SEMINAR 2 : February 19, 2020

Latin America Today: Return of the Generals?

Latin American politics is becoming unhinged in ways that seem to mirror trends in the rest of the world, including the rise of populist movements and seemingly leaderless social protests. During the Cold War, military coups, often inspired and supported by the United States, repressed such trends and pushed the region toward the Right of the political spectrum. This seminar will look at recent political upheavals and the way that the political role of Latin America’s military establishments may be changing.

Guest lecturer: John H. Coatsworth, Historian of Latin America, Former Provost, Columbia University

SEMINAR 4 : March 4, 2020

Food Security and Climate Change

Hunger warrior Ertharin Cousin shares her UN experiences addressing the challenge of hunger and malnutrition; specifically examining the UN’s successful responses, controversial decisions and future opportunities for fixing the global food system. Cousin will speak candidly drawing from her experiences as well as her academic research. Since leaving the UN Cousin serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University.

Guest lecturer: Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, Distinguished Fellow, Global Food and Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

SEMINAR 6 : April 1, 2020

In the Biggest-Ever Global Conversation… Who’s Talking?

To mark its 75th anniversary in 2020, the United Nations will launch the biggest-ever global conversation on the role of global cooperation in building the future we want. Tackling issues such as the climate crisis, inequality, new patterns of violence and the major changes we are seeing in population and technology in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals — our shared vision for the future — will require cooperation across borders, sectors and generations.

But just when we need collective action more than ever, support for global cooperation is flagging. In many countries, public trust in traditional institutions is in decline and relations between countries are under strain. Dialogue — and action — on global issues could not be more urgent. Through these conversations, the UN aims to build a global vision of 2045 — its centenary, increase understanding of the threats to that future, and support enhanced international cooperation to realise that vision.

Guest lecturer: Fabrizio Hochschild, UN Under Secretary-General, Special Advisor on UN75

SEMINAR 8 : April 15, 2020

A Sea of Possibilities: Changing Human Relationships with Plastic

In this seminar, Agustina will share her experience exploring first-hand the problem and solutions of plastic pollution. In 2018, she sailed across the Atlantic Ocean twice, taking samples of micro-plastics and interviewing experts along the way. Agustina will cover and bring to the class science knowledge about the different aspects of the problem: sources, scale, effects. She will also cover the possible types of solutions to this global problem with real examples, and the roles of the different stakeholders that could have great positive impact in being part of the solution. We will reflect together what is our role and what are the actions that would let us change the human relationship with plastic.

Guest lecturer: Agustina Besada, National Geographic Explorer and sustainability entrepreneur

SEMINAR 10 : April 29, 2020

Women in the New Afghanistan

Ambassador Raz will discuss the progress made in women's rights in Afghanistan over the past 18 years. She will also highlight the paramount importance of including women's voices in any peace talks with the Taliban and how the government and international community can work to amplify their voices.

Guest lecturer: Ambassador Adela Raz, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations