U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers a video message for the Startup Youth Launch. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/12/201922.htm.

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
December 10, 2012

On December 10, 1948, world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly and affirmed the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of all people. In adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the international community committed to building a world where all people are “born free and equal in dignity and rights” and are entitled to liberty, equality, and justice under the law. As we celebrate Human Rights Day more than six decades after the adoption of this cornerstone document, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting and protecting its fundamental truths.

We do so by advancing the universal freedoms enshrined in the UDHR, including the freedom to speak, the freedom to assemble, and the freedom to worship. When governments seek to deny these liberties through repressive laws and blunt force, we stand against this oppression and with people around the world as they defend their rights. These rights are complementary and mutually reinforcing. As I said in Dublin, religious freedom is about people being able to practice their faith, but it is also about the right of people to think what they want, say what they think, associate with others, and assemble peacefully without the state looking over their shoulders or prohibiting them from doing so. It is neither necessary nor acceptable to sacrifice one right in the name of another. MORE

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks with First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness in Belfast, Northern Ireland on December 7, 2012. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/12/201672.htm

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with Irish President Michael D. Higgins at Aras An Uachtarain in Dublin, Ireland, December 6, 2012. [State Department photo by Maxwell’s/ Public Domain]

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks with Taoiseach Enda Kenny after their meeting in Dublin, Ireland on December 6, 2012. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/12/201633.htm.

About the Author: Zeenat Rahman serves as Special Adviser for Global Youth Issues.

Over the past four years, Secretary Clinton has prioritized engaging diverse groups of young people around the world, underpinned by the belief that because young people are more connected and engaged to the wider world than previous generations, the United States needs to forge new, meaningful relationships with this cohort. With youth populations burgeoning around the world, young people are a vital component of civil society and the Department of State cannot accomplish its diplomatic goals if young people are marginalized from decision-making processes.

My office, the Office of Global Youth Issues, seeks to support the dialogue and interactions that the State Department’s diplomats have with youth in order to amplify young people’s perspectives and concerns. Underlying all of our activities… more »

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks entitled “Frontlines and Frontiers: Making Human Rights a Human Reality” in Dublin, Ireland on December 6, 2012. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/12/201618.htm.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses reporters at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, December 5, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 5, 2012

The fourth U.S.-EU Energy Council met today in Brussels and was chaired by EU High Representative/Vice President Catherine Ashton, Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman. The Energy Council, a central component of the U.S.-EU energy relationship, promotes transparent and secure global energy markets; fosters cooperation on regulatory frameworks that encourage the efficient and sustainable use of energy; and identifies joint research priorities that promote clean energy technologies. These actions help to boost economic growth, reduce carbon emissions, and create new jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Energy Security

The Energy Council recognized the ongoing work in consolidating the EU internal energy market, which has greatly reduced the vulnerabilities of EU member states to gas supply disruption, diversified choices for electricity and gas sources and routes, and improved the opportunities for renewable energy producers.

The Energy Council recognized the expansion of shale gas and shale oil production in the United States, which is having a profound impact on global energy markets. The Council also acknowledged the continued importance of exchanging information on best practices and regulatory requirements, in particular within the framework of the high level platform on unconventional gas best practices planned by the International Energy Agency. MORE

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks following ministerial meetings at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on December 5, 2012. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/12/201547.htm.