Former U.S. Secretary of State Reflects on God and Country at The Washington Center’s Presidential Lecture Series

Washington, D.C. – On Monday, April 2, Dr. Madeleine Albright, former secretary of state, foreign policy expert, distinguished scholar and renowned author, spoke with nearly 500 college interns from across the nation as part of the Presidential Lecture Series of the spring internship program of The Washington Center for Internship and Academic Seminars.  

Albright addressed how faith shapes world events, the subject of her recent book,THE MIGTHY AND THE ALMIGHTY-Reflections on America God and World Affairs.  She spoke of her experiences while in office, her interviews with global statesmen, and her own personal beliefs. She spoke of freedom and democracy as “humankind’s greatest inventions.”  She rejected the idea of mixing religion with foreign policy, and the idea that America has a “divinely inspired mission to promote liberty.”

Albright was generous with her time to address questions from students.   In addition, for more than forty minutes after the Q&A, she autographed paperback edition copies of MIGHTY AND THE ALMIGHTY, until all of nearly 200 young men and women had made it through the book signing table.

“Albright is a very distinguished voice in the political realm. Her experience is not limited to a specific area of the government and she was able to make substantive comments on various areas that have come to the forefront of politics without looking uncomfortable while enduring the probing questions. This was one of the best speakers I have ever seen and clearly the most distinguished speaker I have heard,” said one spring semester intern.

Madeleine Albright served as U.S. Secretary of State in the Clinton Administration from 1997 to 2001, earning a place in history as the first woman ever to hold the position. Prior to her cabinet appointment, she served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and on the staff of the National Security Council.  She is currently principal of The Albright Group LLC, the global strategy firm she founded; chairman of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs; and the Mortara Endowed Distinguished Professor at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service. She lives in Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization that serves hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries. The Washington Center provides selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C., for academic credit. The largest program of its kind, The Washington Center has more than 35,000 alumni who have become leaders in numerous professions and nations around the world.  It was established in 1975. 

For more information about the lecture by Dr. Madeleine Albright, visit The Washington Center website: www.twc.edu.

Dates & Deadlines

Deadline for Fall 2008 Washington, D.C.-London Internship Program is extended to May 30, 2008

Regular deadline for Fall Semester, Quarter and Postgraduate 2008 is June 13, 2008.

Competitive deadline for Spring 2008 Semester, Winter and Spring Quarters and Postgraduate is September 29, 2008.

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