 Hi, I'm Arnie Duncan, Secretary of Education. I'm sorry I can't be there in person, but I want to welcome all of you to the International Student Summit hosted by the World Affairs Councils of both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The education issues we face today are not the same as your parents faced or even your older siblings. Our world today is more interconnected than ever. In recent times, we have seen the rise and fall of several countries' economies. Societies throughout the world are becoming more intertwined through technology and the need for education is greater than ever before. Both President Obama and I are passionate about providing all children with an education that will enable them to succeed in a globally competitive economy because we know that knowledge and innovation are the basis for success in the 21st century. I believe that in our interconnected world, our country must work together to give all students a world-class education that includes learning about other cultures. International exchanges are occurring at every level. Students are studying abroad, teachers are teaching across the world through the Peace Corps and other teacher exchange programs, and federal agencies are collaborating like never before. At the Department of Education, international collaboration is a critically important part of our work, and it's so inspiring to hear that 500 youth from across the world are engaging with each other to address the needs caused by the famine in the Horn of Africa. You'll be thinking about the causes, consequences, and solutions to such a devastating heart-breaking problem. Through Skype and other video teleconferencing technology, you have the opportunity to collaborate with students and youth from across the world. The experience will test your communication skills, but it will also leave you with a heightened awareness of global issues and challenges, as well as a keener understanding of the complexity and differences that individual perspectives bring to these issues. Today, you are addressing some of the tough questions that people with PhDs and years of experience in the field are grappling with. I encourage you to share your ideas and recommendations with these policy makers. You have a unique perspective because of your youth. Some people may call you naive, but I call you innovative, and being able to think beyond and outside of the box. I encourage you to stretch your thinking across the globe and beyond the mundane to look at problem-solving in a whole new way. Have a great summit, good luck, and congratulations.