Albright, Baker, Powell to Discuss Changing Middle East

Washington National Cathedral and Aspen Institute to Present Panel Discussion with Former Secretaries of State

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Washington National Cathedral and the Aspen Institute have announced a collaboration to present "Faith, Values, and Diplomacy: US Leadership in a Changing Middle East." The program featuring Madeleine Albright, James Baker, and Colin Powell will take place on Thursday, April 7, at 6:30 pm, at the Cathedral.

Walter Isaacson, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, will moderate. The program will explore the role and challenge of addressing diverse cultural values and religious beliefs when diplomats work to protect American interests abroad.

Tickets ($10 adults; $5 students) are available online at http://www.nationalcathedral.org or by calling (202) 537-2228. There will also be a live webcast of the event accessible from the Cathedral's homepage.

Madeleine Albright was the sixty-fourth secretary of state. In 1997, she was named the first female secretary of state and became, at that time, the highest-ranking woman in the history of the US government. From 1993 to 1997, Albright served as US ambassador to the United Nations. Currently, she is chair of Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategy firm, and chair of Albright Capital Management, LLC.

James Baker has served in senior government positions under three US presidents. He was the sixty-first secretary of state from 1989 to 1992 under President George H.W. Bush. He served as secretary of the treasury under President Reagan from 1985 to 1988 and served under President Ford as under secretary of commerce. Baker is currently a senior partner in the law firm of Baker Botts. He is the honorary chairman of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.

Colin Powell is a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the sixty-fifth United States secretary of state (2001–2005) during the first term of President George W. Bush. Powell has also served as national security advisor (1987–1989), commander of the US Army Forces Command (1989), and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993).

Learn more about the event 

Washington National Cathedral is a church for national purposes called to embody God's love and to welcome people of all faiths and perspectives. A unique blend of the spiritual and the civic, this Episcopal cathedral is a voice for generous-spirited Christianity and a catalyst for reconciliation and interfaith dialogue to promote respect and understanding. We invite all people to share in our commitment to create a more hopeful and just world.

Learn more at www.nationalcathedral.org

The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has an international network of partners. For more information, visit, www.aspeninstitute.org.

SOURCE The Aspen Institute