By Ruthie Ackerman for World Policy Journal
Moderator: Diane Sawyer, anchor ABC’s Good Morning America
Panelists:
Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs
Zainab Salbi, founder of Women for Women International
Rex W. Tillerson, CEO of ExxonMobil
Melanne Verveer, first-ever ambassador-at-large for women’s issues in the U.S. State Department
Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank
The Nike Foundation calls it the “Girl Effect”: give a girl the opportunity to change her world and she will change the world of those around her as well. (Watch the video on YouTube and you can see for yourself.)
This not only works in business, but in preventing the spread of terrorism as well, explained Melanne Verveer, at the fifth annual Clinton Global Initiative’s (CGI) morning session, moderated by Diane Sawyer. The morning panel was the CGI model at its best, a mix of public- and private-sector organizations, which seems to work best in tackling the world’s problems. “The most dangerous places in the world are those places where women are put down in the greatest way,” Verveer said. “Women are on the frontlines of moderation.”
Not only are women important to maintain national security, said Zainab Salbi, but that involving women in peace processes helps to keep conflict at bay for longer. But why suddenly does there seem to be a flood of interest in what has been traditionally thought of as “women’s issues”? (Think: Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl DuWunn’s book Half the Sky.)
It’s because the business community has (finally) joined the fight since, as Verveer says, “business realizes it’s in their interest.” Rex W. Tillerson agrees: ExxonMobil’s longer-term success depends on a solid workforce and strong communities, which are made stronger by investing in women. It’s a win for all.
Yet the CGI model is all about the “how,” as President Bill Clinton reminded the audience. So then, how can we empower women? The answer, coincidentally, came from a question submitted via YouTube: How can the government and non-governmental organization’s use cutting-edge technologies to improve the lives of women?
Verveer answered: the cell phone, whether used for mobile banking or to teach literacy, can change and improve lives. I’d like to add that citizen media, including blogging and Twitter can, as well.