6 December 2012

University of Queensland staff, students and people from the wider community filled the Women's College Playhouse to hear her Excellency Lyndall Sachs reflect on her diplomatic career for the 2012 Annual Lecture in Politics and International Affairs.

Ms Sachs who is an alumnus of UQ, told the audience it was a privilege to be back on her old 'stomping ground'.

"Little did I think when I graduated 30 odd years ago that I would one day be back here to speak about the privilege of serving my country overseas," she said.

Ms Sachs began her talk by challenging the stereotype of a diplomat as a, ‘pinstriped gentleman gliding his way through a global cocktail party’.

"Add a 15kg flat jacket to my pin stripe and you get an idea of my chosen career path," she said.

Ms Sachs' extensive career has seen her work in many conflict zones including Lebanon, Rwanda and the Balkans before her current posting in Iraq.

She admitted to being "fascinated by countries in conflict and how countries get out of conflict and build a lasting peace".

She conceded that the Middle East was an incredibly complex place to work, particularly as a woman, but she said it also had its advantages.

"Many men find it easier to interact with a woman as they don't see you as competition," she said.

"As a woman I have access to 50 percent of the population who would otherwise be excluded from society. I see being a woman as connecting me with people from all levels and both genders."

Ms Sachs highlighted that she was one of only three female ambassadors in Iraq and expressed her hope that equity in the senior levels of diplomacy would continue to increase.

"Bringing women more fully into diplomacy is a symbol of hope and progress for the 21st century,' she said.

The Annual Lecture in Politics and International Affairs is organised by the School of Political Science and International Studies.

To listen to the lecture in full go to http://www.polsis.uq.edu.au//?page=189131