Worldview Institute | Spring 2016

The Worldview Institute | Winter 2016 Semester

SEMINAR 1 : February 17, 2016

A 21st Century Governance Revolution

The UN is often described as a "post-World War II" institution that shows signs of its age. Unbeknownst to many, however, a quiet revolution has taken place at the UN, with the Organization taking a lead on solving some of the world's biggest problems through unprecedented public-private partnerships involving not only governments, but business, civil society, private finance, and international institutions. In this manner, the UN has made significant progress on such "intractable" problems such as climate change, sustainable energy, food and nutrition, and maternal and child health. This represents a whole new form of governance, that expands the reach of traditional "multilateralism" to include "multi-stakeholderism." The landmark Paris Agreement on climate change is only the most recent of these successes that will be explored.

Guest lecturer: Dr. Robert C. Orr, United Nations Under Secretary-General; special advisor on climate change

SEMINAR 2 : February 24, 2016

Putin and History: Russia's Engagement in Ukraine and Syria

As a saying in Moscow goes nowadays, Vladimir Putin has failed to build us a great future, so he has built up our great past. From Moscow to Crimea (annexed from Ukraine last year), from St. Petersburg on Russia's north European border to the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria, Putin presides over a neo-Eastern Christian empire, and 90% of Russians applaud his broad, imperial aspirations. Nina Khrushcheva's seminar will address Russia's existential connection to its history, and explain what the Kremlin's engagement in Ukraine and the Middle East mean for the global political future.

Guest lecturer: Nina Khrushcheva, Professor, Graduate Program of International Affairs, The New School

SEMINAR 3 : March 2, 2016

What's Next for Canada

With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau elected as Prime Minister of Canada last November, Canada's involvement in global affairs will be discussed by Ambassador Michael Grant, Deputy Permanent Representative at Canada's Mission to the United Nations. He will discuss Canada's current foreign policy priorities and the role of Canada's Mission to the United Nations in advancing and achieving key foreign policy objectives related to peace and security, human rights and development.

Guest lecturer: Ambassador Michael Grant, Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations

SEMINAR 4 : March 9, 2016

Outcomes and Results of the UN Climate Summit

Guest lecturer: Selwin Hart, Director, UN Secretary General's Climate Change Support Team

SEMINAR 5 : March 16, 2016

A Visit to the United Nations

A private tour of the United Nations with fellow Worldview participants, with the opportunity to discuss your impressions at dinner following the tour.

SEMINAR 6 : March 23, 2016

Is the EU Going Through an Identity Crisis?

The European Union has always been considered by far the most advanced and successful model of regional integration. For several decades, as the European nations gradually realized how much more profitable it was to focus on the things that united rather than on those that divided them, the concept of a distinct European identity, in addition to the national one in the individual Member States of the Union, began to take shape. However, in recent years, the economic turmoil, the migration crisis and an increasingly challenging international landscape have led to growing Euro-skepticism, both inside and outside Europe. The wide-held perception is that domestic priorities have resolutely taken the upper hand over long-term cooperation and integration; this calls into question the common European interests and the principle of solidarity and affects the way in which European citizens view one another. Are the European integration project and the forging of a European identity indeed on the wane? Or will the EU recover and move ahead even stronger, as it has done in the past?

Guest lecturer: Ambassador Ioannis Vrailas, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the EU to the UN

SEMINAR 7 : March 30, 2016

First Time Rights for Women in Saudi Arabia

For the first time in Saudi history women took part in municipal elections on December 12, 2015. The move to allow women to vote has been described as a step forward for equality in the male-dominated kingdom. The late King Abdullah issued a decree in 2011 ordering that women be allowed to vote in municipal elections and stand as candidates. Two years later, he ordered that at least 20% of seats in the Consultative Council be set aside for women and he appointed 30 women to the council a month later. Will there be more pressure for change in the future?

Guest lecturer: Ambassador Abdallah Y. Al-Mouallimi, Permanent Representative of the Mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN

SEMINAR 8 : April 6, 2016

Continents in Motion: The China-Africa Encounter and What it Means for the World

In this talk Dr. French will explain how geopolitical changes from the late-1970s to the present have brought China and Africa into deep and extended contact. These changes are specific to China (reform and opening and the search for new markets) and to Africa (renewed vigorous economic growth, starting early in the last decade, and especially population growth and urbanization). He will also discuss things that were happening in other parts of the world that conditioned the China-Africa engagement.

Guest lecturer: Howard W. French, Associate Professor of journalism, Columbia University

SEMINAR 9 : April 13, 2016

Holy Lands: Reviving Pluralism in the Middle East

The news from the Middle East these days is mostly bad. Whatever hopes people may have had for the region's becoming more peaceful, more democratic, and more modern have been dashed over and over, in country after country. Why has the Middle East, which was a global exemplar of pluralism and stability for half a millennium, become the least tolerant and harmonious place on the planet? Nicolas Pelham, one of the foremost experts on the region went in search of an answer. Attendees will receive a copy of Mr. Pelham's new book, Holy Lands: Reviving Pluralism in the Middle East.

Guest lecturer: Nicolas Pelham, Journalist, The Economist

SEMINAR 10 : April 20, 2016

Brazil's Growing Political and Economic Challenges

Brazil is facing some of its most significant political and economic challenges in decades. From the corruption scandals, a stagnant economy and now a constitutional crisis, there does not seem to be an end in sight to the mounting issues facing the country. What are the possibilities for Brazil in light of these growing problems? What does this mean for US-Brazil relations and for U.S. relations with Latin America?

Guest lecturer: Ambassador Julissa Reynoso, former United States Ambassador to Uruguay

April 22, 2016

Worldview Winter 2016 Graduation Dinner

TOPIC: SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE NEXT SECRETARY-GENERAL

Current Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will retire from office this year. Rumors about possible candidates have already begun to spread. Many of these proposed candidates are from Eastern Europe, raising questions as to whether a consensus will emerge that it is Eastern Europe's "turn" for an SG. Also, there seems to be a widespread agreement among member states that it is time for a woman to be seriously considered for Secretary-General. Dr. Krasno will explain how the selection process took place historically and the new movement that is underway for a more transparent election.

Keynote Speaker: Jean Krasno, Lecturer, Columbia University and Yale University

Location: The National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, New York