First lady Melania Trump called on first spouses around the world to commit to empowering the next generation through technology and education at the Fostering the Future Together’s inaugural summit.
Trump launched the coalition in September to bring world leaders together to enhance children’s well-being through education and innovation. The group gathered at the State Department for the first meeting of what the administration anticipates to be a long-term agenda.
“Beginning today, let’s accelerate our new global alliance, these bonds, to positively impact the progress of our children,” Trump said Tuesday. “This is a historic moment in time.”
The first lady was joined by more than 45 dignitaries for discussions on artificial intelligence, digital literacy, and online safety. Trump’s remarks began the two-day summit, addressing the challenges children face in the digital age.
Member nations in the roundtable discussion include France, Poland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Kenya, and Israel. Each dignitary thanked Trump for assembling the coalition before delivering their opening remarks.
During the inaugural meeting, she outlined that the coalition will achieve these goals by creating learning programs, advocating educational policies, sponsoring tech legislation, and building partnerships between the public and private sectors.
“Each of you has a vital role to play in shaping the tech education opportunities for the next generation,” Trump said. “Fostering the Future Together’s collaborative platform will serve as the ability multiplier for members.”
Trump encouraged the participating leaders to host regional meetings that advance the coalition’s goals.
“To turn this vision into action, I invite each of you to participate, commit to hosting regional meetings, conduct research, study, advance new partnerships, collaborate with another member nation in your region,” Trump said.
Trump was in the room for approximately seven minutes before leaving, skipping the roundtable discussions and network building.
The intersection between technology, children, and education has been a priority for the Trump agenda during the second Trump administration.
The first lady has delivered numerous speeches addressing the cause, including at the United Nations Security Council in March, where she championed “peace through education” and called on the U.N. to pledge to safeguard learning.
MELANIA TRUMP GIVES CANDID, HEARTFELT MESSAGE TO FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAN OPERATION
Trump called the coalition’s inaugural meeting “unprecedented,” commending the various “visionaries” from different sectors for coming together for this initiative.
“Magic happens in our nation’s capital, particularly when the private and public sectors join forces,” Trump said.
Various Trump administration officials, including Education Secretary Linda McMahon, attended Day One of the meeting to lead discussions.