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Congratulations to the Class of 2011!
Kofi Annan: Don't leave it to others.
Former UN Secretary-General, Nobel Peace Laureate, and SIPA Global Fellow Kofi Annan addressed SIPA’s Class of 2011 on May 14.
In his remarks, Annan urged graduates to be active and engaged citizens, both at home and internationally, and said their diploma carries big responsibilities.
“It is a responsibility to apply the knowledge you have gained and the analytical skills you have learned to help find and deliver the solutions to improve lives, extend opportunities, and serve your communities,” said Annan. “Don’t leave it to others.”
Annan, the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, is credited with revitalizing the institution. During his two terms of service from 1997 to 2006, he was a tireless advocate for human rights, the rule of law, the Millennium Development Goals, and Africa.
Declaring the 724 SIPA students before him as the first generation of truly global citizens, Annan pointed to their peers in North Africa and the Middle East who are forcing change and embracing democracy.
“Free and fair elections are fundamental to long-term development, to peace, security, and prosperity,” he said.
Too often, Annan said, elections are used to provide leaders with false legitimacy.
“We need to step up efforts to encourage national leaders and the international community to raise the costs for those who hope to rig or steal elections or extort power-sharing when they lose,” said Annan. “For flawed elections do weaken democracy.”
Watch Kofi Annan’s remarks here. 
SIPA awarded degrees to graduates of its seven degree programs. That included six graduates of the PhD program in sustainable development, the largest class since the program was established in 2004, and 23 graduates of the inaugural class of the MPA program in Development Practice.
Dean John H. Coatsworth said economic freedom and transformative technologies are accelerating the pace of change around the world, and the skills necessary to handle those challenges.
“These remarkable graduates have the idealism, the energy, the determination and, now, the preparation to become the socially responsible heart of the private sector, path-breakers in the nonprofit sector, and innovators in government,” said Coatsworth.
New Associate Dean for Student Affairs Caroline Kay introduced Dean Coatsworth to begin the ceremony. Other speakers included SIPA Student Association co-presidents Saptarsi Bandyopadhyay (MIA ’11) and Lauren Quillian (MPA ’11).
Watch the entire ceremony here.
SIPA also recognized the winners of this year’s Distinguished Teaching Awards, Scott Barrett and Alan Brott. Professor Barrett won for courses with fewer than 45 students, for teaching “Climate Change Policy;” Professor Brott won for courses with enrollment of 45 students or more, for teaching “Accounting for International and Public Affairs.”
Also, 18 graduates were recognized with awards for their outstanding work and dedication to public service.
View a photo album of the graduation ceremony. 
Alex Burnett, May 16, 2011