The NYU Center for Global Affairs at New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies announces its March 2007 schedule of events and lectures, which includes Conversations with Clyde Haberman, NYC columnist for The New York Times; as well as the “Thursday Brown-bag Series,” Conflict, Security, and Development: Issues, Actors, and Approaches, which examines new research, creative policy approaches, and recent analytical and practical innovations in responding to challenges of security and development in conflict and post-conflict contexts.
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 email scps.global.affairs@nyu.edu.
** For all “Thursday Brown-bag Series” Events: A Collaboration with the Office for International Programs at NYU Wagner (www.nyu.edu/wagner/international/). Note location: NYU Wagner at the Puck Building, 295 Lafayette Street, Second Floor Conference Room (southeast corner of Lafayette and Houston). RSVP by visiting www.wagner.nyu.edu/events/conflictseries.php or by calling 212.992.8380.
Thursday, March 1 at 12:30 p.m The Private Sector’s Role in Post-Conflict Economic Reovery: **Part of the Thursday brown-bag series, Karen Ballentine, project manager, Fostering Post-Conflict Economic Recovery, Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, UNDP; co-editor, Beyond Greed and Grievance: The Political Economy of Armed Conflict. Drawing from her work with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Ballentine discusses the role of the private sector in post-conflict situations and challenges to state- and peace-building in post-conflict countries constrained by the “resource curse.”
Thursday March 1, 6:15 p.m. Global Leaders: Conversations With Alon Ben-Meir: The Honorable Dr. Hamid Al Bayati, Ambassador of Iraq to the United Nations: in this engaging and provocative series, Alon Ben-Meir, professor of international relations, journalist, and author, hosts leaders from around the world in conversations that probe critical global issues and the policies our guests are designing to address them. Dr. Hamid Al Bayati was appointed Iraq’s permanent representative to the United Nations in April 2006. Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Al Bayati served as Iraq’s deputy minister of foreign affairs for political affairs and bilateral relations (2004-2006). In a related appointment that began in November 2004, he remains the head of the Iraqi Centre for Strategic Studies. From August 2003 to April 2004, he was an advisor to members of the Iraqi Governing Council.
Tuesday, March 6 at 6 p.m. Film and Discussion: Politics and Art in Cinema: USHPIZIN (Israel, 2004). 90 minutes. Color. Hebrew with English subtitles. Written and directed by Gidi Dar. Dan Georgakas, consulting editor of Cineaste, hosts Ushpizin, one of three evenings of films that that considers different cultural perspectives from Middle-Eastern filmmakers. Ushpizin offers a unique look at ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel. A married couple facing a financial crisis prays for help. Shortly thereafter, two escaped convicts appear on their doorstep to provide a test of faith. The director and his wife play the main characters and are themselves ultra-Orthodox. The film was shot in adherence with all rules particular to their beliefs.
Wednesday, March 7 at 6.15 p.m. Worldly Conversations with Clyde Haberman, New York Times In this popular and candid series, Clyde Haberman, NYC columnist for the New York Times and veteran foreign correspondent, talks with renowned journalists. Avoiding sound-bites and the clichés of studio-bound pundits, this more leisurely approach consistently yields thoughtful conversation and insightful observations from many corners of the world. Jane Mayer joined the New Yorker as a staff writer in March, 1995. Based in Washington, D.C., she writes about politics for the magazine. Her recent subjects include George W. Bush, the bin Laden family, and George Stephanopoulos. Before joining the New Yorker, Mayer was a senior writer at the Wall Street Journal for 12 years. In 1984, she became the Journal’s first female reporter to cover a presidential campaign and, subsequently, its first female White House correspondent.
Thursday, March 8 at 12:30 p.m. From Mogadishu to Baghdad: The Failure of the UN-Centric Multilaterlaism: **Part of the Thursday brown-bag series, Kenneth Cain, adjunct associate professor, Center for Global Affairs,NYU; former human rights official, UN Peacekeeping Operations, Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti, and Liberia. The United Nations implements a multilateral approach in its efforts to make a difference in the world. But have the goals of multilateral organizations like the UN been realized? Kenneth Cain discusses the early optimism for UN-centric multilateral efforts in the post-Cold War era, beginning with Cambodia in 1992 and follows the arc through the UN’s rebuke-via Kosovo-in Iraq.
Thursday March 8 6:15 p.m. International Careers: Practical Advice and Real Life Experience: International Careers With the U.S. Government: Intrigued by an international career? Ready for life with at least one foot across sovereign borders? Are you a new job seeker or going through a career transition? This popular series provides an opportunity to meet international insiders who can offer practical advice by sharing their real-life experiences. Led by Joyce Munn, principal, Global Nonprofit Network. Presenters include: Melissa Garba Baker, recruitment coordinator, U.S. Peace Corps, returned peace corps volunteer, Ukraine (2001-2003). James Carragher, diplomat-in-residence at City College of New York, U.S. Department of State. Ben Chang, deputy spokesperson, U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
Tuesday, March 13 at 6 p.m. Graduate Information Session: M.S. in Global Affairs The Master of Science in Global Affairs provides an indispensable context for understanding critical issues in international politics, economics, dispute settlement, law, human rights, energy, environment, and related areas. Discover how the M.S. in Global Affairs can transform your future at this information session. Note location: Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, 4th floor.
Tuesday March 20 at 6 p.m. Film and Discussion: Politics and Art in Cinema: PARADISE NOW (Palestine, 2005). 90 minutes. Arabic with English subtitles. Color. Written and directed by Hany Abu-Assad. Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film ( 2005). Dan Georgakas, consulting editor of Cineaste, hosts Paradise Now, one of three evenings of films that that considers different cultural perspectives from Middle-Eastern filmmakers. In Paradise Now, two Palestinian males, friends since boyhood, volunteer to be suicide bombers. As they make final goodbyes and are wired with explosives, they begin to have doubts about their mission. Nonetheless, the plan proceeds. Shot entirely on the West Bank, the film presents a variety of Palestinian views as it leads to a brutal climax with more than one surprising twist.
Wednesday March 21 at 1 p.m. Peace Corps Information Session Learn how the Peace Corps can fit into your career path. Peace Corps Volunteers provide technical assistance to non-profits/NGOs, local governments, communities, schools, health posts, and small businesses in over 70 countries around the world in the fields of business, health, education, agriculture, urban youth development, forestry, NGO development, social work, community development, and the environment. Positions are available for U.S. citizens with a wide variety of backgrounds.
Thursday, March 22 at 12:30 p.m. When Disaster Strikes: Modern Challenges In Disaster Relief Management and Response: **Part of the brown-bag series, Shaukat Fareed, chief executive, Board for Cooperation, United Nations; founder, Office of Humanitarian Affairs. United Nations Emergency humanitarian and healthcare efforts are being implemented worldwide to assist those displaced and griefstricken by recent natural disasters such as Katrina, the Tsunami, and the earthquake in Pakistan. Fareed explores the controversies and challenges that have emerged from the responses to these crises and offers insights into disaster prevention and relief management.
Thursday, March 22, 6.15 p.m. Microcredit: Models for Change and Growth Throughout the World: For more than three decades, microfinance has promised to empower the poor and revitalize communities while providing a viable business opportunity for lenders. Recent developments have included the United Nations’ launch in 2005 of a “Year of Microcredit” and the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Award to Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank “for their efforts to create economic and social development from below.” Are these signs that microfinance is living up to its promise? Join our distinguished guests for a provocative conversation about the growth and changing structure of microfinance throughout the world.
Keynote: Marguerite Robinson, institute fellow emeritus, Harvard Institute for International Development Panelists to include: Jonathan J. Morduch, moderator, professor of public policy and economics, NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service Ira Lieberman, CEO, the McCabe Foundation; former CEO, Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, World Bank; financial advisor, Africa. Additional panelists to be announced
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.