John Wood: There are 1 billion people in the developing
world who are illiterate, two thirds of whom are female.
One of the best things to do is educate girls.Communities are willing to do anything to educate their
children. There are parents who are willing to eat one
meal a day if it means they can pay the school fees for
one of their children. Parents want their children to
have a good life and perhaps an even better life than
they've had.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: There is a direct correlation
between education and the opportunities it provides.
In many countries women's opportunities are limited.
To fix that we need to provide education, employment
and microloan programs for women across the planet.
President Clinton: The world is bedeviled by three huge
problems: persistent inequality in income, education
and health care. To make a difference in this, we need
to educate every girl in the world for as long as she is
willing to learn, and we need to guarantee everyone
access to the workplace.
John Wood: Gene Sperling from the Council on Foreign
Relations says, "There will never be a headline that says
100 people die due to a lack of education because it's
not a calamity; it is not a fast motion train wreck." But
that's what happens each and every day. Many people die
because kids don't get educated, because of the choices
that we are making in our society.
Justin Rockefeller: Young people can see that while
they don't necessarily have the political clout or
the financial resources to make a major impact
themselves, they can aggregate their resources. In
pooling effort, time and a few dollars here and there,
young people can come together to make an
enormous impact.John Wood: My advice to people who are just getting
started is the sooner you start, the sooner you can
scale. The sooner that you scale, the sooner you can
have a very serious impact.
President Clinton: We need to think about how to
get people who will never be at Slate 60 involved in
our giving - not just with money, but with their
time and skills. We need to instill this ethic in
our children.
Michael J. Fox: I went on vacation to the Yucatan
Peninsula in Mexico with my family last year. We
were going on a trail through the woods, and our
guide pointed out a tree on one side of the path that
had red sap. He said, "If you touch that it will burn
your skin, and it's caustic, so avoid that." But on the
other side of the path there was a tree that had black
sap and he said, "That sap heals burns." It just struck me that it is all here. We have the red trees and the
black trees; it is just a matter of finding them and doing
what we can to not get off the path.
Eliot Spitzer: It has always been my view that
every major social movement is led by civic rather than
government organizations, whether it is women's rights,
civil rights, anti-war movements or the environment.
That is the result of philanthropy.
President Clinton: I think the 21st century is going
to be the most interesting period in human history.
When you strip it all away, it's all an identity problem.
If enough people |
An audience member asks panelists a question.
Justin Rockefeller discusses the role of the philanthropic
community with members of the press.
A panel at slate 60. From left to right: Alan Page, Michael
Milken and Rehema Ellis.
John Wood (right), founder of Room to Read, conveys the
importance of education in the developing world. |
believe that what we have in common
with each other is more important than our differences,
we're going to do fine. If not enough people do, we will
reap a whirlwind because we are bound up together in
this future. There is not a thing in the world we can do
about it except make the most of it and enjoy it.
Many themes were discussed at this year’s Slate 60
Conference, ranging from economics to education. While
diverse topics were presented, the conference proved that
many of the issues are interwoven. Although the conference
was attended by some of the wealthiest people in the
nation, the overarching message was that everyone can
make a considerable difference. The key is to get involved.
Whether contributing money, time or support, the first step
in making a difference is simply acknowledging,
“I see you.” |
Michael J. Fox chats with President Clinton during
an intermission at the Slate 60 Conference. |
Michael Milken explains the green revolution in philanthropy.
President Clinton converses with members of the press at the Slate 60 Conference. |
|
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