| A Message from our Office
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| Message from the Director of Puerto Rico Research Hub
The COVID-19 epidemic and the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia is a reminder of the globalization of our world. Such events have demonstrated how interconnected the world is, from supply shortages to oil increases, and global economic turmoil. It points to the need to move away from nationalist or individual viewpoints to a global perspective. Recently, I had the honor of attending a reception to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Naruhito of Japan hosted by the Consul General of Japan in Miami, Kazuhiro Nakai. Since its inception in 2018, the Puerto Rico Research Hub has cultivated a strong partnership with the Consulate of Japan.
You might wonder about the connections between Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans in Florida with Japan. According to the Consulate - General of Japan in Miami webpage, Florida is one of Japan’s top trading partners and Japanese companies play a significant role in Florida’s economy. Since 1989, the city of Urayasu is a sister city with Orlando. Japan understands the importance of the growing Puerto Rican population in the state and the Central Florida Region. The results of the 2019 American Community Survey showed that there were 1,190,891 Puerto Ricans in the state of Florida, making Florida the state with the largest Puerto Rican population in the continental United States. The potential of the Puerto Rican electorate to determine future gubernatorial and presidential elections are important considerations for our global partners.
There are other global issues that Japan and the island of Puerto Rico share. For instance, Japan has an increasing elderly population with 28.8% of the population (36.19 million) older than 65. Similarly, in Puerto Rico around 21.3% of the population is older than 65. Considerations of population replacement and elderly care are front and center in both contexts. Additionally, Puerto Rico and Japan are also dependent on imports to meet their energy needs which are often vulnerable to the risk of natural hazards such as hurricanes/typhons, tsunamis, and earthquakes. Additionally, both Japan and Puerto Rico have a rich baseball tradition. Japan won the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic and Puerto Rico was the runner up for the championship in 2017.
Applying a global perspective to understand the issues that affect different countries is important to reflect and learn from different examples outside of the immediate context. Part of our work at the Puerto Rico Research Hub and UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives is fostering partnerships with other international colleagues so we can better understand the many issues that nations are collectively experiencing. Retreating from the global stage is a distant possibility for most of the world and it is important to push for a global understanding. A global perspective is imperative to make sense of an ever-increasing connected global society.
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– Dr. Fernando I. Rivera, Director, Puerto Rico Research Hub
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| | Stalking Victimization: Results of a National Study of Victims
April 14, 2022 from 12:00PM to 1:00PM
Virtual Event
UCF’s Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery and UCF’s Violence Against Women Cluster present a webinar on stalking victimization. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics will provide an overview of a recent study on stalking victimization. Topics will include findings on victim-offender relationships and the role of technology.
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| | Botswana: Politics, Environment, and Education
April 14, 2022 from 12:00PM to 1:30PM
In-person event - Barbara Ying Center - Room 101
Join us for lunch and a discussion with Prof. Agreement Lathi Jotia, Dr. Lucretia Wame Hambira, and Dr. Kebapetse Lotshwao on climate change adaptation, politics, economy, globalization, and higher education.
More Info | All are welcome | Register here
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Mandell Distinguished Speaker Series - America's Place in the Changing World: A Discussion with Ben Rhodes
This special event featured Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor to Barack Obama. Rhodes shared his observations about how global politics are changing, weaving is his experiences in the White House and more recent events including the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This event was part of the Lester N. Mandell Endowed Distinguished Lecture Series and hosted by UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives.
Start Watching
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A Transatlantic Conversation: Managing Migration in Florida and Cairo
Dr. Fernando Rivera, Dr. Maritza Concha, Dr. Maysa Ayoub, and Ms. Elena Habersky discussed migration management while focusing on Central Florida, U.S.A., and Cairo, Egypt. The panelists addressed and examined issues such as flows and stocks, challenges and opportunities, resources, and perspectives from each side of the Atlantic. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Carlos Abaunza.
Start Watching
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Global Perspectives TV Show
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Global Perspectives Hosts Doug Wise, Former Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Mr. Wise expresses the need to adopt a more global perspective and multicultural workforce in order to promote expert intelligence, deviate from mainstream security solutions, and create existential impact.
Start Watching
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GPII Podcasts
Listen to originally produced podcasts from UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives to get insights and news from around the globe.
Start Listening
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| | | Mirvate El Jerdi Sits Down with Dr. Yara Asi
In this episode, Mirvate El Jerdi, GPII’s Senior Coordinator and Special Advisor for Middle East and North Africa, sits down with Dr. Yara M. Asi, an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida.
The pair discuss global health, climate change, and factors affecting heath care access as well as her Fulbright Scholarship to the West Bank.
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Congress to Campus Event
UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives was excited to welcome Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and Congressman Tom Petri to campus on Tuesday April 5, 2022 as part of the Former Members of Congress to Campus Program.
As part of their visit, the bipartisan team visited several classes and engaged with students in an honest dialogue about today’s issues while showcasing the benefits of healthy partisanship and civility within disagreement. This unique opportunity provided students with unparalleled insights into career paths in public service including how to run for political office, manage work/life balance on Capitol Hill, develop skills needed for a career in international relations, and work in constituent services.
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Puerto Rico Baseball Day
UCF Puerto Rico Research Hub, UCF Athletics, and Major League Baseball (MLB) hosted a successful Puerto Rico Baseball Day at the University of Central Florida on March 26th. Children between the ages of 5 and 15 enjoyed a free baseball clinic with 3X MLB All-Star Carlos Baerga, UCF baseball players, and other celebrity guests. The participants and their families received free tickets to attend the UCF baseball game following the event.
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| | | The Terrorism Studies Program Activities
Dr. Ted Reynold, Director of the Terrorism Studies Program, attended the Florida Political Science Association Annual Conference on March 26th where he chaired a panel on International Relations: Dynamics of Power-Policy, Identity, and Process. Then, later in the day he presented about his ongoing work titled, The Wagner Group: Private Military Contractor, Corporate Enforcer, or State Sponsored Terrorists. On March 25th, Dr. Reynolds spoke at the Winter Springs Rotary meeting about cyber security and the importance of good cyber hygiene and resiliency in both corporate and personal settings.
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| | | China’s Uyghur Situation and the 2022 Winter Olympics
Katelyn Ocker, Terrorism Studies Intern
Katelyn Ocker examines the increased focus on domestic extremism within the United States following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Ocker also discusses the new National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism that was released by the National Security Council. Specifically, she highlights how right-wing extremism has become the prominent source of extremism within the United States, contrary to the early 2000’s when left-wing extremism had prominence leading the government to place more focus on this issue.
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|  | UCF GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
AND INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
4356 Scorpius Street, Orlando, FL USA 32816
Phone: 407.823.2337 | Fax: 407.823.2526
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