World Leader Addresses Democracy and Its Challenges
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| Bill Blanchard |
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| Bill Blanchard |
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| Bill Blanchard |
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| Bill Blanchard |
To a sold-out audience of more than 1,800 people, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev addressed the Seton Hall community and distinguished guests Tuesday, April 19, in Walsh Gymnasium. As part of the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations' World Leaders Forum and the Philip and Mary Shannon Seton Hall Speaker Series, Gorbachev's address focused on the challenges that have faced democracy throughout history as well as potential roadblocks to its future success.
In his opening remarks, University President Monsignor Robert Sheeran said that Gorbachev was one of the great world leaders who "wrote dramatic pages in the history of the 20th century," and concluded his comments with the optimistic thought: "Perhaps one of our students here today is such a leader in training."
Clay Constantinou, J.D., LL.M., dean of the Whitehead School, said Gorbachev's leadership was an inspiration to the entire world. "His daring and sweeping changes have deeply affected the lives of hundreds of millions of people and have changed relations between the East and West in ways no one had ever imagined," he continued.
During his address, Gorbachev referred to events throughout history that impacted the implementation of democracy in other regions of the world, including South Africa and Latin America. "Perestroika," Gorbachev said, "was a step toward a new world order based on democratic principles."
Even victories come with challenges, Gorbachev said, and referred to the situation in Iraq and the fall of communism during the Cold War. He discussed the need to take advantage of globalization, consider the interests of other countries and address the problems of the environment, as well as international security, as ways to help democracy progress into the future.
"Today we can say that perestroika gave democracy to our country — cultural and ideological pluralism, freedom of religion, economic growth," Gorbachev said. "I am convinced that the choice in favor of freedom was the right choice."
Following his speech, Gorbachev met privately with a small group of Whitehead School students in the Diplomacy Room of McQuaid Hall. Students conversed with Gorbachev on topics such as environmental crisis, the need for social justice, and Russia's relationship with the European Union. Stephen Nichols, a sophomore from Connecticut, shared with Gorbachev the values of the Whitehead School. Nichols spoke about the School's growth, its relationship with the United Nations and its academic programs that provide first-hand experience to the School's undergraduate and graduate students from around the world.
Gorbachev also met that evening with distinguished New Jersey business leaders and members of the University's Board of Regents for a roundtable discussion in Presidents Hall. The day's events concluded with a dinner for invited guests in the Peterson Rotunda of Walsh Library.
Gorbachev's lecture was broadcast on Seton Hall's Web site, and some members of the University community viewed the live Webcast on a large screen in the Pirate's Cove of the Bishop Dougherty University Center.