Dates: The month of July
Group Leader(s): Professor Denise Garcia -Political Science and International Affairs
Director of Operations: Emily Turner (turner.em@neu.edu) or emturn@gmail.com emails with questions about the Program should be directed to Ms. Turner
Course Description: Title: Disarmament Diplomacy & Humanitarian Action.
A Dialogue of Civilizations to the World's Capital of Humanitarian Action and the European headquarters of the United Nations Geneva is the most international city in the world. It is a crossroads of humanity where peoples of all civilizations meet to work for the most important issues of our time in its several international and non-governmental organizations.
We will be interacting (lectures, private meetings, lunches, dinners) primarily with: the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and beyond. Geneva is near the Alps and a hiking excursion is planned. You will be meeting over 25 (of over 20 different nationalities) practitioners, diplomats, UN officials, on disarmament and arms control diplomacy, humanitarian action, and activism for the most pressing world problems.
Since the end of the Cold War, the world has become substantially more complex resulting in profound consequences for the practice and study of international politics. The twenty-first century presents a range of more interconnected global issues; i.e. challenges and threats that go beyond states' borders. These challenges move much beyond states' borders. The search for creative and innovative international cooperation is essential. In the disarmament field for instance, this is particularly urgent. During the Cold War, multilateral negotiations, especially over arms control and disarmament were conducted with little interference from civil society and with no connection to other major policy issues, such as development, public health, and environment. Threats were those aimed at the state and posed principally by other states. This picture has radically changed in the last fifteen years.
How can multilateral negotiations on global issues take account of such multiple interconnected challenges? Most importantly, how can a much-needed humanitarian focus assume prominent role in the conduct of international relations today? How can future negotiators, researchers, and practitioners of global issues create more effective ways to address them through a humanitarian prism?
This Dialogue will therefore examine some of the pressing problems and global issues that are predominant in the international agenda of states, and international and non-governmental organizations. Principally in its aims, the Dialogue will examine the tools and practice of disarmament and humanitarian action as a way to address some of the highlighted challenges for ultimately achieving peace among nations, and global development.
Course Credits: INTL4938 Dialogue of Civilizations Globalization and Social Science (4 credits) and 4 credits in POLS 4938.
Cost of Program: Summer tuition for 8 NU credits plus additional costs TBD.
Application Process: The program is open to students of any major, but priority will be given to upperclass students of Political Science, International Affairs, and Business. Download the Dialogue of Civilizations application and waiver form. Turn in two copies of each completed form and two copies of your unofficial transcript to the Office of International Study Programs in 10 BV.
Application Deadline: December 7, 2009. Professor Garcia will interview candidates after deadline (interviews will be announced by Ms. Turner. Interviews last 15 minutes and are individual).
Disclaimer: Some information posted here is tentative and subject to change based on costs and dates of available flights. The website is updated as current information becomes available.
