Its will on a minority group. So there are all kinds of reasons for violence. But one of the phenomenon that we are now seeing is he very specific promotion of violent extremism that oftentimes is twisting and distorting. And i think ultimately defying the hedicts of one of the worlds great religions, islam, and groups like al shabab and isil and boko haram. And the question is how do we fight back against those ideologies that allows us still to be true to the values of peace and tolerance and due process and rule of law. So the United States is obviously committed to this fight against terrorism. And we are working with countries and partnering with countries all around the world to go after, whether it is al qaeda, boko haram. But what weve also said is in order to defeat the extremist ideologies it couldnt just be police, military and security. It has to be reaching into communities that feel marginalized and making sure they feel they are hurt. Making sure the young people in those communities have opportunity. And that is why it is so important to partner with Civil Society organizations in countries throughout africa and around the world who can reach young people before isil reaches them, before al shabab reaches them and inoculate them from the notion that somehow the solution to their to their alienation or the source of future opportunity for them is to go kill people. And that is why when i was in kenya, for example, and i did a town hall meeting there, i emphasized what i had said to president kenyatta. Be a partner with the Civil Society groups. Because too often there is a trendency tendency because what the extremist groups want to do is they want to divide. That is what terrorism is about. You scare societies, further polarizes them the government reacts by further discriminating against a particular group that group then feels it has no political outlet peacefully to deal with their grievances and that then that suppression can oftentimes accelerate even more extremism. And that is why reaching out to Civil Society groups clergy, and listening and asking what is this that we need to do in order to make sure that young people feel that they can succeed. What is it that we need to do to make sure that they feel they are fully a part of this country and full citizens and have full rights. How do we do that . Bringing them in to plan and design and messages and campaigns that embrace the diversity of these countries. Those are the things that are so important to do. We still have to gain intelligence and engage in effective military and Police Campaigns to eradicate those who are so brainwashed that all you can do is incapacitate them. But the question is how do we make sure that the recruitment of young people into these terrorists organizations, how do we cut off that flow. And that requires more than just military efforts, okay. All right. This young lady right here. Yeah, right here in the green and red. Yeah, you. No, right here. Go ahead. No, right here. Right here in front. Yes. Yes, you. Yes. Go ahead. Thank you, mr. President. My name is jen, im from kenya and im speaking on behalf of my brothers and sisters in albany from africa. As you may know mr. President ,al banism in africa are been killed and their bodies have been used for ritual purposes and my question is to raise this foreheads of state from african countries to bring the atrocities to the end for the benefit of us in this room and our brothers and sisters back in africa. Thank you. Okay. Good. Thank you. [ applause ] well, can i just say the notion that any african would discriminate against somebody because of the color of their skin after what black people around the world have gone through is crazy. It issin it issin in fury ating. And i have no patience for it. When i was in africa i said there are important traditions and folk ways that need to be respected. That is part of who each culture is, each country is. But there is also just foolish traditions. And old ways of doing business. That are based in ignorance. And they need to stop. And the idea that you would have that a society would visit violence on people because of pigmentation, that is not a tradition, tradition that is worth pursuing. That is tomfoolery. That is craziness. That is cruel. The same is true with practices like genital mutilation. That just has to stop. You just you dont do violence to young girls just because your great grandfather or because there is no reason for it other than to suppress women. That is the rational of it. That is what it is based on. Pride abduction. Bad tradition. End it. Beating women not a good tradition. I dont care that that used to be how things were done. Societies evolve based on new understandings and new science and new appreciation of who we are. And so we can preserve great traditions music food, dance language, art, but if there is a tradition anywhere in africa or here in the United States or anywhere in the world that involves treating people differently because youre scared of them or because your ignorant about them or because you want to feel superior to them, its a bad tradition. And you have to challenge it. And you cant you cant accept excuses for it. Grace was up here you heard the power of graces talking. Now traditionally people with disabilities are treated differently because people are ignorant. And when here in the United States we pass the american against disabilities act, and that opened up more opportunities and suddenly there are ramps so people can access it and computers and new technologies so people who couldnt communicate before can communicate and it turns out there is all of this talent and brilliance and people can do these things, then peoples attitudes have chato change and that is why young people are so important in changing attitudes. The same is true by way for sexual orientation. I spoke about this i spoke about this in africa and everybody is like oh, no, we dont want to hear that. But the truth of the matter is is that if you are treating people differently because of who they love and who they are, then there is a connection between that mindset and the mindset that led to racism and the mindset that leads to ethnic conflict. It means that you are not able to see somebody else as a human being. And so you cant on the one hand complain when somebody does that to you and then you are doing it to somebody else. You cant do it. There has got to be some consistency to how you think about these issues. And that is going to be up to young people. Because old people get stuck in their ways. They do. They do. And that is true here in the United States. The truth of the matter is that when i started running for president , everybody said oh, a black guy named barack obama, he is not going to win the presidency of the United States. But what i was banking on was the fact that with all of the problems that still exist in the United States around Racial Attitudes and centers, things had changed and young people and new generations had suddenly understood that in doctor kings words, yet to be judged by the color of your skin but by the contents of your character. And that doesnt mean that everything is suddenly perfect. It just means that young people you can lead the way and set a good example but it requires in courage, because the old thinking people will push back at you. And if you dont have the convictions an the courage to be able to stand up for what you think is right then cruelty will perpetuate itself. So you guys are on the spot. If there is one thing i want yall as leaders to come out with, is the notion that you are strong by taking care of the people that are vulnerable. But looking after the minority looking after the disabled, looking after the vulnerable. You are not strong by putting people down, you are strong by lifting them up. That is the measure of a leader. All right. How much time we got . Ive only got one for one more question. Now, first of all, the women, you got to put your hands down. Because i just asked a woman thing so it has got to be a guy. And i promised i would ask a guy in a suit. Im just going to ask this guy right here. All right. Look at him hes all buttoning up. He looks pre sharp. Thank you, mr. President. My name is alicia cooka from nigeria. I want to say we appreciate the great work that the United States is doing with nigeria and many of the african countries especially as it concerns infrastructure and developments and policies and all of those but im of the opinion that it would not make investment in education more than any other sector of the economy than we are not viewed in a sustainable population. And im saying that in respect to the fact that we are we are all aware of the intellectual dream that africa is experiencing due to the fact that the groos seemed greener on this side and the United States tried so much intellectuals so we should have stayed and develops around these programs. For example, recently when you were in kenya, you launched a project around power and energy. Im of the opinion that if that program is going to be successful and sustainable then all of those programs should include the partnership of universities because through that we can view the capacity of universities and those countries can go around to other african countries replicating that and in that case we can control the dream that is moving from africa to the west or to any other part of the country. So i want to ask, what is the United States doing to control these intellectual dream for the western world and what are you doing to increase more than orders the investment in education so our partnership and development can be truly sustainable. Thank you. Good. Thats good. That was an excellent question. [ applause ] it is an excellent question. But im going to reverse the question a little bit. The question is not what is the United States doing to reverse the brain drain the question is what are your countries doing to reverse the brain drain . [ applause ] now many of you have friends who study overseas. They study in the west and then they decide to stay. Instead of going back home. Now the United States we are partnering with every country here, i guarantee you there are programs to invest in education in your country. There are programs to work with the universities in your countries. I think you make money excellent point, that on big projects like power africa, we should make sure that there is a capacitybuilding component. And in fact, one of the things that has been done with our Development Assistance that were providing is to emphasize capacity building. So for example our feed the future program the goal is to not keep on sending food forever, the goal is teaching farmers to double or tripping or quadruple their yields which then gives them more income and allows them to buy maybe a tractor or to start a cooperative Food Processing plant that then accesses the market and the money gets reinvested and now you are building jobs and commerce inside of the country as opposed to just being an aid recipient. So im all about capacity building. But ultimately why is it that you have so many talented, welleducated Young Africans leaving instead of staying . Why is it that you have so many talented welleducated people from the middle east or parts of asia or latin america who would rather live here than there. The issue is not just that these are a wealthier country. I think it is fair to say, and you know better than i do but part of it has to do with a Young Persons assessment of can i succeed in applying my talents if for example, the economy is still built on corruption so that i have to pay a bribe or be wellconnected in order to start my business. Or is there still are there still ethnic rivalries in the country which means if im from the wrong tribe, im less likely to advance. Or is there still so much sexism in the country that if im a woman then im expected just to be at home and be quiet when im a trained doctor. Or is there a lack of rule of law or basic human rights and freedoms that make me feel as if im restricted in what i can do . I make this point to say that some of the brain drain is economic. But some of it has to do with peoples assessments of if i stay in my country am i going to have the ability to succeed and that is why when i talk to leaders in africa or anywhere around the world i say, look, if you put together the basics of rule of law and due process and democracy and you are able to keep peace so there is not conflict and constant danger and the government is not corrupt then even a poor country youre going to attract a lot of people who want to live there because they feel like they are part of building something, and are contributing something. Because the one thing i discovered is right now i live in a big house, but it is a lease. I have to give it up in 18 months. A big house is nice for the first, you know month. It was like wow, this is a really big house. And then after about two months you realize i cant live in all of these rooms. My life is not appreciably better once ive got the basics and i think a lot of Young Africans would be much more interested in staying even if they dont have as big of a house or the shopping malls arent as big or if they felt as if the basics are taken care of i can keep my family safe i can practice my profession, im not going to be discriminated against, the government is wellmeaning and wellintentioned and not corrupt and public investments are being made, then people i think would have a sense of meaning in their lives. That doesnt mean there isnt going to be some people who would rather live in london or new york because they think they can make more money. But i think that as much as anything we do will reverse the brain drain and that is why what you do is so important. Because if you set a good example of going back home and rebuilding your country and if you, as young leaders, are creating an environment in which young people can succeed and setting a new set of expectations about how exciting it is to be part of something new, that can help turn the tide. So good luck. All right. Thank you, everybody. [ applause ] [ music playing ] this month stash stish is looking back at the cities and towns we visited this year showing you the history and cultural life of the areas. Today we stop in austin, texas. That begins at 6 00 eastern. Tomorrow the Senate Banking committee holds a hearing on sanctions relief part of the Iran Nuclear Agreement. Witnesses include the lead negotiator for the u. S. Wendy sherman under secretary for astate for political affairs. Can you see it live tomorrow morning at 10 00 eastern. President obama goes to American University to talk about the Iran Nuclear Agreement and hes expected to counter criticism of the deal and explain why congress shouldnt block it. Cspan will have live coverage of the president tomorrow morning at 11 20 eastern. Sunday night on q a. Former emergency manager of detroit kevin orr talks about detroits Financial Issues and his job overseeing the largest municipal bankruptcy in u. S. History. If detroit had taken the 1. 5 billion it borrowed in 2005 and 2006 and stock market went down and they invested in a index fund, the stock market is trading at 18000, three times what it was, they would have tripled their money they have could have paid the pensions in full and got back in the business of declaring the 13th check, a practice of giving pensioners a 13th check at the end of the year in addition to the 12 they are due. So it could have fixed itself if there had been a sober management going forward, just like any organization in the United States as well. If you have some strong leadership and some focus leadership you can resolve these problems but it takes a lot of effort. Sunday on cspans q a. Senior leadership from the Army Navy Air force and department of Veterans Affairs spoke recently about the social needs of military children and programs to assist them. They also responded to questions from the audience. This was from the Town Hall Session of the military Child EducationCoalition NationalTraining Seminar held last week in washington, d. C. This is about a half hour. Thank you. Well, good morning. Hey, look dont you love those defining moments. I mean they are really really awesome. Well, welcome to the family programs town hall. I would like to introduce our panelists up here. First Lieutenant General david halverson, who is commander of the u. S. Army Installation Management command and the Army Assistant chief of staff for Installation Management. Gentlemen. [ applause ] next we have Lieutenant General sam hell d cox, the deputy chief of staff for man power and services. Sir. [ applause ] vice admiral dixon r. Smith naval command. [ applause ] and the honorable danny pummill, the deputy under secretary for Veterans Benefits and an m sec national adviser. Thank you. Gentlemen, we welcome you. We collected questions from you all for the last couple of days and im going to start off with some questions. I understand there is a mic out there so if you have a question from the floor please dont hesitate to walk over there. Somehow signal me or have someone signal me or throw a wad of paper at me so i can call on you because i like to be as spontaneous in conversation as the very few minutes that we have. And the first question to sort of get things going was a question given to us two days ago and gentlemen it is in light of the current fiscal environment with respect to budget cuts to the military in general, how do you