“Strangely enough, meaning can come from the search for meaning. When I have a real question, I have something that directs me.  That kind of question can really bring meaning to my life because it makes me inquire. It makes me try to understand.”
- Philosopher Jacob Needleman

Emma Fladeboe

I believe the most rewarding part of the Washington, D.C. trip will be what I get out of the process of finding out what I really want to know from those we interview. This is what I think this journey is going to be, a “search for meaning.” I believe that the process of our research and developing questions will be an essential part of that search. By the time we have refined our questions to what we truly care about learning from these individuals, the process of discernment about what we want to know could be as beneficial as the actual answers to the questions.

The second essential part of the “meaning” of the trip will be these individuals speaking with us in such a personal way. It is rare that people my age have the opportunity to sit face to face and engage with such important people. Until our interview with former Secretary of State, George Schultz, the names of the individuals we are going to interview did not register with me as more than important titles. It was when we sat down with Secretary Schultz that I realized a pivotal and more subtle nuance to this trip. I listened to his anecdotes and stories about his interactions with Gorbachev and President Reagan at a conference, and about his relationships with President Nixon and other impressive individuals that constitute his repertoire of colleagues. The way in which he recounted his many experiences reflected importance of personal relationships.  As a result, these names and faces I have seen in the paper, or that I read about in history began to take on a different meaning for me. I realize these are more than famous names. They are people. They have a sense of humor, and personalities, and weaknesses and strengths. They make mistakes.

I believe the building of relationships with those we interview in Washington, DC will bring so much meaning and value to our experience. It will help us realize that we all have more in common than we think. We can learn to understand and be aware of different perspectives rather than reacting to them for lack of alignment with our own beliefs. We can learn to be more sensitive and understanding. We can, to use a phrase that is often used in our Values class, “Let our curiosity be greater than our criticality.” This is what this Washington, D.C. trip will be for me. I intend to approach it with an open mind, and use this experience as a means to become more informed of the views and perspectives of others. I hope to develop my capacity as a more understanding and aware individual. I intend to bear witness the beliefs and ideas of others in order to inquire into, and form my own values. This will be my search.

-Emma Fladeboe

George Shultz

On April 21^st a few weeks before our departure to Washington, D.C. we had the good fortune to interview former Secretary of State, George Shultz at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. In addition to the privilege of meeting someone who has spent a great portion of his life in public service, we got a feel for the process of the interviews to come. Below are a few responses from the students.

The Question
In the “Power of the Ought” lecture you gave at Stanford, the idea of “the ought,” reminded me of Historian Barbara Tuchman’s assertion that it is essential for a society to have a positive goal or vision for itself. What do you think is the most important “ought” or vision that we should be holding for the nation today?”

Anneka Lettunich

The Commentary by Anneka Lettunich – Senior
I was pleased to be given this question because it is SO relevant to our world today. “Hope” has become the new fad in political and social thinking, but hope alone will not move a nation forward. Hope is the sustenance for humans to lean on when they have lost sight of a vision or goal for themselves. Hope is supposed to be temporary, a chance to catch our breath. When hope takes the place of our vision and goal, it makes future success seem untouchable and out of reach.

George Shultz Interview

When Pandora opened Pandora’s Box, she released all the evils with one exception, “hope.” Evidently, in Greek culture, hope is considered just as dangerous as the rest of the world’s evils. This is because hope can take on two roles; persistent, personal action to propel a plan or idea– or a passive wish that gives a false feeling that time will bring us closer to out goal without any effort on our part. Furthermore, by definition a goal does not become a goal until an individual (or nation) activates a plan of action to achieve it.

George Shultz answered my question in a way that directly correlates to my ideas of a type of “hope-dependency” our culture has developed. He said that his vision for the future of America is that the mentality of Americans should be less derived from hope and more moved on action. In his words, “the ‘is’ is approaching the ‘ought’.” The more we lean solely on hope, the more we push movement and action away. Hope can indeed be a guiding factor in our nation’s struggle to get back on its (financial) feet, but until we can replace our desires for the future with forward-moving plans of action, we will stay in place.

Ward Mailliard Program Leader

Once again we are in final preparation for the Values in World Thought, Washington, DC Interview Program. We have an incredible list of interviews lined up and so much for which to be thankful. Over the past 21 years we have made wonderful friends and have had unique access to many dedicated public servants both in and out of government. I thought it might be interesting to review some of the key principles that have emerged along the way that are important to keep in mind as our experience unfolds.

1. Each year we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Every student group, by the quality of their actions and behavior sets the stage for the groups to follow. If the students present themselves well and make it fun for those we interview, the people we see are more likely to say yes again and even recommend us to others.
2. Good preparation matters. We might get in the door based on the merits of the previous year but if we don’t prepare well and show up fully, we will waste the opportunity. The best compliment we get is, “You all have done your homework.”
3. Give something back. Through our blog, website and video projects we try to expand the possibilities that others can benefit from our privilege. We hope that this trip will also inspire our students to engage in their local community. Even if what we do seems small, we must hold the intention and remember that with privilege goes responsibility.
4. Never give up. When we pursue an interview, we do everything we can to make it easy for the person to say “yes.” These people are so busy. It is our job to make it effortless for the staff and the person we wish to interview. We must remain cheerful and persistent as they are doing their best to juggle multiple commitments. Even when they say “no,” it takes time just to consider a request. If it is “no” this year we always can ask again next time.
5. Take setbacks in stride. Sometimes interviews are canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Staying positive in the face of disappointment is a great life skill. Sometimes when someone has to drop a promised interview they will give us a staff member. That person is busy too, so their time is a precious gift.  Treat them as is they are the most important person you could be talking to, because they are! They are often the ones who know most about what is happening. Everyone has a story. I am most proud of my students when they respond well to the unexpected or disappointment. That is where true character shows.
6. How you show up matters. When we show up in coats and ties, it is to show  respect. Immediately they see that we care to present ourselves well and it elevates the conversation. It is an outward manifestation of an inner respect.
7. Nobody gets there alone. Without an amazing team of people who help us in so many ways this trip could not happen. I don’t have space to name everyone but at last count there were more than 50 people who have done things to help . They do it because they care and the students learning and joy seem to be reward enough.

There are stories to go with each of these principles. We learned and continue to learn these principles through our experience. The magic of this trip really happens when we realize how fortunate we are to be together on a unique journey and how rare it is to have this kind access to these wonderful people. When we are present with this awareness and gratitude it seems anything is possible. Not a bad recipe for a good life.

Ward Mailliard
Values in World Thought
Program Leader

• Sunday May 16th
  • 3:30pm – Arrive Dulles International
• Monday May 17th
  • 8:00am – Alyse Nelson – President Vital Voices – Cosmos Club
  • 2:00pm – Layli Miller-Muro – Tahirih Justice Center
• Tuesday May 18th
  • 9:00am – Community Service Projects – Arranged The Pilgrimage
  • 2:00pm – Betty Hudson – Exec. Vice President Communications National Geographic Society
  • 4:00pm – Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, Special Representative for Global Partnerships
• Wednesday May 19th
  • 9:30am – Leonard McCarthy V.P. for Institutional Integrity World Bank
  • 11:30am – Congresswoman. Jackie Speier
  • 1:00pm – Senator Bernie Sanders
  • 2:30pm – Congressman Jeff Flake
• Thursday May 20th
  • 10:00 am – Congressman Howard Berman
  • 12:00pm – Congressman Barney Frank
  • 1:00pm – Congressman Kucinich
• Friday May 21st
  • 12:30pm – Admiral Rochon – Executive Director White House Residence
• Monday May 24th
  • 8:30am – Martha Kanter – Under Secretary of the US Dept. of Education
  • 11:00am – Erica Barks-Ruggles – US Ambassador to the United Nations Deputy Representative
  • 2:30pm – James Fallow – Atlantic Monthly
  • 6:00pm – Panel Discussion with Lobbyists – Halle Czechowski – Larry Cast
• Tuesday May 25th
  • 10:00am – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
  • 2:00pm – Congressman John Lewis
  • 4:00pm – Congressman Sam Farr
• Wednesday May 26th
  • 8:30am – Ray Suarez – PBS NewsHour
  • 11:00am – Reverend Mpho Tutu
• Thursday May 27th
  • 9:00am -Ambassador Melanne Verveer