Freedom of expression is a cornerstone to any thriving democracy.
This idea came to life while I spent three days at UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day in Tunisia, where I had the opportunity to listen to and engage with journalists, bloggers, and citizen activists from across the Middle East and North Africa and beyond.
I arrived May 3 in Tunis to deliver remarks at Tunisia's Presidential Palace to a crowd of more than 400 in attendance, and thousands more watching virtually. The audience welcomed video… more »
Swarms of photographers surrounded a woman, blinding those near her with their flashes. Officials and journalists alike waited eagerly in a makeshift line to greet this woman who clearly was revered by those at the opening session for World Press Freedom Day in Tunis.
The woman at the center of this attention was Tawakkol Karman, was a 33 year old Yemeni journalist, known in her country as the mother of the revolution, and now known throughout the world as one of three women to share the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. She has been in and out of jail, but still speaks out.
"We have risen for freedom of the press," she told a rapt audience from all over the world. "The young have sacrificed themselves while writing, filming and texting in alleys,… more »
Hundred of journalists, bloggers, activists and officials from every corner of the globe have descended on Tunis to honor UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day. From Burma and Bahrain, to Qatar and Zimbabwe, those who write, film, text, and tweet the truth will spend three days listening, discussing, and exchanging ideas about the power -- and perils -- of free speech.
Over a year ago, Tunisia's Jasmine revolution sparked transitions throughout the Middle East. Millions have come out, and keep coming, to demand change and the right to express themselves -- from Tahrir Square and Benghazi, to Sanaa and Hom.
The clarion call for freedom has not been without its bumps and setbacks.… more »
In the midst of the NCAA's March Madness, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed 18 teenage girl athletes and six female coaches from all corners of the globe to the United States as part of the Empowering Women and Girls Through Sports Initiative.
Check out the video on how sports empower these young athletes and coaches.
While in the United States, the delegation from Kazakhstan, Nicaragua, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe are participating in a variety of activities including: basketball clinics with their American counterparts, teambuilding exercises, workshops on Title IX and nutrition, and community events associated… more »
Last weekend in Tunis, Secretary Clinton made a powerful statement supporting the revolutions that continue to impact North Africa and the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on backing the Syrian people in their ongoing struggle for freedom. One particular moment in her remarks stood out to me, which was her praise for the people of Tunisia, where the revolutions were first sparked. She said, "I think it was quite remarkable, especially on such short notice -- and thanks to Tunisian leadership and Arab League leadership -- that all of us gathered here today reached consensus."
I saw this same leadership firsthand when the Global Partnership Initiative hosted the Tunisia Partnerships… more »
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco February 24-25, 2012. In Tunisia, Secretary Clinton participated in the first meeting of the "Friends of Syria" group as part of our ongoing efforts with our friends, allies, and the Syrian opposition to crystallize next steps to halt the slaughter of the Syrian people and pursue a transition to democracy in Syria. At the meeting, she said "Syria is a proud country of 23 million people, with a rich history and ancient culture. The end of Assad can mark a new beginning for Syria. It is… more »
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered remarks on youth at a Town Hall in Tunis, Tunisia on February 25, 2012. Secretary Clinton said, "Now, the future is always somewhat uncertain, but what is certain to me is that it will be the young people of Tunisia who determine what the future will be. And many have asked: Why after so many years did change finally come to Tunisia and that change here in Tunisia spark change across the Arab world? And why did young people here in Tunisia strike the first blows for freedom and opportunity?
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed the Friends of Syria meeting in Tunis, Tunisia, on February 24, 2012. Secretary Clinton said, "I want to thank Tunisia for hosting this meeting today and I salute the Arab League for its leadership throughout this crisis. I want to particularly applaud the selection of Kofi Annan as a special envoy for both the UN and the Arab League. He will seek to advance the consensus reflected in the Arab League transition plan and the UN General Assembly's resolution, and I look forward to working with him."
"Now, we are all here because the Assad regime's escalating violence in Syria is an affront… more »
On February 23, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton begins a four-nation trip to London and North Africa. In London, the Secretary will attend a conference hosted by Prime Minster David Cameron, dedicated to building stability and peace in Somalia. Heads of state and foreign ministers from over 50 countries as well as representatives of the United Nations and the African Union will attend. The timing of the conference is significant as it convenes six months prior to the end of Somalia's… more »
Just as my Department of State colleagues witnessed the entrepreneurial spirit of the Arab Spring with Jordanian entrepreneurs in Washington, D.C., I experienced that same spirit energizing the halls of the Ryad Mogador Agdal in Marrakech, Morocco.
I recently participated in the second U.S.-Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference, initially launched one year ago in Algeria just weeks before the uprisings in Tunisia that sparked the… more »
May 23: The State Department, through its office of the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), is pleased to announce $1.5 million in funding to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to support open governance and political participation in the Middle East and North Africa. more »
May 23: Today, Russia was invited to join the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) at a ceremony hosted by its parent body, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. ã more »
![Dr. Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, participates in an interview with a journalist in Tunis, Tunisia, May 3, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0509_brimmer_tunisia_m.jpg)
![Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist Tawakkol Karman of Yemen speaks at City Hall in in Oslo, Norway Dec. 10, 2011. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0504_karman_m.jpg)
![Members of the press hold placards during a rally to mark World Press Freedom Day in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 3, 2012. [AP Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0503_press_freedom_m.jpg)
![U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks with civil society members in Tunisia. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0229_clinton_tunisia_m.jpg)
![Secretary Clinton boards plane in Beirut, Lebanon, April 26, 2009. [State Department Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2009_0716_clinton_departs_m.jpg)
