Former President Jimmy Carter’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston on Monday evening is a humanitarian call to Americans in the United States and abroad. This is a moment in time to seize a historic opportunity. To do so, Americans must weigh carefully the decision about US leadership in the November 2004 election.

Through the communications influence of the Internet, for the first time a national election may be decided by the votes of those Americans living throughout the world. United States citizens, who experience first-hand the changes in feeling and perception about their country since 9/11, are motivated to let their voices be heard. This is potentially a significant development in global politics. It speaks to the question: Can the life experiences of American citizens abroad precede the insularity of geography?

In this context, MoveOn.org, continues to inform an increasing number of participants about ways to engage in the presidential campaign. This initiative offers citizens the chance to demonstrate a personal commitment to change in a time of great personal and collective insecurity. It also indicates the ways in which networks are evolving to influence democratic processes in a world of transnational communications.

Mr. Carter’s commitment to human beings around the globe since his tenure in office lends an authority to his words in the United States. His speech is a testimony to the urgent need for leadership that allows America to play a constructive role, working multilaterally with allies, to sustain peace in the world. During his Presidency, Mr. Carter learned from the adversity of the Iran hostage crisis. His determination to work with his team until the close of their period in office led to the release of the American hostages.

As an elder statesman, Mr. Carter demonstrates qualities that transcend partisan politics- empathy for other human beings and understanding of the human condition. His experience as a mediator is one that Mr. Carter relies on consistently in the service of peace. This is because he made a fundamental choice throughout his lifetime. In his careers as Navy officer, President and citizen of the world, Mr. Carter accepted and assumed the responsibilities that spring from the need to reconcile differences with compassion, honesty, and intelligence in war as well as in peace.

In recent years, the United States has sorely missed an elder statesperson who can speak simultaneously to Americans and to all people about the challenges we face, particularly in education and health. Mr. Carter asks us all to consider the kind of leadership we require to meet the changes in demographics and immigration that most countries are likely to face in the decades ahead. As more local areas become increasingly diverse, and as America takes many of the world’s peoples into its shores, the need for leaders who listen to and understand the views of others is essential.

Not since Eleanor Roosevelt, who was acknowledged as “First Lady of the World,” has the United States experienced a visionary public servant of Mr. Carter’s stature. His vocation is to speak with compassion and courage on behalf of the unity and integrity of Americans and the human rights of peoples around the globe. This is necessary if we are to redefine America’s role in the world. Mr. Carter’s plain talking expresses concern for credibility, principles of government, and, above all, trust in leadership by citizens.

His speech Monday evening signifies more than a strong commitment to the Kerry/Edwards ticket. Mr. Carter has thought carefully with the knowledge of hindsight, and the wisdom of foresight, about the state of America today. The tragedy of 9/11, beyond the loss of life, persists in the lingering impact of its aftermath. US citizens are progressively losing civil liberties. The American government deters international students’ university applications through excessively complicated visa procedures. The nation’s diplomacy is a greater source of fear, instability and lack of respect for human rights in the world. In response, it is Americans who can provide the impetus for change.

The people of a country elect the government it deserves. In 2004, Americans at home can seize an opportunity to vote for the leadership that helps us come to terms with the tragedy humanity faces in the war against terrorism. It is those Americans living abroad, however, who are asked, after 9/11, to make the difference in this election.

In a world that must face extremism as it struggles to create opportunities for human development, the US election requires all Americans to grapple with the fate of humanity. Mr. Carter’s speech balances a realistic awareness of that fate with a hopeful belief that the common sense of the American people will prevail. His words are a wake up call alerting us that common sense is a deterrent to fear. The November election may well bring out the spirit that resides in all Americans, at home and abroad, as we realize a fundamental source of the country’s strength that is not being sufficiently tapped.

Beyond a unilateral display of military force in the war on terrorism, this source of strength is as much the decency we show others as the respect we demonstrate towards our allies and ourselves.