by InTrieste
On the concluding day of the G7 summit in Trieste, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona spoke candidly with InTrieste about the Biden administration’s vision for higher education and the lessons gleaned from international counterparts. In a wide-ranging interview, Cardona emphasized the administration’s commitment to broadening access to education, supporting teachers, and fostering global educational cooperation.
Opening Doors to Higher Education
“One of the things that we take great pride in is President Biden’s initiative to open doors to higher education,” Cardona remarked. “Higher education leads to opportunities in life, but not everyone has the same opportunity. Our goal is to change that.”
Cardona highlighted several key strategies discussed at the G7 summit, including addressing teacher salaries and providing debt relief to encourage more individuals to enter the teaching profession. “We’re working really hard to make education a cornerstone of not only the campaign but the work that we are proud of. Education is the foundation of a country’s growth, and we must support our schools, educators, and ultimately, our students,” he asserted.
Learning from Global Peers
Reflecting on the past three days at the summit, Cardona shared insights on the shared goals and challenges faced by education ministers from the G7 countries. “What stood out to me is the unity in our support for students, despite representing different parties and ideological beliefs. In the United States, with its 50 states and federal structure, the approach to education may differ from countries like Canada or those with more centralized systems. However, the goal remains the same.”
Cardona emphasized the commonality of purpose among the G7 nations. “We want to provide pathways to careers and recognize that education is the great equalizer. This applies not only to our own countries but also to nations in Africa and Ukraine, where support for development, reconstruction, and recovery is crucial.”
Observations from Italy
During his stay, Cardona observed political debates back in United States. “I watched the TV debate from Italy from my hotel room at 4 in the morning,” he shared. “It reinforced my confidence in the policies that President Biden has implemented over the past two and a half years.”
Cardona pointed to specific achievements of the administration, such as reducing prescription costs and improving access to medicine. “We have too many people paying too much for medicine or unable to get it, leading to preventable deaths. Fixing access to education and improving infrastructure are also pivotal. The president’s record speaks for itself.”
Addressing Domestic Challenges
Cardona did not shy away from addressing the domestic political climate just months away from the presidential election, alluding to the stark contrasts in leadership approaches. “We have someone who’s a convicted felon talking about being a dictator, picking fights everywhere. We must remember that we have normalized behaviors that are unacceptable even with kindergarteners. Ensuring that our priorities align with what the American people want is what we should focus on, and that’s what we will continue fighting for.”
As the G7 summit concluded, Cardona’s reflections underscored a vision of education as a unifying force, both domestically and internationally. His conversations with global counterparts reinforced the shared commitment to making education accessible and equitable, setting a hopeful tone for future collaborations.
