THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the First Lady

        EXCERPTS FROM FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON'S 
        REMARKS AT A SPECIAL EVENT AT THE UN SOCIAL SUMMIT
                       COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

        The following are excerpts from First Lady Hillary Rodham

Clinton's remarks to a special event at the United Nation's Summit on Social Development:

"In addressing the world's social problems, however, we cannot expect governments to act alone, particularly in an era of scattered and, some believe, scarce resources. Governments need NGO's to monitor their actions and mobilize them to find innovative solutions to problems. NGO's can also inspire us to work more effectively with each other -- within the NGO community and within the community of nations. That is why the participation of NGO's at this and other UN conferences is so invaluable."

"The great social movements of my own country during the 19th and 20th centuries -- the abolition of slavery, the right of women to vote, as well as the civil rights movement -- would not have been achieved without the leadership of civic, religious, and social organizations."

"Too often, the assumption is that any solution will inevitably be costly and complicated. In fact, we have proof to the contrary."

"We see grassroots efforts around the world that are reducing poverty, improving health and education, and promoting individual freedom."

"UNICEF, to take one shining example, has had a decade-long focus on child survival and has pioneered many strategies that are low- cost, including breast feeding and oral rehydration therapy and immunizations."

"Last year polio was eradicated in the Western Hemisphere by a multinational effort. And the U.S., was the lead donor for that."

"Around the world, the percentage of children immunized has been increasing in a rather remarkable way, from 20 percent to 70 percent between 1980 and 1990."

"Although women comprise 52 percent of the world population, although they are the primary caretakers for children and the aged and are a significant presence in the work force, they continue to be marginalized in many countries."

"Investing in the health and education of women and girls is essential to improving global prosperity, and I am glad that this summit has endorsed the principle of equal rights and opportunities for women."

"In parts of Asia and South America we have seen education of girls help lift whole populations out of poverty. We have seen the education of women enhance their roles as mothers and increase their participation in civic life. So we must do more to ensure equal rights for women, along with equal pay and equal access to health care and education."

"For those who are skeptical about progress, I suggest that we all reflect on the life of one extraordinary man, James Grant, who recently passed away. Jim may have been more responsible for saving more lives over the past 15 years than any other person in the world. Millions of children are alive today because Jim Grant challenged us, set goals for us, and devised simple, efficient and affordable methods for intervening on behalf of children and their families."

NOTE: A FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

CONTACT: LISA CAPUTO

          NEEL LATTIMORE
          KAREN FINNEY
          202-456-2960

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