"A Call to Action"

Katie Mulvaney
The Providence Journal
June 27, 2006

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SOUTH KINGSTOWN – The stands at the University of Rhode Island's Thomas M. Ryan Center last night were said to hold some of the best and brightest teenagers the world has to offer. Former President Bill Clinton aimed to tap the crowd's potential by inspiring them to share in his vision of a more unified and environmentally sound world.

"You can't get away from each other, but you can hold hands and make sure that your children and their children and their grandchildren will also have the chances to live their dreams," Clinton said.

They came from Tango, Swaziland, Trinidad and beyond and judging from their rousing cheers, many of the 1,900 participants in the World Scholar-Athlete Games embraced his message. The students journeyed from 157 nations to compete in sports and share in activities ranging from theater to the symphony – sponsored by the Institute for International Sport – at URI's Kingston campus.

As keynote speaker, Clinton challenged the students to assess the modern world, identify what they'd like to change about it and define what role they and others should play. He confronted the teens – who, wearing white T-shirts, filled the second tier of the center – with what he viewed as the greatest threats: disease; global warming; and senseless divides.

He urged them to reach beyond perceived barriers.

"Our differences matter, but our common humanities matter more," he said. He hoped for a world of "integrated communities," based on shared responsibilities and opportunities – a concept he said would go far in building nations and avoiding conflict.

"While you need a security strategy, you need to have a strategy for more partners and fewer enemies," he said of the United States' global position.

He estimated the cost "to turn the tide on" infectious diseases worldwide at $25 billion to $40 billion a year for 40 years. And while that might appear daunting, in actuality it would be equal to the tax revenue lost to the federal treasury by repealing the estate tax, he said.

His voice sounding hoarse, Clinton spoke for about an hour before ending the talk next to URI President Robert Carothers, both sitting in blue easy chairs during a question-and-answer session.

When asked what he viewed as the greatest challenges facing society, Clinton responded among the most imminent threats is that terrorists might obtain small-scale nuclear weapons. Good homeland security and communication across diverse groups are crucial tools in fighting terrorism, he said.

But he warned that global warming could cause portions of Manhattan to be engulfed by rising seas and other irreparable damage to the earth. The United States must act now to reduce emissions by moving toward commuter railways and more efficient vehicles, he said.

He used his work with former President Bush to assist the victims of last winter's tsunami and Hurricane Katrina as an example of team-building across divides. "I look for areas we agree," he said, adding "all this bitter partisanship has been poison for our country."

Clinton noted that the teens were uniquely positioned to change the world as the first generation to grow up in the Internet age.

"You don't have to have any money to make a difference," he said, noting that Melissa Gillooly, the daughter of Journal sports writer John Gillooly, is assisting the Clinton Foundation in its effort to cure HIV/AIDS in Africa.

"There's something you can do in your own community. There's something you can do in your own country. There's something you can do halfway around the world. I hope you'll all be good citizens of your country. I hope you all vote. I hope . . . you will run for office," he said.

Last night's event drew a total of 2,600 people, organizers said.

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