Events Celebrate Start Of University of Montana Global Leadership Initiative

A slate of high-profile experts with extensive knowledge in antiterrorism policy, international human rights, foreign language education, international business and more will be on The University of Montana campus next week as part of the official kickoff of the University’s Global Leadership Initiative http://umt.edu/gli .

UM will host several panel discussions and presentations Monday and Tuesday, March 26-27, to celebrate the inaugural class of GLI Fellows. The unique initiative, spearheaded by a faculty committee co-chaired by UM Associate Provost Arlene Walker-Andrews and sociology Professor Daisy Rooks, aims to help the 200 students who begin the program each year to become engaged, articulate global citizens. It’s the first university program of its kind in Montana.

"The GLI Committee has done a terrific job of putting together both the program and this event," UM President Royce Engstrom said. "The GLI itself represents a big step forward in the education of today’s students, and it is a cornerstone of ‘Building a University for the Global Century.’ I am delighted that our students will have the opportunity to hear from such interesting speakers."

Events begin with a panel discussion, "International Human Rights, Global Values and the War on Terror: A Dialogue," at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 26, in Law Building Room 101. It will feature Amos Guiora, University of Utah law professor; Paul Lauren, UM Regents Professor of History; and David Aronofsky, UM legal counsel and adjunct law professor.

The panel will discuss the history of human rights, the development of human rights laws and how they apply to recent events, including the Arab Spring revolution and the death of Osama bin Laden. Half of the program will be set aside for questions.

Remaining events will take place in the University Center Ballroom and are free and open to the public. The schedule is as follows:

Monday, March 26

7:30 p.m.: "Finding Your Way in International Development," Priya Jaisinghani, director of mobile solutions, U.S. Agency for International Development.

Tuesday, March 27

9 a.m.: Opening remarks by Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

9:30 a.m.: "Why a Global Citizenry is What Our Country Needs," Andre Lewis, deputy assistant secretary for International and Foreign Language Education, U.S. Department of Education.

10:10 a.m.: "Having it All: Success in a Global Economy," Deborah McWhinney, chief operating officer, Citi Global Enterprise Payments.

11 a.m.: "Students – Catalysts for Change in a Global Society," Joseph Thiel, Montana Board of Regents.

11:30 a.m.: "From Missoula to Malaysia: One Student’s Trek to Global Leadership," Jenifer Gursky, president, Associated Students of UM.

A key component of UM’s strategic plan, GLI will provide participants with unique experience-based educational opportunities and professional training infused with international and interdisciplinary emphases. The four-year program will create opportunities for global engagement and leadership by funding co-curricular, study-abroad and service-learning activities for students involved.

When students begin the program, they will identify a big and enduring issue affecting the world community and then choose classes that will help them focus on that issue, complete a beyond-the-classroom experience, such as study abroad or an internship, and collaborate on a senior-year group project to raise questions about their global issue and propose solutions.

All full-time freshmen students pursuing four-year degrees at UM’s mountain campus are eligible for the program. More information on the initiative is available online at http://umt.edu/gli.

http://news.umt.edu/2012/03/032112glbl.aspx