Worldview Institute
The Worldview Institute | Fall 2009 Semester
SEMINAR 1: October 29, 2009
The United Nations Under Ban Ki-moon
Description: The United Nations is in a moment of transition. Its Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, half-way through his five year term, has been pressing the organization to act on a series of goals, including global warming, disarmament, human rights, terrorism, economic recovery and poverty. A new administration in Washington wants the UN to ramp up its actions against rogue nations like North Korea, Iran and Myanmar. Smaller states within the UN want reform of the Security Council and expansion of aid to impoverished countries. What path will the UN ultimately follow? What will be the legacies of Ban Ki-moon and President Obama? How will the organization look in the coming years?
Guest lecturer: Stephen Schlesinger, Adjunct Fellow, Century Foundation and former Director of the World Policy Institute, The New School
SEMINAR 2: November 4, 2009
The Future of Cuba and US-Cuban Relations
Description: Professor Coatsworth will analyze current developments in Cuban economic strategy and policies and the options now facing the regime. He will also discuss recent changes in the Cuban and Latin American policies of the US government and the impact they may have on Cuba's economic and political transition.
Guest lecturer: John Coatsworth, Dean, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University
SEMINAR 3: November 11, 2009
Opportunities for Change and the Current World Crises
Description: Evolution and development occur as a reaction to, and result of, crises. Crises are integral to the history of the world and represent its major milestones. That is the essence of Darwinism, where each crisis represents an opportunity for change. The essence of leadership lies in identifying the correct response to each crisis. Outstanding leaders are differentiated from the rest and we should welcome the current crises as opportunities for change.
Guest lecturer: Ambassador Ahmad Kamal, President and CEO, The Ambassador's Club at the United Nations
SEMINAR 4: November 18, 2009
Why the West Doesn't Get Islam: Tales from The House of Wisdom
Description: A grand, totalizing narrative dominates every aspect of the way the West thinks and speaks about Islam. It shapes how we listen to what Muslims say and how we interpret what it is they do. As such, it exercises a corrosive effect on everything from politics and theology to international relations, human rights, and national security policies, including today's "war on terrorism."
Often overlooked in discussions of contemporary relations between Islam and the West are the deeper historical, intellectual, and philosophical forces that literally dictate how we in the West apprehend the world of Islam. This is an enormous subject, but if we take just one obscure corner, the history of medieval science – the subject of Mr. Lyons's new book, The House of Wisdom – we may be able to learn much about our views of Islam, and about ourselves as well.
Guest lecturer: Jonathan Lyons, author and journalist, former foreign correspondent for Reuters
SEMINAR 5: December 2, 2009
World Reactions to President Obama's First Speech in the UN General Assembly
Description: After nine months in office, President Obama will make his first appearance in front of the UN General Assembly. While reactions have been generally positive since President Obama was elected, the world is now waiting for the US administration to put its promises into practice. Resuming the Middle East peace process, the Iranian nuclear file, the situation in Afghanistan and progress in closing down Guantanamo are all important challenges that are likely to determine the success of Obama's foreign policy. The speaker will also provide an overview of how Arab media, including Al-Jazeera, covered Obama's UN speech.
Guest lecturer: Khaled Dawoud, UN Correspondent, Al-Jazeera
SEMINAR 6: December 7, 2009
Russia – Twenty Years After the Wall
Description: The Cold War has been over for almost a generation, but Russia and its relations with the West remain a work in progress. From diplomats to businessmen to NGO activists, Americans seeking to engage with Russia need to see how much the past twenty years have re-shaped the country socially, economically, politically, and geo-politically. Tomorrow's Russia is bound to surprise us unless we understand where today's came from and where it is headed.
Guest lecturer: Ambassador Stephen Sestanovich, Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Council on Foreign Relations and professor at SIPA, Columbia University
SEMINAR 7: December 16, 2009
U.S.-China Relations After Obama's Visit
Guest lecturer: Steve Orlins, President, National Committee on United States-China Relations
SEMINAR 8: January 6, 2010
Ambassador Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgham
Guest lecturer: Ambassador Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgham, Permanent Representative of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the UN
SEMINAR 9: January 13, 2010
Corporations, the United Nations and Effective Multi-Sector Partnerships
Description: Developing complex multi-sector strategic alliances in a globalized world; managing reputations in a socially-conscious society; and forging new presences in specific communities, whether by region or market segmentation – these are critical components for any business seeking to thrive in the 21st century. The United Nation's eight Millennium Development Goals form a blueprint agreed to by all nations and major development institutions. Leaders at companies interested in engaging with the UN – whether through its Capital Development Fund, Global Compact or Office of Partnerships – should determine which MDG is most aligned with their core business and pursue a strategic cause-related marketing approach.
Guest lecturer: Nadine B. Hack, President, beCause Global Consulting
SEMINAR 10: January 20, 2010
Creating New Markets through Smart Corporate Social Responsibility
Description: The world's problems have gotten worse as a result of the global economic slowdown and have long passed the point when any one agency, governmental or otherwise, can tackle them. Meanwhile, the economic crisis is changing the culture of philanthropy. Foundations are rethinking their strategy and giving models, and looking for ways to create a lasting impact. Similarly, corporate philanthropy is moving away from traditional charitable giving towards "investing" in social programs in a way that uses the sector's business acumen and expertise. All of these things are conspiring to produce new forms of cooperation.
Guest lecturer: Amir Dossal, Executive Director, United Nations Office for Partnerships
March 12, 2010
Graduation Dinner
Keynote Speaker: Warren Hoge, Vice President, Director of External Relations, International Peace Institute
Location: The National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, New York
