In partnership with the Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, the Aspen Ministers Forum was pleased to co-host a “Symposium on Diplomacy” honoring Secretary Madeleine Albright and her legacy. The day and a half symposium paid tribute to the many facets of her life’s work: as a professor, American, and diplomat.
The AMF brought together three former Foreign Ministers from our group – Tzipi Livni of Israel, Mayu Avila of El Salvador, and Margot Wallström of Sweden, to share with students their lessons in leadership and important international perspectives on the issues Secretary Albright most cared about. They addressed the state of democracy around the world, the ability of young people to change their trajectory, and the unique role and challenges for women in leadership positions. Moderated by Edward Luce of the Financial Times, the Ministers also shared their thoughts on her international legacy and personal stories of her impact on their lives and careers.
In addition to this panel discussion, Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield took the stage to share their tributes and lessons learned from their years working with and learning from Secretary Albright. President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton closed the day with their shared insights to Secretary Albright’s trailblazing role on the world stage and how she made the role of diplomat her own while bringing a generation of women along with her.
