Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright called on graduates to stand up to the myriad complications facing the world today at the Tufts University commencement Sunday.
Albright received an honorary doctor of laws degree, and delivered an address to the 3,400 graduates during the ceremony.
"I am keenly aware that commencement speakers have a habit of ticking through the world’s problems, and then challenging graduates to fix them," Albright said. "And yes, that is what I plan to do."
Albright went on to mention overcoming differences in identity, addressing rising nationalism and extremism across the globe, combatting global warming and working to eliminate inequality both at home and abroad.
"When I tell you that the world needs you, I really, really do mean it," she said. "For we are living in a time that is more unsettled, more complicated, and more in need of a new generation of leaders than any that I can recall."
Albright commended Tufts graduates for already addressing issues on their own campus, including workers' rights, sexual assault and the Black Lives Matter movement. She urged graduates to continue working to improve conditions across the globe.
"I insist that you be doers, not just hearers," she said.
