New York University

New York University

The Office of Public Affairs

Monday, Jan 28, 2008

N-250, 2007-2008

Through thoughtful conversations with leading scholars and practitioners, this series considers the singular role of the U.S. in global affairs. Hosted by CGA faculty, this discussion series promises to excite the globally minded and provoke serious questions concerning America’s role in global politics.

All events are free and open to the public, and unless otherwise noted, take place at the Center’s location at the Woolworth Building, 4th Floor, 15 Barclay Street [between Broadway and Church Street]. By subway, take the R or W to City Hall; the 4, 5 or 6 to City Hall/Brooklyn Bridge; the 2 or 3 to Park Place; or the A or C to Chambers Street. Reservations are required. For more information, the public may call the Center at 212-992-8380 or visit scps.global.affairs@nyu.edu.

Monday, February 25 6.30-7.45 p.m. What Happened to the “Never” in “Never Again”?: Lessons from the Balkans with Louis Klarevas, moderator, clinical assistant professor, Center for Global Affairs, New York University Ambassador John K. Menzies, former U.S. ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina; dean, Whitehead School of Diplomacy, Seton Hall University. Following the Holocaust, the international community adopted the standard of “never again”: never again would the world sit by idly while another genocide took place. Despite the pledge, genocides and ethnic cleansings continued right up through the millennium, making the 20th century one of the most violent centuries in human history. Today, gross human rights violations are occurring in Sudan and Iraq. Why isn’t the international community doing more to curb mass-scale violence? What can the United States do to help arrest this continuing problem? What can we all do to make “never again” more than a hollow promise?

Tuesday, March 4 6.30-7.45 p.m. Our Oceans in Crisis moderated by Howard S. Schiffman, professor, Center for Global Affairs, New York University and featuring The Honorable Stuart Beck, ambassador of Palau to the United Nations. The world’s oceans, which hold the fascination of scientists and poets alike, are suffering. Threats to fish stocks, coral reefs, endangered species, and even the ocean’s currents have reached new levels of seriousness. Climate change, excessive commercial fishing, destructive fishing practices, and pollution continue to stress the marine environment. CGA Professor. Schiffman, author of the recently published book Marine Conservation Agreements: The Law and Policy of Reservations and Vetoes (Martinus Nijhoff-Brill), discusses the extent of the problem with leading experts and explores why it has been so difficult to develop successful global strategies to address the challenges facing our oceans.

The new NYU Center for Global Affairs, within the University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies [www.scps.nyu.edu], is located in the School’s state-of-the-art facility in the Woolworth Building - one of downtown New York’s architectural treasures. The Center presents provocative and timely public events regarding the latest topics in world affairs (formerly held at the NYU Vernon Center for International Affairs), and houses a new graduate program in global studies and myriad non-degree courses in international affairs.