Relationship between the Ideas in President Obamas State of the Union Address, His Speech in Cairo - Essay Example

The Conction Q There is evidence of a relationship between the ideas in President Obama’s of the Union Address, 2013, his speech in Cairo, The Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The President’s State of the Union Address seeks to tackle issues promoting the better welfare of Americans and the entire human race on earth. He asserts that his government will create more jobs for Americans, improve on security, build and reduce mortgage costs, construct homes to the vulnerable and minor communities in US and in the world (The White House, 1). In his opening remarks, President Obama acknowledges the role played by various political parties in US. He acknowledges that although there might be divergent views and disagreements, there is need for a united America. He asserts that both parties have a role to play in ensuring that the American dream is achieved. This is only possible when Democrats, Republicans, and the Independents overcome party interests and put the nation’s interests before everything. In saying that, Obama recognizes the need for democracy and proper governance (The White House, 1). Moreover, while in Egypt, the President advocates for democratic rule where there is peaceful election, practice of rule of law, ability to speak one’s mind, transparent governance, promotion of freedom, zero corruption. Consequently, the President acknowledges respect for minority groups such as the Copts and Maronites in the Middle East (THE WHITEHOUSE, 1). Their right to exist and practice religion of their choice should be recognized, and respected by the majority Muslims. The same issues acknowledged by the President in his two speeches are recognized by both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child; observation of human rights and dignity. President Obama also acknowledges the need for economic development and opportunity creation in America and the entire world in both the State of Union Address and the speech in Cairo. For instance, he cites the need for expansion of exchange programs, increasing scholarships, encouraging more Americans to study within Muslim communities (The White House, 1). Moreover, on economic development, the President says that America will establish new businesses relations, and increase trade with the Muslim world. Consequently, America will support and fund technological development with Muslim nations, create more centers for excellence thereby, creating more jobs and improving the living standards of the inhabitants (The White House, 1). The aim of such inventions and steps are for betterment and improvement of living standards of man, thereby upholding and championing for the implementation contents of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Consequently, both of the two speeches and the Universal Human rights Declaration as well as the Children’s Convention recognize the need for security for Americans and the whole world. In his State of Union Address, President Obama advocates for the need to control gun purchase and use. This is through enactment on stricter gun control regulations in order to reduce deaths and injuries associated with illegal gun use (The White House, 1). He also pays tribute to the families of those who had perished due to gun related violence such as the US school shooting in Newton. While in Cairo, President Obama asserts that America seeks to up rootviolent extremists such as Taliban and al Qaeda whose duty is to kill and maim innocent people. Therefore, he outlines the mandate of America of ensuring that the whole world remains secure. For instance, he cites the role of America in training and empowering Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan armies so that they can be able to deal with the extremists and other emerging challenges, thereby being able to maintain security (THE WHITEHOUSE, 1). While in Egypt, the President also acknowledged the role of America in ensuring that the world is not threatened through development and use of nuclear weapons from countries such as North Korea and Iran. Consequently, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the need for safer earth that provides opportunities and room for children and the entire human progress, and thus increasing living standards and reducing deaths and misery (University of Minnesota, 1). By seeking to better the lives of Americans and the entire people on earth, Obama recognizes and has faith in the Fundamental human rights since it leads to improved standards of living as well as promotes social progress. This is what is entailed in Convention on the Rights of the Child that advocates for respect for children rights, their recognition, and support. The convention acknowledges the entitlement of children to assistance and special care (University of Minnesota, 1). Moreover, it recognizes the role of family and the natural environment in growth and development, and well-being of children. The convention anticipates for administration of juvenile justice, protection of children from mental and physical protection. Consequently, the convention calls for protection of women and children during emergencies as well as in armed conflicts (University of Minnesota, 1). In addition, President Obama, while in Cairo recognized the need to respect human right by ordering closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay (THE WHITEHOUSE, 1). The prison has been accused of torture and mistreatment of prisoners. The same message is contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that advocates for respect, equality, and dignity in the administration of human rights. The declaration anticipates for peace, freedom, as well as justice in the world for all human beings (United Nations, 1). At the same time, it condemns barbarous acts on fellow human beings. Moreover, in his speech in Cairo, Obama asserts that America was founded on the ideal of equality for all and that blood was shed to achieve it. Just like in Obama’s State of Union Address that seeks to reform the foreign policy by encouraging friendly relations among nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights champions for the same (United Nations, 1). In the State of Union Address, the President roots for a comprehensive immigration reform bill that will fix legal migration system, reduce bureaucracy thereby, attracting high skilled and talented entrepreneurs who will create jobs and assist in improving lives of Americans and the people in the whole world (White House, 1). This will promote social progress as well as ensure better standards of living while upholding the freedom of man on earth. Moreover, Obama’s speech in Cairo dwells on building friendly relations between America and Muslim nations. He asserts in his speech that America seeks for a fresh beginning based on mutual interest and mutual trust with the Muslims world (THE WHITEHOUSE, 1). Moreover, he admits that America is never at war with the Muslims, but is at war with the violent extremists such as al Qaeda whose role is to kill innocent people; majority who are women and children. For instance, he cites the 9/11 attack on US where more than 3000 innocent people lost their lives as the extremist credit such killings. While in Cairo, the president admits that his government has invested in foreign countries such as Iraq and Pakistan thus, assisting in building schools, hospitals, infrastructure, as well as, assisting the displaced persons. For instance, he cites that America has provided more than $ 2.8 billion to assist Afghans in building their economy, and thus improving the lives of the citizens through service delivery (THE WHITEHOUSE, 1). Further, the president in his Cairo speech advocates for the existence of both Palestine and Israel states that coexists peaceful, and says that his government will ensure that dream is achieved. There is also evidence of the relationship between the President’s speech in the States of Union Address and in Cairo as well as in both the Universal Declaration and the Children’s Convention with reference to women’s right. In the States of Union Address, the President advocates for protection of women, daughters, wives, and sisters from domestic violence as well as gender discrimination (The White House, 1). In his Cairo speech, President Obama in his sixth issue says that the US government has moved to court to safeguard the right of girls and women to put on hijab. Moreover, he says that his government seeks to punish people who deny Muslim women the right to put on the cloth. He also champions for the need to educate women and electing them as leaders since it increases chances of success among nations (THE WHITEHOUSE, 1). Both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child advocates for observation and protection of human beings from oppression, and according everyone equal opportunity in life while caring, loving , and respecting their way of life Q.2 As a leader of a nation, I would I sign the both UDHR and CRC. This is because the two advocate for equal and proper treatment of children and the entire human race. The UDHR seeks to ensure that the rights of every human being are up held thereby, preventing oppression, discrimination, and mistreatment of man based on race, religion, class, tribe, gender or even age (United Nations, 1). Consequently, signing CRC will ensure that children are accorded care, love, equal treatment, given equal opportunities, as well as, protected from harm that might hinder their overall growth and development (University of Minnesota, 1). Therefore, signing UDHR and CRC will reduce human misery and improve living standards on earth thus, reducing incidences of conflicts and unrests. Works Cited The White House. “Remarks by the President in the State of the Union Address”. White House. Web. 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press- office/2013/02/12/remarks-president-state-union-address THE WHITEHOUSE. “Remarks by the President on a New Beginning”. THE WHITE HOUSE. Web. 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2013 fromhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the- press-office/remarks-president-cairo-university-6-04-09 United Nations. “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. United Nations. Web. Retrieved April 27, 2013 from http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ University of Minnesota. “The Convention of the Rights of the Child”. Web. University of Minnesota. Retrieved April 27, 2013 from http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/k2crc.htm Read More