The United States is going to have to work with the European Union to help integrate China and India as world powers.

That's one of the messages of John Bruton, European Union ambassador to the U.S. and former prime minister of Ireland, who visited Utah this week, making stops to speak at BYU and to local students at Provo High on Thursday.

"The big challenge of the 21st century will be our ability to manage the emergence of China and India better than our predecessors last century managed the emergence of Japan and Germany," Bruton said. "The U.S. on its own won't be able to manage this challenge; neither will the European Union on its own. But together, if we pool our resources, we will be able to."

In two similar addresses, delivered Thursday, Bruton discussed EU-U.S. political and trade relations, and fielded students' questions about issues dealing with the two world powers.

Bruton's remarks began with a brief history and overview of the European Union.

"When a country is allowed to join the European Union, it is a seal that the country will be a representative of law, a representative of freedom, a representative of human rights, and a representative of democracy," Bruton said.

He went on to talk about some of the global issues the world will face in the coming century, including climate change, one of his main topics of discussion. He said, "Unless the U.S. and European Union are prepared to lead, no one else will follow."

According to figures he presented, each American is responsible for about 20 tons of carbon emissions annually, compared with 13-14 tons per European.

"Working together, we have a job to do to ensure the world isn't destroyed," Bruton said regarding carbon emissions. "The war is in our country and in our homes."

Despite differences in American and European approaches to global problems, the ambassador focused on the need for continuing unity.

"You Americans own a huge stake in Europe," he said. "If things go badly for you, they go badly for us. If they go badly for us, they go badly for you, too."

"Fundamentally, we want the same things," he told the high school students regarding the peace process between Israel and Palestine. "There's just a difference of emphasis on how to reach those things."

"I'm here to minimize misunderstanding, so we can work together to make a better world for our children," Bruton said, concluding his remarks.

Bruton's presentation at Provo High was given to a group of about 150 students. His remarks at BYU were given that afternoon to a packed auditorium in the Hinckley Alumni and Visitor's Center.

"I was very impressed," said Cory Leonard, assistant director of the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies. "This surpassed my expectations as far as the number of people here, and the quality of the questions."

Leonard said any visit from an ambassador was a "unique experience," and one he hoped students would remember as an outstanding experience in their education.

Provo High School, Utah County's first International Baccalaureate School, was honored by the privilege of hearing from Ambassador Bruton.

"We're very excited to have our first cohort attending," said Stacey Briggs, assistant principal at Provo High in charge of the International Baccalaureate program.

"We believe we are part of a global economy," Briggs said. "The students have gained an understanding of what the European Union is, both our similarities and differences. This will help them to make a difference."

Some students were equally grateful for the opportunity.

"It has helped me know more," Provo High student Jessica Harris said. "I feel a lot more confident in what I know about government."

The visit to Provo High was sponsored by the Center for the Study of Europe, a BYU-funded program that hosts speakers and workshops, in conjunction with Intercultural Outreach, which works with K-12 schools and teachers to improve cross-cultural understanding.

Bruton's visit to Utah also included meetings with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Utah business leaders.

A podcast of Bruton's lecture at BYU is available through the Kennedy Center.

Copyright Brigham Young University 24 Jan 2008