Washington– Washington (AFP) – Melania Trump The United Nations, on Tuesday, called on countries to work together to improve children’s access to education and technology around the world, making its appeal while addressing a gathering of its counterparts from more than 40 countries.
first lady Fostering the future together The Melania Trump Initiative, which she announced last year, and the two-day summit she opened on Tuesday are examples of how Melania Trump is expanding her portfolio to include global issues.
In her opening speech, she said: “As people we dream. As leaders we advance. And as countries we will build.” “Starting today, let us accelerate our new global alliance, this Association, to positively impact the progress of our children.”
She called on participants to host regional meetings, conduct research studies, start new partnerships and collaborate with other member states “to develop the skills that young people need to succeed in this rapidly developing world.”
She said the goal of empowering children will be achieved by creating innovative programs, advocating for supportive education policies, sponsoring technology-focused legislation, and building strong public-private partnerships.
“This room is filled with extraordinary human capital,” the First Lady said. She urged leaders sitting around a large U-shaped table in the State Department hall to “harness it to uplift your children, empower your people, and accelerate your economies.”
The First Lady left the summit after her remarks. Her spokeswoman, Nick Clemens, said she looked forward to hosting the group at a roundtable at the White House on Wednesday.
Participants came from countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The gathering also included technology companies such as Microsoft, Google and OpenAI, who were meeting with attendees during a luncheon that was closed to press coverage.
Participants include Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The working session included panelists who gave presentations on what their countries are doing in four areas: artificial intelligence in education, education technology tools, digital literacy, and online safety.
Zelenska said during the AI session that “education is no longer one-size-fits-all” and that Ukraine is working to integrate AI across the country, including in education.
Netanyahu, who spoke during the session on online protection and safety, said that children cannot navigate the digital world alone. “They need to be protected,” she added.
Melania Trump announced the Strengthening the Future Together initiative during the United Nations General Assembly session last fall, declaring that the mission of the global coalition of nations is “to ensure that every child can thrive in the digital age.”
The First Lady is also working to help reunite children with their families after they were separated due to Russia’s war against Ukraine.