Special Issue of
Maintaining Global Dialogue
2021 Year in Review
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UCF Global Perspectives
and International Initiatives
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| End of Year Message from our Executive Director
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| Virtual Global Engagement: GPII Wraps Up a Productive 2021
This past week, the U.S. Department of State hosted the “Summit for Democracy,” the largest event ever of its kind, with 120 nations participating. Several countries, such as China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, and Hungary, were notably excluded. Additionally, with Russian troops mobilizing along the Ukrainian border and Washington preparing to impose a new and punitive round of economic sanctions on Moscow, President Biden met one-on-one with President Putin.
It is not unusual for multiple high-profile events to occur in the same week in the international arena. But what is notable is that both the democracy and Biden-Putin summits were held online. It has been two years since COVID-19 first emerged. The pandemic has led to many changes in how the world conducts its business, and how inhabitants live their lives. Global politics and commerce, social interaction, and education all have reacted and adapted to pandemic conditions.
It remains to be seen if virtual workplaces, meetings, conferences, summits and classes are ultimately as effective as in-person interaction. But the show must go on. As a unit dedicated – through events, partnerships, productions, and a myriad of other activities – to connecting the world to UCF, and Central Florida to the world, GPII has had to adapt to meet the challenge. Some experimental events have worked better than others. COVID-19 has forced us to change how we communicate, and in so doing has created some interesting opportunities.
This month’s newsletter recaps some of the 2021 highlights. It has been a very busy year for the programs and centers under the GPII umbrella. UCF launched a high-profile series on the future U.S.-Arab Relations with the American University in Cairo, which most recently featured former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta and former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki Al Faisal. The Puerto Rico Research Hub has been highly active in engaging students, the local Puerto Rican community, national leaders in Washington, and partners on the island itself. The Human Trafficking Center’s “Lunch and Learn” series has featured experts on a variety of topics.
GPII events have also touched on everything from Haiku poetry to the Irish peace process to global sustainability. These events have nearly all been online and attended not only by students and members of our community, but by interested friends and partners in all corners of globe. The WUCF-TV Global Perspectives show, which was forced to shoot from home studios much of the year, featured a rich list of guests, including Prime Ministers of multiple countries, authors, activists, environmentalists, and political leaders.
Only recently have we been begun hosting live events, and even these are hybrid. The goal going forward is how to incorporate the benefits of the pandemic era with the power of face-to-face interaction. Please take a few moments at look at the GPII website to see our work – the interesting and notable events, publications, TV shows and podcasts. This has been a strange but productive year for GPII, and we look forward to an exciting 2022.
– David Dumke, Executive Director, UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives
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Highlights of 2021 Events
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What the Future Holds: A Discussion on U.S.-Arab Relations
UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives at the University of Central Florida in partnership with the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the American University in Cairo bring you an ongoing series of future U.S.- Arab relations.
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HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal Al-Saud and The Honorable Leon E. Panetta discuss how the U.S. and Arab nations mitigate new security threats and manage emerging challenges. (Recording is provided upon request)
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Lt. General H. R. McMaster, Former National Security Advisor and Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, Former Egyptian Foreign Minister provide their observations about the changing world, emerging challenges, and regional relations. View the recording here
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Building Peace in a Fractured Society
As part of International Education Week, GPII was privileged to host Rev. Dr. Gary Mason for an in-person presentation titled: Building Peace in a Fractured Society. This talk was based on his work in Northern Ireland and the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
View the recording here
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Hispanic Heritage Month
GPII and GPII Puerto Rico Research Hub celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. Browse the events and activities from climate change and Latinos in media and art to Latino demographic changes and federal issues impacting Puerto Rico.
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| | Human Trafficking Spring & Fall 2021 Series
The Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery hosted several “Lunch and Learn” series this year. The Center seeks to expand the understanding of human trafficking through coursework, research, distinguished speakers, student fellowships, survivor scholarships, partnerships, international professional exchanges and community engagement.
Check out these workshops:
Conscious Consumers: Customs and Border Protection’s Role in Preventing Importation of Goods Made with Forced Labor: View the recording here
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| | Grassroots Sustainability: Models for Action
The panel brought together trailblazing environmental and sustainability champions including Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir, the president of the High Atlas Foundation; Dr. Arturo A. Massol-Deyá, the executive director of Casa Pueblo de Adjuntas; and Bill Dale, Founder and CEO of Beach Buddies. They discussed how their organizations continue to take action, create community awareness about environmental issues, and promote sustainable local economies.
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Global Perspectives TV Show
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Economists, politicians, journalists, and diplomats bring their view of the world to you on Global Perspectives, an award-winning interview program, with hosts David Dumke and Katie Coronado. From international trade to immigration reform, Global Perspectives delves weekly into topics of worldwide importance and local impact.
There are many remarkable episodes to choose from; here are our picks for 2021.
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| | | Global Perspectives Hosts Nataly Chandia Viano, Associate Vice President for UCF Global
UCF Global’s Associate Vice President, Nataly Chandia Viano, discusses the importance of exposing students to different cultures within their education.
Start Watching
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| | Global Perspectives Hosts Diana Buttu, Lawyer and Former Palestinian Peace Negotiator
Diana Buttu, discusses her experience as an activist and researcher. Buttu was involved in negotiations of peace between Israel and Palestine.
Start Watching
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GPII podcast series give insights and news from around the globe. We rounded up below some of the most popular podcasts for 2021.
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| | | Ambassador Harriet Elam-Thomas Conversation with her Producer Charlotte Trattner
After a year of hosting her own podcast, the Ambassador sits down with her producer to share her career path, highlights, and accomplishments. Ambassador Elam-Thomas retires from UCF after 18 years of service, wisdom, and dedication
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| | | Dr. Fernando Rivera Conversation with Dr. Patricia Silver
Dr. Fernando Rivera speaks with Dr. Patricia Silver, the author of Sunbelt Diaspora: Race, Class, and Latino Politics in Puerto Rican Orlando. In this episode, the two discuss Dr. Silver's research and what she witnessed during her research.
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| Mirvate El Jerdi Conversation with Mr. Abdulkader El Jamoussi Consul General of Morocco
Mirvate El Jerdi, GPII's Senior Coordinator and Special Advisor for Middle East and North Africa, sits down with Mr. Abdulkader El Jamoussi, the Consul General of Morocco to discuss future Moroccan initiatives, sustainability, the diaspora in the United States and partnerships between the two countries.
Start Listening
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| GPII Global Views
With our UCF faculty, international initiatives, global partners, and network of regional and topical experts, GPII is uniquely positioned to assess the many aspects of global issues and crises. Enjoy reading this blog hosting articles from scholars and practitioners.
Read more
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| | | Student Connections
GPII Interns and Fellows scour the global news to write about what is happening in a specific issue area or region. Each post includes multiple sources and gives a brief recount of a timely event. Check regularly to see what GPII Interns and Fellows have written.
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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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