Many minds are converging on the Boulder campus for the 61st annual Conference on World Affairs.
CWA started Monday with an address from keynote speaker former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, who was introduced by CU President Bruce Benson.
“He is someone who will challenge convention and make us examine our own worldview,” Benson said. “[And he] has honest concern for the future of our country.”
Hagel’s addressed a full Macky Auditorium, and he called for action from the global community. According to Hagel, the choices made today will affect at least three future generations.
“We are now defining the early part of [the] 21st century, which leads us into an era of engagement,” Hagel said. “Engagement is not appeasing.”
His tone and reference to troops currently deployed in the Middle East were welcomed by an uproar of applause from a large part of the audience.
“Our responsibility now is to prepare the next generation for a new world order,” Hagel said.
Hagel moved from there into a reflection of the post WWII era, calling it a time when the world needed to be reoriented. He also reminded the audience of the advances made in medicine, technology and science since that time.
“We saw the world do pretty well,” he said.
Hagel proposed that the next 25 years should now be focused on the areas previously neglected. There were strong references to diplomacy and leadership of character and courage. He focused on a need for mutual respect and tolerance when engaging in international affairs.
Hagel also addressed the current global economic crisis and expressed his belief that we will come out of it.
“[Americans] have that self-correcting mechanism,” Hagel said. “We fix the problem.”
Hagel concluded his keynote address with a gracious thank you and recognized of the motives of those attending.
“Something more that yourself brings you here,” Hagel said. “It’s that sense of purpose, of course.”
From the banter heard as the large crowd exited the auditorium, the former senator’s address was well received by an audience composed in large majority of people over the age of 65.
One younger attendee, 20-year-old sophomore English major Paul Evans had mixed feelings about the address.
“He was good,” Evans said. “It was interesting to hear from his point of view. But it sounded more like a campaign speech to me.”
Evans attended the conference out of his own personal interest and was on his way to attend the discussion panel, “Profits of Peace, Profits of War.”
Nineteen-year-old film studies freshman Carmen Ware, who is interested in the conflict between Palestine and Israel, attended the conference to meet a requirement for her Race and Ethnic Relations class.
“It was really interesting,” Ware said. “I learned a lot. I think I will go to another [panel] when I can find time.”
For more information on the CWA which continues throughout the week and a schedule of events, visit the CWA Web site.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sierra Shafer at Sierra.shafer@colorado.edu.
