SEMINAR 2: November 17, 2010

Inter-Governmental Negotiations on the MDG Summit Outcome

Guest lecturer: Ambassador Carsten Staur, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations

SEMINAR 4: December 8, 2010

Global Nuclear Disarmament After 2010: Expressway or Cul-de-Sac?

This has been a rather remarkable year for nuclear disarmament. In April, Presidents Obama and Medvedev signed the new START treaty, lowering their numbers of deployed offensive strategic weapons. In May, the parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty attended the 2010 NPT Review Conference and adopted by consensus a Final Document, with 64 specific Actions intended to strengthen implementation of the treaty, as well as to implement the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East. In August, Ban Ki-moon became the first UN Secretary-General to attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, an event also attended by 74 diplomatic delegations — including the first from the United States.

Yet over 20,000 nuclear weapons reportedly remain, without international verification of declared reductions in nuclear weapons holdings, and the doctrine of nuclear deterrence remains in place for nine States, not counting those under nuclear umbrellas. Support is growing for a global "nuclear weapons convention" — as proposed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his five-point nuclear disarmament proposal of 24 October 2008. Yet there are no signs of any negotiations, while the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva remains in stalemate. As the year comes to a close, this is a good time to look at what has been accomplished in nuclear disarmament, and what remains ahead. Expectations for progress are growing, but difficult challenges lie ahead.

Guest lecturer: Ambassador Sergio Duarte, High Representative for Disarmament, Office of Disarmament Affairs, United Nations

SEMINAR 6: January 5, 2011

The Evolving Role of the European Union at the United Nations

Globalization and global problems such as climate change, terrorism, economic crisis, further EU enlargement and a new EU Lisbon Treaty are all factors that contribute to a growing convergence of EU foreign policy-making and shaping. Very often the reality test of EU external action takes place in New York. It is in fact at the United Nations that Europe is speaking to the world, almost on a daily basis. Inevitably this confronts us with challenges for our ambition to give Europe its rightful place as a global actor. The seminar will elaborate some of these challenges and how we see the world from an evolving European perspective.

Guest lecturer: Thomas Lambert, Deputy Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations

SEMINAR 8: January 19, 2011

US-North Korean Relations: New Dangers and Opportunities

This presentation will examine several possible futures for US-DPRK relations over the next 1 to 2 years. Dr. Walsh, who has traveled to North Korea for meetings on the nuclear issue, surveys the current situation, describes the players, and considers the potential for crisis or progress, as well as the impact on the politics and economy of the region. He also takes stock of the current U.S. policy in the region, discusses its strengths and deficiencies, and outlines steps that might be taken to better protect peace and security in East Asia.

Guest lecturer: Dr. Jim Walsh, Expert in International Security and Research Associate at MIT's Securities Studies Program

SEMINAR 10: February 2, 2011

Facing the Crises of our Time: The UN in the 21st Century

This seminar will address the UN's changing role, and the critical importance of international engagement and global cooperation. Why is the United Nations valuable? What are some of the challenges and limitations of working through the UN system? How can we transform agreements into action? What's at stake if we don't?

Guest lecturer: Gillian Sorensen, Senior Advisor, United Nations Foundation