U.S. Elections in Brief

Free and fair elections are the keystone of any democracy. They are essential for the peaceful transfer of power.
When voters elect representatives, they elect the leaders who will shape the future of their society. This is why elections empower ordinary citizens: They allow them to influence the future policies of their government, and thus, their [...]

A Healthy Future

Few issues matter more to people around the world than health. Good health increases a person’s chances of getting an education, earning a living, starting a family and leading a long and fulfilling life. Improvements in public health make communities more robust, advances in development more sustainable and economic growth more rapid.
Disease knows no border; [...]

Cultivating Civil Society 2.0

Civil society consists of organizations and institutions that help and look after people, their health and their rights. The work of civil society groups complements the efforts of governments and the private sector. Whether the goal is as local as building a new school or as global as stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS, civil society [...]

Educating Women and Girls Is Key to Meeting 21st Century Demands

Melanne Verveer is the State Department ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues.
The education of women and girls is essential not only to promoting gender equality, but also to addressing the full spectrum of 21st century challenges. Research shows that investing in education is one of the most effective, high-yielding development investments a country can make.
Much progress [...]

Youth Entrepreneurship

Today’s young people are more connected to each other and to the wider world than any previous generation. Many reject the status quo because they see alternatives, know that a better life is within grasp and are willing to reach for it. That’s how U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton described the youth of [...]