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Stuart E. Eizenstat ’64 returns to Carolina to articulate the “art of diplomacy”

November 11, 2024

For many Americans, the world feels fast-changing and chaotic, even fragile or unstable. According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, there are 56 ongoing conflicts, significantly more than at any time since World War II. However, on Oct. 22, during the final Diplomatic Discussion of the semester, former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Stuart E. Eizenstat ’64 argued that “despite this growing turbulence, we have met equally daunting challenges over the last 50 years and can do so again.”  Eizenstat, who graduated from Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in political science, has served in six presidential administrations. He currently … Read more


Data science seed fund spurs innovation, collaboration across campus, continents

November 11, 2024

This fall, researchers, philosophers, lawyers and students from 21 institutions around the world convened at Carolina for a conference to discuss how to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to address critical issues in society. Participants presented on the uses of AI in detecting gaps in online news reporting, enhancing accessibility for the deaf community and guiding the development of new ethical and judicial standards among other topics. Researchers from Carolina’s School of Information and Library Science (SILS) and Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen’s International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities (IZEW) organized the conference with funding from the Joint Seed … Read more


Autumn Fest builds global community through holiday traditions

November 11, 2024

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, more than 180 Tar Heels gathered in the FedEx Global Education Center to learn about Halloween and Thanksgiving, and to consume all things pumpkin-flavored. Carolina’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) hosts the annual Autumn Fest for the University’s international students and scholars, and their friends and families, as well as the wider University community. UNC-Chapel Hill mascot, Rameses, welcomes Tar Heels to Autumn Fest. For many international students and scholars, coming to a university in the U.S. is complicated, and ISSS serves Carolina’s international community by helping students and scholars, and their families, navigate health care, … Read more


Biomedical engineering collaboration with Japanese university returns to Carolina

October 15, 2024

At UNC-Chapel Hill, students and faculty have opportunities to participate in enriching international academic exchange — sharing ideas, methods and perspectives on global challenges. One of these exchanges involves biomedical engineering education and research with Nagoya University. The “Convolution of Informatics and Biomedical Sciences on Global Alliances (CIBoG) Summer Biomedical Engineering (BME)” program took place Sept. 8-15. Students and faculty from Nagoya University in Japan traveled to North Carolina for the program, the second time UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University (NC State) have organized it with Nagoya University’s WISE (World-leading Innovative and Smart Education) doctoral program. The BME … Read more


Diplomacy Week 2024 connects Carolina students with global affairs experts, careers

October 15, 2024

Every year, Diplomacy Week brings thought leaders in global affairs, national security and diplomacy to Carolina to engage with students. This year, the fourth Diplomacy Week took place Oct. 7-11, 2024. More than 500 students participated in lectures, panel discussions and presentations which introduced students to skills, careers and current events in foreign affairs. Photo by Huth Photo. “Carolina’s Diplomacy Initiative — including Diplomacy Week — introduces students to some of the world’s grand challenges,” Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Chief Global Officer Barbara Stephenson said. “As they learn about shared global challenges, they explore solutions, practicing skills like … Read more


Global Heel: Gracie Young

October 14, 2024

Carolina, Jordanian students amplify women’s stories through photography Gracie Young ’26 was at a film studio in Amman, Jordan, listening to a local female producer when she began to understand the importance of women’s empowerment within the arts, a growing outlet for creative expression in the Middle East. This year, Young participated in the “Raise Your Voice” program, a two-way exchange between UNC-Chapel Hill and American University of Madaba (AUM) in Jordan. The program was organized by UNC Global Affairs and funded by the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan. The Morehead-Cain scholar, originally from Chapel Hill, traveled to Jordan in … Read more


American diplomat reflects on service in Africa in Diplomatic Discussion

October 14, 2024

The continent of Africa has experienced sustained economic growth for more than a decade; however, according to retired U.S. Ambassador Geeta Pasi, due to pandemics, recent military coups and deteriorating security in certain regions, this growth has slowed. Pasi remains optimistic that African governments can accomplish an economic resurgence by harnessing the potential of their rapidly growing population and critical natural resources, as she argued in a recent Diplomatic Discussion. Pasi served as U.S. ambassador on three occasions — to Djibouti (2011-2014), Chad (2016-2018) and Ethiopia (2021-2022) — and as principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau for African Affairs … Read more


Annual Whistle-Stop Tour showcases Carolina’s Global Guarantee to new students

September 17, 2024

Every year, Carolina’s Weeks of Welcome helps Tar Heels, both new and returning, transition to campus life. For the third year, UNC Global Affairs and the Study Abroad Office co-hosted the Global Whistle-Stop Tour to showcase the resources, programs and departments that deliver Carolina’s Global Guarantee — the University’s promise that a global education is available to every Tar Heel. The event took place on Wednesday, Aug. 28, in the Florence and James Peacock Atrium in the FedEx Global Education Center, and more than 200 students attended.   “I hope the Whistle-Stop Tour helps students get acquainted with the many ways … Read more


Diplomatic Discussion speaker advocates for globalized economy

September 16, 2024

For decades, liberalism, free trade and globalization have dominated U.S. foreign policy. According to Daniel W. Drezner, the bipartisan consensus that has reinforced this policy approach has unraveled in recent years.  Drezner, a distinguished professor of international politics at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, spoke at this year’s first Diplomatic Discussion on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in the Nelson Mandela Auditorium at the FedEx Global Education Center.  UNC Global Affairs and the Global Research Institute organized Drezner’s visit around the question: “Whither Globalization?” Past Diplomatic Discussions speakers — such as U.S. Ambassador Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative, … Read more


Carolina career coach advises Tar Heels on jobs in foreign affairs, federal service

September 13, 2024

In January, Robert Morris joined Honors Carolina as a professional development and career coach. He specializes in advising students interested in diplomacy, foreign affairs and government, and he holds a Federal Advisor Certificate which demonstrates an advanced level of expertise in the federal hiring process. His insights and coaching are available to every Tar Heel.  With 12 years of experience supporting college students and their career goals, Morris provides students with feedback on their resumes, advice on navigating USAJOBS.gov and security clearances, and tips on professional networking. Students can schedule time to meet with him one-on-one. Morris ensures Carolina students … Read more