U.S. President Barack Obama announced a new global effort to eradicate polio during his speech Thursday in Cairo.
Mr. Obama said the United States will partner with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to wipe out the crippling disease, which now affects less than 2,000 people a year.
He also used the speech to announce and discuss several other proposals.
New energy sources
Mr.
Obama said the United States will appoint new Science Envoys to develop
new sources of energy, create green jobs, clean water and grow new
crops. He also said the U.S. will open scientific excellence centers
in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
New online network
He said the U.S.
will create a new online network so teenagers in America can instantly
communicate with teenagers in the Muslim world.
Business volunteer corps
Mr. Obama also
announced plans to create a corps of business volunteers to work with
counterparts in Muslim-majority countries and expand education exchange
programs.
