History should be our guide. The United States led the world’s economies in the 20th century because we led the world in innovation. Today, the competition is keener; the challenge is tougher; and that is why innovation is more important than ever. It is the key to good, new jobs for the 21st century. That’s how we will ensure a high quality of life for this generation and future generations. With these investments, we’re planting the seeds of progress for our country, and good-paying, private-sector jobs for the American people.
-President Barack Obama, August 5, 2009, Remarks by the President on the Economy
In 2009, one year into his term, President Obama crafted the befittingly named Obama Innovation Strategy, a carefully outlined plan to guide and maintain the United States’ position as a global leader of research and development and economic growth in the 21st century. He proposed a pyramid strategy for “sustainable growth and quality jobs”, challenging America to “Catalyze Breakthroughs for National Priorities.”
At the pinnacle of his pyramidal approach, President Obama invites the American people to “harness science and technology to address the grand challenges of the 21st century.” And among the extensive list of “grand challenges” President Obama includes “Automatic, highly accurate and real-time translation between the major languages of the world – greatly lowering the barriers to international commerce and collaboration.”
Communication plays an undisputable role in research and development and economic growth, both on the domestic and international level. As we drive forward into the next decade, improving international communication will be pivotal in accomplishing breakthroughs in the fields of medicine, information technology, sustainable energy, and engineering. It is clear that the Translation industry will remain at the forefront of development with regard to new and more effective ways of communicating.
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