Former U.S. ambassador Mark Brzezinski spoke to a full audience at the Florida State University College of Law Rotunda during the fourth annual D’Alemberte & Palmer Lecture in International Human Rights on March 16. Brzezinski highlighted FSU’s contributions to international politics and emphasized the importance of global diplomacy.
The lecture is part of an ongoing effort by FSU to educate students and the community about international human rights and inspire engagement in this field. The event drew members of the local community as well as FSU faculty, staff, and students.
Brzezinski’s presentation, titled “U.S. Embassies as ‘Force Multipliers’ for Democracy and Human Rights: The Case of Poland 2021-25,” described embassies as essential tools for advancing democracy through daily engagement. Drawing from his experience as U.S. Ambassador to Poland (2021-24) and Sweden (2011-15), he said, “The broad lesson is clear. Embassies aren’t ancillary, they’re the operational core. For half a century, they’ve done this work in context ranging from post conflict reconstruction to stable democracies.”
He also praised former FSU President Sandy D’Alemberte for his role with The Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI), which helped develop fair election laws in 21 countries under the American Bar Association’s programs. “I am fortunate to have known Sandy D’Alemberte,” Brzezinski said. “He was a force of nature. Sandy was president of the American Bar Association in 1991 when the Berlin Wall was crumbling. Under Sandy’s leadership, the ABA initiated one of the most creative overseas assistance initiatives ever.”
Brzezinski discussed how promoting judicial independence, press freedom, and civil society protections supports U.S. security abroad: “When we advocated for judicial independence, we weren’t doing charity work — we were building the institutional foundation that makes everything else possible.” He also stressed that embassy presence can deter authoritarian actions: “The most effective human rights tool is simply showing up and making it harder for bad things to happen.”
During a question-and-answer session with law professor Darby Kerrigan Scott, Brzezinski encouraged students interested in international human rights to view this moment as their call to action: they are “inheriting a space that needs you more than ever before in the modern era.” He concluded by highlighting American universities’ influence worldwide: “There is not a leader I have met in any country I have served who did not study in the United States on a foreign exchange program… our resources, our offerings and the talent that a student is exposed to here.”
FSU Law Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor closed with remarks about a new memorial wall honoring D’Alemberte’s legacy: “His leadership, his vision, and his commitment to make the world a better place continues to guide us, and this lecture series stands, I think, as a living reflection of that legacy.”
The D’Alemberte & Palmer Lecture is supported by FSU Law alumna Patsy Palmer and aims to foster discussion on critical human rights issues.
