第一篇：奧巴馬精彩演講(精華)

美國總統(tǒng)奧巴演講

Thank you!Hello!(Applause.)Thank you.Thank you.Well, hello, Philadelphia!(Applause.)And hello, Masterman.It is wonderful to see all of you.What a terrific introduction by Kelly.Give Kelly a big round of applause.(Applause.)I was saying backstage that when I was in high school, I could not have done that.(Laughter.)I would have muffed it up somehow.So we are so proud of you and everything that you’ve done.And to all the students here, I’m thrilled to be here.謝謝！你們好?。ㄕ坡?。）謝謝。謝謝。你好，費城?。ㄕ坡暋＃┠愫?，馬斯特曼。見到你們真是太好了。Kelly的介紹真是太棒了。讓我們對Kelly報以熱烈的掌聲。在后臺的時候我說，我上高中的時候我就做不這么好，我可能會弄的一團糟。所以讓我們?yōu)槟愫湍阕龅囊磺凶院腊伞Ｕ驹谶@里我很激動。

kelly 在奧巴馬總統(tǒng)演講前，一名叫Kelly的學生做了演講。backstage n.后臺

muff v.笨拙地處理，將事情弄糟 thrilled a.激動的 We’ve got a couple introductions I want to make.First of all, you’ve got the outstanding governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, in the house.(Applause.)The mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, is here.(Applause.)Congressman Chaka Fattah is here.(Applause.)Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz is here.(Applause.)Your own principal, Marge Neff, is here.(Applause.)The school superintendent, Arlene Ackerman, is here and doing a great job.(Applause.)And the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, is here.(Applause.)

我想介紹幾個人。首先，來到這兒的有，杰出的賓夕法尼亞州州長，Ed Rendell。（掌聲。）費城市長，Michael Nutter。國會議員Fattah和Allyson Schwartz（掌聲）。你們的校長Marge Neff（掌聲）。學校管理人Arlene Ackerman是這個學校的，并且為學校做了很大的貢獻。（掌聲）。還有教育部秘書長Arne Duncan。（掌聲）

outstanding a.杰出的 Congressman n.國會議員 principal n.校長

superintendent n.院長

And I am here.(Applause.)And I am thrilled to be here.I am just so excited.I’ve heard such great things about what all of you are doing, both the students and the teachers and the staff here.還有我。（掌聲），我感到非常的激動。我耳聞了你們做的那些偉大的事，這里面有在校的學生，老師和工作人員。

Today is about welcoming all of you, and all of America’s students, back to school, even though I know you’ve been in school for a little bit now.And I can’t think of a better place to do it than at Masterman.(Applause.)Because you are one of the best schools in Philadelphia.You are a leader in helping students succeed in the classroom.Just last week, you were recognized by a National Blue Ribbon--as a National Blue Ribbon School because of your record of achievement.And that is a testament to everybody here –-to the students, to the parents, to the teachers, to the school leaders.It’s an example of excellence that I hope communities across America can embrace.今天歡迎你們，歡迎每一個美國學生回校上課，當然你們在學校已經(jīng)呆了一段時間了。我想不出除了在Masterman外，還有哪個地方更適合做這件事。（掌聲）因為你們是費城最好的學校之一。你們在教育方面是領頭軍。就在上周，由于你們的卓越貢獻，被授為國家藍絲帶勛章。這是對每個人的見證，對學生，家長，老師還有學校領導人。我希望全美的社會團體都能欣然接受這個杰出代表的例子。

embrace vt.擁抱；接受

Over the past few weeks, Michelle and I have been getting Sasha and Malia ready for school.And they’re excited about it.I’ll bet they had the same feelings that you do--you’re a little sad to see the summer go, but you’re also excited about the possibilities of a new year.The possibilities of building new friendships and strengthening old ones, of joining a school club, or trying out for a team.The possibilities of growing into a better student and a better person and making not just your family proud but making yourself proud.幾周前，我和Michelle為Sasha和Malia上學的事做準備。她們兩個對這非常的期待。我敢打賭她們和你們一樣，有著相同的感覺。你們?yōu)橄奶斓氖湃ザ駛?，但是你們更應該期待新的一年。如你們可以結交新的朋友，加深同老朋友的感情，加入學校俱樂部，參加各種團隊的選拔賽。成長為一個更優(yōu)秀的學生和個人，不僅僅讓你的家人自豪，同樣讓你們自己也很有成就感。

build friendships 結交新朋友

But I know some of you may also be a little nervous about starting a new school year.Maybe you’re making the jump from elementary to middle school, or from middle school to high school, and you’re worried about what that’s going to be like.Maybe you’re starting a new school.You’re not sure how you’ll like it, trying to figure out how you’re going to fit in.Or maybe you’re a senior, and you’re anxious about the whole college process;about where to apply and whether you can afford to go to college.我知道，你們中有些人在新學年會有些緊張?；蛟S你剛從小學升到初中，從初中升到高中，會擔心，新的學年將會是什么樣的呢。也許你進入一所新的學校，不知道是否會喜歡這個學校，想著怎么來融入這個學校。或許你到了高三年級，對整個的大學入學程序感到不安，比如申請那里的學校，能不能支付上大學的費用等等。

elementary school n.小學 figure out 想明白，弄清楚 fit in 融入，適應 afford to do 承擔得起

And beyond all those concerns, I know a lot of you are also feeling the strain of some difficult times.You know what’s going on in the news and you also know what’s going on in some of your own families.You’ve read about the war in Afghanistan.You hear about the recession that we’ve been through.And sometimes maybe you’re seeing the worries in your parents’ faces or sense it in their voice.除此之外，我知道你們還有來自困難時期的壓力。你們知道新聞內(nèi)容，知道你們一些家庭中發(fā)發(fā)生的事情。你們讀過有關阿富汗戰(zhàn)爭的信息，聽說過我們經(jīng)歷過的經(jīng)濟不景氣。有時你們還看到了雙親臉上掛著的憂慮，或從他們的聲音中感受到了這些。

strain n.壓力

So a lot of you as a consequence, because we’re going through a tough time a country, are having to act a lot older than you are.You got to be strong for your family while your brother or sister is serving overseas, or you’ve got to look after younger siblings while your mom is working that second shift.Or maybe some of you who are little bit older, you’re taking on a part-time job while your dad’s out of work.所以，因為我們國家面臨困難時期，你們許多人的行為看上去比實際年齡要大。姐姐哥哥在海外工作，你們會表現(xiàn)得堅強，或許媽媽去值第二班，你們就要照顧年幼的弟弟妹妹。或許你們有些人年長一點的，父親失了業(yè)，你們還要做兼職。

as a consequence 結果，所以

tough time 困難時期【tough a.艱難的】 sibling n.兄弟姐妹，同胞 shift n.輪班

And that’s a lot to handle.It’s more than you should have to handle.And it may make you wonder at times what your own future will look like, whether you’re going to be able to succeed in school, whether you should maybe set your sights a little lower, scale back your dreams.有太多事情要做了，很多是你們不應該做的。這讓你們迷茫，不知道自己的未來會是什么樣，在學校能不能取得好成績，是不是應該把目光降低些，把理想放低些。

handle v.處理，應對 scale back 縮減

But I came to Masterman to tell all of you what I think you’re hearing from your principal and your superintendent, and from your parents and your teachers: Nobody gets to write your destiny but you.Your future is in your hands.Your life is what you make of it.And nothing--absolutely nothing--is beyond your reach, so long as you’re willing to dream big, so long as you’re willing to work hard.So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education, there is not a single thing that any of you cannot accomplish, not a single thing.I believe that.但是，我來到馬斯特曼，告訴你們一句話。我想這句話你們的校長、院長、父母以及老師都曾告訴過你們，那就是，沒有人，只有你才能書寫你自己的命運。未來在你自己手中，生活由自己締造。只要志向遠大，并努力為之奮斗，沒有什么是不能得到的。只要你專注于學業(yè)，沒有什么事不能實現(xiàn)的。我確信。

destiny n.命運 accomplish v.完成 And that last part is absolutely essential, that part about really working hard in school, because an education has never been more important than it is today.I’m sure there are going to be times in the months ahead when you’re staying up late doing your homework or cramming for a test, or you’re dragging yourself out of bed on a rainy morning and you’re thinking, oh, boy, I wish maybe it was a snow day.(Laughter.)

最后這一點，在學校努力奮斗是必要的。因為教育從未像現(xiàn)在這樣重要。我確信，幾個月后會有一段時間，你們會完善熬夜寫作業(yè)，為考試臨時抱佛腳，或者在一個雨天的早晨把自己從被窩里拖出來，想，哦天，怎么不是下雪天、absolutely ad.絕對地

cram v.臨時抱佛腳；吃得過飽

But let me tell you, what you’re doing is worth it.There is nothing more important than what you’re doing right now.Nothing is going to have as great an impact on your success in life as your education, how you’re doing in school.但是讓我告訴你，你所做的一切都是值得的。你們現(xiàn)在要做的事情無比重要。沒有什么比你的受教育程度以及你在學校的所做之事更能決定你的成功。

More and more, the kinds of opportunities that are open to you are going to be determined by how far you go in school.The farther you go in school, the farther you’re going to go in life.And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before, when students around the world in Beijing, China, or Bangalore, India, are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever, your success in school is not just going to determine your success, it’s going to determine America’s success in the 21st century.能否能抓住機遇，越來越取決于你們在學校的努力。你們在學校的表現(xiàn)越好，生活中就能走得越遠。當今，其他國家正與我們競爭，而且比以往任何時候都激烈。在中國北京或者印度邦加羅爾的學生比以前更加努力，而且比以前表現(xiàn)更好。你們在學校的成功并不只決定了自己一人的成功，還決定了美國在21世界是否能夠成功。

So you’ve got an obligation to yourselves, and America has an obligation to you, to make sure you’re getting the best education possible.And making sure you get that kind of education is going to take all of us working hard and all of us working hand in hand.所以，你們要承擔起這樣的責任和義務。同時國家也向你們承擔責任和義務，那就是為你們提供最好的教育，為此我們要努力，共同奮斗。

obligation n.責任，義務

It takes all of us in government--from the governor to the mayor to the superintendent to the President--all of us doing our part to prepare our students, all of them, for success in the classroom and in college and in a career.It’s going to take an outstanding principal, like Principal Neff, and outstanding teachers like the ones you have here at Masterman--teachers who are going above and beyond the call of duty for their students.And it’s going to take parents who are committed to your education.所有政府工作人員，從州長到市長，到院長，到總統(tǒng)，所有人都要履行職責為我們的學生做好準備，幫助他們在教室、在大學、在事業(yè)上取得成功。這就需要我們有一個杰出的校長，像校長Neff，和優(yōu)秀的老師，正如你們的馬斯特曼的老師們。老師們要履行好對學生所應擔負起的責任。我也希望家長負起責任。

道理：

Nobody gets to write your destiny but you.Your future is in your hands.Your life is what you make of it.沒有人，只有你才能書寫你自己的命運。未來在你自己手中，生活由自己締造。

第二篇：奧巴馬精彩演講

奧巴馬精彩演講：我們?yōu)槭裁匆蠈W

No one’s born being good at all things.You become good at things through hard work.You’re not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport.You don’t hit every note the first time you sing a song.You’ve got to practice.The same principle applies to your schoolwork.You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right.You might have to read something a few times before you understand it.You definitely have to do a few drafts of a paper before it’s good enough to hand in.沒有哪一個人一生出來就擅長做什么事情的，只有努力才能培養(yǎng)出技能。任何人都不是在第一次接觸一項體育運動時就成為校隊的代表，任何人都不是在第一次唱一 首歌時就找準每一個音，一切都需要熟能生巧。對于學業(yè)也是一樣，你或許要反復運算才能解出一道數(shù)學題的正確答案，你或許需要讀一段文字好幾遍才能理解它的意思，你或許得把論文改上好幾次才能符合提交的標準。這都是很正常的。

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.I do that every day.Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and that then allows you to learn something new.So find an adult that you trust--a parent, a grandparent or teacher, a coach or a counselor--and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.不要害怕提問。不要不敢向他人求助?！颐刻於荚谶@么做。求助并不是軟弱的表現(xiàn)，恰恰相反，它說明你有勇氣承認自己的不足、并愿意去學習新的知識。所以，有不懂時，就向大人們求助吧——找個你信得過的對象，例如父母、長輩、老師、教練或輔導員——讓他們幫助你向目標前進。

And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you, don’t ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.你要記住，哪怕你表現(xiàn)不好、哪怕你失去信心、哪怕你覺得身邊的人都已經(jīng)放棄了你——永遠不要自己放棄自己。因為當你放棄自己的時候，你也放棄了自己的國家。

The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough.It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.美國不是一個人們遭遇困難就輕易放棄的國度，在這個國家，人們堅持到底、人們加倍努力，為了他們所熱愛的國度，每一個人都盡著自己最大的努力，不會給自己留任何余地。It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and they founded this nation.Young people.Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war;who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon.Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google and Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.250年前，有一群和你們一樣的學生，他們之后奮起努力、用一場革命最終造就了這個國家；75年前，有一群和你們一樣的學生，他們之后戰(zhàn)勝了大蕭條、贏得 了二戰(zhàn)；就在20年前，和你們一樣的學生們，他們后來創(chuàng)立了Google、Twitter和Facebook，改變了我們?nèi)伺c人之間溝通的方式。

So today, I want to ask all of you, what’s your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a President who comes here in 20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all of you did for this country? 因此，今天我想要問你們，你們會做出什么樣的貢獻？你們將解決什么樣的難題？你們能發(fā)現(xiàn)什么樣的事物？

二十、五十或百年之后，假如那時的美國總統(tǒng)也來做一次開學演講的話，他會怎樣描述你們對這個國家所做的一切？

Now, your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions.I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment and the computers you need to learn.But you’ve got to do your part, too.So I expect all of you to get serious this year.I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do.I expect great things from each of you.So don’t let us down.Don’t let your family down or your country down.Most of all, don’t let yourself down.Make us all proud.你們的家長、你們的老師和我，每一個人都在盡最大的努力，確保你們都能得到應有的教育來回答這些問題。例如我正在努力為你們提供更安全的教室、更多的書籍、更先進的設施與計算機。但你們也要擔起自己的責任。因此我要求你們在今年能夠認真起來，我要求你們盡心地去做自己著手的每一件事，我要求你們每一個人都有所成就。請不要讓我們失望——不要讓你的家人、你的國家和你自己失望。你們要成為我們驕傲，我知道，你們一定可以做到。Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless America.Thank you.謝謝大家，上帝保佑你們，上帝保佑美國。

第三篇：奧巴馬精彩演講1

奧巴馬勝選演講全文(中英文對照)

The text of Barack Obama's victory speech in full If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible;who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time;who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen;by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different;that their voice could be that difference.It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain.He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama.Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am.I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you.I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause.It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy;who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep;from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers;from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth.This is your victory.I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college.There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created;new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.美國是否暗藏一切皆有可能的巨大潛力？美國是否已經(jīng)實現(xiàn)開國者鍛造的美國夢？民主信仰是否具有強大力量？如果還有人對此報以懷疑，那么今晚這里發(fā)生的一切就是答案。

學校旁、教堂邊，無數(shù)人都在排隊投票，這一情景我們已經(jīng)多年未見；3個小時、4個小時，他們?yōu)榇硕群蛄季?，這是很多同胞有生以來的第一次。因為他們相信，這一次，將不同以往；這一次，因為他們的呼聲而有所不同。

無論老少貧富，無論共和黨抑或民主黨，不管是黑皮膚、白種人、拉丁后裔、亞裔子孫還是本土美國人；無論性向如何，不管健康抑或殘疾，所有的美國人民都向全世界傳遞出這樣一條信息：我們從來都不是紅藍陣營的政治堆砌，我們是，而且永遠是，美利堅合眾國。

長期以來，很多人缺乏信心，對自己所能取得的成就畏首畏尾、疑心重重。如今，我們走在歷史的長河里，挺起胸膛，勾勒出美好明天的光輝畫卷。

此情此景，等待尤長。然而，就在今晚，在這個大選的日子，在這個具有歷史性意義的時刻，由于你們的付出，美國終于迎來了變革。

剛剛，我接到了麥凱恩參議員禮貌得體的祝賀電話。為了此次競選，他奮戰(zhàn)良久、竭盡所能；為了他所深愛的美國，他曾作出了更長久、更努力的奉獻。麥凱恩參議員為美國所作出的犧牲是大部分人難以想象的，他這種英勇無私的奉獻改善了我們的生活。對于麥凱恩參議員和佩林州長所取得的成就，我對他們致以祝賀。在接下來的幾個月里，以重振美國為目標，我期待著與他們的合作。

在此，我想感謝一路陪伴我的競選搭檔，他就是我們即將上任的副總統(tǒng)，喬·拜登。為了讓美國廣大的工人階層發(fā)出自己的聲音，他毫無私心地全身心投入競選，因為他和那些賓夕法尼亞州斯克蘭頓城街頭的人們一樣，出生平凡，一切白手起家。

如果沒有米歇爾·奧巴馬，這一準美國第一夫人的堅定支持，今晚，我就不會站在這兒了。我們相伴走過了16個春秋，她是我們整個家庭的頂梁柱，我一生的摯愛。還有，薩沙和瑪利亞，我愛你們，你們姊妹倆終于可以帶著你們的新寵物狗入主白宮了。我知道，就像我的其他已故親屬一樣，外祖母一定也在某處注視著我，雖然她已經(jīng)不在人世。是他們造就了今天的我。今晚我很想念他們，我對他們的虧欠無以計量。

我想對我的競選經(jīng)理大衛(wèi)·普勞夫、首席戰(zhàn)略師大衛(wèi)·阿克塞爾羅德以及我們這個史上最佳的競選團隊說，是你們讓這一切成為了現(xiàn)實，對于你們?yōu)榇怂龅臓奚透冻鑫矣肋h感懷在心。

然而，有一點是最重要的，那就是我永遠都不會忘記，真正擁有這個勝利的是你們，你們所有人！對于入主白宮，我從來都不是最熱候選人。競選伊始，我們的資金并不充裕，獲得的支持也不多。我們的競選班子并非始于華府，而是一路從艾奧瓦州的得梅因酒店后院、輾轉北卡羅萊納州的康克酒店客房，后來會首在西弗吉尼亞州查爾斯頓酒店的主廳……

我們的勝利來自于廣大工薪階級，正是他們從僅有的微薄存款里掏出5美元、10美元或者20美元來支持我們的競選。我們的力量來自于摘下冷漠面罩的年輕一代，來自于夜以繼日奮力工作以維持生計的下層百姓，來自于冒著嚴寒酷暑、戶戶敲門宣傳的團隊中流砥柱，更來自于成千上萬的大選志愿者。他們用出色的奉獻精神和組織能力證明了一個民有、民治、民享的政府在兩百年后仍然保持著生命力。這就是你們的勝利！

我明白，你們所做的這些，并不僅僅是為了贏得這次競選，也不單單只是為了我本人。你們之所以這么做，是因為你們懂得前方任務的艱巨。即使我們今晚沉浸于慶祝的喜悅之中，我們也深知明天將會面臨的將是我們這輩子最為艱巨的挑戰(zhàn)：兩場戰(zhàn)爭、瀕臨危險的地球和百年一遇的金融危機；即使今晚我們安然站在此處，我們也深知那些深陷伊拉克沙漠和阿富汗山區(qū)的英勇美國戰(zhàn)士，是為了我們而冒著生命危險。還有那些孩子早已熟睡、自己卻輾轉反側的人父人母，他們夜不能寐，想著如何還清房貸、如何支付醫(yī)藥費以及給孩子存下大學經(jīng)費。我們要掌握新能源，創(chuàng)造就業(yè)崗位，建造新校舍，正視存在的威脅，并修復與盟友的關系。奧巴馬勝選演講全文(中英文對照)

The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.I promise you – we as a people will get there.There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It cannot happen without you.So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism;of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other.Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation;as one people.Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity.Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, ―We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.‖ And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you.To those who seek peace and security – we support you.And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.For that is the true genius of America – that America can change.Our union can be perfected.And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations.But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta.She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.She was born just a generation past slavery;a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky;when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin.And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope;the struggle and the progress;the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot.Yes we can.When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose.Yes we can.When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved.Yes we can.She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that ―We Shall Overcome.‖ Yes we can.A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.Yes we can.America, we have come so far.We have seen so much.But there is so much more to do.So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century;if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call.This is our moment.This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids;to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace;to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one;that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can.Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.前方的道路很漫長，我們將步履維艱。我們也許無法在一年內(nèi)，甚至是（我的）一個任期內(nèi)，達成我們的目標。但是，今晚，我比任何時候都對此更有信心。我承諾，我們所有人將作為一個整體順利的到達目的地。

我們將不可避免地遭遇許多挫折，也許開頭并不會一帆風順。我們需要弄明白一點，那就是政府無法解決所有的問題，也許有很多人不會同意我上臺執(zhí)政后制定的政策。不過，我將坦誠地接受各方的批評，直面我們的挑戰(zhàn)。我將傾聽你們的意見，尤其是不同的政見。總之，我邀請各位一同投入到國家的建設中來，用我們勤勞的雙手堆砌建設這個國家所需的磚瓦。正是這一方式，使美國在221年的建國道路上不斷前行。

我在21個月前的深冬開始為競選做出的努力并不會在今晚畫上句號。我們所追求的并不是這場選舉的勝利，這僅僅是為我們提供了一個做出變革的機會。如果回到過去的老路，我們將無法做出任何改變。當然，如果沒有你們，一切都無法發(fā)生。

所以，讓我們一同喚醒自己的愛國心，喚醒為國效力的責任感，我們將一道披星戴月，披荊斬棘向前行進，我們需要照顧的不再只有我們自己，而是每一個人。這次的金融危機讓我們認識到一個事實，如果大眾受苦受難，華爾街就不可能繁華似錦。我們必須攜手與共、共同經(jīng)歷這個國家的榮辱興衰。長期以來，兩黨隔閡以及不成熟的狹隘主義造成了我們現(xiàn)在的失敗政策，所以讓我們一同抵制住這種傾向，避免回到那條老路。請記住，這個國家有一個民主黨人將第一次手扛民主和共和兩黨旗幟邁向白宮。充滿自信，崇尚個人自由，維護國家團結將是我們共同追求的價值觀。盡管民主黨在今晚取得了壓倒性的勝利，但是我們將繼續(xù)帶著謙卑前行，愈合這個國家因分裂受到的創(chuàng)傷。社會的分裂曾經(jīng)阻礙我們國家前行的腳步。正如林肯總統(tǒng)在1861年的反國家分裂的演說中說到，“我們不是敵人，而是朋友。我們決不能成為敵人。盡管目前的情緒有些緊張，但決不能容許它使我們之間的親密情感紐帶破裂?！蔽乙嬖V那些沒有將選票投給我的朋友，也許我沒有贏得你們的選票，但我將聆聽你們的聲音，我需要你們的幫助，因為我同樣將成為你們的總統(tǒng)。

我要告訴那些在美國大陸以外關注今晚選舉的人們，也許你們在一個被世界遺忘的角落通過收音機了解今晚的選舉，盡管我們的國情不一樣，但是我們的命運是緊緊聯(lián)系在一起的。一個全新的美國領導層即將呼之欲出。我要告訴那些試圖破壞這個世界的人們，我們將打敗你們！我要告訴那些追求和平和安全的人們，我們將全力支持你們！我要告訴那些對美國的未來持懷疑態(tài)度的人們，今晚，我們再次證明了一個事實，那就是這個國家擁有強大的力量，這并不是因為我們擁有眾多的武器和財富。民主、自由、機遇、堅定不屈的希望才是這個國家保持強大的持久力量！

美國強大的真諦在于它能夠做出改變，我們的國家可以變得更加完美。我們過去所達到的成就讓我們看到了前進的希望。

本屆選舉創(chuàng)造了多項歷史之最，有許多故事將代代相傳。但此時此刻，我腦海中想起的是一名來自亞特蘭大的選民，這位名叫安妮·尼克松·庫珀的女性和千千萬萬的選民一樣，靜靜地站在投票隊伍之中，投出自己的選票，表達自己的聲音。不過，與眾不同的是，她已經(jīng)106歲高齡了。在她出生的年代，公路上沒有汽車，天空中沒有飛機。像她一樣的人僅僅因為膚色和性別就被擋在參與投票的大門之外。

今晚，我由此聯(lián)想到了她一個世紀以來，在美國見證的一切：困苦與希望，奮斗與進步，那是一個讓人無能為力的年代，但人們必須不斷告訴自己美國的偉大信條：“是的，我們可以！”曾經(jīng)，女性無法表達自己的意見，她們的希望成為幻影。如今，她終于見證了這一幕，和她一樣有著悲慘遭遇的人們成功地投出了自己的選票。是的，我們可以！

當整個美國大陸都籠罩在經(jīng)濟大蕭條的絕望之中時，她見證了一個國家戰(zhàn)勝自身恐懼，重新崛起，羅斯?？偨y(tǒng)推行的“新政”不僅給美國帶來了新的就業(yè)機會，更給美國人民帶來了共同的價值觀。是的，我們可以！

當敵人的炮彈投向我們的港口，當世界被暴政所威脅，她見證了一個崛起的民族，民主重獲新生。是的，我們可以！她目睹了發(fā)生在蒙哥馬利巴士上、伯明翰的高壓水龍頭下、塞爾瑪大橋上的種族歧視暴行……而后，來自亞特蘭大的民權先驅告訴人們，“我們可以戰(zhàn)勝這一切”。是的，我們可以！

而后，人類登月，柏林墻倒塌，世界重新集結在科學和想象力的號角下?，F(xiàn)在，在這場選舉中，她終于用自己的指尖觸碰到投票屏幕，鄭重地投下選票。飽經(jīng)106年的滄桑變化，穿越歲月的風云變遷，她知道美國能做出怎樣的改變。是的，我們可以！

美國，我們風雨兼程，一路走來。我們經(jīng)歷了太多，但前方仍有許多夢想等待著我們?nèi)崿F(xiàn)。今晚，讓我們大聲地問自己，我們的孩子是否還能看到下一個世紀；我可愛的女兒是否能和安妮·尼克松·庫珀一樣幸運，享受漫長的人生。他們將看到怎樣的變革？我們將取得怎樣的進步？

這是我們給出答案的機會。這是屬于我們的時刻。這是我們的時代：讓人們有事可做；為我們的孩子打開機遇之門；推動世界和平與繁榮；再次鍛造美國夢，重申這一不可動搖的事實——雖然我們每個人不盡相同，但我們是一個整體，只要我們呼吸尚存，希望就永不磨滅。我們將用那歷經(jīng)時間考驗的不朽信條擲地有聲地直面質疑：“是的，我們可以！”

奧巴馬上海演講中文全文：

你好。諸位下午好。我感到很榮幸能夠有機會到上海跟你們交談，我要感謝復旦大學的楊校長，感謝他的款待和熱情的歡迎。我還想感謝我們出色的大使洪博培，他是我們兩國間深厚的紐帶。我不知道他剛才說什么，但是希望他說得很好。

我今天準備這樣，先做一個開場白，我真正希望做的是回答在座的問題，不但回答在座的學生問題，同時還可以從網(wǎng)上得到一些問題，由在座的一些學生和洪博培大使代為提問。很抱歉，我的中文遠不如你們的英文，所以我期待和你們的對話。這是我首次訪問中國，我看到你們博大的國家，感到很興奮。在上海這里，我們看到了矚目的增長，高聳的塔樓，繁忙的街道，還有企業(yè)家的精神。這些都是中國步入21世紀的跡象，讓我感到贊嘆。同時我也急切的要看到向我們展現(xiàn)中國古老的古跡，明天和后天我要到北京去看雄偉壯麗的故宮和令人嘆為觀止的長城，這個國度既有豐富的歷史，又有對未來憧憬的信念。

而我們兩國的關系也是如此，上海在美中關系的歷史中是個具有意義的重大城市，在30年前，《上海公報》打開了我們兩國政府和兩國人民接觸交往的新的篇章。

不過美國與這個國家的紐帶可以追溯更久遠的過去，追溯到美國獨立的初期，喬治·華盛頓組織了皇后號的下水儀式，這個船成功前往大清王朝，華盛頓希望看到這艘船前往各地，與中國結成新的紐帶。希望中國開辟新的地平線，建立新的伙伴關系。在其后的兩個世紀中，歷史洪流使我們兩國關系向許多不同的方向發(fā)展，而即使在最動蕩的方向中，我們的兩國人民打造深的，甚至有戲劇性的紐帶，比如美國人永遠不會忘記，在二戰(zhàn)期間，美國飛行員在中國上空被擊落后，當?shù)厝嗣駥λ麄兊目畲?，中國公民冒著失去一切的危險罩著他們。而參加二戰(zhàn)的老兵仍然歡迎故地重游的美國老兵，他們在那里參戰(zhàn)。40年前，我們兩國間開啟了又一種聯(lián)系，兩國關系開始解凍，通過乒乓球的比賽解凍關系。我們兩國之間有著分歧，但是我們也有著共同的人性及有著共同的好奇，就像一位乒乓球人員一樣，那的國家就是一樣，但是這個小小的開頭帶來了《上海公報》的問世，最終還帶來了美中在1979年建交。在其后的30年我們又取得了長足的進展，1979年美中貿(mào)易只有50億美元，現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)超過了4000億美元。

貿(mào)易在許多方面影響人民的生活，比如美國電腦中許多部件，還有穿的衣服都是從中國進口的，我們向中國出口中國工業(yè)要使用的機器，這種貿(mào)易可以在太平洋兩岸創(chuàng)造更多的就業(yè)機會，讓我們的人民過上質量更高的生活。

在需求趨于平衡的過程中，這種貿(mào)易可以是更廣闊的貿(mào)易。如今我們有著積極合作和全面的關系，為我們在當前重大的全球問題上建立伙伴關系打開了大門，這些問題包括經(jīng)濟復蘇、潔凈能源的開發(fā)、制止核武器擴散以及應對氣候變化。還有在亞洲及全球各地促進和平和穩(wěn)定，所有這些問題我明天與胡主席會談時都會談到。1979年的時候，我們兩國人民的聯(lián)系十分有限，如今當年乒乓球運動員的好奇可以在許多領域建立的聯(lián)系中都可以看到，在美國數(shù)量最多的留學生都來自中國。而在美國的學生中，學中文的人數(shù)增加了50%。我們兩國有近200個友好城市，美中科學家在許多新的研究領域和發(fā)現(xiàn)領域進行合作，而我們兩國人民都熱愛籃球，姚明就是個例子。不過，此行中我不能觀看上海鯊魚隊的比賽，有點遺憾。那么我們兩國之間的這種關系給我們帶來了積極的變化，這并不是偶然的，中國使得億萬人民脫貧，而這種成就是人類歷史上史無前例的。而中國在全球問題中也發(fā)揮更大的作用，美國也目睹了我們經(jīng)濟的成長。中國有句古言，溫故而知新。當然，我們過去30年中也遇到了挫折和挑戰(zhàn)，我們的關系并不是沒有困難的，沒有分歧的。但是我們必須一定是對手這種想法不應該是一成不變的。由于我們兩國的合作，美中兩國都變得更加繁榮、更加安全。我們基于相互的利益、相互的尊重就能有成就。

不過，這種接觸的成功要取決于我們要彼此了解，要能夠進行開誠布公的對話，彼此進行了解。就像當年美國乒乓球運動員所說的，我們作為人有著共同的向往，但是我們兩國又不同。我認為我們兩國每個國家都應該勾畫出自己要走的路，中國是一個文明古國，它有著博大精深的文化。相對而言，美國是一個年輕的國家，它的文化受到來自許多不同國家移民的影響，而指導我們民主制度文件的影響，我有一個非常簡單的向往，代表了一些核心的原則，就是所有的人生來平等，都有著基本的權利，而政府應當反映人們的意志，貿(mào)易應該是開放的，信息流通應當是自由的，而法律要保證這個公平。

當然，我們的國家歷史也不是沒有過困難的地方，從很多方面來講，很多年以來，我們是通過斗爭來促進這些原則或者是所有的人民能夠享受到，為了締造一個更完美的聯(lián)合，我們也打過一個很痛苦的內(nèi)戰(zhàn)，把一部分我們被奴役的人口釋放出來，經(jīng)過一段時間才能使婦女有投票權，勞工有組織權，包括來自各地的移民能夠全部不接受。即使他們被解放以后，非洲與美國人也和美國人經(jīng)過一些分開的、不平等的條件，經(jīng)過一段時間才爭取到全面的平等權利，所有這些是不容易的。但是我們對這些核心原則的信念我們?nèi)〉玫倪M展，在最黑暗的風暴當中是作為我們的指南針。

這是為什么林肯在內(nèi)戰(zhàn)期間站起來說過，任何一個國家以自由、以所有人類平等的原則能夠長久的存在，也就是為什么金博士在林肯紀念館的前臺站起來，說我們國家要必須真正的實現(xiàn)我們的信念。也就是為什么來自中國或者肯尼亞的移民能夠到我們的家，也是為什么一個不到50年前以前在某些地方連投票都遇到困難的人，現(xiàn)在就能夠做到那個國家的總統(tǒng)。這就是為什么美國永遠為了全世界各地的核心原則說話，我們不尋求把任何政治體制強制給任何國家，但是我們也不認為我們所支持的這些原則是我們國家所獨有的，這些表達自由、宗教崇拜自由、接觸信息的機會、政治的參與，我們認為這些是普世的權利，應該是所有人民能夠享受到，包括少數(shù)民族和宗教的族群，不管是在中國、美國和任何國家，對于普遍權利的尊敬，作為美國對其他國家的開放態(tài)度的指導原則，我們對其他文化的尊重，我們對國際法的承諾和對未來的信念的原則。

所有這些都是你們知道關于美國的一些情況，我們有很多要從中國學習。我們看看這個偉大城市的各地，也看看這個房間，我就相信我們兩國有很重要的共同點，也就是對未來的信念，不管是美國還是中國，對現(xiàn)在的成就不能感到自滿。雖然中國是一個古老的國家，你們也是充滿信心展望未來，致力于下一代能夠比這一代做的更好，除了你們不斷增長的經(jīng)濟之外，我們很配合中國在科學和研究方面所投入的力量，包括建設的基礎設施和使用的技術，中國是世界上使用互聯(lián)網(wǎng)技術最多的國家，這就是我們很高興互聯(lián)網(wǎng)是今天活動的一部分，這個國家也擁有最大的機動電話網(wǎng)絡，對新的投資保持繼續(xù)增長，和應對氣候變化方面有新的投資，我也希望兩國加強這方面的合作。

但是更重要是看到年輕人你們的才能、你們的獻身精神、你們的夢想在21世紀實現(xiàn)方面會發(fā)揮很大的作用。我說過很多次，我認為世界是互相連接的，我們所做的工作，我們所建立的繁榮，我們所保護的環(huán)境，我們所追求的安全，所有這些都是共同的，而且是互相連接的，所以21世紀的實力不在零和游戲，一個國家成功不應該以另外一個國家的犧牲作為代價。這就是我們?yōu)槭裁床粚で蠖糁浦袊尼绕稹Ｏ喾?，我們歡迎中國作為一個國際社會的強的、繁榮的、成功的成員。

再回到剛才的諺語，我們應該考慮過去。在大的國家合作的時候，就比互相碰撞會取得更多得好處，這就是人類在歷史上不斷吸取的教訓。我認為我們合作應該是超越政府間的合作，應該是以人民為基礎，我們所研究的內(nèi)容，我們所從事的生意，我們送獲得的知識，我們所進行的體育比賽，所有這些橋梁必須是年輕人共同合作建立起來，這就是我為什么非常高興我們要大大的宣布我們到中國學習的留學生人數(shù)，要增加到10萬人。這樣交流就會表現(xiàn)出我們是愿意致力于加強兩國人民的聯(lián)系，而且我是絕對有信心。對美國來說，最好的大使、最好的使者就是年輕人，他們和你們一樣，很有才能，充滿活力，對未來的歷史還是很樂觀的，這是我們合作的下一步，惠及兩國和全世界。

今天可以吸收的一個最重要的內(nèi)容就是我們不斷的向前推進。非常感謝?，F(xiàn)在歡迎各位提問題。

順便說一句，這在美國是非常常見的傳統(tǒng)——舉行這種市政會議，我現(xiàn)在要做的就是如果你有興趣提問的話請舉手，我會說請你提問。我會從在座的觀眾中問一個問題，然后再讓這些學生代表以及洪大使從網(wǎng)上代為提問。我先找個男生再找一個女生，來回這么找，讓大家知道我是公平的。

奧巴馬上海演講英文全文：

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good afternoon.It is a great honor for me to be here in Shanghai, and to have this opportunity to speak with all of you.I’d like to thank Fudan University’s President Yang for his hospitality and his gracious welcome.I’d also like to thank our outstanding Ambassador, Jon Huntsman, who exemplifies the deep ties and respect between our nations.I don’t know what he said, but I hope it was good.(Laughter.)What I’d like to do is to make some opening comments, and then what I’m really looking forward to doing is taking questions, not only from students who are in the audience, but also we’ve received questions online, which will be asked by some of the students who are here in the audience, as well as by Ambassador Huntsman.And I am very sorry that my Chinese is not as good as your English, but I am looking forward to this chance to have a dialogue.This is my first time traveling to China, and I’m excited to see this majestic country.Here, in Shanghai, we see the growth that has caught the attention of the world — the soaring skyscrapers, the bustling streets and entrepreneurial activity.And just as I’m impressed by these signs of China’s journey to the 21st century, I’m eager to see those ancient places that speak to us from China’s distant past.Tomorrow and the next day I hope to have a chance when I’m in Beijing to see the majesty of the Forbidden City and the wonder of the Great Wall.Truly, this is a nation that encompasses both a rich history and a belief in the promise of the future.The same can be said of the relationship between our two countries.Shanghai, of course, is a city that has great meaning in the history of the relationship between the United States and China.It was here, 37 years ago, that the Shanghai Communique opened the door to a new chapter of engagement between our governments and among our people.However, America’s ties to this city — and to this country — stretch back further, to the earliest days of America’s independence.In 1784, our founding father, George Washington, commissioned the Empress of China, a ship that set sail for these shores so that it could pursue trade with the Qing Dynasty.Washington wanted to see the ship carry the flag around the globe, and to forge new ties with nations like China.This is a common American impulse — the desire to reach for new horizons, and to forge new partnerships that are mutually beneficial.Over the two centuries that have followed, the currents of history have steered the relationship between our countries in many directions.And even in the midst of tumultuous winds, our people had opportunities to forge deep and even dramatic ties.For instance, Americans will never forget the hospitality shown to our pilots who were shot down over your soil during World War II, and cared for by Chinese civilians who risked all that they had by doing so.And Chinese veterans of that war still warmly greet those American veterans who return to the sites where they fought to help liberate China from occupation.A different kind of connection was made nearly 40 years ago when the frost between our countries began to thaw through the simple game of table tennis.The very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success — because for all our differences, both our common humanity and our shared curiosity were revealed.As one American player described his visit to China — ―[The]people are just like us…The country is very similar to America, but still very different.‖

Of course this small opening was followed by the achievement of the Shanghai Communique, and the eventual establishment of formal relations between the United States and China in 1979.And in three decades, just look at how far we have come.In 1979, trade between the United States and China stood at roughly $5 billion — today it tops over $400 billion each year.The commerce affects our people’s lives in so many ways.America imports from China many of the computer parts we use, the clothes we wear;and we export to China machinery that helps power your industry.This trade could create even more jobs on both sides of the Pacific, while allowing our people to enjoy a better quality of life.And as demand becomes more balanced, it can lead to even broader prosperity.In 1979, the political cooperation between the United States and China was rooted largely in our shared rivalry with the Soviet Union.Today, we have a positive, constructive and comprehensive relationship that opens the door to partnership on the key global issues of our time — economic recovery and the development of clean energy;stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and the scourge of climate change;the promotion of peace and security in Asia and around the globe.All of these issues will be on the agenda tomorrow when I meet with President Hu.And in 1979, the connections among our people were limited.Today, we see the curiosity of those ping-pong players manifested in the ties that are being forged across many sectors.The second highest number of foreign students in the United States come from China, and we’ve seen a 50 percent increase in the study of Chinese among our own students.There are nearly 200 ―friendship cities‖ drawing our communities together.American and Chinese scientists cooperate on new research and discovery.And of course, Yao Ming is just one signal of our shared love of basketball — I’m only sorry that I won’t be able to see a Shanghai Sharks game while I’m visiting.It is no coincidence that the relationship between our countries has accompanied a period of positive change.China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty — an accomplishment unparalleled in human history — while playing a larger role in global events.And the United States has seen our economy grow along with the standard of living enjoyed by our people, while bringing the Cold War to a successful conclusion.There is a Chinese proverb: ―Consider the past, and you shall know the future.‖ Surely, we have known setbacks and challenges over the last 30 years.Our relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty.But the notion that we must be adversaries is not predestined — not when we consider the past.Indeed, because of our cooperation, both the United States and China are more prosperous and more secure.We have seen what is possible when we build upon our mutual interests, and engage on the basis of mutual respect.And yet the success of that engagement depends upon understanding — on sustaining an open dialogue, and learning about one another and from one another.For just as that American table tennis player pointed out — we share much in common as human beings, but our countries are different in certain ways.I believe that each country must chart its own course.China is an ancient nation, with a deeply rooted culture.The United States, by comparison, is a young nation, whose culture is determined by the many different immigrants who have come to our shores, and by the founding documents that guide our democracy.Those documents put forward a simple vision of human affairs, and they enshrine several core principles — that all men and women are created equal, and possess certain fundamental rights;that government should reflect the will of the people and respond to their wishes;that commerce should be open, information freely accessible;and that laws, and not simply men, should guarantee the administration of justice.Of course, the story of our nation is not without its difficult chapters.In many ways — over many years — we have struggled to advance the promise of these principles to all of our people, and to forge a more perfect union.We fought a very painful civil war, and freed a portion of our population from slavery.It took time for women to be extended the right to vote, workers to win the right to organize, and for immigrants from different corners of the globe to be fully embraced.Even after they were freed, African Americans persevered through conditions that were separate and not equal, before winning full and equal rights.None of this was easy.But we made progress because of our belief in those core principles, which have served as our compass through the darkest of storms.That is why Lincoln could stand up in the midst of civil war and declare it a struggle to see whether any nation, conceived in liberty, and ―dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal‖ could long endure.That is why Dr.Martin Luther King could stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and ask that our nation live out the true meaning of its creed.That’s why immigrants from China to Kenya could find a home on our shores;why opportunity is available to all who would work for it;and why someone like me, who less than 50 years ago would have had trouble voting in some parts of America, is now able to serve as its President.And that is why America will always speak out for these core principles around the world.We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation, but we also don’t believe that the principles that we stand for are unique to our nation.These freedoms of expression and worship — of access to information and political participation — we believe are universal rights.They should be available to all people, including ethnic and religious minorities — whether they are in the United States, China, or any nation.Indeed, it is that respect for universal rights that guides America’s openness to other countries;our respect for different cultures;our commitment to international law;and our faith in the future.These are all things that you should know about America.I also know that we have much to learn about China.Looking around at this magnificent city — and looking around this room — I do believe that our nations hold something important in common, and that is a belief in the future.Neither the United States nor China is content to rest on our achievements.For while China is an ancient nation, you are also clearly looking ahead with confidence, ambition, and a commitment to see that tomorrow’s generation can do better than today’s.In addition to your growing economy, we admire China’s extraordinary commitment to science and research — a commitment borne out in everything from the infrastructure you build to the technology you use.China is now the world’s largest Internet user — which is why we were so pleased to include the Internet as a part of today’s event.This country now has the world’s largest mobile phone network, and it is investing in the new forms of energy that can both sustain growth and combat climate change — and I’m looking forward to deepening the partnership between the United States and China in this critical area tomorrow.But above all, I see China’s future in you — young people whose talent and dedication and dreams will do so much to help shape the 21st century.I’ve said many times that I believe that our world is now fundamentally interconnected.The jobs we do, the prosperity we build, the environment we protect, the security that we seek — all of these things are shared.And given that interconnection, power in the 21st century is no longer a zero-sum game;one country’s success need not come at the expense of another.And that is why the United States insists we do not seek to contain China’s rise.On the contrary, we welcome China as a strong and prosperous and successful member of the community of nations — a China that draws on the rights, strengths, and creativity of individual Chinese like you.To return to the proverb — consider the past.We know that more is to be gained when great powers cooperate than when they collide.That is a lesson that human beings have learned time and again, and that is the example of the history between our nations.And I believe strongly that cooperation must go beyond our government.It must be rooted in our people — in the studies we share, the business that we do, the knowledge that we gain, and even in the sports that we play.And these bridges must be built by young men and women just like you and your counterparts in America.That’s why I’m pleased to announce that the United States will dramatically expand the number of our students who study in China to 100,000.And these exchanges mark a clear commitment to build ties among our people, as surely as you will help determine the destiny of the 21st century.And I’m absolutely confident that America has no better ambassadors to offer than our young people.For they, just like you, are filled with talent and energy and optimism about the history that is yet to be written.So let this be the next step in the steady pursuit of cooperation that will serve our nations, and the world.And if there’s one thing that we can take from today’s dialogue, I hope that it is a commitment to continue this dialogue going forward.So thank you very much.And I look forward now to taking some questions from all of you.Thank you very much.(Applause.)So — I just want to make sure this works.This is a tradition, by the way, that is very common in the United States at these town hall meetings.And what we’re going to do is I will just — if you are interested in asking a question, you can raise your hands.I will call on you.And then I will alternate between a question from the audience and an Internet question from one of the students who prepared the questions, as well as I think Ambassador Huntsman may have a question that we were able to obtain from the Web site of our embassy.So let me begin, though, by seeing — and then what I’ll do is I’ll call on a boy and then a girl and then — so we’ll go back and forth, so that you know it’s fair.All right? So I’ll start with this young lady right in the front.Why don’t we wait for this microphone so everyone can hear you.And what’s your name? Q My name is(inaudible)and I am a student from Fudan University.Shanghai and Chicago have been sister cities since 1985, and these two cities have conduct a wide range of economic, political, and cultural exchanges.So what measures will you take to deepen this close relationship between cities of the United States and China? And Shanghai will hold the World Exposition next year.Will you bring your family to visit the Expo? Thank you.PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, thank you very much for the question.I was just having lunch before I came here with the Mayor of Shanghai, and he told me that he has had an excellent relationship with the city of Chicago — my home town — that he’s visited there twice.And I think it’s wonderful to have these exchanges between cities.One of the things that I discussed with the Mayor is how both cities can learn from each other on strategies around clean energy, because one of the issues that ties China and America together is how, with an expanding population and a concern for climate change, that we’re able to reduce our carbon footprint.And obviously in the United States and many developed countries, per capita, per individual, they are already using much more energy than each individual here in China.But as China grows and expands, it’s going to be using more energy as well.So both countries have a great interest in finding new strategies.We talked about mass transit and the excellent rail lines that are being developed in Shanghai.I think we can learn in Chicago and the United States some of the fine work that’s being done on high-speed rail.In the United States, I think we are learning how to develop buildings that use much less energy, that are much more energy-efficient.And I know that with Shanghai, as I traveled and I saw all the cranes and all the new buildings that are going up, it’s very important for us to start incorporating these new technologies so that each building is energy-efficient when it comes to lighting, when it comes to heating.And so it’s a terrific opportunity I think for us to learn from each other.I know this is going to be a major focus of the Shanghai World Expo, is the issue of clean energy, as I learned from the Mayor.And so I would love to attend.I’m not sure yet what my schedule is going to be, but I’m very pleased that we’re going to have an excellent U.S.pavilion at the Expo, and I understand that we expect as many as 70 million visitors here.So it’s going to be very crowded and it’s going to be very exciting.Chicago has had two world expos in its history, and both of those expos ended up being tremendous boosts for the city.So I’m sure the same thing will happen here in Shanghai.Thank you.(Applause.)Why don’t we get one of the questions from the Internet? And introduce yourself, in case –

Q First shall I say it in Chinese, and then the English, okay? PRESIDENT OBAMA: Yes.Q I want to pose a question from the Internet.I want to thank you, Mr.President, for visiting China in your first year in office, and exchange views with us in China.I want to know what are you bringing to China, your visit to China this time, and what will you bring back to the United States?(Applause.)PRESIDENT OBAMA: The main purpose of my trip is to deepen my understanding of China and its vision for the future.I have had several meetings now with President Hu.We participated together in the G20 that was dealing with the economic financial crisis.We have had consultations about a wide range of issues.But I think it’s very important for the United States to continually deepen its understanding of China, just as it’s important for China to continually deepen its understanding of the United States.In terms of what I’d like to get out of this meeting, or this visit, in addition to having the wonderful opportunity to see the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, and to meet with all of you — these are all highlights — but in addition to that, the discussions that I intend to have with President Hu speak to the point that Ambassador Huntsman made earlier, which is there are very few global challenges that can be solved unless the United States and China agree.So let me give you a specific example, and that is the issue we were just discussing of climate change.The United States and China are the world’s two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, of carbon that is causing the planet to warm.Now, the United States, as a highly developed country, as I said before, per capita, consumes much more energy and emits much more greenhouse gases for each individual than does China.On the other hand, China is growing at a much faster pace and it has a much larger population.So unless both of our countries are willing to take critical steps in dealing with this issue, we will not be able to resolve it.There’s going to be a Copenhagen conference in December in which world leaders are trying to find a recipe so that we can all make commitments that are differentiated so each country would not have the same obligations — obviously China, which has much more poverty, should not have to do exactly the same thing as the United States — but all of us should have these certain obligations in terms of what our plan will be to reduce these greenhouse gases.So that’s an example of what I hope to get out of this meeting — a meeting of the minds between myself and President Hu about how together the United States and China can show leadership.Because I will tell you, other countries around the world will be waiting for us.They will watch to see what we do.And if they say, ah, you know, the United States and China, they’re not serious about this, then they won’t be serious either.That is the burden of leadership that both of our countries now carry.And my hope is, is that the more discussion and dialogue that we have, the more we are able to show this leadership to the world on these many critical issues.Okay?(Applause.)All right, it’s a — I think it must be a boy’s turn now.Right? So I’ll call on this young man right here.Q(As translated.)Mr.President, good afternoon.I’m from Tongji University.I want to cite a saying from Confucius: ―It is always good to have a friend coming from afar.‖ In Confucius books, there is a great saying which says that harmony is good, but also we uphold differences.China advocates a harmonious world.We know that the United States develops a culture that features diversity.I want to know, what will your government do to build a diversified world with different cultures? What would you do to respect the different cultures and histories of other countries? And what kinds of cooperation we can conduct in the future? PRESIDENT OBAMA: This is an excellent point.The United States, one of our strengths is that we are a very diverse culture.We have people coming from all around the world.And so there’s no one definition of what an American looks like.In my own family, I have a father who was from Kenya;I have a mother who was from Kansas, in the Midwest of the United States;my sister is half-Indonesian;she’s married to a Chinese person from Canada.So when you see family gatherings in the Obama household, it looks like the United Nations.(Laughter.)And that is a great strength of the United States, because it means that we learn from different cultures and different foods and different ideas, and that has made us a much more dynamic society.Now, what is also true is that each country in this interconnected world has its own culture and its own history and its own traditions.And I think it’s very important for the United States not to assume that what is good for us is automatically good for somebody else.And we have to have some modesty about our attitudes towards other countries.I have to say, though, as I said in my opening remarks, that we do believe that there are certain fundamental principles that are common to all people, regardless of culture.So, for example, in the United Nations we are very active in trying to make sure that children all around the world are treated with certain basic rights — that if children are being exploited, if there’s forced labor for children, that despite the fact that that may have taken place in the past in many different countries, including the United States, that all countries of the world now should have developed to the point where we are treating children better than we did in the past.That’s a universal value.I believe, for example, the same thing holds true when it comes to the treatment of women.I had a very interesting discussion with the Mayor of Shanghai during lunch right before I came, and he informed me that in many professions now here in China, there are actually more women enrolled in college than there are men, and that they are doing very well.I think that is an excellent indicator of progress, because it turns out that if you look at development around the world, one of the best indicators of whether or not a country does well is how well it educates its girls and how it treats its women.And countries that are tapping into the talents and the energy of women and giving them educations typically do better economically than countries that don’t.So, now, obviously difficult cultures may have different attitudes about the relationship between men and women, but I think it is the view of the United States that it is important for us to affirm the rights of women all around the world.And if we see certain societies in which women are oppressed, or they are not getting opportunities, or there is violence towards women, we will speak out.Now, there may be some people who disagree with us, and we can have a dialogue about that.But we think it’s important, nevertheless, to be true to our ideals and our values.And we — and when we do so, though, we will always do so with the humility and understanding that we are not perfect and that we still have much progress to make.If you talk to women in America, they will tell you that there are still men who have a lot of old-fashioned ideas about the role of women in society.And so we don’t claim that we have solved all these problems, but we do think that it’s important for us to speak out on behalf of these universal ideals and these universal values.Okay? All right.We’re going to take a question from the Internet.Q Hello, Mr.President.It’s a great honor to be here and meet you in person.PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you.Q I will be reading a question selected on the Internet to you, and this question is from somebody from Taiwan.In his question, he said: I come from Taiwan.Now I am doing business on the mainland.And due to improved cross-straits relations in recent years, my business in China is doing quite well.So when I heard the news that some people in America would like to propose — continue selling arms and weapons to Taiwan, I begin to get pretty worried.I worry that this may make our cross-straits relations suffer.So I would like to know if, Mr.President, are you supportive of improved cross-straits relations? And although this question is from a businessman, actually, it’s a question of keen concern to all of us young Chinese students, so we’d really like to know your position on this question.Thank you.(Applause.)PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you.Well, I have been clear in the past that my administration fully supports a one-China policy, as reflected in the three joint communiqués that date back several decades, in terms of our relations with Taiwan as well as our relations with the People’s Republic of China.We don’t want to change that policy and that approach.I am very pleased with the reduction of tensions and the improvement in cross-straits relations, and it is my deep desire and hope that we will continue to see great improvement between Taiwan and the rest of — and the People’s Republic in resolving many of these issues.One of the things that I think that the United States, in terms of its foreign policy and its policy with respect to China, is always seeking is ways that through dialogue and negotiations, problems can be solved.We always think that’s the better course.And I think that economic ties and commercial ties that are taking place in this region are helping to lower a lot of the tensions that date back before you were born or even before I was born.Now, there are some people who still look towards the past when it comes to these issues, as opposed to looking towards the future.I prefer to look towards the future.And as I said, I think the commercial ties that are taking place — there’s something about when people think that they can do business and make money that makes them think very clearly and not worry as much about ideology.And I think that that’s starting to happen in this region, and we are very supportive of that process.Okay? Let’s see, it’s a girl’s turn now, right? Yes, right there.Yes.Hold on, let’s get — whoops, I’m sorry, they took the mic back here.I’ll call on you next.Go ahead, and then I’ll go up here later.Go ahead.Q Thank you.PRESIDENT OBAMA: I’ll call on you later.But I’ll on her first and then I’ll call on you afterwards.Go ahead.Q Okay, thank you.Mr.President, I’m a student from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.I have a question concerning the Nobel Prize for Peace.In your opinion, what’s the main reason that you were honored the Nobel Prize for Peace? And will it give you more responsibility and pressure to — more pressure and the responsibility to promote world peace? And will it bring you — will it influence your ideas while dealing with the international affairs? Thank you very much.PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you.That was an excellent question.I have to say that nobody was more surprised than me about winning the Nobel Prize for Peace.Obviously it’s a great honor.I don’t believe necessarily that it’s an honor I deserve, given the extraordinary history of people who have won the prize.All I can do is to, with great humility, accept the fact that I think the committee was inspired by the American people and the possibilities of changing not only America but also America’s approach to the world.And so in some ways I think they gave me the prize but I was more just a symbol of the shift in our approach to world affairs that we are trying to promote.In terms of the burden that I feel, I am extraordinarily honored to be put in the position of President.And as my wife always reminds me when I complain that I’m working too hard, she says, you volunteered for this job.(Laughter.)And so you — there’s a saying — I don’t know if there’s a similar saying in China — we have a saying: ―You made your bed, now you have to sleep in it.‖ And it basically means you have to be careful what you ask for because you might get it.I think that all of us have obligations for trying to promote peace in the world.It’s not always easy to do.There are still a lot of conflicts in the world that are — date back for centuries.If you look at the Middle East, there are wars and conflict that are rooted in arguments going back a thousand years.In many parts of the world — let’s say, in the continent of Africa — there are ethnic and tribal conflicts that are very hard to resolve.And obviously, right now, as President of the United States, part of my job is to serve as Commander-in-Chief, and my first priority is to protect the American people.And because of the attacks on 9/11 and the terrorism that has been taking place around the world where innocent people are being killed, it is my obligation to make sure that we root out these terrorist organizations, and that we cooperate with other countries in terms of dealing with this kind of violence.Nevertheless, although I don’t think that we can ever completely eliminate violence between nations or between peoples, I think that we can definitely reduce the violence between peoples — through dialogue, through the exchange of ideas, through greater understanding between peoples and between cultures.And particularly now when just one individual can detonate a bomb that causes so much destruction, it is more important than ever that we pursue these strategies for peace.Technology is a powerful instrument for good, but it has also given the possibility for just a few people to cause enormous damage.And that’s why I’m hopeful that in my meetings with President Hu and on an ongoing basis, both the United States and China can work together to try to reduce conflicts that are taking place.We have to do so, though, also keeping in mind that when we use our military, because we’re such big and strong countries, that we have to be self-reflective about what we do;that we have to examine our own motives and our own interests to make sure that we are not simply using our military forces because nobody can stop us.That’s a burden that great countries, great powers, have, is to act responsibly in the community of nations.And my hope is, is that the United States and China together can help to create an international norms that reduce conflict around the world.(Applause.)Okay.All right? Jon — I’m going to call on my Ambassador because I think he has a question that was generated through the Web site of our embassy.This was selected, though, by I think one of the members of our U.S.press corps so that –

AMBASSADOR HUNTSMAN: That’s right.And not surprisingly, ―in a country with 350 million Internet users and 60 million bloggers, do you know of the firewall?‖ And second, ―should we be able to use Twitter freely‖ — is the question.PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, first of all, let me say that I have never used Twitter.I noticed that young people — they’re very busy with all these electronics.My thumbs are too clumsy to type in things on the phone.But I am a big believer in technology and I’m a big believer in openness when it comes to the flow of information.I think that the more freely information flows, the stronger the society becomes, because then citizens of countries around the world can hold their own governments accountable.They can begin to think for themselves.That generates new ideas.It encourages creativity.And so I’ve always been a strong supporter of open Internet use.I’m a big supporter of non-censorship.This is part of the tradition of the United States that I discussed before, and I recognize that different countries have different traditions.I can tell you that in the United States, the fact that we have free Internet — or unrestricted Internet access is a source of strength, and I think should be encouraged.Now, I should tell you, I should be honest, as President of the United States, there are times where I wish information didn’t flow so freely because then I wouldn’t have to listen to people criticizing me all the time.I think people naturally are — when they’re in positions of power sometimes thinks, oh, how could that person say that about me, or that’s irresponsible, or — but the truth is that because in the United States information is free, and I have a lot of critics in the United States who can say all kinds of things about me, I actually think that that makes our democracy stronger and it makes me a better leader because it forces me to hear opinions that I don’t want to hear.It forces me to examine what I’m doing on a day-to-day basis to see, am I really doing the very best that I could be doing for the people of the United States.And I think the Internet has become an even more powerful tool for that kind of citizen participation.In fact, one of the reasons that I won the presidency was because we were able to mobilize young people like yourself to get involved through the Internet.Initially, nobody thought we could win because we didn’t have necessarily the most wealthy supporters;we didn’t have the most powerful political brokers.But through the Internet, people became excited about our campaign and they started to organize and meet and set up campaign activities and events and rallies.And it really ended up creating the kind of bottom-up movement that allowed us to do very well.Now, that’s not just true in — for government and politics.It’s also true for business.You think about a company like Google that only 20 years ago was — less than 20 years ago was the idea of a couple of people not much older than you.It was a science project.And suddenly because of the Internet, they were able to create an industry that has revolutionized commerce all around the world.So if it had not been for the freedom and the openness that the Internet allows, Google wouldn’t exist.So I’m a big supporter of not restricting Internet use, Internet access, other information technologies like Twitter.The more open we are, the more we can communicate.And it also helps to draw the world together.Think about — when I think about my daughters, Malia and Sasha — one is 11, one is 8 — from their room, they can get on the Internet and they can travel to Shanghai.They can go anyplace in the world and they can learn about anything they want to learn about.And that’s just an enormous power that they have.And that helps, I think, promote the kind of understanding that we talked about.Now, as I said before, there’s always a downside to technology.It also means that terrorists are able to organize on the Internet in ways that they might not have been able to do before.Extremists can mobilize.And so there’s some price that you pay for openness, there’s no denying that.But I think that the good outweighs the bad so much that it’s better to maintain that openness.And that’s part of why I’m so glad that the Internet was part of this forum.Okay? I’m going to take two more questions.And the next one is from a gentleman, I think.Right here, yes.Here’s the microphone.Q First, I would like to say that it is a great honor for me to stand here to ask you the questions.I think I am so lucky and just appreciate that your speech is so clear that I really do not need such kind of headset.(Laughter.)And here comes my question.My name is(inaudible)from Fudan University School of Management.And I would like to ask you the question — is that now that someone has asked you something about the Nobel Peace Prize, but I will not ask you in the same aspect.I want to ask you in the other aspect that since it is very hard for you to get such kind of an honorable prize, and I wonder and we all wonder that — how you struggled to get it.And what’s your university/college education that brings you to get such kind of prizes? We are very curious about it and we would like to invite you to share with us your campus education experiences so as to go on the road of success.PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, first of all, let me tell you that I don’t know if there’s a curriculum or course of study that leads you to win the Nobel Peace Prize.(Laughter.)So I can’t guarantee that.But I think the recipe for success is the one that you are already following.Obviously all of you are working very hard, you’re studying very hard.You’re curious.You’re willing to think about new ideas and think for yourself.You know, the people who I meet now that I find most inspiring who are successful I think are people who are not only willing to work very hard but are constantly trying to improve themselves and to think in new ways, and not just accept the conventional wisdom.Obviously there are many different paths to success, and some of you are going to be going into government service;some of you might want to be teachers or professors;some of you might want to be businesspeople.But I think that whatever field you go into, if you’re constantly trying to improve and never satisfied with not having done your best, and constantly asking new questions — ―Are there things that I could be doing differently? Are there new approaches to problems that nobody has thought of before, whether it’s in science or technology or in the arts? — those are usually the people who I think are able to rise about the rest.The one last piece of advice, though, that I would have that has been useful for me is the people who I admire the most and are most successful, they’re not just thinking only about themselves but they’re also thinking about something larger than themselves.So they want to make a contribution to society.They want to make a contribution to their country, their nation, their city.They are interested in having an impact beyond their own immediate lives.I think so many of us, we get caught up with wanting to make money for ourselves and have a nice car and have a nice house and — all those things are important, but the people who really make their mark on the world is because they have a bigger ambition.They say, how can I help feed hungry people? Or, how can I help to teach children who don’t have an education? Or, how can I bring about peaceful resolution of conflicts? Those are the people I think who end up making such a big difference in the world.And I’m sure that young people like you are going to be able to make that kind of difference as long as you keep working the way you’ve been working.All right? All right, this is going to be the last question, unfortunately.We’ve run out of time so quickly.Our last Internet question, because I want to make sure that we got all three of our fine students here.Q Mr.President, it’s a great honor for the last question.And I’m a college student from Fudan University, and today I’m also the representative of China’s Youth(inaudible.)And this question I think is from Beijing: Paid great attention to your Afghanistan policies, and he would like to know whether terrorism is still the greatest security concern for the United States? And how do you assess the military actions in Afghanistan, or whether it will turn into another Iraqi war? Thank you very much.PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think that’s an excellent question.Well, first of all, I do continue to believe that the greatest threat to United States’ security are the terrorist networks like al Qaeda.And the reason is, is because even though they are small in number, what they have shown is, is that they have no conscience when it comes to the destruction of innocent civilians.And because of technology today, if an organization like that got a weapon of mass destruction on its hands — a nuclear or a chemical or a biological weapon — and they used it in a city, whether it’s in Shanghai or New York, just a few individuals could potentially kill tens of thousands of people, maybe hundreds of thousands.So it really does pose an extraordinary threat.Now, the reason we originally went into Afghanistan was because al Qaeda was in Afghanistan, being hosted by the Taliban.They have now moved over the border of Afghanistan and they are in Pakistan now, but they continue to have networks with other extremist organizations in that region.And I do believe that it is important for us to stabilize Afghanistan so that the people of Afghanistan can protect themselves, but they can also be a partner in reducing the power of these extremist networks.Now, obviously it is a very difficult thing — one of the hardest things about my job is ordering young men and women into the battlefield.I often have to meet with the mothers and fathers of the fallen, those who do not come home.And it is a great weight on me.It gives me a heavy heart.Fortunately, our Armed Services is — the young men and women who participate, they believe so strongly in their service to their country that they are willing to go.And I think that it is possible — working in a broader coalition with our allies in NATO and others that are contributing like Australia — to help train the Afghans so that they have a functioning government, that they have their own security forces, and then slowly we can begin to pull our troops out because there’s no longer that vacuum that existed after the Taliban left.But it’s a difficult task.It’s not easy.And ultimately I think in trying to defeat these terrorist extremists, it’s important to understand it’s not just a military exercise.We also have to think about what motivates young people to become terrorists, why would they become suicide bombers.And although there are obviously a lot of different reasons, including I think the perversion of religion, in thinking that somehow these kinds of violent acts are appropriate, part of what’s happened in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan is these young people have no education, they have no opportunities, and so they see no way for them to move forward in life, and that leads them into thinking that this is their only option.And so part of what we want to do in Afghanistan is to find ways that we can train teachers and create schools and improve agriculture so that people have a greater sense of hope.That won’t change the ideas of a Osama bin Laden who are very ideologically fixed on trying to strike at the West, but it will change the pool of young people who they can recruit from.And that is at least as important, if not more important over time, as whatever military actions that we can take.Okay? All right, I have had a wonderful time.I am so grateful to all of you.First of all, let me say I’m very impressed with all of your English.Clearly you’ve been studying very hard.And having a chance to meet with all of you I think has given me great hope for the future of U.S.-China relations.I hope that many of you have the opportunity to come and travel and visit the United States.You will be welcome.I think you will find that the American people feel very warmly towards the people of China.And I am very confident that, with young people like yourselves and the young people that I know in the United States, that our two great countries will continue to prosper and help to bring about a more peaceful and secure world.So thank you very much everybody.Thank you.(Applause.)

第四篇：奧巴馬演講

奧巴馬演講

Hello, everybody.In the State of the Union, I laid out three areas we need to focus on if we're going to build an economy that lasts: new American manufacturing, new skills and education for American workers, and new sources of American-made energy.These days, we're getting another painful reminder why developing new energy is so important to our future.Just like they did last year, gas prices are starting to climb.Only this time, it's happening earlier.And that hurts everyone – everyone who owns a car;everyone who owns a business.It means you have to stretch your paycheck even further.Some folks have no choice but to drive a long way to work, and high gas prices are like a tax straight out of their paychecks.Now, some politicians always see this as a political opportunity.And since it's an election year, they're already dusting off their three-point plans for $2 gas.I'll save you the suspense: Step one is drill, step two is drill, and step three is keep drilling.We hear the same thing every year.Well the American people aren't stupid.You know that's not a plan – especially since we're already drilling.It's a bumper sticker.It's not a strategy to solve our energy challenge.It's a strategy to get politicians through an election.You know there are no quick fixes to this problem, and you know we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices.If we're going to take control of our energy future and avoid these gas price spikes down the line, then we need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and more.We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks;in our buildings and plants.That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge.Now, we absolutely need safe, responsible oil production here in America.That's why under my Administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years.In 2010, our dependence on foreign oil was under 50% for the first time in more than a decade.And while there are no short-term silver bullets when it comes to gas prices, I've directed my administration to look for every single area where we can make an impact and help consumers in the months ahead, from permitting to delivery bottlenecks to what's going on in the oil markets.But over the long term, an all-of-the-above energy strategy means we have to do more.It means we have to make some choices.Here's one example.Right now, four billion of your tax dollars subsidize the oil industry every year.Four billion dollars.Imagine that.Maybe some of you are listening to this in your car right now, pulling into a gas station to fill up.As you watch those numbers rise, know that oil company profits have never been higher.Yet somehow, Congress is still giving those same companies another four billion dollars of your money.That's outrageous.It's inexcusable.And it has to stop.A century of subsidies to the oil companies is long enough.It's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and use that money to reduce our deficit and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising.Because of the investments we've already made, the use of wind and solar energy in this country has nearly doubled – and thousands of Americans have jobs because of it.And because we put in place the toughest fuel economy standards in history, our cars will average nearly 55 miles per gallon by the middle of the next decade – something that, over time, will save the typical family more than $8,000 at the pump.Now Congress needs to keep that momentum going by renewing the clean energy tax credits that will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil.Look, we know there's no silver bullet that will bring down gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign oil overnight.But what we can do is get our priorities straight, and make a sustained, serious effort to tackle this problem.That's the commitment we need right now.And with your help, it's a commitment we can make.Thank you.

第五篇：奧巴馬演講

Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you very much.Everybody, please have a seat.Well, Madam President, that was an outstanding introduction.(Laughter.)We are so proud of Donae for representing this school so well.And in addition, I also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal, who has been here for 20 years--first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal--Anita Berger.Please give her a big round of applause.(Applause.)I want to acknowledge, as well, Mayor Gray is here--the mayor of Washington, D.C.is here.Please give him a big round of applause.(Applause.)And I also want to thank somebody who is going to go down in history as one of the finest Secretaries of Education that we’ve ever had--Arne Duncan is here.(Applause.)

Now, it is great to be here at Benjamin Banneker High School, one of the best high schools not only in Washington, D.C., but one of the best high schools in the country.(Applause.)But we’ve also got students tuning in from all across America.And so I want to welcome you all to the new school year, although I know that many of you already have been in school for a while.I know that here at Banneker, you’ve been back at school for a few weeks now.So everything is starting to settle in, just like for all your peers all across the country.The fall sports season is underway.Musicals and marching band routines are starting to shape up, I believe.And your first big tests and projects are probably just around the corner.I know that you’ve also got a great deal going on outside of school.Your circle of friends might be changing a little bit.Issues that used to stay confined to hallways or locker rooms are now finding their way onto Facebook and Twitter.(Laughter.)Some of your families might also be feeling the strain of the economy.As many of you know, we’re going through one of the toughest economic times that we’ve gone through in our lifetime--in my lifetime.Your lifetime hasn’t been that long.And so, as a consequence, you might have to pick up an after-school job to help out your family, or maybe you’re babysitting for a younger sibling because mom or dad is working an extra shift.So all of you have a lot on your plates.You guys are growing up faster and interacting with a wider world in a way that old folks like me, frankly, just didn’t have to.So today, I don’t want to be just another adult who stands up and lectures you like you’re just kids--because you’re not just kids.You’re this country’s future.You’re young leaders.And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you.So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that responsibility.It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be.Now, that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment.It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight As all the time--although that’s not a bad goal to have.It means that you have to stay at it.You have to be determined and you have to persevere.It means you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work.And it means that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while.You can’t avoid the class that you think might be hard because you’re worried about getting the best grade if that’s a subject that you think you need to prepare you for your future.You’ve got to wonder.You’ve got to question.You’ve got to explore.And every once in a while, you need to color outside of the lines.That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind of careers that you want.And that’s why when you’re still a student you can explore a wide range of possibilities.One hour you can be an artist;the next, an author;the next, a scientist, or a historian, or a carpenter.This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas.And the more you do, the sooner you’ll figure out what makes you come alive, what stirs you, what makes you excited--the career that you want to pursue.Now, if you promise not to tell anybody, I will let you in on a little secret: I was not always the very best student that I could be when I was in high school, and certainly not when I was in middle school.I did not love every class I took.I wasn’t always paying attention the way I should have.I remember when I was in 8th grade I had to take a class called ethics.Now, ethics is about right and wrong, but if you’d ask me what my favorite subject was back in 8th grade, it was basketball.I don’t think ethics would have made it on the list.But here’s the interesting thing.I still remember that ethics class, all these years later.I remember the way it made me think.I remember being asked questions like: What matters in life? Or, what does it mean to treat other people with dignity and respect? What does it mean to live in a diverse nation, where not everybody looks like you do, or thinks like you do, or comes from the same neighborhood as you do? How do we figure out how to get along?

Each of these questions led to new questions.And I didn’t always know the right answers, but those discussions and that process of discovery--those things have lasted.Those things are still with me today.Every day, I’m thinking about those same issues as I try to lead this nation.I’m asking the same kinds of questions about, how do we as a diverse nation come together to achieve what we need to achieve? How do we make sure that every single person is treated with dignity and respect? What responsibilities do we have to people who are less fortunate than we are? How do we make sure that everybody is included in this family of Americans?

Those are all questions that date back to this class that I took back in 8th grade.And here’s the thing: I still don’t always know the answers to all these questions.But if I’d have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life.So that’s a big part of your responsibility, is to test things out.Take risks.Try new things.Work hard.Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away.You’re not supposed to be good at everything right away.That’s why you’re in school.The idea, though, is, is that you keep on expanding your horizons and your sense of possibility.Now is the time for you to do that.And those are also, by the way, the things that will make school more fun.Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well--the traits that will lead you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet.Or what will help you figure out a way to use the sun and the wind to power a city and give us new energy sources that are less polluting.Or maybe you’ll write the next great American novel.Now, to do almost any of those things, you have to not only graduate from high school,--and I know I’m just--I’m in the “amen” corner with Principal Berger here--not only do you have to graduate from high school, but you’re going to have to continue education after you leave.You have to not only graduate, but you’ve got to keep going after you graduate.That might mean, for many of you, a four-year university.I was just talking to Donae, and she wants to be an architect, and she’s interning with a architectural firm, and she’s already got her sights set on what school she wants to go to.But it might, for some other folks, be a community college, or professional credentialing or training.But the fact of the matter is, is that more than 60 percent of the jobs in the next decade will require more than a high school diploma--more than 60 percent.That’s the world you’re walking into.So I want all of you to set a goal to continue your education after you graduate.And if that means college for you, just getting into college is not enough.You also have to graduate.One of the biggest challenges we have right now is that too many of our young people enroll in college but don’t actually end up getting their degree, and as a consequence--our country used to have the world’s highest proportion of young people with a college degree;we now rank 16th.I don't like being 16th.I like being number one.That’s not good enough.So we’ve got to use--we’ve got to make sure your generation gets us back to the top of having the most college graduates relative to the population of any country on Earth.If we do that, you guys will have a brighter future.And so will America.We’ll be able to make sure the newest inventions and the latest breakthroughs happen right here in the United States of America.It will mean better jobs, and more fulfilling lives, and greater opportunities not only for you, but also for your kids.So I don’t want anybody who’s listening here today to think that you’re done once you finish high school.You are not done learning.In fact, what’s happening in today’s economy is--it’s all about lifelong learning.You have to constantly upgrade your skills and find new ways of doing things.Even if college isn't for you, even if a four-year college isn't for you, you’re still going to have to get more education after you get out of high school.You’ve got to start expecting big things from yourself right now.I know that may sound a little intimidating.And some of you may be wondering how you can pay for college, or you might not know what you want to do with your life yet.And that’s okay.Nobody expects you to have your entire future mapped out at this point.And we don't expect you to have to make it on your own.First of all, you’ve got wonderful parents who love you to death and want you to have a lot more opportunity than they ever had--which, by the way, means don’t give them a hard time when they ask you to turn off the video games, turn off the TV and do some homework.You need to be listening to them.I speak from experience because that’s what I’ve been telling Malia and Sasha.Don’t be mad about it, because we’re thinking about your future.You’ve also got people all across this country--including myself and Arne and people at every level of government--who are working on your behalf.We’re taking every step we can to ensure that you’re getting an educational system that is worthy of your potential.We’re working to make sure that you have the most up-to-date schools with the latest tools of learning.We’re making sure that this country’s colleges and universities are affordable and accessible to you.We’re working to get the best class--teachers into the classroom as well, so they can help you prepare for college and a future career.Let me say something about teachers, by the way.Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days.(Applause.)Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –-your teachers are giving up their weekends;they’re waking up at dawn;they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities.And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.And they don’t do it for a fancy office.They don’t--they sure don’t do it for the big salary.They do it for you.They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn.They live for those moments when something clicks;when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming.And they’re proud of you.And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed.They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow.They know you’re our future.So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we don’t just need you for the future;we actually need you now.America needs young people’s passion and their ideas.We need your energy right now.I know you’re up to it because I’ve seen it.Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people all across the country are already making their marks.They’re not waiting.They’re making a difference now.There are students like Will Kim from Fremont, California, who launched a nonprofit that gives loans to students from low-income schools who want to start their own business.Think about that.So he’s giving loans to other students.He set up a non-for-profit.He’s raising the money doing what he loves--through dodgeball tournaments and capture-the-flag games.But he’s creative.He took initiative.And now he’s helping other young people be able to afford the schooling that they need.There is a young man, Jake Bernstein, 17 years old, from a military family in St.Louis, worked with his sister to launch a website devoted to community service for young people.And they’ve held volunteer fairs and put up an online database, and helped thousands of families to find volunteer opportunities ranging from maintaining nature trails to serving at local hospitals.And then last year, I met a young woman named Amy Chyao from Richardson, Texas.She’s 16 years old, so she’s the age of some of you here.During the summer, I think because somebody in her family had an illness, she decided that she was interested in cancer research.She hadn’t taken chemistry yet, so she taught herself chemistry during the summer.And then she applied what she had learned and discovered a breakthrough process that uses light to kill cancer cells.Sixteen years old.It’s incredible.And she's been approached by some doctors and researchers who want to work with her to help her with her discovery.The point is you don’t have to wait to make a difference.You’re first obligation is to do well in school.You’re first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career.But you can also start making your mark right now.A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do anyway.We just need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom.When I meet young people like yourselves, when I sat and talk to Donae, I have no doubt that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you.Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government.You will be the one who are making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed.You will be the ones that are charting the course of our unwritten history.And all that starts right now--starts this year.So I want all of you who are listening, as well as everybody here at Banneker, I want you to make the most of the year that’s ahead of you.I want you to think of this time as one in which you are just loading up with information and skills, and you’re trying new things and you’re practicing, and you’re honing--all those things that you’re going to need to do great things when you get out of school.Your country is depending on you.So set your sights high.Have a great school year.Let’s get to work.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless the United States of America.(Applause.)