Though the United States is frequently criticized for its aggressive foreign policy, United States Senior Diplomat and Justice Department member Roger Yochelson spoke of a different kind of international action at the Fels Center on Friday.
Yochelson, mission director for United States Agency for International Development to Malawi, spoke about foreign aid, covering a wide range of issues including African developmental programs, Washington politics and leadership.
In front of a seminar room filled with Fels students, former Congresswoman and lecturer at the Fels Center Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky introduced Yochelson. After giving a short biography, the diplomat opened up the floor for questions from the audience.
Yochelson mainly spoke about USAID and developmental programs abroad. "In AID, we, by definition, go to developing countries," he said.
The diplomat described the need for continual development abroad.
However, he noted that not all programs are effective.
"It's like pouring water into a bucketful of holes," he said. "Until you patch the holes, the water will keep flowing out."
Yochelson also emphasized the need for local interest. "The key actors at the end of the day are people in that country. For example, leadership by the president of the country makes a big difference," he said.
The U.S. diplomat covered a variety of other topics as well.
"If you understand what you want, it can help. Because there's so many places you can go," he advised young government students.
"It helps to be smart, it helps to be ambitious, but neither are absolutely necessary. As a general philosophy, a lot of this is serendipity."
In his speech, Yochelson also commented on government, saying, "The State Department is about public diplomacy."
He elaborated on various State Department duties, including aid programs and international agency cooperation.
After the speech, Yochelson milled with Fels students and other audience members in a reception. Those in attendance praised the speech.
"It was a really good conversation about a broad range of issues," Fels student Michelle O'Connell said.
Yochelson's speech was part of the weekly Fels Distinguished Lecture Series, in which the Fels Center hosts a speaker associated with public management or training.
Fels student Anthony Hollingworth commented on the series, saying, "It's wonderful to have people from different areas in the public sector giving their views and expertise."
During the reception, Yochelson described his dynamic job as a "kaleidoscope that is always turning."
Yochelson said he is motivated to "try and resolve problems between different cultures." He emphasized the need for general public interest and a "stronger sense of world community."
