Colin L. Powell Biography

During his tenure as U.S. Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell keenly observed the need for, and benefit from, strengthening international education programs and exchanges.

"We live in a truly global age…. To solve most of the major problems facing our country today—from wiping out terrorism to minimizing global environmental problems to eliminating the scourge of AIDS—will require every young person to learn more about other regions, cultures, and languages."

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), the 65th U.S. Secretary of State and founding chairman of America’s Promise–The Alliance for Youth, will be the opening plenary speaker at NAFSA’s 2007 Annual Conference in Minneapolis. General Powell will address the conference on Tuesday, May 29, 2007.

Before becoming Secretary of State in January 2001, General Powell served as a key aide to the U.S. Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. Powell also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993).

General Powell has stressed that fighting the war on terrorism is not just a military but also a diplomatic task. He led the U.S. State Department in major efforts to solve regional and civil conflicts—in the Middle East, between Israel and its Arab neighbors; in Sudan, Congo and Liberia; in the Balkans, Cyprus, Haiti, Northern Ireland, and elsewhere.

General Powell was also at the forefront of the administration’s efforts to advance economic and social development worldwide—in the fight against HIV/AIDS, in the promise of the Millennium Challenge Account, and in pursuing a freer trading and investment climate worldwide.

The opening plenary is sponsored by Aramco Services Company.