 콜린 파월 장관 초청 조찬포럼 강연 내용 |
 
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강성열  2010-05-19 (수) 08:23 추천:156 조회:3446 125.xxx.57 |
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<콜린 파월 장관 초청 조찬포럼 성황리에 마쳐> 2010년 5월 14일 오전 서울 웨스틴조선호텔 그랜드볼룸에서 콜린 파월 전 미국 국무장관을 특강강사로 초청한 “서울대학교 영어영문학과 동창회 1차 조찬포럼”은 80여명의 선후배 동문들이 참석한 가운데 성황리에 마쳤습니다. 오전 7시부터 입장하기 시작한 동문들은 7시 30분부터 12개의 테이블에 나뉘어 함께 아침식사를 하면서 담소를 나누었고, 7시 50분 파월 장관은 류진 동창회장, 이진영 동창회부회장 그리고 조철원 학과장과 함께 행사장에 들어와 자리를 잡은 뒤 참석자들과 인사를 나누었습니다. 오전 8시 류진 회장이 개회를 알리는 인사말을 했습니다. 류진 회장은 인사말을 통해 지난해 8월 영문과 동창회가 새롭게 재출발하면서 동문들에게 약속한 것 중 하나가 1년에 한 두 차례 선후배 동문과 재학생 후배까지 참여할 수 있는 포럼을 열어 선후배 간의 소통과 친목의 장을 마련하는 것이었다고 말한 뒤, 그 첫 번째 행사로 콜린 파월 전 장관을 초청하게 된 것을 뜻 깊게 생각한다고 말하였습니다. 이어 류진 회장은 특강을 해줄 콜린 파월 장관을 참석한 동문들에게 소개했고, 박수를 받으며 플로어로 나온 파월 장관은 무선마이크를 들고 아주 편한 자세로 25분간에 걸쳐서 “21세기 성공의 비결은 언어를 마스터하는 데 있다. 적절한 용어와 태도를 사용해 대화를 잘 이끌어가는 것이 중요한 시대가 오고 있다”는 요지의 특강을 하였고, 참석자들과 20분가량 <질의-응답> 시간도 가졌습니다. (* 특강 요지는 아래에 붙였습니다.) 미국 첫 흑인 대통령 버락 오바마를 탄생시킨 밑바탕이 된 인물로 꼽히는 흑인 리더 콜린 파월 장관은 현재 은퇴 후 모교인 뉴욕시립대학교 파월센터를 통해 이민자와 극빈층을 위한 교육ㆍ계몽활동에 매진하고 있습니다. 이날 포럼에서 73세의 나이가 전혀 느껴지지 않을 만큼 열정적으로 또 때로는 유머를 섞어가면서 애정이 가득 담긴 조언을 해 주었습니다. 파월 장관은 1973년 한국에서 대대장으로 근무하던 시절을 회상하면서, “당시 1인당 국민소득이 400달러에 불과하던 한국이 어느새 2만 달러가 됐다. 올 가을 G20 정상회의를 열 정도로 경제ㆍ정치적으로 강대국이 되는 과정에도 뜨거운 교육열이 기여했다”고 강조했습니다. 파월 장관은 민감한 안보 이슈에 대해서는 말을 아끼려는 표정이 역력했으나 “소련연방의 몰락에서 보듯 전체주의 사회는 오래 가지 못하므로 북한의 붕괴도 머지않았다. 그 시기와 방법을 알 수는 없지만 통일은 반드시 이루어질 것이다. 통일 비용이 많이 들기 때문에 한국은 지금 저축을 많이 해야 할 것”이라는 충고도 아끼지 않았습니다. 또한 최근 신흥국 부상과 관련해 중국 등 다수의 사람들이 가난에서 탈피하고 민주주의 가치가 확산되는 것은 환영할 만하다고 평하면서 미국은 기존의 명령하는 방식을 벗어나 새로운 역할을 찾을 것으로 전망한 뒤, “미국도 내부 문제로 바쁘지만 민주주의란 본래 시끄러운 법이다. 점점 부의 창출과 경제가 중요해지고 있고 한국은 북한보다 인구나 경제규모에서 월등히 앞서고 미국과 유엔 등 국제 사회의 지지를 받고 있다는 점에서 한국군의 능력을 과소평가할 수 없다”고 이야기하기도 했습니다. (* 지금까지 파월 장관의 발언요지 정리는 94학번의 이한나 동문(매일경제 기자)의 도움을 받아 정리한 것입니다.) 특강과 질의-응답이 끝난 후 참석자들과 기념촬영을 한 파월 장관은 이날 2박 3일의 방한일정을 마치고 바로 인천공항을 통해 한국을 떠났습니다. 이날 행자 동영상 및 사진은 79학번 민금기 동문께서 동창회 카페(http://cafe.daum.net/snuengl)에 잘 올려놓으셨습니다. 재학생 2006학번 김종현 동문이 촬영한 사진도 조만간 카페에 올려놓을 예정입니다. 앞으로도 동창회에서는 선후배 동문들이 자리를 함께 하여, 세대 공감을 나눌 수 있는 <소통과 화합의 장(場)>을 마련하는 데 애쓸 각오입니다. 선후배 동문 여러분께서는 더한 관심과 깊은 애정으로 동참해 주시기를 부탁 올립니다. <붙임 : 조찬포럼 녹취록> * 녹취 및 녹취록 작성은 재학생 2006학번 이미정 동문이 애써 주었습니다. Colin Powell: Out of the twenty-three chapters of my book, the chapter on Korea is 2nd or 3rd in popularity?not only in Korea, but around the world. The chapter contains Korea’s culture, history, and the great challenges Korea faced in the early seventies, when the United States was just coming out of the Vietnam War and Korea itself was facing various difficulties. At that time, the per capita income of Korea was $400 a year. Now, it is $20,000. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Security Advisor, and Secretary of State, I have continued to follow the political and economic development of Korea, out of a personal admiration. Today, Korea has become one the largest economies in the world, has a thriving and stable democracy, and is becoming an important player in the global stage. Korea will be hosting the G-20 meeting this fall. Korea stands out by producing many excellent golfers?you’re driving us crazy! You should leave golf to us. I don’t know when, but unification will happen. The forces of history are against North Korea. The unification of Germany is one example. Another can be found in Asia?China, which used to be the strongest of all closed totalitarian societies, realized it had to change. So, history is on our side, the side of economic freedom and democracy. Unification won’t be easy or cheap. It will be a challenge for the whole international community. We must help the desperate North Korean people when that crack happens. You, as students of Seoul National University, must prepare yourselves. You will be the generation to lead this. You will be the ones to pay the bills. So my advice is, work hard, and study hard. I am a soldier, diplomat, and occasionally a politician. But I am also very interested in education. I am very interested in helping American kids in need?those who do not have strong families, and those living in communities that need fixing. One of the questions I get most often when visiting elementary schools is, “What is the most important subject?” I always answer, “English,” your native language. The mastery of your own language, or other ones, is the key to success. In today’s increasingly globalized world there are no more boundaries. The mastery of not only your native language, but also the language with which communication is made possible in the global stage? English? is the key to success. It is absolutely essential to learn how to speak, read, and write in English. You must focus on all three aspects. Then, later you will be able to apply your English education to other fields in life. When I was in Korea as commander in the army, there were American soldiers who didn’t speak English. Most of them were Latin American, and their native tongue was Spanish. We made a school in the army to educate these soldiers in English. The name of the program was “English as a Second Language” ? which is ironic because these soldiers were American, and their first language should have been English. We took the time to teach these soldiers English, which must become their primary language, because language is that much important. My parents are from the Island of Jamaica. They immigrated to America, and they were not well educated. Their two children were educated in the public school system of New York. All my relatives spoke English with a very strong Jamaican accent. However, outside of my house, I had to master English the way it is spoken in business or downtown. Once I left home, I had to speak English in the ‘proper way.’ I went to the City College of New York, which was created in 1847. For 160 years, its purpose has been to educate all the people of the city. Before, schooling was a private matter, for the upper class and those with the means. The City College of New York was the first public college in America. Both the rich and poor, regular citizen and immigrant study there. Of the student body, 82% are minority students, 50% immigrant students. It is basically the American melting pot. I went through my whole education without paying a cent, because New York considered it an important responsibility to educate students. Today, there are over 100,000 Korean students studying in America. This is the third biggest group of students, following that of India and China. However, we should consider the population of those countries compared to that of Korea. This enormous number reflects the Korean culture, in which there is a strong commitment to education and to training the next generation of leaders. My academic record did not suggest that I was going to be a leader. I kept changing majors and had occasional trouble with the school administration. The only thing I was good at was my military studies. I barely graduated. But now, I am considered one of the greatest graduates of CCNY. So you can see, it doesn’t matter where you start, it matters where you finish. In the army, I learned a lot of discipline, and became serious about life. It’s hard not to get serious about life when you’re being fired at. I also worked very hard in my native language?English. As a commander, I was taught for three weeks how to instruct young soldiers, how to keep their attention, and how to communicate with them effectively in English. Language is essential to success in life. Your majoring in English will open all kinds of new doors for you, maybe even in America. I feel very strongly about my special connection to Korea. Now I am called ‘distinguished professor’ and there is a “Powell Center” at CCNY. This center reaches out to all the immigrants and poor people. In the center, the Korean policy component is important. We want conferences about Korea, to show others what a successful country is like. Korea, in only one or two generations, has become one of the most preeminent nations. We are holding active seminars, and having dinners on Korean studies. We will create a part of the building dedicated to Korean and American studies. I would like to congratulate you for your major in English. Your mastery of the English language, plus of course, your mastery of your native language and many other fields, will help you accomplish many things. It is a great pleasure to be with you. I would enjoy answering any questions you would like to raise and talk about. Q1. My first question is an international, political one. I think now is a transitional period in the international community, with the rapid emergence of China. It is an important time in which the United States should take a strategic stance. In your opinion, what kind of quality in leadership is necessary for the U.S.? Must the U.S. try to maintain its leadership or try to coexist peacefully? What is the most important value/goal that you worked hard to pursue or achieve? A: We have good relations with China, and I’m not afraid of China. Any nation focused on helping its people?that’s a good thing. People ask about America’s leadership. But there are two kinds of leadership?you can grab it, like the North Korean dictator, or you can earn it through trust. America has the latter kind of leadership. America’s democracy is a very noisy one?we have trouble, we fight. But that’s the nature of democracy, and we never sink, we have resilience. We will be seen as the leader not because we demand it, but because people trust us. In the past, America used to be #1 and everyone else #12, 13, or 14. Now, they are #2, 3, and 4. China, India, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, the European Union, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union are all becoming political and economic powers. Now we must play a different kind of role in building trust. We are not looking for enemies. We wish to encourage everybody to bring their people out of poverty. For example, China still has 800 million people living in poverty. However China is not our enemy?we need each other. Better grades? Actually, I was not focused in college. I had a lot of fun. My advice is, work hard, and have a goal. Many people ask me, “Who is your role model?” I say, be your own role model. Set your own goals and standards. This is no time in your life to be backing off. Some people ask me, “What’s your next goal?” I’m 73 years old, and I’m happy with my life right now. My only goal is to do as well as I can in the job I have now. It’s important to not look over the hill to see what’s next. Dream about tomorrow, but never forget what you have to do today. ... Economics is wealth creation, and that’s why it’s important to study it. Congratulations on your studying economics. But when you graduate, get a job! Q2. You said that language is really important. Can you tell us about one more anecdote that illustrates the importance of language? A: Language is important whether it is your native language or not. The ability to be successful is a function of how you can communicate effectively. It is important to be able to debate an argument, but not make enemies, and to communicate in political terms and business situations as well. To be able to speak properly and gesture properly is important. Speaking is also my profession. Q3. To many young people the safety of our people is very important. However, the military power of our country is inferior to that of North Korea, the most hostile country in the world, and to that of Japan and China, our stronger neighboring countries. Since you are a general, and also the former National Security Advisor, you know very well about our position in terms of military power. What is your opinion on improving or enhancing our country’s defense power? A: Although North Korea does have a large military force, South Korea also has a very capable army. Plus, South Korea has the benefit of the support of the U.S. and the international community. If conflict did occur, South Korea would not fight alone. I have never thought that North Korea could prevail in that kind of conflict. South Korea has twice the population of North Korea, and is also much wealthier. If it was your political choice to do so, you could build your military in other ways. Many young people do not really know the events of sixty years ago, and don’t have the same sense of danger or obligation. It’s not the same as twenty, thirty years ago when danger was seen as very real. It is important to educate the young people? that this country of today came by fire and war, that it must guard itself, be prepared to defend itself. Young people must understand their obligation. Q4. I agree that the economy is very important, but sometimes it doesn’t mean everything. We must always confront military danger with nine neighboring countries. We appreciate the help and support of the U.S. but that is not enough. A: I understand that most countries want to be able to defend themselves. And yes, economy itself is not an army. However, with a good economy we are able to buy weapons and build fortifications. Overall, this is an issue that has to be dealt within the political circle of Korea. Q5. Do you have any comments about the recent sinking of the Cheonan warship? A: I am very satisfied with the way President Lee is dealing with the situation. He is not rushing out to conclusions but verifying what happened through investigation. I heard that next week the investigation team of experts will announce what they have discovered. But I think Korea is not looking for an opportunity for war or retaliation. I think President Lee is handling this in a very measured way. I can’t prejudge though; we’ll see what they announce next week. |
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