FROM THE NEST | FALL 2023 | 5 CHRISTA NEU A sold-out crowd filled Baker Hall in the Zoellner Arts Center on Oct. 24 for the inaugural Compelling Perspectives speaker series event featuring The Rt. Hon. Theresa May, MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019. Hosted by President Joseph J. Helble ’82, Compelling Perspectives aims to create a forum for fostering respectful discourse among differing perspectives on issues of critical and societal importance. The topic for the 2023-2024 academic year is national security. Mrs. May engaged in an hourlong discussion with Helble. The conversation spanned topics that included what Mrs. May sees as the greatest threat to national security for Western democracies; the path forward in the Israel-Hamas war and the implications of the Ukraine war. She spoke of concerns about increased terrorism threats stemming from the current conflict in the Middle East, but encouraged broader consideration of the issue. With the current trend of political polarization, she said, an absolutist view of politics and increasing isolationism around the world pose the most significant threats to national security. Earlier, Mrs. May met with students nominated by their advisors for a private question-and-answer session. Addressing polarization, she stressed the importance of compromise and balance, and productive, meaningful conversations. She spoke of rampant misinformation on social media creating echo chambers that amplify one’s own views while disregarding differing opinions, and the dangers that poses to democracies. Mrs. May served as Prime Minister (the second female in U.K. history to hold the position) and leader of the Conservative Party during an extraordinary time in global affairs. She led negotiations during the historic Brexit referendum, implemented substantial boosts to the National Health Service and spearheaded initiatives addressing environmental sustainability. She is currently the Member of Parliament for Maidenhead. A second speaker offering a different perspective on national security will be announced soon. —Kristen DiPrinzio Mrs. May met earlier in the day with students nominated by their advisors for a private question-and-answer session. Compelling Perspectives Launches The Rt. Hon. Theresa May, MP, sits down with Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82 to discuss the issue of national security. SPEAKER SERIES MRS. MAY SERVED AS PRIME MINISTER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING AN EXTRAORDINARY TIME IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==