Upper School Discusses the Value of Good Information

For nearly 20 years, the Janet Griffith Lecture on International Affairs has given NCS students an up-close look at many issues that affect foreign relations, with experts in the field discussing human rights, nation-building, and economics.

 

This year, the subject was intelligence. Tackling this timely issue—how it assists governments in formulating national policy and battling terrorism—in a May 2 assembly were Navy Lt. Cmdr. Lauren Warren, who works in the Office of the the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence; Patrick Barry, who advised the Obama administration's Defense Department on cyberspace policy; and Becca Wexler, who was part of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations for two years and now works with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.

 

Barry and Warren touched on how intelligence improves the U.S. government's ability to defend itself. Warren, for example, highlighted her experience serving in Afghanistan in describing how intelligence informed Pentagon decisions whether and where to pursue military action.

 

"Real consequences come along with that tactical intelligence," Warren said.

 

But diplomats, too, benefit from reliable intelligence, using the information to help avoid military conflict, Wexler suggested, adding, "Information that we can rely on helps us building alliances for causes that matter to us."

 

Barry, Warren, and Wexler took questions from students, who asked about the ongoing investigation into Russian hacking of U.S. politicians during the 2016 campaign, the importance of foreign aid, and the value of the United Nations to U.S. interests. The speakers also discussed their paths into government service.

 

Wexler urged the students not to "put so much pressure on yourself" to pursue achievements or stature and to instead "just enjoy the journey" of their lives, trusting that innate curiosity and passion would lead to interesting adventures. And Warren, who graduated from the Naval Academy in 2004 and became a naval intelligence officer in 2011, recommended "taking challenging opportunities because they can really open doors for you." She also encouraged the students to believe in their own resilience: "The strength to adapt to and overcome circumstances has gotten me through all of my challenges."

 

The annual Griffith Lecture, created in 1998, honors the retired NCS teacher who was the first director of the school's international program. Griffith was in attendance for this year's lecture, which was held in the new Grace Chapel before the Upper School.