Civility: For the Next Decade
Sponsored by The Faith & Politics Institute and The Walter W. Capps Center for the Study of Ethics, Religion and Public Life
Rayburn B369 HOB
The American system of pluralism offers rich variety of thought as well as strong opinions. As we approach 2010, the topics which seem to divide us will continue to present significant challenges to our discourse.
Ambassador Thomas Melady will lead a conversation on having a civil discussion in these heated times ahead.
About our Speaker:
Ambassador Thomas Patrick Melady has held four diplomatic posts: the US Ambassador to Burundi from 1969-1972, Senior Advisor to the US delegation to the UN General Assembly in 1970; the US Ambassador to Uganda from 1972-1973; and, the US Ambassador to The Holy See from 1989-1993. He served as President of Sacred Heart University from 1976-1986 and is now President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Political Science.
Previously, he was the Executive Vice President of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and a Professor of African-Asian Affairs at Seton Hall University. He also was Chief Executive Officer of Connecticut Public Expenditures Council, Inc. from 1986-1989. In 1981-1982, while on leave from his University post, he served as Assistant Secretary for Post Secondary Education in the US Department of Education. After completing his assignment in Vatican City, Ambassador Melady served as the 1993-1994 Distinguished Visiting Professor at The George Washington University. In 1998 and 1999 he was the Distinguished Visiting Professor at The Rome Graduate Center of St. John’s University. In January 2002, he was appointed Professor and Senior Diplomat in Residence at The Institute of World Politics.
Dr. Melady is an authority on Sub-Saharan Africa and Balkan Affairs and earned his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. He is the author of 16 books and numerous articles. They include: Profiles of African Leaders; Revolution of Color; Western Policy and the Third World; Development: Lessons for the Future; Uganda: The Asian Exiles; Faces of Africa and The Ambassador’s Story: The United States and the Vatican in World Affairs. He is a former member of the National Board of The National Conference of Christians and Jews.
The Capps Emerson Memorial Lecture, inaugurated in June 2000, is held in memory of Congressman Walter Capps (D-CA)and Congressman Bill Emerson (R-MO), who died while serving in the U. S. House of Representative. Both were well respected by their colleagues as men of faith, courage, compassion, and integrity. In their honor, the lecture is co-hosted by Congresswomen Lois Capps (D-CA) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO).
For more information concerning the event or the work of The Faith & Politics Institute, contact Nelson Watkins at 202-546-1299 or nelson@faithandpolitics.org