Obama Proposals Include Polio Eradication

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04 June 2009

Tackling polio

U.S. President Barack Obama announced a new global effort to eradicate polio during his speech Thursday in Cairo.

Mr. Obama said the United States will partner with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to wipe out the crippling disease, which now affects less than 2,000 people a year.

He also used the speech to announce and discuss several other proposals.

New energy sources

Mr. Obama said the United States will appoint new Science Envoys to develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, clean water and grow new crops. He also said the U.S. will open scientific excellence centers in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

New online network

He said the U.S. will create a new online network so teenagers in America can instantly communicate with teenagers in the Muslim world.

Business volunteer corps

Mr. Obama also announced plans to create a corps of business volunteers to work with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries and expand education exchange programs.