Tuesday marked a momentous occasion for America as the first black president took the oath of office. The world watched as power switched hands with the hope that change can finally become a reality.

Obama's appointment of Susan Rice to foreign policy advisor will most certainly mean an increased role for the United States in contributing to the United Nations. An excerpt from a January 15, New York Times article reads "In her opening statement, Ms. Rice, who was the senior foreign policy adviser to the Obama campaign, said she would work on four main issues with the overall goal of reinvigorating American leadership at the United Nations. They are improving the capacity of the United Nations to undertake peacekeeping operations; providing leadership in addressing climate change; preventing both the spread and the use of nuclear weapons; and working to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poorest."

Perhaps the world will see the United States, under the Obama administration, lend a greater hand to acheiving the Millenium Development Goals. In a November 2008 Agence-France Presse article campaign manager Salil Shetty said ""During the election campaign, Obama said the 'Millennium Development Goals are our goals'. If he keeps to that promise it will be amazing."

Respond to this post with what you think about President Obama's plans to change the United States' role on the world stage.