Address by William Jefferson Clinton

It is quite an interesting thing that we have this impressive array of people to come to a conference on federalism, a topic that probably 10 or 20 years ago would have been viewed as a substitute for a sleeping pill. But in the aftermath of the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia; the interesting debatesat least I can say this from the point of view as your neighbor-that have gone on in Quebec; the deepening, troubling efforts to reconcile different tribes who occupy nations with boundaries they did not draw in Africa; and any number of other issues, this topic of federalism has become very, very important. It is fitting that the first global conference would be held here in North America, because federalism began here-a founding principle forged in the crucible of revolution, enshrined in the Constitution of the United States and shared today by all three nations on our continent. It is also especially fitting that this conference be held in Canada. A land larger than China, spanning five time zones and ten distinct provinces, Canada has shown the world how people of different cultures and languages can live in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect. In the United States, we have valued our relationship with a strong and united Canada. We look to you; we learn from you. The partnership you have built between people of diverse backgrounds and governments at all levels is what this conference is about-and, ultimately, what democracy must be about, as people all over the world move around more, mix with each other more, and live in close proximity more. Today, I would like to talk briefly about the ways we in the United States are working to renew and redefine federalism for the twenty-first century; then, how I see the whole concept of federalism emerging internationally; and finally, how we should judge the competing claims of federalism and independence in different contexts around the world. First, let me say that we are 84 days, now, from a new century and a new millennium. The currents of change in how we work and live and relate to each other, and relate to people far across the world, are changing very rapidly.