Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns ’78 with (L to R) Laura Mumau ’09, Matthias Bakker ’07, and Michael Madormo ’09 after delivering a speech at the April 11 Clough Colloquium event, “America’s Challenge of Global Leadership in the 21st Century.”
During a public lecture at the Robsham Theater, Burns said that the U.S. must rethink its foreign policy in addressing global concerns. “Our challenges now are primarily beyond our shores,” said the 20-year State Department veteran to a crowd of 300.
Burns talked of the need for the U.S. to reject its old isolationism and accept the “mantle” of global leadership, with all of its strategic advantages and burdens; the need to reinforce diplomacy with military strength; the importance of national service; and the responsibility of the U.S. to help nations less fortunate.
Though the “dark side” of globalization is ominous, Burns said, referencing threats of global warming, nuclear weapons, and pandemic disease, the United States is ready to meet the challenge. “We have more power as individuals now than any other generation before us,” said Burns.
The lecture was sponsored by the Carroll School of Management’s Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics.