heard of your family is ancestry going back to the 1500's to as the new world the difference between mexico and new mexico a lot of it was wild land we cannot be too quick to

assume that those with the longest surname has the best pedigrees i think your ancestors said it was generations all that to say was that the latino population culturally or politically how do we do 50 years after the civil rights act? it was not written with hispanic americans in mind but that was due to get us to be post racial? >> we're doing pretty well. i will tell listening to other speakers today as conservatives if we ever want to be in the white house again we better learn how to talk to those people

who are here. . . i was married. i heard he had a child. so i went to apply for one of those fellowships and they flew

me in a airplane on the way to new york. i did. talked about my dad. i grew up now in what is called capitol hill. at the time it was boarding houses in birmingham isn't related baseman fanatics. when i finished talking, one of the ford foundation interview is the enemy inside my company speaking were so well. [laughter] follows about to get a phd in english literature so i hope i spoke a mush well. and it went down hill from there. they talk it about my graduate exam resource.

i'm instead my son has colic and he was up all night and i've given all these apologies because i only scored in the 93rd percentile i made salmon that was low for me. he said the problem is your scores are too high. you're clearly not disadvantage. again, tell that to my father who had a ninth grade education. tell that to me who had to borrow money even though i was a mom and wife at the time. so all of a sudden i started thinking this idea of affirmative action isn't quite what i thought it was all about. well, i was one of the parts of the movement to get rid of programs that treated people by the color of their skin. [applause] because frankly, it does no one a favor when you look at them

and because you know their name ends in easy for their skin is darker and you think you know something fundamental about them. you think you know whether or not maybe we had to lower the standard so the poor want for josé or johnny is able to make it. so i actually think we are doing great. i think this is a country where if you come here, you work hard come to you by the rules you can still make it. and none of us needs a handout based on the color of our skin. [cheers and applause] >> well, thank you very much. so tammy bruce, great to have you here. i admire you to you as a radio host and a columnist and it's good to know you an heavy as as part of our summit. we applaud the washing times has

such a great sponsorship to have you as one of their editorial pages. so the different members of the panel, but really that is the subject of the panel. so where is martin luther king famously said we are judged by the content of our character, not the color of our skin. we hope in the living experience of some of the younger ones in america that we realize this matters no more than the fact bob and john have a different pattern in our tie and linda has a different accent. but how do you think we are doing, linda? >> i've got great admiration for linda. it's great being on this panel. and i just have to say, we can really see you up here because of the way.

but i'm scotch irish, so i'm actually paying. so i know there's another scottish out here in the room i am sure. look, first of all we hear u.s. people watching on the screen. your individuals coming your conservatives, many of you of course people at bay. you want what is best for this country. so it transcends gender, complexion, race. i'm not even republican. and it would be the common thread we have of course. for me, and as we identify as a conservative is andrew breitbart. [cheers and applause] and we have had some terrific success. i think what eric cantor lost his job he was grinning a little bit. and i think when it comes to the

issue of being a colorblind society for these posts racial. the fact of the matter is this unity we have as they speak about my pride essentially the scottish and irish, done some ancestor work. there's a heck of a lot of french in their, so i'm slightly embarrassed, but also a little interested. and so, we do have unique experiences of my stories. that in fact in america last are different for hispanic women. and the issue for us and this is the issue also for the founders as well is bringing together the power of being united and not remarkable difference in each of us as minority and for those of course, the power of christianity, the christian judaic at nick and eccentric,

you also know how it feels to be a minority these days, don't you? under attack, the nature what is happening as isis mr. iraq. do you know what it is like in your experience matters in the detail of who you are. for me as a conservative and also as minority as a conservative is the fact of the matter that those are slivers of our identity, that we come together because we understand each other and that this nation allows all of us have especially minorities to live the life that best suits us, that it is christian ethics that allows us to be free, that allows us to compete, and the opportunity escorted us. it also requires a level of tolerance. it is the understanding that we may be different, that the goal

we have for all of our family, friends and the future is the same in the only nations that give us that is the jewish nation in the middle east and the christian nation certainly by the united states of america. so whether you're identified through your faith or also are issues of race or other issues of identity, being american first is how we started. it really is what the conservatives bill u. represents as well. it's the nature of the conservative ideal, which is how we transcend. as a former leftist, andrew and i were both effectively community organizers. perhaps not something you want to mention to people these days. but we organized and what we of course notice that what we saw then is the racial divisions now on politics is false.

it is a false divide in icy conservatives all the time struggling with what we do, how do we speak to them? how to react? the fact of the matter is that it's a false framework and what i recommend to people, my first book is still available in paperback on amazon as are my other two books. what i tell people about it or ship -- let me just ask him how many people in this term have been called a racist in the midst of your work on politics? it transcends. i suggest you behave as though if you are called a cocker spaniel because it is as relevant and not framework. these are words that are meant to stop the conversation. they are words meant to have you retreat. they appeal to the best of you, which is the compassionate individual who really does care about relationship in the world and in this country.

i can't encourage you enough because it will work. the accusations of race or that this is a racial society are the divisions that we experience politically are somehow real. those are false. what is realistic human relationships which he spoke about earlier familiar human relationship with a panel that there may not give you money. these are the relationships regarding individualism that makes this country great. what the left and for those watching worldwide on the street in as they watch this, but i beg you to do is not allowed them to fill the narrative. do not allow them to define you as something you are not. [cheers and applause] and alternately, moving here and knowing you and what, there's going to be differences. there'll be tensions between men and women and between the races

in between gay and straight. it is who we are as we're struggling to get on that road of financial success and our families this looking first at the fact that you have an american that was the same things for their families as he walked for their spirit glasnost moment you recognize that connection and with the liberals and libertarian and everyone else watching, you say this is a christian group for there's a lot of people of faith standing around out there. what is this about? this is about looking past ourselves to something larger than ourselves, isn't it? it's about nation, about family and god and what it is we are going to leave behind. so my main posts racial, we already are. this nation exists because of immigration. this nation exists because the people of false faiths and they

live wonderfully and peacefully. this nation is because i'm providing here and being embraced by this crowd as well. and it is because we get it, as conservatives we get it. the differences don't like yourself -- don't question yourself about who you are, what your goals are and what it means because the left point the finger at you. it is like to make you doubt and a lot of people want you to doubt. there's all kinds of activism i can do and i can only really be undertaken if you reject the labels that the left puts on you. reject that notion that there's something for you to peruse. there is nothing for you to prove, especially for christians. how can this fact to you. when i speak to college is coming on christians, then they say how can african-americans

are unix or liberals in general, what do we say to them? my answer is always the yourself. simply be yourself and be present and what it is the dried sea. it's like walking into a room for the light is off. your presence is what matters. your light as it comes in the room. don't question what the rules would be about how to condemn. i became a conservative because i got to know conservatives are talk radio and realize that they might do about what you are all up to you. okay? [applause] and nobody tried to convert me. there was none of that. it was simply the conversations that were present. you are not what people said you were. and it moved me. the other one was that you are constant, you are happy. you are sure. you did have a mission.

he loved the country and you had a focus on what it happened here. if i can give you anything here with a different kind of background, most of you in the room is trust yourself. don't let someone else to find you. when you hear the racist word, a cocker spaniel, laugh and go on about your work change in the world because this is the size or even smaller that traditionally paid the world. thank you. [applause] >> tammy bruce. doesn't she have a way with the microphone. you should get into radio, tammy. i'm starting a cocker spaniel caucus. anyone want to join me? there is a tweaked. there was a great moment at the sun not a year ago when bill whittle hypothetically walked us through our keyword dismantle someone who called him a racist

and tell the person was cowering with their tail between their legs. and he was doing it logica and withering sarcasm. tmh is to do with boy and good humor. there's two strategies we could be using. bob woodson, you get to be the cleanup hitter. this is full with the first three presentations. i want to amend the bob woodson introduction to make all of you aware that the great paul ryan, chairman of the house budget committee, the man at the kurdish to take on obama on fiscal and health care issues and who debated him into a jelly on more than one occasion. paul ryan has gone to school with bob woodson to understand the inner city and people's numbers sell themselves in neighborhood. bob has been his tutor and taken him on them to return your helping develop a wonderful conservative leader for the

future. how do you see this question. can we be posts racial? >> yes, i think doc or kang said that the highest form of maturity is to be so critical. and bill bennett said conservatism will never be a popular movement as long as its long as it's deceit to be against the interests of minorities, d.c. tv. in many ways we have earned that perception. as bill also said one conservatives -- would liberals see blacks, d.c. victims and conservatives. so it is important to acknowledge in the 60s when conservatives today talk about limited government and small government and hostility to central government to people like buster and me was not intervention in the states or we

wouldn't be sitting here. but acknowledging that past doesn't mean we are stuck there that our strategic interest changes as our strategic circumstances change. it is important for the government to intervene, but today, central government interferes with the ability. you cannot generalize about a black community. there is a poster on an article in my office. 1965 written by bill raspberry when he was a post reporter. he said courtney gross did not benefit from the gains of the civil rights movement. having doors of opportunity open up, middle-class blacks walk-through, but they didn't. that life still exists today. for instance, 80% of my post as friends or ask something. about five years ago, 40 members of the clan came on a break at a

school bus and black folks trying to get out and the reporter when into the high crime black area and asked an 8-year-old man what he thought about the clan. he said bring them down here and they can get rid of these drug dealers. [laughter] low income blacks have a different agenda on the issues of race than anyone else. if we want to give race off of the table, then we must join in common community with the least of god's children who is struggling with in the black community we have a 9/11 every six to 3000 young blacks are killed by other blacks. when you go anastas people if racism is the most thing on their mind, they will tell you no. so it seems to me the conservative community if it is to give race off the table must join in common community to address those problems, go into those communities and go into

those households where children are being raised in 30% of the households where children not dropping out of school come in jail or drugs and why are those parents able to achieve in the face of these barriers and others cannot? conservatives should join in common cause with those remedies to address the needs of god children and they should be the one, the 20 homeless young black men this year who graduated -- i mean, when into college from homeless shelters, study and by their mothers cell phone my. and yet, they graduated valedictorian. they should be the face of the republican conservative movement. [applause] ec, people are not motivated when you constantly remind them of failures to be avoided.

people are motivated to follow you when you demonstrate victories that are possible. so part of our mission has to be to demonstrate to people as i'm trying to do with paul ryan is taking him into these communities and he is seeing people achieving against the odds. but it is not enough to comment on knowledge it. you have to help build institutions in those low income neighborhoods so people can get some reward for what they do. so conservatives want to know what is an advanced agenda, and just the name of and just thin and ability cities, join in common community at conferences like this, have a panel of low income people who have achieved against the odds, homeless kids and people who are working. so we really need to promote the remedies among the least of god's children and that is how you become posts racial.

[applause] >> thank you, bob. outlook client. we are grateful he is a member of the board of trust is at colorado christian university. todd and i go back almost 30 years to the beginning of the independence institute here in colorado and we wanted to do something for equal opportunity because colorado's u.s. senator and those days am a bill armstrong challenged his friends and supporters across colorado to think about equal opportunity. it has been great working with you over these years and i'm glad we have another go around at ccu. i love your idea that people who have succeeded against the odds. both addition and not at the university this fall as the millennialist to two conference or program a pat on the 2015 western conservative summit agenda for sure. [applause]

so, many hoped and indeed i think it had to do with a lot of the votes he garnered, whether voters would've admitted or not. the election of the sun of a mexican father and a caucasian mother to the highest office in the land the most powerful office on office on earth, presidency barack obama that began january 20th 2009, that somehow you can just mark a date and that would be the ushering in of a post-racial america. yet, we see stories and trends and angry poisonous veterans who seem to sit guys that race has become more rather than what i feel and an inflamed in america under the presidency of mr. obama. what are we to make of this, ester soaries? >> in one sentence, the election of barack obama does affect a major shift in racial america.

the fact is they would not have been and so for that, we say thank god. on the other hand, the philosophy that is the underpinning of the obama administration is not a post-racial philosophy. it is a philosophy that exacerbates although the ugly history of the country. it holds on through grudges that many of the young people don't even know about and it is eliminating the very people that racial policies are supposed to help by making them more dependent and not less dependent. the democrats have mastered the art of making racial arguments to stop economic problems. people are poor because they are black. they are poor because they don't have money. [laughter] [applause]

so if you have an economic problem, you need an economic solution. a racial solution to an economic problem will always be the plight of one group of people to create benefits for a different group of people and that is what is happening in america. >> now tme, when you were talking about the goal and skill of the left to divide us, label is, ultimately silent to neutralize that so they can have their way with their agenda, i have to think of the atmosphere emanating from barack obama, michelle obama, air cooled or, white, black and latino members of the obama administration seemed to illustrate your very point. >> yes, but it also illustrates that it is not about race, that it is a political agenda and then it will be enhanced and and

is now will be articulated by all the last regardless of race. so that is kind of the point. that is the proof in the pudding, if you will. that has worked because the last campus and a debate on the details. they can't figure on a panel and have an actual debate on the nature of the issues themselves. so they must make you afraid to engage in the first place. you got to stop being afraid of being called names. so you might have an african-american president, but the argument are leftist arguments. these are not raise arguments. these are targets for you. i would say the feminist, in 2016 and 30 happening with hillary clinton, they you are hearing about how you are all sexist if you asked a question or if you don't like her. the fact is we do and america and the conservative movement will be the face of people like

neil loven allen west. it's about true conservatives who regardless of their complexion. i want the first woman president, too. when you think about over clinton, fact of the matter is yes, one of woman in the white house. not just anyone in. we want the right woman. and this is the argument. so you'll see the same strategy implemented in that regard coming up to 16 as we've been adhering for these last six years. >> bluefin. >> just two quick comments on the point. james baldwin in the 60s when an essay and he said we would've been post-racial when a black man can propose to a white woman and she can say now. [laughter] i say we have reached a point

when a country can elect a black president and he can be incompetent and we can say he is incompetent. [laughter] that says to me we have reached a level of racial biracial. the last point i would like to make that i make that i'm a seat to republican candidates into republican party and conservative movement when it comes to race you get all squishy and the first thing you want to do is validate in the name of reaching out to the black community. i said to paul ryan a year and a half ago when he asked where to take them around. i said paul, let me give you one piece of advice. the moment you accept the rise of john lewis to reenact the montgomery march our relationship ends because we need to stop celebrating crucifixion. we need to celebrate resurrection. that is the story of christ. and everybody in his resurrection that we need to be

celebrated. >> i said we would be looking at examples that you would suggest to readers and maybe i'm not names that we need to learn to recognize. who is doing this right? they exemplify an america that is not divided, labeled, silenced and neutralizes as tammy has won this happening. black, white, latino? >> you know, the whole latino thing is a great mystery to me because if you want to know who really believes in america, you want to know who thinks that america is the greatest country in the world, it is some of those people who are traveling across central america and speaking through our border at night. they're the ones who believe in that statue of liberty. and i am here to tell you, if you want to end illegal immigration tomorrow, it isn't rocket science. it is not hard to do.

we have done in the past and it isn't about building fences. it is about enacting legal immigration reform that is market-based, that his skills-based and says if you want to come here and make a life and bring your family and work hard, we want you here. [applause] and so you know, when i think about the future and when i say that we conservatives had better learn to start talking about this issue a little better, you know that hispanic immigrants are more likely to live in a home with two parents and children and a father that were than non-hispanic whites. do you know that the five safest cities, big cities in america have populations of large hispanics in the safest big city

in america if el paso, texas. it is not three years running and includes a population is 82% hispanic and 25% immigrant. so we start talking about a post-racial america, we've got to the backdoor immigrant past. yes, it is bad that people coming here illegally. but if you are a mexican man with a high school education high school education and you don't have a father, mother, son or daughter living here and you go down and apply for a visa, you will wait 125 years before your name comes up. if you are indian or chinese, you will wait anywhere from 20 to 40 years before your name comes up. we can sauger porter problem. we can solve a conflict to call the invasion. we have to go back to a market to a marker brazed immti