Get women involved in implementing a peace process, Hillary Clinton said Monday, and chances improve that process will work.
The former Secretary of State spoke at a New York City event for new inductees to the Irish America Hall of Fame. Clinton was inducted for her work on behalf of the Irish peace process.
In her 15 minute talk, Clinton reminded the audience “You cannot bring peace and security to people just by signing an agreement. In fact, most peace agreements don’t last.”
Remember, she said, that when women are involved in promoting agreement in their communities, “There’s a much better chance the agreement will hold.”
She noted “there has to be genuine social and economic inclusion. That’s true there. That’s true around the world.”
Clinton recalled the process to bring peace to Northern Ireland in the 1990s, and how “it just took time to build some kind of relationship . I think that it’s a great lesson for so many who have their own conflicts.”
There was no American political talk, no hint of any Democratic politics. Clinton is considering a run for the party’s presidential nomination.
She did get reflective at one point. “We all get so busy whether we are in business or government,” Clinton said. “It’s easy to forget why we do what we do.
“At the end of the day it is to provide better opportunities, prosperity, peace for those closest to us who will be the next generation the next generation.”
She cited her granddaughter, saying she’s have many opportunities in this country for a good education and to learn good values.
“We will do whatever we can to give her the best education, to give her the best understanding of values and how to treat others,” Clinton said. “But I would like that for every child, every child not just in the United States, not just in Ireland but every child everywhere.”