Former U.S. Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith Speeches

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith's Remarks at the Community Connections Alumni Conference

April 12, 2003

Thank you. I am delighted to be here, and pleased to see Julie Mostov of Drexel University and all of you. The U.S. government is working hard to assist countries of the former Soviet Union to become stable, more prosperous democracies that operate on the basis of rule of law and market principles. The Community Connections program is an important part of our efforts.

Throughout the Cold War, the United States told people that democracy and market economy were the way to go. Now that your countries are on this path, we have a responsibility to help you make that transition. Through Community Connections thousands of people from former Soviet republics have had the opportunity to travel to the United States, to work with Americans in their respective fields, to enjoy American culture, and to interact with average Americans.

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and I would argue that a personal experience is worth a thousand pictures. Your Community Connections experiences have allowed you a first hand look at American democratic institutions, American values, and American business practices. And I am sure you have returned home with new contacts, new ideas, and new dreams that you are implementing, helping your countries move farther along the path to becoming vibrant democracies and with prosperous market economies.

I am especially pleased to be here today at this conference, which builds upon the experiences you had in the United States and offers an opportunity for you to talk together, sharing what has worked in your communities, and trading best practices. This is a wonderful conference and I would like to thank Stacy McArthur and everyone at the Center for Social and Economic Development for all their hard work in organizing it.

Before I close, I would like to make a comment on the upcoming local elections here in Moldova. According to a recent public opinion survey, 75% of Moldovans do not believe that they can affect the decisions of their government. This is very unfortunate. But, in the next few weeks, you will have an opportunity to begin to turn this around by participating in the classic democratic process - a local election. I encourage each of you to vote in the upcoming elections and make your voice heard. I also hope that you will take the opportunity to encourage your family, your friends, and your community to participate in the election process.

Again, I wish you success in today's conference and in your future endeavors.