Diplomacy can mean different things in different regions of the world, as evidenced by the two speakers at this year's IMPACT Symposium.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Israeli legislator Natan Sharansky spoke at the two-day event, organized by the Vanderbilt Programming Board's Speakers Committee, where they each addressed "Diplomacy in the New Millennium."
While Albright called for Obama to restore America's place in the world by reaching out to guide the "global marketplace of ideas," Sharansky stressed the idea that human rights should be the most important component of international policy-making.
Speakers Committee co-chair Theodore Samets said this year's event was purposefully centered on how American policy can have an international effect.
"Obviously, we continued our focus on foreign policy this year. But it was broader, removed from Islam and the Middle East and more focused on America's role in the world," Samets said. "Next year we plan to bring IMPACT home, to talk about the many issues facing our own country."
Describing her own experiences as an international diplomat under the Clinton administration, Albright offered advice to President Barack Obama on how to address the "emergency room" of issues he has inherited, especially the economic crisis and the ongoing armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
An open critic of the Bush administration, Albright expressed her hope for the possibilities of the new president. She stressed the fact that recovery - from both current events and America's current international reputation - will take time, however.
"(We) must begin by restoring foundations of political strength - our alliances, our support for a capable international system and our good name," she said.
Sharansky said he thought diplomacy could be a means for spreading freedom and democratic governments in a world increasingly overrun with dictatorships. The former legislator was imprisoned as a political dissident in the Soviet Union before immigrating to Israel in 1986.
"You must connect all your support with human rights," he said. "I can assure you that in every country in the Middle East that is not free there are dissidents."
Sharansky said it is the free world's responsibility to make clear to these defectors that they are its allies. It is only then, he argued, that the dissidents will be able to crumble the very structure of their dictatorships.
"This is how the Soviet Union fell without a shot," Sharansky said. "In different cultures - and different mentalities - there are dissidents living a life of double-think, and they are suffering for it."
Sharansky then listed Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and Cuba as places in which freedom of political expression is right now being repressed.
Albright also expressed concern for these areas. She said Obama will have to deal with military issues such as nuclear arms in North Korea and Iran, humanitarian issues like the genocide in Darfur and environmental issues such as the global implications of climate change. She was also particularly concerned about the possibility of encouraging a new generation of terrorists by prolonging military involvement in the Persian Gulf.
Both Albright and Sharansky spoke to enthusiastic crowds. Albright's speech even sold out the day of the event.
Students found both speakers to be informative and personable.
"It was a really great way to teach people about international relations," said Junior Allison Heiser. "Especially during Albright's speech, it was a diplomacy 101 lesson, and as an avid supporter of diplomacy, I found a lot of what she said incredibly helpful and interesting."
"I thought Madam Albright was perhaps the most inspirational speaker I have yet had the privilege to hear," said sophomore Ellington Griffin. "To me, she embodies the woman that every other modern woman should aspire to be: intelligent, inquisitive, witty, self-assured and kind."
Samets agreed, adding that both speakers seemed approachable and genuinely happy for the opportunity to talk to students. "Both with Mr. Sharansky and Mrs. Albright, I was surprised by how excited they were to be on a college campus," said Samets. "They both acted as though they had a lot riding on their speeches - and considering that Mrs. Albright went to North Korea and took us to war in Kosovo and Mr. Sharansky spent nine years in a Soviet prison, has beaten Gary Kasparov in chess and is a close adviser to many world leaders - that says a lot."
ALSO BY HANNAH TWILLMAN
