BtH: Why Global Studies Matters Right Now
The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University hosted a special edition of its Beyond the Headlines @BUPardeeSchool, or BtH, series on Friday, June 12, 2020. During this session, Pardee School professors discussed why a global studies education is so important today.
The discussion, titled “Why Global Studies Matters Right Now,” was moderated by Adil Najam, Dean of the Pardee School, and featured Professors Vesko Garčević, Professor of the Practice of International Relations, Mahesh Karra, Assistant Professor of Global Development Policy, and Rachel Nolan, Assistant Professor of International Relations.
Throughout the program, panelists described the role of global studies in understanding opposing perspectives, solving national and global issues, and identifying ones role in making the world a better place. Professors stressed that being a global citizen is goes beyond just being a “voluntourist.” Students need to be willing to accept different national perspectives, and be able to recognize their place in the greater global narrative. With that knowledge, the panelists agreed that students would be equipped to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.
In closing, Dean Najam mentioned that the resources and wealth to address the worlds problems are available, but the solutions of the future belong to global citizens who are dedicated to change.
A recording of the session can be viewed on the Pardee School’s Youtube channel or below.
Beyond the Headlines is a regular series at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies which seeks to cultivate informed conversations among experts and practitioners on issues that are currently in the news headlines, but to do so with a focus on intellectual analysis and on longer-range trends. Recent Beyond the Headlines discussions have focused on topics including Brexit, International Women’s Day, Russia-U.S. relations, and the crisis in Kashmir.