UCF Global Perspectives
and International Initiatives
Maintaining Global Dialogue
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| A Message from our Executive Director
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Looking Ahead in a Post-COVID World
It has been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the course of lives across the globe. The world, the United States included, struggled mightily to respond to the crisis. The battle in the U.S. was notable, but the debate mirrored those in other nations. Was it better to have a centralized plan, or to rely on local decision-makers? Whose voice was most influential, health officials basing opinions on science or those worried about people’s livelihoods and economic collapse? What is the proper balance? Was it better to play through with minimal obstruction on daily routines, or shut down to more quickly contain and defeat COVID?
In the midst of this, the U.S. held elections which produced mixed results. Joe Biden won the presidency and Democrats rested narrow control of the Senate, while Republicans gained seats in the House and retained control of key governorships and state legislatures. The early days of the Biden Administration have shown a significant change in approach in most policy areas, including foreign policy. But it remains to be seen whether President Biden will be able to rebuild coalitions, repair alliances, and return to an era of global consensus on security and American-shaped multilateralism.
The global response to COVID in many ways offers a preview of the response to climate change. We have already seen the devastating effects of severe weather, which is increasing in frequency and severity. In all corners of the globe, climate change threatens water, energy, and food security – the WEF Nexus. Will governments be able to respond? Will the response be episodic or systemic? What lessons will be learned from the pandemic? Will countries look inward or outward in attempting to achieve security in the face of emerging threats?
Through the sponsorship of events and initiatives, UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives and UCF’s international programs and centers intend to explore many of these questions. We continue to examine increasingly complex issues like climate change, immigration, economic interdependence, sustainable development, and security, while recognizing the tools – science, research, diplomacy, education, good governance, hard and soft power – that can be deployed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
The post-COVID world will be different from that which existed in March 2020. While we have all developed zoom-fatigue, we have kept conversations going. And we look forward to collaborating with our colleges, faculty, students, community, and network of national and international partners to continue to foster discussion and identify opportunities as we emerge into a changed world.
– David Dumke, Executive Director, UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives
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Global Grassroots Sustainability: Models for Action
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Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from 11:00AM - 12:30PM
This event will explore how three organizations took action, created community awareness about environmental issues, and promoted sustainable local economies.
In this panel discussion, the guests speak about their organizations, how they started, the work they do, and how their work is applicable beyond the region they are serving.
The panel will bring together trailblazing environmental and sustainability champions consisting of Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir, President High Atlas Foundation; Dr. Arturo A. Massol-Deyá, Executive Director of Casa Pueblo de Adjuntas; and Bill Dale Founder and CEO of Beach Buddies.
The panelists will address the work their organizations are undertaking in Morocco, Puerto Rico, and Isle of Man, and how their experiences could lead to successful sustainability efforts elsewhere.
More Info | All are welcome | Register here
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Puerto Rican influence in Central Florida
and Washington's Relationship with the Island
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Dr. Fernando Rivera discussed the Puerto Rican influence in Central Florida and Washington’s Relationship with the Island. This event was made possible through a collaboration between UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives and LIFE at UCF. Please skip ahead to 1:26:07 to start watching. The recording will be available for three weeks following the date of this newsletter.
Start watching
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U.S. and Egyptian Relations with Ambassador Nabil Fahmy
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Ambassador Nabil Fahmy discussed the U.S.-Egyptian relations in the Biden-Harris Administration. This event was made possible through a collaboration between UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives and LIFE at UCF. Please skip ahead to 1:19:55 to start watching. The recording will be available for three weeks following the date of this newsletter.Start watching
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Human Trafficking March 2021 "Lunch and Learn" Series
March 1, 9, & 29, 2021
The Human Trafficking Series, hosted by GPII’s Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery, continued for the month of March with three insightful events.
Human Trafficking in the Fishing Industry I
Ian Urbina, author of Outlaw Ocean, shared his gripping account of modern slavery in the fishing industry.
Human Trafficking in the Fishing Industry II
DOJ’s Taskforce on Human Trafficking reported on the problems of forced labor on fishing vessels and its challenge to policymakers, enforcement officials, and worker advocates.
Conscious Consumers
Therese Randazzo, Director of the Forced Labor Division, Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shared the role of CBP in identifying imports produced by forced labor and stopping them from entering the country.
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| | Former U.S. Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Discusses Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, and Free Press
A conversation with U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is not to be missed. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen served for almost three decades as a member of Congress representing South Florida (1989-2019). She was the first Hispanic woman to serve in Congress and, as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, she becaome a leader in crafting U.S. foreign policy.
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Listen to GPII's latest podcasts to get insights and news from around the globe.
Check out these titles and much more:
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Dr. Fernando Rivera
Discusses Puerto Rico's Reponse to COVID-19
| |  | Ambassdor Harriet
Elam-Thomas
Discusses Democracy at Home and Abroad
| |  | Dr. Gönül Tol
Covers the Intricacies of Turkish Domestic Politics
| |  | Dr. Hakan Özoğlu
Gives his Perspective on Modern and Historic Turkey
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| | UCF Puerto Rico Hub Announces Agreement
with the University of Puerto Rico
UCF’s Puerto Rico Research Hub is pleased to announce the first formal agreement between the University of Central Florida and the University of Puerto Rico. The main purpose of this agreement is to create and expand existing opportunities between both institutions, including a student and faculty exchange program and joint sessions between the UCF Urban and Regional Planning program and the UPR Graduate School of Planning.
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| | | Owen Kirby named UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives Non-Resident Fellow
We are pleased to announce that Owen Kirby has joined the team as a Non-Resident Fellow. Mr. Kirby has recently served as the Director of USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) where he oversaw U.S. assistance programs to nations struggling to build democracy and peace. He is one of the foremost international political consultants with more than 25 years of foreign policy experience working with a range of partners in the private and public sector.
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| Internship Opportunities
We are excited to announce that UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives is now accepting applications for internships and fellowships for Summer and Fall 2021. Please make sure you visit our website to learn more and apply.
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| Voces Latinx: A Showcase of Students and Faculty Creative Endeavors
The Women's and Gender Studies program at UCF’s College of Arts and Humanities planned several events to commemorate Women’s History Month. The events centered around Latinx Voices and explored latinidad, pain, sexuality, recovery, and Afro identity among other topics.
The event series commenced with a session for students on Service-Learning online guided by Women's and Gender Studies faculty, Dr. Leandra Preston and moderated by the Director of the Women's and Gender Studies program, Dr. M. C. Santana. The event on March 23rd featured the Faculty Showcase of Latinx Voices with performing artist and Associate Professor Wanda Raimundi-Ortiz, anthropologist Dr. Nessettee Falu, and Assistant Professor Dr. Sonia Arrelano. The speakers reflected on their experiences, their work, and women’s issues.
On March 24, the Student Showcase of Latinx Voices explored poetry, prose, video and spoken word in topics dealing with being of Latin descent, hurricane Maria, sexuality, identity, and language. The events concluded on March 25 with the Afrolatinx Feminist Voices: Theory, Poetry, and Praxis bringing together artists, scholars, poets, and writers to speak on their identity as black and brown Latinx women.
These events were organized with the support of the Puerto Rico Hub at GPII.
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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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