Madeline Albright is welcomed at Elon University’s Spring Convocation for Honors
By Alex Baker
April 1, 2009
Madeline Albright addresses Elon University. Photo courtesy of Elon University.
Madeline Albright stood as a diplomat, mother, immigrant, educator, and leader before an audience of students, staff, and all those in between on March 31 at Elon University’s Spring Convocation for Honors.
Peppered between her comedic comments and memories of the past, Albright, the first female national chief diplomat, and the 64th US Secretary of state from 1997 until 2001, opened the audience’s eyes to the importance of learning and education in our changing world.
Albright’s speech focused on three topics: education’s role within our changing world, the importance of international learning, and linking together what we know, to what we do. She stressed the importance of the current generations role in helping to, “clean up the mess that my generation is leaving behind.”
Importance of education and international learning
Albright recognized Elon as a rising academic center and a global university, due to the university’s extensive study abroad program. She stated that with multiple centers of influence around the world, “education is the remedy to every challenge.”
However, she also believes that education can be a mixed blessing, teaching lessons equating murder with martyr. This is why she believes international learning is a vital challenge we should all put upon ourselves.
“To function successfully in such an environment, we must challenge ourselves intellectually and socially; we must—in the language of the playground—develop the ability to play well with others,” stated Albright.
Elon prepares its students for such situations and Albright realized the steps our study abroad program is taking. “The university knows that graduates will be in a far better position to compete in the global economy if they are comfortable in an international setting,” Albright commented. “And the United States will do better if our citizens are knowledgeable about foreign customs and ideas.”
Using what we know to affect what we do
Albright also confided to the audience, seeming to speak directly to the honors students and graduating seniors that the decisions we make in life must be based on fact. “We need leaders who will guide the global marketplace of ideas so that people everywhere begin to look beyond the borders of their own lives.
Ending her speech, Albright focused on the good the new political administration was doing so far, and remained positive when looking to the future. She admitted that it will take time for our understanding and international relations to have affect but believes that students can help make the difference.
“… as I look around this audience of excellent students and high achievers, I am convinced that we will win – not easily, not immediately, but slowly and surely, we will prevail.”
A look into Albright’s life
Madeline Albright was an immigrant to America from the Czech Republic and the daughter of a diplomat. Now a mother of three daughters she is an unwavering voice for women’s equality.
Albright has made it her life purpose to work for national security and foreign policy. As the 64th Secretary of State, she was the first woman to advocate democracy and human rights abroad. She also focused on reinforcing alliances and promoting U.S business and trade.
Other positions Albright has held is the U.S. representative to the United Nations between 1993 and 1997, as well as maintaining herself as a leading voice in foreign policy while being an educator as well.
Below, Madeline Albright addresses Elon’s Spring Convocation for Honors about the importance to have the desire to learn.
