| August
19, 2008 (Tuesday) |
Young Professionals Evening Briefing: Peru's Economic Revolution
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, even long before the Inca Empire. It was the largest state in Pre-Columbian America, which was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821. In modern times, after a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent terrorism, followed by a period of economic stability during the 1990s (although accompanied by an institutional crisis that ended up with the fall of Fujimori in 2000). Since 2001, Peru has been undergoing a so-called "capitalist revolution" and is now considered to be South America's fastest-growing economy. How are Peruvians building this? Experts speculate that this performance is not only due to economic reasons but also to developments supporting the principles of democracy and good governance. A free-trade agreement with the United States was signed in 2007 and is about to come into effect, and Peru's debt has been awarded two investment-grade credit ratings in 2008.
Our featured speaker for this month’s YP briefing was Mr. Fernando Albareda, Trade Commissioner of Peru in Miami. Mr. Albareda, visiting Atlanta as a member of the Peruvian Official and Business delegation to the 2nd Americas' Competitiveness Forum, organized by The International Training Center for Government and Civil Society Leaders (CIFAL) of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). He generously agreed to give us some of his time and talk with us about the Peruvian experience and present economic process.
|
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
|
| August
14, 2008 (Thursday) |
Step into Africa: Living with AIDS, a Personal Journey
The Southern Center for International Studies and World Vision hosted a discussion Step into Africa: Living with AIDS, a Personal Journey with Ms. Princess Kasune Zulu, World Vision AIDS Advocate.
Ms. Princess Kasune Zulu took a bold step when she saw how AIDS was devastating her native Zambia: she refused to stay silent. She started hitchhiking with truck drivers on the transcontinental highways. The men, who frequent prostitutes and then return home to their wives, are at high risk of getting and spreading the virus. As Princess rode in their cabs, she lectured them about preventing AIDS. She was orphaned by AIDS herself. By age 15, Princess had lost both parents and a baby sister to AIDS-related illness and was left to care for her three younger siblings.
Princess tested positive for HIV infection in 1997. At that time in Zambia, AIDS was rarely discussed and carried a heavy stigma, yet she went public with her diagnosis. She launched a campaign to educate other Zambians to protect themselves from infection. She says, “If we keep quiet, so many more people will die.”
She spoke to truckers, gave seminars to businesses and worked with churches and schools. She reached even more people by hosting her own national radio show, “Positive Living”. The program received honors from the U.S. Embassy in Zambia for excellence in broadcasting on HIV and AIDS. Princess now speaks around the world to encourage people to make a difference for children and families affected by the virus. She has taken her message to the United Nations and international AIDS conferences. In her push for more government resources to fight AIDS, she has met with President George W. Bush and other global leaders. Her story has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today and on ABC’s Good Morning America, FOX News and BBC News.
She also speaks on related issues such as education for girls, child protection, human rights, and gender and equality. Princess talks frankly about the pandemic, but offers hope through the work of organizations such as World Vision. “There is hope in the midst of all this,” she says. “We are not just numbers or statistics. We are real people with dreams and visions.” |
  |
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
|
| July
14, 2008 (Monday) |
Breakfast Briefing: Prospects for Trade Agreements with Peru, Colombia and Panama
featuring Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro, Senior Coordinator, Western Hemisphere Trade Task Force, United States Department of State. Introduction by Commissioner Kenneth Stewart, Georgia Department of Economic Development.
Trade with Latin America is increasingly important and a hot topic of the election campaign. Ambassador Shapiro discussed how Georgia and the region can benefit from future Free Trade Agreements.
Ambassador Shapiro was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (2005-2007) and U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela (February 2002 until August 2004). Read more biographical information for Ambassador Shapiro.
The Southern Center presented this Breakfast Briefing in cooperation with CIFAL Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the Global Commerce Council of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
Watch the video or listen to the audio from this event online. |
 |
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
|
| June 30, 2008 (Monday) |
In Dialogue Discussion and Booksigning: Petrostate: Putin, Power and the New Russia
The Southern Center for International Studies presented an In Dialogue program featuring Dr. Marshall I. Goldman, Kathryn W. Davis Professor of Russian Economics (Emeritus) at Wellesley College and Former Associate Director of the Davis Center for Russian Studies at Harvard University in dialogue with Dr. Wayne Lord, Professor of International Executive Business Education at Georgia State University and President-elect of the Southern Center.
Watch the video or listen to the audio from this event online. |
 |
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305 |
| June
25, 2008 (Wednesday) |
Young Professionals Evening Briefing on Refugees and Asylum-Seekers
The Young Professionals global briefing for June highlighted Refugees and Asylum-Seekers: Geography of Conflict. The United Nations estimated in 2005 that 190 million people were living outside of their countries of origin, having crossed international borders at some point. Seven percent of these people are refugees or asylees. This month's briefing will examine the regions and conflicts that produce refugees, how people who flee their home country reach a place of refuge, and what happens to refugees once they arrive in a country that has agreed to resettle them. We will leave ample time for discussion with our speakers so that we can examine what the status of the world's refugees and asylees reveals about the world's conflicts.
Our featured speakers included Susan Pavlin. Ms. Pavlin spearheads the Refugee Family Services public policy and education initiative, and she coordinates and implements program design and development for the agency. Additionally, Pavlin has worked with the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Refugee Health Program, and Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services providing policy guidance on emerging immigration issues and international foster care/unaccompanied minor programs, coordinating refugee youth needs assessments and providing Title VI trainings for Cultural Competency Workshops. Pavlin is a former Director of Multicultural and Refugee Services for Catholic Social Services, Georgia and Case Manager for the International Rescue Committee, Georgia, and is also the current Chair of the Georgia Advisory Committee on Refugee Resettlement. Pavlin is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Law, and Vanderbilt University.
Plentiful hors d'oeuvres and drinks reflecting the origins of one of Atlanta's refugee communities were served at the event. |
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
|
| June
24, 2008 (Tuesday) |
Celebrating the launch of Teach Africa in Georgia! A Reception and Orientation
The Southern Center for International Studies and The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa held an evening reception with members of the African Diplomatic Corps and representatives from the Africa Society and Discovery Communications. Receive information on innovative educational materials on Africa and enjoy an African drumming performance!
We thank our honorary co-chairs, Ambassador Andrew Young, the Honorable Kathy Cox, Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Helene Gayle, President of CARE. Our keynote address will be Mr. John Donaldson, Acting Director for International Affairs, The World Bank.
The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa and Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership are partnering with SCIS in a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Africa-education orientation program for superintendents and principals, entitled Teach Africa. The program is designed to encourage an integrated approach to teaching about Africa and provide educators with the background and tools needed to raise student interest in Africa. It exposes school administrators, teachers, and students to the people, cultures, politics, economics, and history that make up the African continent. Watch the video or listen to the audio from this event online. |
|
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305 |
   |
| May
13, 2008 (Tuesday) |
Future Foreign Policy for the U.S.
President Emeritus and founder of The Southern Center for International Studies Peter White delivers remarks on suggested next steps for the new White House administration in 2009. White has traveled extensively in Asia, Europe, the former Soviet Union, the Middle East and Africa. His visits to Asia have included private meetings with a variety of leaders ranging from Chiang Kai-shek to Deng Xiaoping; and he has participated in a number of fact-finding missions to Indo China and the Peoples' Republic of China, including the first US foreign policy group to visit China after the Shanghai communique, led by former Secretary of Defense Cyrus Vance in 1974. This event was hosted by the Atlanta Council on International Relations. Watch the video or listen to the audio from this event online. |
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
|
| May
8, 2008 (Thursday) |
Evening Briefing: Expectations of the President—A View from Berlin
 featuring Dr. John Hulsman, Alfred von Oppenheim Scholar in Residence, German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin; presented by the Atlanta Eric M. Warburg Chapter of the American Council on Germany in cooperation with The Southern Center for International Studies. Watch the video or listen to the audio from this event online.
Dr. John C. Hulsman is the face of the Council on all aspects of transatlantic relations. His expertise is particularly centered on forging common transatlantic polices regarding Iran, Iraq, the War on Terror, and the Middle East Peace Process. Having given over 1250 interviews, Dr. Hulsman makes regular appearances with major media outlets such as ABC, CBS, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, PBS, Comedy Central and the BBC. He also has written over 150 published articles for publications such as The Financial Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, Policy Review, Newsweek, USA Today, Christian Science Monitor, Die Welt, and Le Monde. In addition, Dr. Hulsman serves as a contributing editor for the prestigious foreign policy journal, The National Interest. |
 |
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
|
| April
17, 2008 (Thursday) |
The China Issue in the 2008 Congressional and Presidential Elections
The Southern Center in cooperation with the National Committee on United States-China Relations presented a LIVE WEBCAST moderated by
Mr. Stephen A. Orlins, President, National Committee on U.S.–China Relations and featuring Dr. Norman J. Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute.
China Town Hall was a national day of programming on China. The live webcast with Dr. Norman Ornstein was held simultaneously in 40 cities throughout the U.S.
An Atlanta-based panel discussion took place following the live broadcast with Mr. William Zarit, Regional Director, Asia Pacific, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., and Dr. Penelope Prime, Director, China Research Center, Professor of Economics, Mercer University. |
(L–R) Dr. Norman Ornstein, and the Atlanta panel participants William Zarit, and Dr. Penelope Prime |
Southern Center for International Studies
320 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305 |
 |
| March
26 - 27, 2008 (Wednesday and Thursday) |
VIP Dinner Honoring the Former U.S. Secretaries of State and Report of the Secretaries of State
In commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dean Rusk Center for International Law, the University of Georgia School of Law joined the Southern Center on March 27 in presenting the 16th Report of the Secretaries of State. Henry Kissinger, James Baker III, Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell spoke at this unique forum moderated by newscaster Terence Smith of the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS. The conference will be videotaped for later broadcast on PBS stations around the country and through other outlets around the world. Watch the video and read the transcript online. [NOTE: Real Player is needed to view this program online.]
A reception and dinner for the Former U.S. Secretaries of State took place at the InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead on March 26. |
[ Albright portrait by Timothy Greenfield Sanders ]
|
Classic Center, The University of Georgia
300 North Thomas Street
Athens, GA 30601 |
| March
4, 2008 (Tuesday) |
Address and Discussion: Quo Vadis Russia: A Business Perspective
An Address and Discussion on Russia, featuring E. Neville Isdell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company.
Mr. Isdell has had extensive experience in Russia and currently serves as Chairman of the U.S.-Russia Business Council. Watch the video and read the text of his speech. Read the GlobalAtlanta.com article about this event. |
 |
Atlanta History Center
McElreath Hall
130 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305 |
| February
8, 2008 (Friday) |
Luncheon Address: International Financial Markets and the National Economy
Special luncheon briefing featuring Dennis P. Lockhart, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
Dennis P. Lockhart is president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, responsible for all the Bank's activities, including monetary policy, bank supervision and regulation, and payment services. In addition, he serves on the Federal Reserve's chief monetary policy body, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).
Mr. Lockhart spoke about the recent turmoil in world capital markets and the impact on the U.S. economy. Read the text of his speech. Listen to the podcast of his speech. |
 |
103 West
103 West Paces Ferry Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
|
| January
30, 2008 (Wednesday) |
Young Professionals Evening Briefing on Canada
Featured the following speakers:
- Louis Fortin, Director, Trade Division Québec Government Office
- Judith Costello, Political, Economic, and Academic Relations Officer at the Consulate General of Canada, and
- Paul Haddad, a principal and CEO, Solusia
|
| January
29, 2008 (Tuesday) |
Evening Briefing
An Evening Briefing with Dr. Helene Gayle, President and CEO of CARE. |
 |
| January
24, 2008 (Thursday) |
Breakfast Briefing: Hotspots Around the World: China Middle East, Russia and South Africa
A Breakfast Briefing featuring Peter White, President, SCIS, Cedric Suzman, VP and Director of Programming, and Wayne Lord, Former VP Governmental Affairs, Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.
Peter White offered his views on China. Cedric Suzman reported on the several weeks he spent in his native South Africa. Recent news on Iraq and the Middle East peace process were also discussed. Wayne Lord is SCIS Senior Fellow for Russian Studies, has a PhD in Russian Studies from Georgetown University, and has had extensive business dealings with Russia and the former Soviet Union. |
|
