Marshall Islands: U.S Ambassador Clyde Bishop's Address at WUTMI Conference

President Bigler, members of the WUTMI executive council, delegates from the atolls, traditional leaders, distinguished guests, and all supporters of democratic ideals in the Marshall Islands, thank you for inviting me to be here today, and thank you for the chance to speak to you.

I am always pleased to have a chance to talk with the members of WUTMI. The work you are doing in the Marshall Islands is important work , and I, the Embassy, and the United States are proud to support it , as you should all be proud to be a part of it. Today, I want to speak with you about two topics. The first is the theme for this year's conference, and the second is the vital work WUTMI does in the RMI.

When preparing this speech, I thought about the theme for this conference and I liked how poetic and appropriate the image of the past weaving the future is to the Marshalls and to the work WUTMI does. First, I like the image of weaving as a description of how the future comes into being. Threads of past events come together, combining and forming a pattern that determines the shape of the future . But, by describing this as weaving it also reminds us that these events do not come together by themselves. Just as in weaving, people choose the pattern and people lock the threads together. Every person has the chance to help weave the pattern of their own lives and the lives of those around them. More than this, you can help choose the pattern for the entire Marshall Islands. By being here today and helping WUTMI do its work in voter education, outreach to young parents, and so much more you are all choosing the pattern and weaving the threads of the future in the RMI. What you do today can make a huge difference for the RMI.

The past weaving the future also reminds us of the source of strength that the past provides. This is especially true of the efforts of WUTMI to promote good governance and women's issues in the RMI. Marshallese manit has always had a strong role for women and women leaders and a strong role for consensus based governance to the benefit of all. As WUTMI works towards its goals, it can take strength from this tradition, and use the best from the past to help weave a better future. I believe the future WUTMI is working for is a better future. It embraces inclusiveness and greater participation in government, both of which are vital democratic values.

In thinking about the future WUTMI envisions, let me talk about the work WUTMI does, and how it benefits the RMI. From the perspective of the United States, one of the most important things this organization does is its Gender Equality in Leadership project. Our high regard for this project can be seen in the su pport that USAID provides to the project. It is the only, I believe, voter education program in the RMI and its importance cannot be understated. For a democratic government to work, the people must know how to participate and what their rights are in shaping the path their nation will take. Your efforts to spread this vital knowledge will help the RMI stay true to the democratic ideals that can serve it so well. As this vital project moves forward you can rest assured that the Embassy will continue to support it however we can.

WUTMI's other projects show this same commitment to good democratic values. Whether the projects are educating young children and their parents, working to improve the living conditions of outer islanders, or promoting human rights and equality, they are all aimed at a better future for the Marshall Islands through an educated, prosperous population committed to keeping a democratic RMI.

Again, thank you for inviting me to speak with you today. I wish you all great success with this conference and all your future projects

-Delivered at WUTMI Conference, Majuro, Marshall Islands, October 27, 2007

Clyde Bishop was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands on September 28, 2006 and assumed his duties on December 5, 2006. Ambassador Bishop is a career diplomat and Minister Counselor in the Senior Foreign Service of the United States.