Lecture on America's Role in the World at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – Peter Burleigh, ambassador and deputy representative of the United States to the United Nations from 1997 – 99, will give a lecture, titled "America's Role in the World: Anxieties of a Career Diplomat," on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Holy Cross' Rehm Library. Burleigh's talk will address issues of regional expertise, international politics, and ethics, in relation to U.S. foreign policy. It is free and open to the public.

Recognized as one of the most accomplished diplomats of his generation, Burleigh served in the U.S. State Department for 33 years. During that time he held a number of senior positions including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Personnel, Coordinator of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research at the Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs.

In his most recent position as ambassador and deputy representative of the United States to the United Nations, Burleigh represented the U.S. on the Security Council, the General Assembly and other major U.N. bodies.

In October 2000, he was awarded the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Medal and in December 2000, he was designated for a Presidential Distinguished Service Award by President Clinton.

Burleigh is a graduate of Colgate University. He served in the Peace Corps from 1963 – 65 in Nepal, and later returned to Nepal on a Fulbright scholarship. He joined the Foreign Service of the United States in 1967. He is fluent in Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, and Sinhalese.