We have reached Part III, which is titled “Structural Inequalities.” This is a very broad and significant topic, and the essays featured in this section cover a wide range of problems and solutions. The section begins with an introduction by Dr. Kate Seaman called “Acknowledging and Addressing the Inequalities in the International System.”
In this chapter, Dr. Seaman points out the ways that the fundamental structure of our international systems plays a direct role in the possibilities and limitations of responding to global problems and building peace. Institutions like the UN were created in a period that is very different than our current moment. In 1945 there were only 74 recognized sovereign nations, while today, there are 195. Additionally, colonialism, imperialism, and racist social science, heavily influenced past conceptions of global governance. While conscious values and terminology have changed, the power and influence of that systemic inequality remain.
The impact of developing technology on human life and society is so massive that it cannot be understated. It influences all areas of life for communities around the world. Despite this ubiquity, peacebuilders often think of technology as separate from the realm of and forces that generate conflict in the physical world. One way to conceptualize technology is as a tool, implicitly neutral but capable of being used for great good or great evil, depending on how it is wielded. In their chapter “Understanding Digital Conflict Drivers,” authors Helena Puig Larrauri and Maude Morrison present a different framework through which to view technology. In their view, technology is not separate from conflict but operates as an integral part of the forces that drive conflict in the modern era. Technology is not inherently bad, but as a significant part of life, it is also a significant part of conflict.
This is an insight written by Stella Hudson on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Lecture by Dr. Olivia Rutazibwa on “Dignity, Repair & Retreat: reflections on anticolonial and anti-racist solidarity” held on April 5, 2022.
In her talk “Dignity, Repair & Retreat: reflections on anticolonial and anti-racist solidarity” Dr. Olivia Umurerwa Rutazibwa, touches on the many ways that our history of colonialism has shaped our current ways of thinking and epistemic paradigms. So much of how we create and value information and knowledge is centered around western and white ways of thinking. Further, people from marginalized regions and identities, non-white, non-western voices are often actively censored. Acknowledging this unequal framework that upholds much of our intellectual, imagined, and academic spaces can be difficult, as we are steeped in this ideology at every level of development.
In his article “Decentralized Networks vs. The Trolls,” author Derek Caelin discusses the Fediverse. It’s a combination of the words federation and universe, and it is something I had never heard of until reading this chapter. The Fediverse is made up of a number of alternatives to popular social media sites, and they all rely on software developed by ActivityPub. Rather than hosting all users on one central website like Twitter or YouTube, the Fediverse is made up of individual servers that can all communicate with each other, creating opportunities for more niche communities and broader communication.
This event features the editors of the recent volume Fundamental Challenges to Global Peace and Security: The Future of Humanity. Professor Michael H. Allen, Professor Hoda Mahmoudi, and Dr. Kate Seaman. The discussion will explore the challenges raised in the volume around current thinking and strategies in the field of global peace and security. The discussion will be moderated by Stella Holladay Hudson. Continue reading
Chapter 7 is titled “Peace Data, Peace Finance, and Peace Engineering: Advancing the Design of Respectful Spaces and Sustainable Development Goals.” In it, authors Aniek van Kersen, Joseph B. Hughes, Margarita Quihuis, and Mark Nelson discuss ways that new ideologies and methodologies that promote peace can be incorporated into new fields. They particularly focus on engineering, data science, and finance, as well as the synergies they find between these three disciplines.
Professor June Manning Thomas, Mary Frances Berry Distinguished University Professor Emerita of Urban Planning, Centennial Professor Emerita of Urban and Regional Planning
April 27, 2022
1pm – 2.30pm
Virtual Event Register at: https://umd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZxoIMjqNSFWI-NF3hgPmew
For everyone who is keeping up with our read-along, we’ve finished Part I! Now on to Part II: Technology and Peace.
In her chapter “ Utilizing Technology for Peace: Seeking New Solutions,” Dr. Kate Seaman sets the tone for this section by raising many complex questions about the role that technology plays in our lives and in global peace. Technological advancements can present exciting opportunities and aid the world in previously unimagined ways. However, like most things, they require critical evaluation and analysis to help mitigate the potential negative repercussions they can bring. New technologies present new ethical and moral quandaries that deserve significant attention and discussion.
In her chapter “Fragmented Responsibility in a Global World,” Author Charlotte Ku asks many questions about authority, liability, and obligation. She begins with a discussion of what responsibilities exist between individual sovereign states. In general, a nation will act in its own best interest, however, in an interconnected world, and especially one desirous of peace, the limit on the actions of one state is when it begins infringing on the sovereignty of another. Continue reading
In his chapter “New Thinking About Global Governance in an Intermestic World,” author Professor W. Andy Knight looks at the failings of the past in order to prescribe solutions for more effective global governance in the future. He points out that the state of the world since the cold war has become more globalized and disordered. These forces have led to increasing wealth disparity, competition over resources, and social conflict. Continue reading
Dr. Olivia Umurerwa Rutazibwa, Assistant Professor, Human Rights and Politics, Department of Sociology, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK and Senior Research Fellow, Johannesburg Institute of Advanced Studies (JIAS), South Africa
April 5, 2022
2pm – 3.30pm EST
Virtual Event – Register at: tinyurl.com/bahai-rutazibwa Continue reading
Professor Craig N . Murphy begins his chapter “Where Democratization and Globalization Meet” with an interesting thought experiment. He calls it a “democratic solution to a global problem.” The problem he addresses is one whose global reach is clear: Climate Change. The disruptive and devastating impact of human industry on the ecological well-being of the Earth is widespread, and while blame is rightly skewed towards wealthy industrialized nations, the consequences affect everyone.
Associate Professor, Germanic Studies, Indiana University Bloomington
March 29, 2022
2pm – 3.30pm
Virtual Event Register at: tinyurl.com/bahai-jikeli Continue reading
As we continue reading the newly published volume Fundamental Challenges to Global Peace and Security: The Future of Humanity we come to the first of the section introductions. Continue reading
The introduction to Fundamental Challenges to Global Peace and Security: The Future of Humanity begins, “world society faces immediate and long-term threats to peace and security” (Mahmoudi et al., 2022, 1). Given the current combative climate in the world, these words feel all the more hauntingly prescient.
On International Women’s Day, the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace joins in the celebration of women and girls everywhere. We stand in recognition of the crucial role women play in creating more just and peaceful societies. We stand in solidarity with women, celebrating the progress women have made, and recognizing how much still remains to be done. Continue reading
Decolonial and Radical Planetary Futures: Defatalizing Colonial Literacy and Imagination
Professor Anna M. Agathangelou, Department of Politics, York University, Canada
March 15, 2022
2pm – 3.30pm
Virtual Event
Register at: tinyurl.com/bahai-agathangelou Continue reading
This is an insight written by Meredith Friedland on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Lecture by Professor Yohuru Williams on “Simply Because People Refuse to See Me: Black Lives Matter in Historical Context” held on February 8, 2022.
This is an insight written by Stella Hudson on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Lecture by Professor Yohuru Williams on “Simply Because People Refuse to See Me: Black Lives Matter in Historical Context” held on February 8, 2022.
In many ways, this contemporary moment feels unique. The after-effects of 2020 and the ongoing pandemic, the January 6th insurrection, Trump’s presidency, our reckoning with police violence against people of color, anti-Asian sentiments; so many tensions seem to be boiling to the surface. However, Dr. Yohuru Williams’s talk “Simply Because People Refuse to See Me: Black Lives Matter in Historical Context” points out a very significant aspect of our current moment: none of this is new at all. Our contemporary phenomena are echoes of history and reflect the issues, questions, violence, prejudice, and activism of the past.
Millions of people have died from a virus that does not respect national sovereignty or borders. The impact of the pandemic has been immediate and devastating. Short of halting all travel and going into total lockdown, there is no way to contain Covid-19 and all of its variants. We already know from experience that lockdowns and travel bans are ineffective, extremely unpleasant, and detrimental to economies. As in so many situations, the very wealthy will make it through this relatively unscathed, but where does that leave everyone else?
Dr. Yohuru Williams, Distinguished University Chair and Professor of History and Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas
February 8, 2022
2pm – 3.30pm
Virtual Event
Register at: tinyurl.com/bahai-drwilliams Continue reading
The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace welcomes everyone back to Spring Semester 2022. We want to welcome all students back to campus and wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy semester.
We are hopeful that as things start to reopen we will be able to hold in person events again. However, for the moment, all of our events will be held online only as we continue to operate in a time of uncertainty. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our wider community and holding our events in a virtual format allows us to do this. Continue reading
As the semester comes to an end, our interns are taking time to reflect on their work with the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace. The second post comes from our Graduate Assistant, Stella Hudson.
Starting a new chapter can be daunting, especially in a time filled with such uncertainty. I graduated from college during the pandemic. My junior and senior years were unconventional and were filled with much excitement and also a significant dose of disappointment. I had no idea what to expect from Grad School, but I knew I needed to find a job.
As the semester comes to an end, our interns are taking time to reflect on their work with the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace. The first post comes from our Social Media and Marketing Intern, Meredith Friedland. Continue reading
This is an insight written by Stella Hudson on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Lecture on “Confederate Streets and Black-White Labor Market Differentials” co-sponsored by the Critical Race Initiative and the Department of African American Studies on November 16, 2021.
Maryland never seceded from the union, yet we still have plenty of streets named after Confederate figures like Robert E Lee. Houses are adorned with Confederate battle flags despite the state never being a part of the Confederacy, and the statue of Chief Justice Taney, who ruled against Dred Scott in 1857 was only recently removed from its place of honor in front of the State House in Annapolis. Because Maryland remained in the Union, the Emancipation Proclamation, delivered in January of 1863, did not free the people enslaved here. Slavery was not outlawed in Maryland until 1864.
This is an insight written by Meredith Friedland on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Lecture on Confederate Streets and Black-White Labor Market Differentials given by Dr. Jhacova Williams and co-sponsored by the Critical Race Initiative and the Department of African American Studies on November 16, 2021. Continue reading
This post was written by Kun Huang, and originally appeared on Positions Politics episteme issue 6 – in the wake of the atlanta shooting: non/citizens’ perspectives on anti-asian racism and sinophobia. Continue reading
This is an insight written by Meredith Friedland on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Symposium on “Inequalities and the Increased Risk of Political Violence” co-sponsored by the Critical Race Initiative and the Department of African American Studies on October 12, 2021.
Professor Geoff K. Ward in his lecture “Haunting Legacies of Racial Violence: Clarifying and Addressing the Presence of the Past” discussed how we must address the horrors of our country’s past in order to move forward to a more peaceful future. Continue reading
This is an insight written by Stella Hudson on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Symposium on “Inequalities and the Increased Risk of Political Violence” co-sponsored by the Critical Race Initiative and the Department of African American Studies on October 12, 2021.
What does class inequality have to do with health? According to Professor Kate Pickett, a lot. Dr. Pickett is an epidemiologist, but in her talk “How more equal societies reduce stress, restore sanity, and improve everyone’s wellbeing” she discusses exactly how inequality is bad for public health and well-being and came armed with the statistics to prove it. Continue reading
This blogpost by Dr. Tiffani Betts Razavi was first published on The International Educator. The original post can be viewed here.
COVID-19 caused 2 million deaths in 2020 – an increase of almost 4% in the worldwide annual death rates – and left the living with “greater economic insecurity, anxiety, disruption of every aspect of life, and, for many people, stress and challenges to mental and physical health.” In the midst of these extraordinary conditions, what happened to happiness? Continue reading
This is an insight written by Stella Hudson on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Symposium on “Inequalities and the Increased Risk of Political Violence” co-sponsored by the Critical Race Initiative and the Department of African American Studies on October 12, 2021.
What images does the word “violence” conjure? Perhaps it evokes ideas of war, weapons, fistfights, domestic violence, or even violent movies, or cartoon violence. For most people, it does not naturally lead to thoughts of economics. However, this is the connection that Professor Anke Heofler focused on in her October 12th talk, “What are the Global Costs of Violence?” as part of the Inequalities and the Increased Risk of Political Violence Symposium. Continue reading
This is an insight written by Meredith Friedland on the recent Bahá’í Chair for the World Peace Annual Lecture ‘Breaking the Spell of the Welfare State?’: Public Culture in Neoliberalism’s Gender Regime held on September 30, 2021. Continue reading
This is an insight written by Stella Hudson on the recent Anti-Black Racism Initiative panel on “Critical Race Theory: Public Debates and Teaching in the Classroom” co-sponsored by the Bahá’í Chair for the World Peace on September 15, 2021. Continue reading
Inequalities and the Increased Risk of Political Violence
October 12, 2021
9am – 2.30pm
Virtual Event
Register at: tinyurl.com/bahai-symposium Continue reading
This is an insight written by Stella Hudson on the recent Bahá’í Chair for the World Peace Lecture, “Reading Monuments, Marking Turf, and Embedding Memories” held on September 14, 2021. Continue reading
This is an insight written by Meredith Friedland on the recent Bahá’í Chair for the World Peace Conference, “Global Climate Crisis: Seeking Environmental Justice and Climate Equality” held on September 2, 2021.
The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace is excited about our upcoming events in September. You can read more about them in this post, and also register to attend by following the title links. Continue reading
This is an insight written by Stella Hudson on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace conference, “Global Climate Crisis: Seeking Environmental Justice and Climate Equality” held on September 2, 2021. Continue reading
The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace welcomes everyone back to Fall Semester 2021. We want to welcome all new and returning students back to campus and to wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy semester.
We are hopeful that as things start to reopen we will be able to hold in person events again. However, for the moment, all of our events will be held online only as we continue to operate in a time of uncertainty. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our wider community and holding our events in a virtual format allows us to do this.
This summer we are catching up with former volunteers and interns of the Bahá’í Chair. Our fifth post comes from Emily Gorey who graduated in 2019.
This summer we are catching up with former volunteers and interns of the Bahá’í Chair. Our fourth post comes from Vicky Yu who graduated in 2018. Continue reading
This post is the sixth in a series examining the future of the international order. One of the five programmatic series that the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace explores is Global Governance, and in 2018, the Chair began a series of conversations focused on the future of the international order. This series of short reflections highlights the ideas discussed, and the solutions offered for improving international relations. Continue reading
This summer we are catching up with former volunteers and interns of the Bahá’í Chair. Our third post comes from Ashli Taylor who graduated in 2018.
This post is the fifth in a series examining the future of the international order. One of the five programmatic series that the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace explores is Global Governance, and in 2018, the Chair began a series of conversations focused on the future of the international order. This series of short reflections highlights the ideas discussed, and the solutions offered for improving international relations. Continue reading
This summer we are catching up with former volunteers and interns of the Bahá’í Chair. Our second post comes from Alawi Masud who graduated in 2020. Continue reading
This post is the fourth in a series examining the future of the international order. One of the five programmatic series that the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace explores is Global Governance, and in 2018, the Chair began a series of conversations focused on the future of the international order. This series of short reflections highlights the ideas discussed, and the solutions offered for improving international relations.
This post is the third in a series examining the future of the international order. One of the five programmatic series that the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace explores is Global Governance, and in 2018, the Chair began a series of conversations focused on the future of the international order. This series of short reflections highlights the ideas discussed, and the solutions offered for improving international relations. Continue reading
This post is the second in a series examining the future of the international order. One of the five programmatic series that the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace explores is Global Governance, and in 2018, the Chair began a series of conversations focused on the future of the international order. This series of short reflections highlights the ideas discussed, and the solutions offered for improving international relations. Continue reading
This summer we are catching up with former volunteers and interns of the Bahá’í Chair. Our first post comes from Julia Thomas, who graduated in May 2019.
Hi everyone!
My name is Julia Thomas and I am a former volunteer for the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace. I started volunteering with the Bahá’í Chair through another volunteer organization, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) Ambassadors. As a BSOS Ambassador, one of the organizations we worked most closely with was the Bahá’í Chair. I loved the events and the Chair for their focus on humanitarianism for all humans and emphasis of critical thought and discussion on several key tenets. After the first couple of lectures I attended as a BSOS Ambassador, I became one of the volunteer writers for the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Blog so I could contribute more to the program. Continue reading
One of the five programmatic series that the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace explores is Global Governance. In 2018, the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace began a series of conversations focused on the future of the international order. Over the coming weeks we will be posting short reflections on the ideas discussed, and the solutions offered for improving international relations. These reflections will be posted on our blog on a weekly basis, and will offer insight into our ongoing learning process. Continue reading
I grew up in a household where my father was a doctor and my mother coordinated volunteers for a non-profit for families experiencing homelessness. Giving back to others was not only encouraged in my household but expected. We were always taught that everyone, no matter their situation, was equal to us. Continue reading
A Black female surgeon feels invisible, and wishes to be seen for who she is (1). A Black male physician wishes he were invisible, instead of fielding the constant assumptions that he is a threat (2). When patients went to the emergency department of an academic medical center in Philadelphia complaining of chest pain, it took the staff significantly longer to order EKGs for Black patients than for white patients (3). Time matters when treating a heart attack, and an EKG is a readily available and standard test ordered for chest pain, so why the delay if you were Black? When outside examiners scored math tests of elementary school children without the benefit of knowing their names/gender, girls scored higher than when they were scored by their own teachers who knew the students’ gender (4). More female musicians are hired when they audition behind a curtain, than during open auditions (5). Continue reading
April 27, 2021
12:00pm EDT (6:00pm Pretoria)
Virtual Event Registration Link : https://tinyurl.com/bahai-benyera
Professor Everisto Benyera, Associate Professor of African Politics, Department of Political Science, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa Continue reading
April 13, 2021
Event Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
Virtual Event: You must register in advance at: https://tinyurl.com/bahai-wong
Professor Janelle Wong, Professor of Asian American Studies, American Studies, and Government and Politics, University of Maryland
This event features a discussion between Professor Hoda Mahmoudi and Professor Janelle Wong on the recent anti-Asian violence. The discussion will focus on the historical context and contemporary connections of the recent attacks.
Speaker Bio:
Janelle Wong is Professor of Asian American Studies, American Studies and Government and Politics at the University of Maryland. Her research and teaching focus on Asian Americans and race in the U.S.
About the Author:
Kate Seaman is the Assistant Director to the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace where she supports the research activities of the Chair. Kate is interested in understanding normative changes at the global level and how these changes impact on the creation of peace.
You can find out more about the Bahá’í Chair by watching our video here.
March 30, 2021
Event Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
Virtual Event: You must register in advance at:
Dr. Sarai B. Aharoni, Lecturer, Gender Studies Program, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Continue reading
Tuesday March 2, 2021
2pm – 3.30pm EST
Virtual Event – Register in advance at https://tinyurl.com/bahai-evans
Alice Evans, Lecturer, King’s College London Continue reading
This is an insight written by Sara Rissanen on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace lecture, “Syrian Refugees in the Middle East and in Europe: On the Psychology of a Humanitarian Challenge” held on January 12, 2021.
February 16, 2021
2pm – 3.30pm
Virtual – Register in advance at https://tinyurl.com/bahai-colors (link is external)
Professor Stephen B. Thomas, Professor, Health Policy and Management and Director, Maryland Center for Health Equity
Abstract:
Never in our lives have we experienced such a global phenomenon. For the first time in history, the world has come together, focused on the same existential threat, consumed by the same fears and uncertainties, eagerly anticipating the same, yet unrealized, promises of medical science. In a matter of months, human civilization has been brought low by the novel SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), a microscopic parasite 10,000 times smaller than a grain of salt. COVID-19 attacks our physical bodies, but also the cultural foundations of our lives. Depending upon how we respond, our lives, and literally our way of life, hangs in the balance. Continue reading
The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace welcomes everyone back to Spring Semester 2021. While we are still living through challenging times, progress is being made and we are hopeful that we can see each other soon.
All of our events this semester will be held online only as we continue to operate in a time of uncertainty. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our wider community and holding our events in a virtual format allows us to do this. Continue reading
January 12, 2021
11 AM -12:30PM EST
Virtual Event
Registration Link https://tinyurl.com/bahai-syrian
Abstract:
This presentation is based on unprecedented empirical research into the psychology of Syrian refugees in the Middle East and in Europe, carried out by an international team of researchers headed up by Professor Arie Kruglanski of the University of Maryland. The research supported by the MINERVA program at the US Department of Defense bears on questions such as refugees’ motivations, their state of mind and feelings as function of the welcome they receive in the host countries. The research looks at the interlocking views of refugees and local populations, how these are affected by cultural differences, and the conditions under which refugees are likely to integrate successful into host society as opposed to remaining an alienated minority. In light of the growing refugee problem worldwide (70 million displaced persons as of this writing) that is threatening to worsen as function of international conflicts and climate change, this research offers a rare empirically based window into the refugees’ psyche and its implications for world societies. Continue reading
If you are not a young black man and you listened to the recent lecture for the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace given by Professor Joseph Richardson Jr., you may have felt, like I did, that a window was opened to another world. It was a moving and deeply thought-provoking experience, both difficult and heart-warming. I realized each time one of the young men interviewed for the digital storytelling project said, “you know what I’m saying?” that I really don’t. Continue reading
Life After the Gunshot: A Digital Storytelling Project on the Impact of Structural and Interpersonal Violence and the Healing Process for Young Black Men
Professor Joseph Richardson, Jr.
November 24, 2020
This is an insight written by Sara Rissanen on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace lecture, Reentry and Reintegration after Genocide, by Dr. Hollie Nyseth Brehm held on October 29, 2020. Continue reading
There are certain words one simply does not expect to use when reflecting on violence and atrocity. Encouraging is one of them.
And yet, from the personal stories of reentry and reintegration of people convicted of genocide in Rwanda, the efforts to structure society to rebuild after traumatic rupture, and the learning generated by communities actively seeking to promote healing shared through the research of Dr. Hollie Nyseth Brehm in her recent lecture, emerged an encouraging narrative of overcoming adversity. Continue reading
The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace is delighted to co-sponsor
The John B. Slaughter Endowment Reparations Series: Global Models of Reparations
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
12:00 pm – 1:15 pm
Register for the event at:
Dr. Hollie Nyseth Brehm
Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology at The Ohio State University
Thursday October 29, 2020
3:00PM – 4:30PM
Virtual Event
You must register in advance at: tinyurl.com/bahai-brehm
Dr. Hollie Nyseth Brehm, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology at The Ohio State University
Thursday October 29, 2020
3:00PM – 4:30PM
Virtual Event
You must register in advance at: tinyurl.com/bahai-brehm
This is an insight written by Sara Rissanen on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace lecture, “The Three Faces of Anti-Semitism” by Professor Jeffrey Herf held on October 6, 2020. Continue reading
History furnishes no shortage of examples of the suffering of one group of people at the hands of another, even as news headlines daily document ongoing conflict and oppression. Some stories are well known, others obscure or lost, and none are as well understood as they need to be to overcome the barrier posed by the “us and them” attitude that is at their root. Continue reading
This is a reflection written by Dr. Tiffani Betts Razavi on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Annual Lecture, a Conversation on Climate Science, Policy & Justice with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson held on September 17, 2020.
As the semester continues we have two more fascinating events coming up and you can RSVP now to attend! Continue reading
Is there an equivalent to emasculate for women? As I am getting to know the default male, I am finding him everywhere. Why is it that there is a word to describe the removal of maleness from a man, but the closest word in structural terms, effeminate, mostly also is used with reference to men? I am a middle- aged woman who grew up in the era of third wave feminism and I find it bewildering. Apparently, I am not alone. Continue reading
Professor Jeffrey Herf, Distinguished University Professor, Department of History, University of Maryland, College Park
October 6, 2020
4pm – 5.30pm
Virtual Event Only
You must register in advance for the event at:
This is an insight written by Sara Rissanen on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Annual Lecture, a Conversation on Climate Science, Policy & Justice with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson held on September 17, 2020 Continue reading
She was only five, but she spoke in a metered and matter-of-fact tone, stating plainly that she no longer wanted to play with boys because she had observed that boys on the playground were rough and used harsh words and tone. Bias or astute observation? By age six, she shared that it appeared that girls were valued less than boys by society, and by age seven she proclaims she would like to move to a country with a female leader because she feels life during a pandemic would be better there, as women make better leaders. You might think my daughter was fed these thoughts, that I sit to brainwash my child, or get into lengthy political commentary with her – but I don’t – I truly don’t, although I have lied to her on one occasion, but more on that later. The scientist in me was fascinated that to a young child growing up in the Midwestern United States, gendered stereotypes and the implications of gender inequalities were already clear and causing concern. Continue reading
As the fall semester continues we wanted to remind you all about our upcoming events. All of the events are being held virtually and you can register to attend them now. Continue reading
Solutions are in our hands
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General
This is an insight written by Sara Rissanen on the recent Bahá’í Chair for World Peace lecture, “Reactionary Democracy in the United States: How Racism and the Populist Far-Right Became Mainstream” held on September 3, 2020. Continue reading
This has been a sorrowful moment. Racial unrest. Economic dislocation. The ravages of Covid-19. There has been death, and there will be more. All of us have somehow been shaped by this ‘Year of Covid’. Even those not directly touched – that is to say, from a personal encounter of the disease or by a loved one’s personal encounter – have seen fundamental changes in our way of life. We all bear witness to the sorrow that comes as we witness the end of an age, the closing of a well-known world. We have missed new opportunities, new chances of recognition and acceptance. We have all lost something, whether big or small. All should craft a small space to grieve, to process, and to consider. Continue reading
As we begin the upcoming semester, one which will look and feel very different to those past, the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace welcomes everyone back.
All of our events this semester will be held online only as we continue to operate in a time of uncertainty. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our wider community and holding our events in a virtual format allows us to do this. Continue reading
Reactionary Democracy in the United States: How Racism and the Populist Far Right Became Mainstream
September 3, 2020
2PM
You can register to attend the event at:
Dr. Aurelien Mondon, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Bath
Dr. Aaron Winter, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of East London Continue reading
This reflection written by Vafa Ghazavi is included in the new series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
It was previously published in Public Seminar, an independent project of The New School Publishing Initiative. Continue reading
Reactionary Democracy in the United States: How Racism and the Populist Far Right Became Mainstream
September 3, 2020
2PM
You can register to attend the event at:
Dr. Aurelien Mondon, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Bath
Dr. Aaron Winter, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of East London Continue reading
This is a reflection written by Professor Simon Dalby for the new series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
This post was originally published by the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the original post can be viewed here.
As we prepare for the upcoming semester, one which will look and feel very different to those past, the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace is looking forward to the events we have planned.
All of our events this semester will be held online only as we continue to operate in a time of uncertainty. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our wider community and holding our events in a virtual format allows us to do this. Continue reading
This is a reflection written by Professor Rashawn Ray, David M. Rubenstein Fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings, and Professor of Sociology and Executive Director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research (LASSR) at the University of Maryland, College Park. The blogpost is included in the series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic and was originally published on the Fixgov blog of Brookings.
This is a reflection written by Professor Orna Blumen, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, Department of Human Services, University of Haifa, Israel, and Naama Bar-on Shmilovitch, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences and the manager of the Center for the Study of Organizations & Human Resource Management at the University of Haifa, for the new series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
This is a reflection written by Dr. Audra Buck-Coleman, Dr. Cheryl Fogle-Hatch and Robin Marquis. Buck-Coleman is an Associate Professor and director of the Graphic Design program at the University of Maryland, College Park. Fogle-Hatch is the founder of MuseumSenses, a Baltimore-based advocacy studio that researches and develops multisensory experiences for galleries, museums and other cultural organizations. Marquis is a Baltimore-based artist, facilitator, disability activist and accessibility consultant. They currently serve as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Access Smithsonian, the central accessibility office for the Smithsonian Institution.
During the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters, Buck-Coleman’s students worked with Fogle-Hatch, Marquis and others from the disability community to create an exhibit entitled Redefine/ABLE: Challenging Inaccessibility. The following is an asynchronous conversation about society’s treatment of those with disabilities during the pandemic written for the series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
A World Without War: A Conversation with Authors Drs. Hoda Mahmoudi & Janet Khan
Moderator: Mr. Vafa Valapour
July 25, 2020
7:00 – 8:30 AM EDT
3:00 – 4:30 PM United Arab Emirates Standard Time
9:00 – 10:30 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time.
This is a reflection written by Professor Rashawn Ray, David M. Rubenstein Fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings, and Professor of Sociology and Executive Director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research (LASSR) at the University of Maryland, College Park. The blogpost is included in the series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic and was originally published on the Fixgov blog of Brookings.
This is a reflection written by Derek Caelin, Innovation and Data Senior Specialist at Counterpart International, for the new series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Continue reading
A World Without War: A Conversation with Authors Drs. Hoda Mahmoudi & Janet Khan
Moderator: Dr. Tiffani Betts Razavi
July 17, 2020
3:00PM – 4:30PM EDT
5:00 – 6:30 AM (Saturday, July 18, 2020 Australian Eastern Standard Time)
9:00 – 10:30 PM Central European Time
This is a reflection written by Professor Dafna Lemish, Professor and Associate Dean at the School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University, for the new series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
This is a reflection written by Professor Joseph L. Graves Jr. Professor of Biological Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University and UNC Greensboro, for the new series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Continue reading
The following piece is a reflection written by our Baha’i Chair Student Intern, Sara Rissanen. This piece discusses Overcoming Challenges in the Globalization of the Environment, one of the five central themes of the Baha’i Chair for World Peace. Continue reading
This is a reflection written by Caroline Corbett, Program Manager at Chemonics International, for the new series from The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace on Learning During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Continue reading
The following piece is a reflection written by our Baha’i Chair Student Intern, Sara Rissanen. This piece discusses Frontiers of Global Governance and Leadership, one of the five central themes of the Baha’i Chair for World Peace. Continue reading