- 1 week ago
Alphonso David discusses the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equity.
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00:00Good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening. I'm saying that because this is being live
00:14streamed across the globe. So we have billions of people who are watching this event. This is
00:22the Global Black Economic Forum, as you heard. This is a global enterprise that is focused
00:30on transforming how we think about diversity, inclusion, equity. The Global Black Economic
00:40Forum is focused on making sure that we realize economic opportunity for the black diaspora
00:46and marginalized communities all over the globe. What do I mean by the black diaspora? Talking
00:52about people in India, people in Colombia, people in Chicago, people in Dakar, people
01:00that originate from the continent of Africa and other marginalized communities. And we
01:06have a lot of work to do. The Global Black Economic Forum is seeking to change the current landscape,
01:15the status quo. Through our work in policy, social and economic justice policy, we also
01:24are seeking to do that with our leadership development company, the Academy for Advancing Excellence,
01:30where we work with Fortune 500 companies, we work with entrepreneurs, we work with leaders
01:35across the world, and through summits and conferences like this. Now, when I say summits and conferences,
01:42we're not talking about the traditional summits and conferences. We're not just simply interested
01:47in having conversations. We're interested in action. We're interested in holding us accountable
01:56for the conversations that we're having. Because the people that are relying on us need us to act.
02:04They need us to achieve. And so when we put people on these stages, we want to make sure
02:11that we're delivering for the community that needs change. And all of you have heard about change,
02:20certainly today. But before I get to that, all of you have cards on the table. And I want you to use
02:30your cards and write down the answer to this question. If there is one thing, just one thing,
02:43that you believe we should do to achieve economic equity and equality for people of color, what would that be?
02:58One thing. Address poverty. Close the wealth gap. It could be mundane. It could be complex. What is the one thing
03:10that we should do to close the economic opportunity gap, to achieve economic equity for black people and people
03:23of color around the globe? Because all of you have been invited to help us affect change. And we certainly don't believe
03:34that we have all the answers. But we believe we have the responsibility to advance the answers and ensure
03:41that we have impact. 1965, Lyndon Johnson signed an executive order prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race.
03:551978, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision stating that universities and colleges should not and cannot
04:06discriminate on the basis of race and in fact could use race as a factor in college admissions. Fast forward to 2015.
04:15The court issued another decision stating that colleges can indeed continue to use race as a factor in admissions in colleges. And then today, it's no longer the law. That has changed.
04:33Some of you know I'm a civil rights lawyer. And when I went to law school, I remember reading the Dred Scott decision that said that I was not a person under the law.
04:46I remember reading Plessy versus Ferguson that said separate but equal is legal. Those decisions obviously changed. But now we're going backwards.
04:56So what's our responsibility to make sure that we turn the tide. That is our purpose here today. That is your role here today to help us achieve that goal.
05:09And I couldn't think of a better way to start today and start this conversation than with two titans. Two women who have broken every barrier.
05:28Madam President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The first woman elected president for any country on the continent of Africa.
05:49That deserves a standing ovation.
06:01There's a lot to say about Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
06:05But I think it's worth noting that she's a peacemaker.
06:12She took over the country of Liberia, my home, at a time where we had suffered two decades of civil war.
06:23And she made peace.
06:26Not only does she make peace, she turned the tide at a time where the country was in deep descend.
06:34And for her work, she has been recognized by the President of the United States with a merit award.
06:43And she received the Nobel Peace Prize.
06:53And now, she's no longer the President of Liberia, but she is still working.
06:58She is running the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Foundation to ensure that we identify, support more women to be leaders in the continent of Africa.
07:11So we're so happy to have her with us.
07:16And not to be undone, we have the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas Greenfield.
07:24That deserves a standing ovation as well.
07:39Linda Thomas Greenfield has her roots in the Peace Corps.
07:46No?
07:47Sorry.
07:48Okay.
07:50So I'll blame Roger for that.
07:51But I do know something about Linda Thomas Greenfield.
07:56And I don't think she'll correct me on this.
07:58She's a bridge builder.
08:02And what I mean by that is, in this country and certainly other parts of the globe, there's a divide.
08:09Sometimes it's artificial, sometimes it's real.
08:12Divide between African and African American.
08:15Divide between Black and African.
08:18She's building those bridges to make sure that we see our own humanity.
08:24She's doing that through policy.
08:27She's doing that through advocacy.
08:29She's using her office to make sure that we realize the true purpose of the continent of Africa, the true purpose of the United States, the true purpose of diplomacy in achieving equity and equality for all of us.
08:43And for that, we thank you.
08:46We thank you for your advocacy.
08:48We thank you for your work.
08:50So with that, we will start a conversation.
08:53A conversation about the global opportunity economy.
08:57A conversation about advancing the interests of women leaders, not only on the continent of Africa, but across the globe.
09:04So let's begin.
09:14So both of you heard my introduction.
09:19And you know why we wanted you here.
09:25But my first question is, why are you here?
09:27There are many other places you could be.
09:33There are many demands for your time.
09:37Why are you here?
09:39And maybe we'll start with you, Madam President.
09:42There's a microphone in your chair.
09:44On that side.
09:48Let me help you.
09:50There it is.
09:51Oh, there it is.
09:52Well, let me say I think it's a great opportunity to just be a part of this event that talks about the Global Black Economic Forum.
10:14This is something new to me, and I think to many of us in Africa and other places, where we go to conferences, we go to forums, but they're never singled out to say we're going to focus on the black people.
10:35And that's special.
10:37And so why am I here?
10:39I'm here to know more about it, to see what the goals are going to be, what are the processes to be able to achieve those goals.
10:51It's going to be exciting for me to listen to you and some of the plans you have for something like this, and all the many of the corporate leaders who are sitting here in this audience, how they're going to make contribution to this.
11:11So I just think it's great that offers to be here.
11:16I want to learn.
11:17I want to listen.
11:19I want to take those ideas back and make something happen where I am.
11:26Ambassador Greenfield, same question.
11:29Why are you here?
11:31I'm here for the same reasons.
11:33I'm also here because of the opportunity.
11:36The opportunity that this provides to really reaffirm and show our commitment to women, to black empowerment, not just in the United States, but around the globe and in the African diaspora.
11:57I was in Brazil a few weeks ago and was really introduced to the huge African diaspora there.
12:07And what was clear to me is that we have to work and do a better job of engaging with each other, supporting each other, and moving forward on issues that impact all of us around the world.
12:24So this gives me an opportunity to show that commitment, and particularly as it relates to women, peace and security.
12:31Working alongside this woman when she was president of Liberia.
12:37I was the ambassador to Liberia during that period.
12:41And I was able to see how important it is to have women in positions of power.
12:51To see how a woman leads.
12:54And so I think being able to share that with you here in this audience, to show the commitment that we have, but also to get your commitments to this opportunity, I think is something that we all appreciate.
13:14And I will be listening as well.
13:17So as we talk about the peacemaker and the bridge builder, many people may not know that you two have a relationship that goes back many, many years.
13:26And what I want to tease out here for the audience is how your relationship has actually helped you inform your work, the policy, and the impact that you've had.
13:41So maybe we can start with you, Madam President.
13:44Linda is a Liberian.
13:48I think she is because we know how well has she not only served your country as an ambassador to Liberia, but she has roots there because she did some of her research.
14:10She did some research there before she completed her college training.
14:16She's been back there.
14:17In fact, one of our major rural counties, as we call them, is we call that her adopted home.
14:26You know, that's the place she already has some land.
14:29We're just waiting for her to come back.
14:31But she's, she's, I mean, but as an ambassador, I have to tell you, she was exceptional.
14:40We, we have a lot of shared values.
14:44So we could talk a lot.
14:46We could differ sometimes, you know, when she's telling me to, you know, just call those names.
14:54But, but Linda really was one of those ambassadors, not only with the diplomatic skills, but her ability to just confront an issue with the honesty, with the exact,
15:11the exact preciseness, and to tell it like it is.
15:15And because of that, I think over the years, not only serving in Liberia, but whenever I'm in the United States, or she's involved in a program, or in another country, or in whole high level positions.
15:29She's one person that I look to as a mentor.
15:32She's one person that I go to for counsel.
15:35And, and there's somebody who would just tell me, you know, some of the truth.
15:39She'll tell me when I'm wrong.
15:41I'm trying to take a decision, presidential decision.
15:44You know, I think I got all, all the answers.
15:48And Linda would tell me, no, no, no, just wait a minute, you know.
15:51You missed something.
15:52Just listen to a few advice that comes from me after so many years of service.
15:57And so that relationship has just, it's just, it'd be enhanced from year to year to see her right now.
16:09I don't know how many of the officials in our country are calling her, asking her for advice in difficult times to see, you know, how she can provide some answers.
16:19So it's, Linda is someone, Linda knows how much we appreciate her in Liberia.
16:25And I'm just proud to be her friend.
16:27That's all.
16:28So I have known Ellen, and I'm going to call her Ellen because she called me a friend just now.
16:39I've known Ellen much longer than she's known me.
16:44I went to Liberia for the first time when I was 26 years old as a student.
16:50And that's why everybody thinks I was a Peace Corps volunteer.
16:53Okay.
16:54Raja has redeemed himself.
16:56I went there as a student.
17:01She was already a force to be reckoned with.
17:08And I respected her from the moment I knew of her.
17:12I didn't know her.
17:13I just knew of her and what she was doing to support her country.
17:18And I watched her from afar.
17:20And as I grew in my career, she grew in her being a force of nature.
17:28This iron lady who really got engaged in politics.
17:33And then suddenly I was in a position where I could get to know her personally.
17:40And from that moment on, I considered her a mentor and a friend.
17:47And I, if there's anything I'm most proud of in my entire life, it was the period when I served as ambassador to Liberia.
17:58And I was able to work side by side with her to help her rebuild Liberia from the ashes of war.
18:07And seeing how she empowered women.
18:11And she empowered not just educated women.
18:15Not just people like me.
18:17She empowered women in rural areas.
18:20She empowered women in the marketplace.
18:23She empowered young girls who, in elementary school, when you'd ask them what they wanted to be when they grew up,
18:32and they'd say president of Liberia.
18:37And so her impact on Liberia, on Africa, on the entire world, will always be a part of all of our lives as we look at how we move forward.
18:54And I think that for this audience, the message of the possibilities of Africa, based on her experience in leadership, I think will be very lasting.
19:12So let's continue with that theme.
19:14And I don't want to simply limit it to Africa, but certainly we can talk about developing nations, if you will.
19:22As you all know, and I've spoken about this a few minutes ago, the Global Black Economic Forum is focused on really ensuring that we achieve economic equality, economic equity.
19:34One of the challenges that countries in Africa and other developing nations face is that economic development can be tied to large multinational corporations.
19:46Coming in with their own resources and talent to really build big infrastructure projects, as an example, and tap into the continent's natural resources.
19:58So while these projects may bring money into a country, they're not really built around the people.
20:06And they are not, in many cases, they don't lead to an inclusive economy.
20:11So one of the things that I would like to get both of your thoughts on, and maybe we can start with you, Ambassador,
20:16is how can we shift that paradigm so that there is a sustained and sustainable reinvestment?
20:25And what is the responsibility? We have CEOs here in the room.
20:29What is the responsibility of multinational companies with respect to community building investments?
20:36Thank you so much for that question.
20:38And as you look at the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration over the course of the past two and a half years,
20:46we have worked diligently to engage with the private sector, to engage with African leaders, to bring them together.
20:57We had a leaders summit and a business conference last year in December,
21:03where we are working to see what the opportunities are to bring American companies to the continent of Africa,
21:12where we will create jobs and build resiliencies in these economies.
21:18Over the course, for example, of the past three years, somewhere around 200 deals have been struck.
21:25There are a number of American companies, I won't name them here because I don't know who's in the room, that have invested in Africa.
21:34And we saw that during COVID, the importance of having companies invest in not just Africa, but to invest in communities, to invest in people.
21:47Prosper Africa has contributed significantly to that, and the AGOA, the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act,
21:56has also contributed to that, where we have been able to create jobs on the continent of Africa,
22:03create opportunities for the private sector to export their products to the United States duty-free, creating jobs in the United States.
22:14And so it really is important that companies work not just with leaders, but work with communities.
22:21And that's something that this administration has been very strongly behind.
22:26Madam President, your views on this?
22:29Let me first put this issue in a historical context.
22:37Africa and most of the underdeveloped nations are endowed with natural resources.
22:55And for too long, the exploitation of those resources have not taken back the benefits that are required for the country.
23:06required for the countries to be able to develop.
23:11Yes, times have changed.
23:15And today we have large corporate entities that are now working in countries, exploiting those resources,
23:29whether they're mineral or maritime resources, or agricultural resources, and are doing it successfully.
23:38And the returns, not only to the entities, but to country, can be very bountiful.
23:44But how do, if I can address your issue, what do we do to make that relationship more acceptable and more sustainable?
23:59First, we need to do something about the insufficiency of resources on the part of countries.
24:09When you have these large corporate bodies that get these large concessions to be able to exploit those resources,
24:18that they need to show that they can address the issues of capacity and finance.
24:28Capacity by ensuring that they develop programs for technical assistance to improve the skills in the country.
24:40To ensure that their employment practices make sure that not only do they allow opportunities to those that have the requisite skills,
24:56that are national stack and hold positions at all levels, not just the blue collar jobs, but management jobs,
25:05to enable them to be part of decision making.
25:08To make sure that women are given equal opportunities as men.
25:14Those are the kind of corporate practices that we'd like to see improved upon, so that the returns to both can be enhanced.
25:27We believe that there could be opportunities to have partnership with national entities.
25:38Outsourcing would enable some entities, national entities, to be able to build their own enterprises and to be a part of a strong partnership for the exploitation of those resources.
25:52And so for those of you that work with that, I can say that while the rewards that come from large corporate entities are indeed beneficial and things I would like to see,
26:11but there are ways where they can be improved so that we can see the growth trajectory of our countries have sustained a path.
26:28That we don't have to run into a situation like when COVID-19 hits and the supply chains are not there,
26:39and the responses to them are not there, that you have the economists take a big hit and they lose some of the gains that they've accumulated over the years with corporate parties.
26:54So we hope that the Global Black Economic Forum will introduce some new ideas, that all of you who are part of it will be a part of seeing how whatever you do can make sure that this partnership, public-private partnership,
27:18that it takes a path that it takes a path that will make sure that countries do have sustained growth, that they have reached a place where they can compete, where they can grow,
27:30where they can contribute to the global chain and to the global produce that we have.
27:37And we can see diversification. We can also see our countries be able to take on a major responsibility in those corporate bodies and be a part of it. Thank you.
27:52Can I just add to that, sometimes we ignore the fact of how rich the continent of Africa is.
28:03The President mentioned natural resources. You know, I like to describe the continent as the last frontier of those types of resources.
28:12I mean, in every single country. I mean, Liberia has some of the richest rainforests on the entire continent of Africa, but also around the world.
28:25The agricultural potential is immense. And then add to that the biggest resource on the continent is the people.
28:38The medium age in Africa is 19. There is a huge population of young people who are coming up on this continent.
28:47And they need to be invested to be vested in the future of the continent. And they can't have that investment without the investment of the private sector in them.
29:01And so we really do have to up our game on engagement on the continent where we are using the resources on the continent for the people of the continent of Africa.
29:17And it's not just an extractive relationship where companies, countries are going in to take Africa's resources and not leaving anything behind.
29:30Let me let me let me just add something. Make sure you let let them pay their taxes, too.
29:42So what we just saw in the past five minutes was a dissertation on accountability in a very, very artful and graceful way where the president with a live stream is now holding the Global Black Economic Forum accountable for coming up with major solutions.
30:03And that is really one of the key purposes of this conference.
30:08We are not afraid of being held accountable, and we actually want people on the stage to identify pathways for us to find solutions.
30:16So for that, I thank you for so gracefully challenging me and challenging us.
30:21And thank you, Ambassador, for doing the same.
30:23As we think about infrastructure, certainly the economy, I want to just shift to human rights.
30:32For a minute. Corporations often say, individuals often say that we support civil rights, we support civil liberties.
30:45But in some cases, we there's a disconnect in how those companies operate as it relates to their quote values.
30:57I remember after George Floyd was killed, I spoke to many CEOs, and they were struggling with how to respond.
31:06Some were responding to concerns from shareholders. Some were responding to concerns from employees.
31:12Some were concerning due to concerns from consumers.
31:16And for me, what I found the key issue was companies that responded actually had to find their values.
31:25Companies that were struggling with what to do didn't have values defined.
31:29And as we think about moving forward, and as we think about the continent of Africa and other places, where women are not treated the same as men,
31:42where LGBTQ people could be subject to persecution and death.
31:46What is the role of corporations as they think about growth, as they think about investments, as they think about expanding into certain parts of the world as it relates to human rights?
31:58Where should that fit when they're thinking about a growth strategy?
32:03Well, no, you just need fair practices.
32:16That's number one.
32:18Treat people, your employees, your coworkers, with dignity.
32:23We must ensure, first of all, that countries that have certain laws and practices relating to the protection of people are equally observed and adhered to by corporate bodies.
32:48We need to address some of the shortcomings of those who work for them.
32:53Whether it's housing, whether it's access to social services that are fair, fair hiring and paying practices to enable.
33:07I think those are what we see as ensuring that you address human rights.
33:17There are some countries that have some prohibiting laws when it relates to that.
33:23While we expect that every corporate body to adhere to the laws of the country, but there are also certain respect for human rights that must be maintained by them without necessarily violating the law.
33:40We all know today about corporate responsibility, corporate social responsibility, and each country does require that responsibility be met in accordance with a predetermined understanding of just what the corporate body can do to be able to enhance training,
34:07mere education of workers to enable them to contribute back to companies, what are necessary to create that relationship.
34:17Too often you have workers that are striking, that are protesting, that feel ill-treated.
34:25That leads to resentment and that leads to relationship issues by leaders of the country and corporate bodies.
34:34And it takes away from what we need, the kind of environment to attract private capital, to attract foreign investment, things that our countries need so badly.
34:46Today we don't want to depend so badly. Today we don't want to depend so much on official development assistance. We want to have a viable private sector.
34:55We want to see the United States and black corporate leaders. We want to see you in Africa taking a stand, taking a position, joining public-private partnerships for the enhancement of Africa.
35:11The enhancement of Africa, because the enhancement of Africa and the success of Africa is a success of black America.
35:18Let me just say that we really do have to lead with our values. And our values mean that we have to do what is right by people.
35:36I deal with this issue every single day in New York, in the Security Council, in the General Assembly, where there are countries who say states' rights are more important than human rights.
35:53And so they lead with the sense of the state has the right to do whatever it wants to do that may in fact diminish the rights of individuals.
36:09And companies that are going into those countries have to be clear on what their values are.
36:16If they value human rights, that has to be part of their mantra when they go in and negotiate with countries, that they're not going to discriminate against women working.
36:29I use as an example, it's not Africa, but Afghanistan.
36:34They're not going to discriminate against the LGBT community.
36:40They're not going to discriminate against a certain ethnic group, because that somehow is the policy of the country.
36:50But their approach is to build community and provide opportunity for all people.
36:57And I think if they take that approach, that people will work with them as they try to help these countries build a better future for their people.
37:11And companies have to be clear about what their policies are when they go into a country.
37:17They're not trying to change culture.
37:20Sometimes I hear that a lot when we're engaging with countries, that you're trying to change our culture.
37:27You're trying to rewrite our culture to fit your culture.
37:31And I always throw it back that if your culture is to kill the LGBT community, arrest the LGBT community, arrest women and throw women in jail,
37:46then that is a problem for us.
37:50I'm not telling you how to run your country.
37:53What I'm telling you is what is acceptable for us to be able to work with you.
37:58And companies have to be prepared to give that message when they go in to invest in a country.
38:06Because you could go and invest in another country where you don't have that problem.
38:11And I think you need to be able to say that.
38:16So I would like to ask one final question.
38:22And it's an open-ended question.
38:25Given everything you've achieved and continue to achieve, given all of the barriers that you've broken and continue to break,
38:35given your commitment to equality, to equity, what is your dream for women?
38:43If I may put it bluntly, I wish women ruled the world.
39:02You can drop the mic.
39:18You can just drop the mic.
39:21I'm dropping mine too.
39:23I don't know that I can add to that, Madam President.
39:29Because if we ruled the world, my dream wouldn't be necessary.
39:34And my dream is that women have full and equal participation in whatever we do.
39:44That they get equal pay.
39:45They get equal access to job opportunities.
39:50Equal possibilities to be in leadership roles.
39:54And if we rule the world, that would be the case.
39:58So thank you, Madam President.
40:03I want to thank you both for joining us.
40:07And I ask that question for a reason.
40:12Because at this moment, we would like to make an announcement.
40:15And in making that announcement, I would like for Rich Lou Dennis to join me on the stage.
40:20He's probably not going to want to do it.
40:24That's why he's still sitting down.
40:27So I'll start talking, crossing my fingers that he joins me.
40:32But if he doesn't, that's okay.
40:34Because he's my brother in arms.
40:36Today, we would like to announce.
40:42Today, we would like to announce that the Global Black Economic Forum, in essence, Ventures,
40:50is going to be donating $100,000 for three years.
40:56$100,000 every single year for three years.
41:00To support the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Foundation.
41:22And this foundation is focused on building women leaders in the continent of Africa.
41:28$100,000 every single year for the next three years.
41:32And I say that with the hope that others will follow.
41:36With the hope that others will join us.
41:38Because this is a mission that's core and central to our future.
41:43Allow me to just say a little bit about it.
41:48So that he's not just giving them money.
41:52But he knows where the money is going.
41:57I've established a center.
41:58We're in the third year of operations scheme.
42:01Just about the time COVID-19 was getting started.
42:04Our aim is to promote women to higher positions of leadership in public service.
42:18And we do that by recruiting women who have already committed themselves to a joining toward leadership.
42:30Are already holding positions.
42:32Some in executive positions as ministers.
42:36Some of them in parliament, congress as you call it.
42:40Some of them in non-governmental organizations.
42:44Who are there but can't break the glass ceiling to take charge.
42:49And we don't have sufficient number of them.
42:53Even though we feel they are equal in every way to men.
42:58In knowledge, competence, performance and all.
43:01But because the barriers, stereotyping, all the means that stop them from reaching it.
43:11Is for us to create a wave of women.
43:16Positioned to take office.
43:19In the highest position.
43:21Not through favors.
43:24But through earning it.
43:27Through competition.
43:32And I dare say that today we're well on the way.
43:36We have 43 dynamic women in Africa.
43:39And 20 African countries that we've already done over the two year period.
43:44I want to thank Linda.
43:45She was the chair of our foundation when we got started on this.
43:52And we've got.
43:53I had retired from government then.
43:57And you passed it on to a good friend of yours.
44:01And then we have them that have mentors.
44:04Mentors are former women presidents, as few as they are.
44:10As well as those head and organizations like the WTO head, ECA, the other women.
44:16Who serve as counsels and mentors for these women.
44:19We do have some support from some foundations like the Open Society Initiative.
44:29Ford and others that provide the means whereby they create a platform for being able to work together.
44:36Exchange some of their ideas.
44:38And, you know, we're going to systematically break those obstacles.
44:45Unapologetically take leadership roles for women.
44:51But we invite men to be a part of it.
44:54After all, your wife, your daughter, will also aspire to be able to hold those positions.
45:11So thank you, Black Economic Forum, for this.
45:16If I could, I would send a pledge, flip it around, say each of you tell me.
45:29But they always tell me I'm shy.
45:32So I won't do that.
45:34Thank you all.
45:36It's been a great.
45:37No, I don't have anything to say.
45:44You made me come up here.
45:46So I want Rich Dennis to come up here.
45:49All of you may know the founder, the CEO, and the chairman of the Sundial Group of Companies.
45:54A visionary.
45:58And I wanted him to come up here because so much of what we see here is a reflection of his vision.
46:07And a reflection of that is through the funds that we've now made to the Ellen Johnson Sir Lee Foundation.
46:16So he doesn't like getting up on stage very often.
46:19And I made him get ups.
46:21And thank you, Rich, for getting up.
46:23You're very welcome.
46:25Is there anything you would like to say?
46:27No.
46:28I mean, the only thing I would say is the lack of opportunity for women is global.
46:41And our focus is global.
46:42So the only thing I would say is, Madam President, is maybe you can help us with that vision here.
46:52Because it is as needed here as it is there.
46:55And we'll do our part.
46:58Essence will do its part.
47:01The Global Black Economic Forum will do its part.
47:04But we need help.
47:07So any ideas, thoughts, partnerships beyond where we are that can help us to do that here and in other places around the world will be very helpful.
47:18So I'm not shy to ask.
47:21So I'm asking.
47:23And as far as pledges is concerned, maybe we should put something up on the website and we can drive people to it later that want to participate in this.
47:30So I think to be in this room we had to get your email so I don't think you can escape us.
47:37But I do think we can we can do something on the website that give people that want an opportunity not just to to pledge, but to contribute your time.
47:50And because there's incredible minds in this room that have done incredible things as well.
47:55And where you can be helpful in helping others come up, I think, would be would be special.
48:02So thank you.
48:03Thank you, Rich Lednis.
48:05Thank you, Madam President.
48:06Thank you, Ambassador Greenfield.
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