Madeleine Albright Speaks at Principia
Just after spring break, Principia College presented Dr. Madeleine Albright, former United States Secretary of State, as this year’s George A. Andrews Distinguished Speaker. Drawing on her extensive public service experience, Dr. Albright offered listeners a unique and encompassing global perspective in her talk, “A World of Change: Challenges Facing the Next Generation of World Leaders.”
She began by sharing her earliest memories and their impact on her experience. Born in what was then Czechoslovakia, her family escaped to England during the Nazi occupation. Soon after their return home following the war, they fled once again due to the oppressive communist rule—this time to the United States, where they became citizens. Inspired by her father’s public service and an insatiable interest in foreign affairs, Albright pursued an education that eventually led her into public service for her adopted homeland. She became Secretary of State in 1997, the highest-ranking woman in American politics up to that point.
American Leadership in an Internet World In the course of her talk, Albright highlighted megatrends she observes on the world stage—globalization, interdependency, and the rise of information technology. “Our postwar institutions simply move too slowly for a world that spins at Internet speed,” she remarked. “Street protests around the world are spurred on by social media. Citizens are losing trust in government, and technology amplifies their frustrations. You can’t simply tweet your way to democracy and peace. Democratic institutions take years to build.”
Albright emphasized that, while the U.S. must maintain a strong leadership role in world affairs, the need to strengthen alliances and share responsibility is more critical than ever. Citing recent trouble spots in the world—the Ukraine, the Middle East, Venezuela, and Thailand—she stressed the need for institutions such as the United Nations and NATO to evolve and increase efforts for peaceful solutions to conflict.
Practicing Diplomacy and Hope for the Future Following the talk, John Yemma, Editor-at-large of The Christian Science Monitor, interviewed Albright on stage and moderated questions and answers from the audience. When asked about the challenges of negotiating with world leaders, Albright said, “I always tried to put myself in the other person’s shoes. This was particularly difficult when I knew someone was lying. Still, I’d always try to devolve the power of my adversary in a respectful way.”
“Our hope is with young people such as yourselves,” Albright said in conclusion. “You have a much greater understanding of the world than we did in past years. I encourage your interest in international studies . . . . Consider public service because it is endlessly fascinating and is an area where you can truly make a difference.”
Following her talk, students and faculty gathered in Holt Gallery to meet Dr. Albright during a book signing. Earlier, a few students had dined with her, and others spoke with her when she visited political science classes. Nick Boyd, a junior, even had the opportunity to interview Albright for Principia Internet Radio (PIR). “She was witty, funny, and full of practical advice for students,” he commented. “It was truly an honor to meet her.”