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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
Remarks by Harriet Babbitt,
As Prepared
USAID Deputy Administrator
Ninth Executive Leadership Development and Diversity Training Conference
National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives
November 17, 2000
Thanks to the members of NAHFE, and thank you also to Manual Oliverez, the President of NAHFE and others who have worked so hard to put this conference together.
It's a pleasure to be here. I am especially pleased that USAID will soon enter a partnership with the National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives-I know this is just one dimension of the commitment USAID is making to this new partnership with NAHFE.
As many of you know, one of President Clinton's goals over the past eight years has been to have an Administration that looks like America. As he has said, this was not an act of charity or kindness, or even constitutional obligation. It was and is a matter of enlightened self-interest.
We know that diversity in our lives makes ours a better nation and a stronger democracy, and we know that this is true of our government as well.
Diversity brings in new ideas, new viewpoints, and new visions-and this makes our government more dynamic, more productive, and ultimately, more effective.
At the U.S. Agency for International Development, we recognize this, and that is why one of our Agency's core values is to value and promote diversity.
As many of you know, USAID is the federal agency that administers America's foreign assistance programs.
In over 100 countries around the world-countries like Russia, Nicaragua, and Kenya-USAID is helping people create a better life for themselves.
We work to create jobs and economic opportunity, to promote democracy and democratic ideals, and to improve the overall health and well-being of families.
As unofficial American ambassadors to all these countries, it is critical that USAID's representatives abroad be as diverse as the American people themselves.
In places like Colombia, the Balkans, and Indonesia, USAID tries to teach people to tolerate different views, respect differences, and celebrate similarities-but we must lead by example.
Hispanic Americans-and indeed, African Americans and Asian Americans-have made historic gains under the Clinton/Gore Administration.
For the first time in the history of this nation, our government reflects not only the values of this nation, but the people of this nation.
But we can do even more, and we can do even better. At USAID we are working hard to bring more Hispanics into our Agency. Indeed, that is one of the main reasons for our partnership with NAHFE.
We need diversity in government at all levels-in management as well as entry level, in the Senior Executive Service as well as in the foreign service.
At USAID, we are doing everything we can to make this happen.
And so, for those of you considering new employment, I encourage you to visit USAID's booth out in the Exhibition Hall-I know there are people there who can help you with any questions you may have.
You know, over the years I have been lucky enough to travel to many different parts of the world.
And the one thing I can tell you that all these places have in common is that their citizens all look to America for leadership-not because we are powerful or wealthy, but because we live by our ideals.
Freedom, equality, justice-these are the very hallmarks of our democracy. But alongside these things we must also nurture tolerance and acceptance; for, as President Clinton has said, freedom without tolerance is freedom unfulfilled.
In closing, let me say that in this new century, I look forward to working with all of you to reach our shared goals. And at USAID we welcome the opportunity to strengthen one of our core values-diversity.
I will now turn the program over to my colleagues for USAID's panel presentation. Thank you again for inviting me here today.
This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
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Last Updated on: July 12, 2001 |
