Elkanah Odembo, Kenya's ambassador to the United States, spoke at Nau Auditorium last night as part of the Ambassadors' Speakers Forum.
Odembo said "things are falling in place" for Africa, speaking of the hope and excitement he has for the future of Kenya, East Africa and the continent of Africa despite instability and insecurity.
"We are still young," he said.
The ambassador began his speech by drawing attention to the "dark period" of Africa between 1975 and 1995. During this time period, the continent of Africa was plagued by bad leadership "across the board," the cause of the current problems across the continent, he said.
"Money that was meant for electricity ended up in people's pockets," Odembo said. "Money that was meant for health, for schools ended up in people's pockets."
In addressing the problems facing Africa, the ambassador focused especially on the eastern region where Kenya is located.
Odembo said Somalia has not had a stable government in 20 years and the civil war in Sudan caused much strife in the region.
"Until Somalia is a stable country, the rest of the world will not be stable," Odembo said.
Despite existing problems in his country and in Africa, Odembo spoke in detail about the progress Kenya has made as a nation during the last 15 years and the structural and ideological improvements seen across the continent.
In Kenya, "infrastructure investments" are being made and "regional projects" have emerged between nations to tackle some of the hardest problems faced by African countries, he said. Additionally, new regional blocs such as the East African Community, an economic group which includes Kenya, are developing.
"There is a lot of hope," he said. In the next 10 years, "[we] will see some tremendous things happening" in Africa, Odembo said.
He ended by saying Kenya is now better positioned to engage in the global community.
"I'm hoping that the rest of the world is beginning to look at Kenya through a different lens," he added.
The event was planned by the Office of the Vice Provost for International Programs. Vice Provost Gowher Rizvi said the goal of his office and this forum is to allow students to "experience the world throughout the four years that they are here."
Rizvi said the "distinction between national and international is constantly blurred," so students must think globally.
College Dean Meredith Woo, who introduced Odembo at the forum, also acknowledged the need for students to be involved globally, saying there are "so many things going on" at the University relating to global affairs.
Woo has a personal connection with Odembo, as both were members of the Bowdoin College Class of 1980. Woo and Odembo became friends during their time at the Maine college. Woo spoke of the ambassador's selflessness, saying he always looks outward.
She described Odembo as a "dedicated civil servant," but said he also serves as a role model for students because of his dedication and integrity.
Third-year College student Lolan Sagoe-Moses, president of the Organization of African Students at the University, attended the speech and is familiar with the ambassador. Last year, OAS brought Odembo to the University to speak at the organization's biannual student-faculty dinner.
Sagoe-Moses voiced his appreciation that the University was able to bring Odembo back to speak.
"I'm very proud of the University for doing this," he said. "It means a lot."
Second-year College student Marymagdaline Onyango also appreciated the event.
"I came because I am Kenyan," she said. "It's really interesting to hear about him talk about issues that haven't been so apparent in the international scene," she said.
Rizvi said the goal of bringing the ambassador to Grounds to speak was to increase students' interest and knowledge in global affairs.
Odembo said students will become more and more interested in foreign affairs if more programs and events can "open up the University and bring the world to the University"
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