Nicholas Burns, Honorary Degree Recipient, speaks at 2017 Graduation Ceremony

On Tuesday May 23, Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns received an honorary degree from The American University of Paris at the 2017 Commencement Ceremony held at the Théâtre de Paris.

Ambassador Burns is the father of AUP alumna Sarah Burns ’05. His diplomacy career spanned 27 years and four presidential administrations, and he is currently Director of the Future of Diplomacy Project for the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, as well as professor, columnist and lecturer. On Tuesday Ambassador Burns addressed the graduating class of 2017 with a poignant and reflective speech on today’s political climate. He stressed the importance of “preserving the democratic world from rising authoritarianism and anti-democratic populists” and went on to incite AUP graduates to “have the courage to get into the arena.” 

You can view the video of his complete speech below or download it here.