Tufts' Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship
(EPIIC) program will hold its annual symposium next weekend, focusing on the topic of global inequities. The event will bring a wide variety of scholars, diplomats, and businessmen to speak to both students and the public.
"The symposium will address the question, 'When people are hopeless and living in poverty, does structural violence become the response?'" Associate Director of the Institute for Global Leadership Heather Barry said.
The symposium, which will explore the relationship between globalization and inequality, does not consist solely of lectures - there will also be a presentation of various awards for global citizenship and excellence in related areas.
Under the umbrella of global inequities, the symposium will look at the worldwide forces that drive the integration of ideas, people, and economics. The roles of international organizations such as the World Trade Organization will be examined, as well as issues of growth, poverty reduction, and corruption.
A committee of students planned the event, incorporating elements of last year's theme of race and ethnicity. Special concern will be placed on the development of human security strategies to reduce inequalities and on what can be done to help the disenfranchised.
The effects of Sept. 11 will be discussed in detail. Freshman Joseph Gulezian, an EPIIC student, said he was glad the topic was not changed to terrorism, but noted that global inequities are among the causes of terrorism.
The event begins Thursday, Feb. 28, with an evening discussion on "Inequity and Violence" and concludes with "Bridging the Gap: The Role of Civil Society in Development" on Sunday, March 3.
Gulezian is excited about the caliber of the speakers, which include authors, high-ranking professors from prominent universities, and directors of non-governmental organizations dealing with the issues that will be discussed.
The symposium also includes an award ceremony, which will be held Friday. The Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award will be presented to Warburg Professor of Economics Emeritus at Harvard University Professor John Galbraith, who is internationally renowned for his development of Keynesian and post-Keynesian economics.
John Galbraith's son, Professor James K. Galbraith, will give the keynote address on "Inequality in the Age of Globalization." In addition, Dr. Paul Farmer will receive the John Mayer Award for his work with AIDS.
Barry was pleased with last year's audience turnout and believes this year will be just as successful. Calling the topic "critical," she said that the "issues of poverty, conflict and cooperation touch all of our lives."
EPIIC is an intensive, yearlong program focused on creating well-informed students through programs and speakers. The students in the EPIIC group are a select few with strong interests in the responsibility of creating a better international situation for all peoples. Sherman Tiechman, the director of the Institute for Global Leadership at Tufts, is also in charge of the EPIIC program.
Tickets for the 2002 Symposium are $5 for Tufts students and $75 for everyone else.
