Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs

There are currently 22.5 million refugees world wide and yet their stories seem to often be
forgotten. Where are people going? Why are they going? Are their international human rights
being respected? The stories, experiences, and rights of refugees and migrants need to be
respected, heard and understood. In our current geopolitical climate, this is an issue that not
only deserves our attention more than ever, but also our sincere interest and concern. Please
join us to delve deeper into the polemic issue of refugee and migrant rights across the globe

“Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War”, David Schmitz

When We Choose War: Understanding Political Violence and Possibilities for Peace

This year’s symposium focuses on political violence. Why do people sometimes choose to use violence in conflict? How can we return to peace? We are pleased to be able to host three leading experts on civil conflict and political violence. 

Ajay Verghese, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Middlebury College

Ana Portnoy Brimmer, poet and organizer from Puerto Rico, will be talking about and reading from her debut poetry collection, To Love An Island. This book offers the stark recognition that disaster is political and colonialism the most violent of storms. Beginning with the aftermath of Hurricane María and spanning the summer insurrection of 2019 and subsequent earthquakes in Puerto Rico, To Love An Island is an exploration of collective trauma, an outpour of amassed grief, a desire for unleashed mourning, a fuck-you to resilience, a brandishing of resistance.

The Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs program on Security and Global Affairs presents Michael Touchton and “The Covid-19 Pandemic and Security in Latin America” via Zoom Webinar.

RCGA Program on Security and Global Affairs presents “The Ukraine War’s Middle East Nexus” with Dr. Hanna Notte. Dr. Notte’s lecture will examine the nexus between Russia’s war against Ukraine and the Middle East region. In the first part, she will discuss parallels (and differences) between Russia’s military campaign in Syria (2015-present) and the ongoing war in Ukraine. In that context, she will address the possible use of unconventional weapons, especially chemical weapons, in Ukraine. In the second part, Dr.

The Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs Program on Security and Global Affairs presents Theo Dolan ‘94 and his lecture, “Information Warfare: lessons from Ukraine and Kenya.”

Mr. Dolan is a Peacebuilding Technical Advisor with FHI 360 in Washington, DC. His organization specializes in multi-disciplinary efforts to promote and support human development; it works with governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector across a wide variety of policy realms — i.e., education, economic development, environment/climate change, healthcare, and other areas.

The Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs Program on Global Economics presents, “Trapped: High Inequality and Low Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean” by Marcela Meléndez, UNDP chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Latin America and Caribbean region was in a high-inequality low-growth trap before the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic. This starting point explains much of the challenges LAC countries faced in the last two years and will continue to define the region’s future unless quick actions in the right direction are undertaken.

Join the Rohatyn Student Advisory Board for our monthly Hot Topics Lunch! A short lecture followed by a Q&A on a global “hot topic” will be given. Grab and go lunch will be served. RSVP at go/rsab to attend (RSVP closes 4/19)!

The Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs presents “Giving Voice to the Voiceless? Contemporary Social Movements, Civil Society and Governments in Africa” by Edward McMahon visiting associate professor of political science, Middlebury College, and adjunct associate professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont.