U.S. flag outside Segal building

Inspired by the conversations about where we go from here started at the January Open Discussion on the Capital Riots, Dean of the Institute Jeffrey Dayton-Johnson launched the Teach-in on Democracy series for the spring semester.
 

Designed to encourage discussion about topics top of mind for many students this semester, each session will be lead by an expert or experts with ample time for questions and answers. These events are open to all Middlebury Institute students. Recordings are available after the events.



Sessions are open only to members of the MIIS community. Participants can log in to the Teach-in sessions with their middlebury.edu e-mail address, using the Zoom link here. Password: 203793.

Teach-in on Democracy

Non-Profit Systemic Collusion/Collaboration

Zoom

  • Kent Glenzer

    Associate Professor

Non-Profit Systemic Collusion/Collaboration

NGOs are important actors in the fight for social, economic, racial, and gender justice.  Yet their actions can too frequently collude with systems of oppression rather than combat them.  This panel will reveal how and why this happens, and what NGOs can do to more effectively confront and dismantle such systems.  Join us for a discussion led and moderated by Professor Kent Glenzer that will include a panel of several non-profit organization leaders:

Ananda Valenzuela, Interim Executive Director, RVC Seattle
Elisa Martinez, Senior Associate, WayFair Associates
Felix Bivens, Founder & Director, Empyrean Research
Fatema Sumar, Vice President, Department of Impact Operations, Millennium Challenge Corporation
Lauren DaSilva, Executive Director, Monterey County Rape Crisis Center

PREVIOUS EVENTS

“Why did January 6 happen? What’s next?”

Zoom

  • Jason Blazakis

    Professor and Director of the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism

“Why did January 6 happen? What’s next?”

Professor Blazakis will talk about the groups and organizations involved in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, their motivations, ideology, and recruitment strategies. He will also share his thoughts on what to expect from these groups moving forward.

Jason Blazakis is a professor in the Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies degree program where he focuses on threat financing, sanctions, violent extremism, and special operations related research.  He is also the Director of MIIS’s Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism where he directs research on domestic terrorism, terrorism finance, recruitment, propaganda, and the use of special operations to counter transnational threats.

Recording - Password: ^68xsw%#

 

Systemic Racism in the United States of America

Zoom

  • Nathaniel Sawyer and Bill Monning

Systemic Racism in the United States of America

MIIS Student and Activist Nathaniel Sawyer and former California State Senator Bill Monning will discuss systemic racism, trauma, and healing Americans need moving forward.

Nathaniel Sawyer is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Former Law Enforcement, Foster Care and Human Trafficking Specialist, community development leader, and activist on the Central Coast of California. He studies International Policy and Development with a specialization in human trafficking, migration, and human security and will graduate in May 2021. 

Bill Monning (Democratic Party) was a member of the California State Senate, representing District 17and was the state Senate majority leader from 2018 - 2020.  He assumed office on December 3, 2012 and left office on December 7, 2020.  He previously served in the California State Assembly, representing District 27 from 2008 to 2012.

Monning’s professional experience includes working as Director/Distinguished Professor of Law, Mandell-Gisnet Center for Conflict Management, Monterey College of Law, and Professor of International Negotiation & Conflict Resolution, Monterey Institute of International Studies. He owned a private law practice from 1982-87 and 1991-93.

Monning has been a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, Civil Rights Coalition of Monterey County, League of United Latin-American Citizens, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Sierra Club, and the Surfrider Foundation.

Recording - Password: %9!Ktv+#
 
 

Monterey Peninsula Police Chiefs Roundtable

Zoom

Monterey Peninsula Police Chiefs Roundtable

This discussion, moderated by Vice President Jeff Dayton-Johnson, will provide an opportunity to hear from the following local law officials on personal safety during these turbulent times and pose questions about policing in the local community. 

Chief Brian Ferrante - Sand City PD
Chief Chris Bourquin - Del Rey Oaks PD
Chief Dave Hober - Monterey PD
Chief Tina Nieto - Marina PD
Chief Cathy Madalone - PGPD
Chief Paul Tomasi - Carmel-by-the-Sea PD

Recording - Password: 9c$wrHAX