Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma paid a visit to the University of Northern Iowa’s Lang Auditorium to give an address to students about international relations and how closely they impact Iowans. Verma also discussed his own close personal ties to UNI and how Iowans are appreciated in the world of international relations.
Verma began his lecture with a remark about his late father, Kamal Verma, who is an alumni of UNI, graduating with a specialist’s degree in education. Verma noted that his father left his wife and children behind in India to study abroad in hopes of a better future in the early 1960s. “He used to tell us all the time about the $15 dollars in his pocket and the Greyhound bus ticket he came to America with, sometimes that dollar amount changed, but the sentiment was the same,” he joked. Verma explained how his father would laminate on how the people of Cedar Falls opened their arms to him, and how Iowa became his father’s “real life field of dreams.” Verma continued to discuss his late father and how his time at UNI had guided him throughout his visit. “It’s been wonderful to walk on campus and think about how my father walked these sidewalks as well,” he said.
Verma has worn many hats before becoming Deputy Secretary of State. He’s a U.S Air Force veteran, former U.S ambassador to India, and had a fruitful career in the private sector before working for the state. His work for the state has brought him to the idea that international work starts in cities, counties and states. “We all have a role to play in foreign policy,” said Verma.
The state department encompasses many facets of U.S domestic and foreign policy, with thousands of employees working at home and abroad. “Our employees work at embassies around the world and at combatant commands,” said Verma. He also noted that key employees like foreign service officers and civil servants are also posted in stations around the globe. University president Mark Nook and Verma also confirmed that there are at least 10 UNI alumni that work for the state department.
Verma discussed how with tackling such large issues across the globe, challenges are almost to be expected. He referenced the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East being something the state department is focusing on. “Issues like climate change, pandemics, global health and technology are problems without passports,” said Verma. These challenges aren’t just tackled at a global level, but leads into another focus of Verma’s lecture, subnational diplomacy. “The state department is just one piece of the diplomatic frontline,” said Verma. He admonished the importance of mayors and a city’s role in taking on global challenges, referencing Eisenhower’s twin towns program, which helps to develop cities economically. Verma expressed how important it is to be able to share information and help each other out across the globe. Dr. Borlaug, an Iowan scientist, made it his mission to take his knowledge about crops and use that information to help other scientists across the world figure out how to feed their communities. Verma noted that Borlaug is just one Iowan who has made an impact across the globe with “their knowledge and kindness.” “Iowans do have a global impact,” said Verma. “The state department and the world needs engineers, accountants, writers and scientists,” he said. “I know UNI is known for its education program, I’ve watched people with education degrees become great foreign policy officers.”
At the heart of Verma’s discussion was that of kindness and grace. He brought up an anecdote about the 2024 Little League World Series, in which players from a Floridian team consoled the team from China that had lost the championship. “While many expected these young players to begin celebrating, we watched as they comforted the opposing players, hugging them and picking them up in a time of need,” said Verma. “You never know when a little grace or a little kindness will impact someone ––– even on a global level.”
Beyond global challenges and subnational diplomacy, Verma expressed that he continues to look to the future with hope. “When we continue to learn from and build upon our past, the future is very bright,” he said.
Verma’s visit to Cedar Falls will also include visits with Cedar Falls mayor Danny Laudick and Waterloo mayor Quentin Hart, as well as with former Governor of Iowa Terry Branstad.
