Global Competence Quotes

Transcription

1 Global Competence Quotes Below are quotes on the importance of global competence from officials in federal, state, and regional government, as well as from businesses, media, and education policy. Federal Government We should understand that our young people, if [they speak] a foreign language, that is a powerful tool to get a job So we should be emphasizing foreign languages in our schools from an early age, because children will actually learn a foreign language easier when they re 5, or 6, or 7 than when they re 46, like me. President Barak Obama, July 8, 2008 But I also want to make sure that English-speaking children are getting foreign languages because this world is becoming more interdependent and part of the process of America's continued leadership in the world is going to be our capacity to communicate across boundaries, across borders, and that's something frankly where we've fallen behind. President Barak Obama, February 21, 2008 In this global economy, the line between domestic and international issues is increasingly blurred, with the world's economies, societies and people interconnected as never before. The United States is a country made up of many cultures and we often celebrate that diversity. But just as often, we rely on the predominance of English as the language of global business and higher education when looking toward the world. This reliance can put us at a disadvantage. We haven't been compelled to meet our global neighbors on their own terms, and learn about their histories, values and viewpoints. I am worried that in this interconnected world, our country risks being disconnected from the contributions of other countries and cultures. Through education and exchange, we can become better collaborators and competitors in the global economy. Secretary Arne Duncan, May 26, 2010, Council on Foreign Relations In most countries, the expectation that students will master several languages is built into the K 12 system, and beyond. Studies project that China will soon have the world's largest Englishspeaking population. Some researchers argue that India has already claimed this title from us. We must improve language learning and international education at all levels if our nation is to continue to lead in the global economy; to help bring security and stability to the world; and to build stronger and more productive ties with our neighbors. Secretary Arne Duncan, May 26, 2010, Council on Foreign Relations And yes, serving abroad will make you stronger, more competitive, a more valuable asset for a career in the public or private sectors. Just talk to any of your colleagues who have spent some time abroad. And one of the first things they ll tell you, for example, is that you ll never learn a language or develop self-reliance as quickly as you will when you re on your own in a foreign

2 country! But they may also tell you that making a difference abroad might just be the thing that inspires you to come back and make a difference here at home. They might tell you that engaging with the world doesn t just change the course of other people s lives- it may change the course of yo urs, too. First Lady Michelle Obama, GWU Commencement, May 16, 2010 During the Cold War, our country was in an arms race. The United States also excelled in the space race. Today, our country is in another important race an education race and America must move faster in order to have a strong economy. America s students must have all the tools they need to complete a higher education and to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to become and remain competitive in a 21 st century economy. Senator Mike Enzi (R WY) A world-class education system must incentivize and reward teachers for excellence, must ensure that all students are held to rigorous standards that prepare them for a 21st century economy, must measure student achievement more accurately and fairly, and must help turn around our lowestperforming schools, among other things. Rep. George Miller (D- CA) There will be challenges in the United States relationship with China as it grows and we seek to maintain our position in the world and our standard of living. But it is my hope that the United States will spend some of our time and money getting to know China better, and that Chinese citizens will spend time getting to know us. Senator Lamar Alexander (R) Our linguistic and cultural myopia is losing us friends, business and respect in the world. J. William Fulbright, former U.S. Senator from Arkansas Military and Intelligence If we are truly interested in having America succeed in the future, with regards to foreign language training, then I believe that the United States should require language study beginning at a younger age. Leon Panetta, CIA Director, December 8, 2010, CIA Foreign Language Summit Language is the window through which we come to know other peoples and cultures. Mastery of a second language allows you to capture the nuances that are essential to true understanding.... This is not about learning something that is helpful or simply nice to have. It is crucial to CIA s mission. It is vital to our economic interests. It is vital to our diplomacy. It is vital to our national security to use the language of the people that we engage throughout the world. Leon Panetta, CIA Director, December 8, 2010, CIA Foreign Language Summit 2.

3 State and Local Governments In our global economy, American students, workers, and businesses face new and fierce competition from around the world. We live in a changing world, with changing technology, changing culture, and changing economies. [As a result, U.S. citizens need] to better understand language, culture, and foster relationships; and of course a big part of that is having an educational system that is aware of those trends. We need to prepare our educational curriculum. Tim Pawlenty, Former Governor of Minnesota I have traveled around the world and witnessed firsthand our competition, and it is very clear that we need to maintain high standards. We let our students down if we fail to prepare them to succeed in this global economy. Our future lies in our ability to compete, and that lies in our ability to have the best-trained workforce. Governor Gregoire, Washington If we didn't know that we had this great need before September 11, we know it now. Our children are growing up in a whole new world, and if we care about them and their future, we have a responsibility to see that they understand that world. James B. Hunt Jr., Former Governor of North Carolina In order to promote strategic and economic opportunities that will make our nation safer and more prosperous, every student will need a solid grounding of knowledge about the history of the US and our vital democratic institutions. But we must also integrate knowledge of world history, geography, science and technology, world languages, literature and international affairs into the school day. John Engler, President of National Association of Manufacturers and Former Governor of Michigan What we need is the kind of leadership that will entirely change the discussion, that will insist that a robust global education is indispensable to kids in the 21st century, and that will understand that if we don't do those things, we will pay an enormous price. Joel Klein, former New York City Chancellor of Public Schools Business Leaders and Journalists If you want to understand business anywhere and be successful, it isn t just about the language. You absolutely must understand the culture. Neville Isdell, Former CEO, The Coca-Cola Company The barriers between nations are coming and will continue to come down. Education in this global economy requires that U.S. students experience the world. John Zogby, president and CEO of Zogby International 3.

4 What we refer to as international education is in most other countries simply called education. A student in Brazil, Russia, India, China would not need convincing of the merits of a global education, of learning a foreign language, or immersing himself or herself in the culture of a foreign country. Tracy Wolstencroft, Head of Goldman Sachs Center for Environmental Markets and Head of the Public Sector and Infrastructure Banking When today's first graders face their first job interview, those knowledgeable of world cultures, who speak and write multiple languages, and understand how to globally source and manage 24/7 operations, will be the successful leaders. We--parents, teachers and business leaders--are responsible for cultivating this kind of thinking. We need to help our children, so they in turn can map out coursework to teach their children about what to prepare for next to succeed in the everevolving global economy. Bryan Baker, thought leader and enterprise consultant for Xerox Global Services In order to compete in a global economy where other nations are consumers of products, not outsourced producers of U.S. consumed products, it's important to provide opportunities to learn about other countries and cultures and what makes those markets dynamic and vital. This is, after all, a global marketplace, and the sooner American kids realize this, the sooner they can make life choices that help them become successful competitors. Jim Miller, executive vice president for products and technologies organization at Cadence Design Systems In today's global economy, foreign language skills have become vital to our children's future as members of the workforce and to our nation's future success in the world. It's time for business leaders and concerned community members to sound a new clarion call that will wake up policymakers and educators to the importance of teaching foreign languages to our children. John J. Castellani, President, Business Roundtable Our nation's schools are locked in a time warp by ignoring critical languages such as Chinese and the essential cultural knowledge needed to succeed, our school systems are out of step with new global realities. Charles E.M. Kolb, President of the Committee for Economic Development Our mission has been and always will be to touch and improve lives, and to do that we must have a deep understanding of the needs and wants of individuals regardless of their culture, race or origins. For us, the consumer is boss, and to be successful we must be able to literally and figuratively be able to speak their language. Robert A. McDonald, Vice Chairman for Global Operations, Procter & Gamble Math and science are the foundation for engineering. That s the basis for technical development but there are millions of Chinese students who are studying English right now. If we re going to compete effectively, we have to increase our focus on global communication. Randy Johnson, Director of Human Resources, Strategic Initiatives, Motorola Students with international exposure come to understand the value of dialogue between people from different cultures and between people with different points of view. They also gain an understanding of the importance of relationships. Relationships are the foundation for meaning and success in life. They are also the foundation for strong businesses, especially businesses that care about creating mutual benefit. Douglass H. Daft, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca Cola Company 4.

5 If you're going to be a global company, international education and experience has to be high on the list. The Boeing Company recognizes that it needs international education to be able to operate. And the ability to communicate easily in the language of the country, to go to the media, to conduct your meetings with senior corporate colleagues or government officials, is invaluable. Stanley Roth, Vice President of International Government Relations, Boeing Company We believe that students with cross-cultural backgrounds, especially those who speak Chinese and understand its culture, will be better equipped to become leaders at companies with international operations. Alfred J. Verrecchia, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hasbro The most important thing that schools can do is to make people aware that understanding the world is very much part of the requirement of being an educated person. There should be some shame attached to not being more aware of the world, not having some mastery of foreign languages. Fareed Zakaria, Editor, Newsweek The important thing about speaking another language is it allows you to stand in the shoes of that other culture and see the world from their point of view. You really have to be cognizant of how your product will be received. Thomas D. Zweifel, chief executive of Swiss Consulting Group As diverse as America has become, it remains remarkably inward-looking. Without an educational and media establishment that takes on the responsibility of teaching and informing and respecting the riches of foreign cultures, this country could become a paranoid and parochial suburb of a vital global village. Morley Safer, Co-editor, 60 Minutes, and CBS News Correspondent Living in an interconnected world is one thing, succeeding in it is another. The Goldman Sachs Foundation Education Leaders Americans have been the world s most successful students and entrepreneurs for the past century. We have to envision a new set of global skills that include understanding world languages and cultures to retain our edge in an increasingly interconnected economy. Gaston Caperton, President, College Board Science and math are really global activities. And if you think that that s the way you want to go, you can expect to have colleagues all over the world. There is a real need to be able to meet them, not only on the footing of science and math, but on their own ground in terms of their language, their culture, and their ideas. Shirley Malcolm, Vice President, American Association for the Advancement of Science 5.