“The Education of an Idealist” is an auto-biography by Samantha Power, best known as the US Ambassador to the UN between 2013-2017 and lauded by Barack Obama as one of “America’s foremost thinkers in foreign policy”. She chronicles her journey from a a young Irish immigrant to a renowned journalist, human rights advocate, and a diplomat.
The book contains a blend of personal stories and insights into global politics, human rights, and the complexities of diplomacy. It gives a powerful focus on her experiences dealing with the most pressing human rights issues of our time (in Serbia, Syria, Libya and Ukraine), both as a journalist and as a high-ranking diplomat. Her details
Some thoughts that stick with me:
- Journalism is an instrumental role in shedding lights on events
- Atrocities around the world can be prevented. Do people want to do something?
- People are complex. Her impression of Aung San Su Kyi is jarring contrasting her Nobel-Peace-Prize winning persona with the reality of her a bad listener who anti-Rohingya stance
- UN is only a building. Only those inside can make things happen
- Keep highlighting causes that matter to you
- Crisis will happen. Use your support network to guide you through dark times
- Get to know people personally and care about them. Empathy can bridge a lot of gaps
Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in politics, diplomacy, human rights, and personal growth. Samantha Power’s memoir is an important reminder of values including empathy, courage, and perseverance in the pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.