Consultation on Conscience: Ambassador Susan Rice

Ambassador Susan Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and a member of President Obama's Cabinet, told attendees at the RAC's Consultation on Conscience Sunday night that not only does she love her work, but she feels it is a huge privilege to work on so many significant world issues while representing the United States. She said, "there is no recess like in Washington; we work non-stop 365 days a year." Ambassador Rice noted that the Obama administration stand's firmly with Israel everyday at the U.N., despite many hostilities aimed unreasonably at Israel. She acknowledged that attitudes toward Israel are improving through some specific programmatic areas such as environmental proposals and that Israel's leadership grows daily, specially in committee participation.

What keeps her up at night? She said that she worries about the brutal two year war in Syria. The U.N.'s role resides in condemning brutality and providing humanitarian support that saves lives. The General Assembly, comprised of 193 nations, has come together on resolutions which the smaller Security Council cannot agree. Regarding southern Sudan and Darfur, Ambassador Rice saluted our Movement for the leadership role it has played in this issue. Darfur has seen diminished genocide but many complex issues remain. The U.N. Peacekeeping Mission has provided security to the most vulnerable. She is hopeful about democracy eventually solving many issues. She also said that what keeps her going day-to-day is her relying on her terrific sense of humor, knowing no day is boring, and working to make our world safer.