Ambassador J. Peter Pham gave the 2023 Hibbert R. Roberts lecture to a capacity crowd of students, faculty, and members of the community on October 10. His talk, “Why Africa Matters,” told a story of the world’s evolving perception of Africa, from a failing region to one on the rise, with many of the fastest growing economies in the world and vast amounts of resources key to global green development.
With instances from his diplomatic career, particularly his time in the Great Lakes and Sahel Regions of Africa, he stressed the importance of further deepening relations with Africa, noting that other nations, such as China and Russia were already doing the same.
Following the talk, there was a lively Q&A with members of the audience, and several students remarked afterwards that they wish it could have gone on longer.
The Hibbert R. Roberts lectureship was established by his family and friends to honor Dr. Roberts who was mentor, colleague, advocate, and friend to faculty and students alike. His contributions to Illinois State University and undergraduate education across Illinois through his service with the Illinois Board of Higher Education Committee for the Study of Undergraduate Education are legion.
