Friday, April 3, 2009

April 3, 2009 - Current Event

Obama's Big Trip

The President meets with world leaders in Europe to discuss the economic crisis and other global issues

By Vickie An



President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama crossed the Atlantic this week, arriving in London, England, on Tuesday. The city is the first stop on the couple's eight-day tour across Europe. This is Obama's first major trip abroad since taking office in January.


MANDEL NGAN—AFP/GETTY IMAGES

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visit with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife, Sarah Brown, in London, England.

Over the next week, the President plans to attend conferences in five countries. He will also meet with other heads of state to address key world issues including the war in Afghanistan, climate change and the global economic crisis. Obama hopes the trip will help strengthen U.S. alliances.

Working Together

On Thursday, the President will join other world leaders in London at the Group of Twenty, or G-20, economic summit. The conference brings together leaders from 20 wealthy and developing nations and the European Union. They meet each year to address challenges that affect the global economy.

The current financial crisis makes this year's meeting especially important. Nations across the globe are struggling with recession. Unemployment is on the rise. During the summit, G-20 leaders will form a plan to restore economic growth. They will also talk about how to prevent future economic slumps.


SAUL LOEB—AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Obama meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the eve of the G-20 summit.

Finding a solution won't be easy. There are widely differing views on how to best get the global economy back on track. President Obama vowed to take in all sides of the debate. "The president and America are going to listen in London as well as to lead," says White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

City officials in London are working overtime to keep the city running smoothly during the high profile summit. Large gatherings of protesters are packing the streets of downtown London.

A Jam-Packed Schedule

While in London, Obama met individually with world leaders including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. On Wednesday, the President and First Lady visited Buckingham Palace for tea with Queen Elizabeth II.

Later this week, Obama will travel to France, Germany, the Czech Republic and Turkey, his first stop in a Muslim nation. While there, the President plans to host a round-table session with students in Istanbul.


Choose two of President Obama's agenda items (topics that he is trying to bring about change) and give your opinion on what should be done to fix these areas and why they are important to you and your family.