Upcoming Event – Book Discussion: Fundamental Challenges to Global Peace and Security

May 5, 2022 

11am – 12.30pm  EST 

Virtual Event – Register at: https://umd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EFVPyWVQQjKZ8yFFic6LuQ

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

Upcoming Event – Book Discussion: Struggling to Learn An Intimate History of School Desegregation in South Carolina

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

Continue reading

Upcoming Event: Dignity, Repair & Retreat: reflections on anticolonial and anti-racist solidarity

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

Upcoming Event: Antisemitism in the world and why it’s often difficult to address its specificity

Prof. Gunther Jikeli, Erna B. Rosenfeld Professor, Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism/ Borns Jewish Studies Program

Associate Professor, Germanic Studies, Indiana University Bloomington 

March 29, 2022 

2pm – 3.30pm 

Virtual Event Register at: tinyurl.com/bahai-jikeli  Continue reading

Upcoming Event: Decolonial and Radical Planetary Futures: Defatalizing Colonial Literacy and Imagination

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

Upcoming Event – Simply Because People Refuse to See: Black Lives Matter in Historical Context

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

Welcome to Spring Semester 2022!

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

Upcoming Event: Annual Lecture 2021

The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace Annual Lecture 2021

September 30, 2021, 1pm

‘Breaking the Spell of the Welfare State?’: Public Culture in Neoliberalism’s Gender Regime

Professor Angela McRobbie, Professor Emeritus, Goldsmiths University of London and Professor of Cultural Studies, Coventry University UK

Register Now at: tinyurl.com/bahai-mcrobbie

Continue reading

Welcome to Fall Semester 2021!

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. 

Continue reading

The Future of the International Order:Crossing Divides and Building Community in International Relations 

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

The Future of the International Order: Legitimacy, Authority, and Order in an Age of Anxiety

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

The Future of the International Order: Re-envisioning the Foundations of International Relations: Innovation, Progress, Inclusivity, and Commonality

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. 

Continue reading

The Future of the International Order: The Ethics of Human Rights in a Digital World

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

The Future of the International Order: What comes after the liberal order? Shifting power in the international system

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

The Future of the International Order: A Discussion Series

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

Upcoming Event – Anti-Asian Violence in Context: Historical Roots and Contemporary Connections

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.

Upcoming Virtual Event: The Colors of COVID-19: Confronting Health Disparities During a Global Pandemic

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

Welcome to Spring Semester 2021

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

Upcoming Virtual Event – Syrian Refugees in the Middle East and in Europe: On the Psychology of a Humanitarian Challenge

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

Upcoming Virtual Event: The John B. Slaughter Endowment Reparations Series – Global Models of Reparations

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:  

https://go.umd.edu/globalreparationsafam

Continue reading

Upcoming Virtual Event: From the Powerful and Evil Jew to the Zionist as Racist, Oppressor and Imperialist:  Continuity and Change in Antisemitic Falsehoods from Ancient Times to the Present.

From the Powerful and Evil Jew to the Zionist as Racist, Oppressor and Imperialist:  Continuity and Change in Antisemitic Falsehoods from Ancient Times to the Present

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:

tinyurl.com/bahai-herf

Continue reading

Welcome to Fall Semester 2020

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

Upcoming Event: Reactionary Democracy in the United States: How Racism and the Populist Far Right Became Mainstream

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:

tinyurl.com/bahai-mondon

Dr. Aurelien Mondon, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Bath 

Dr. Aaron Winter, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of East London  Continue reading

Fall Semester 2020: Upcoming Events

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

Fall 2020 Events Update

As we are continuing to monitor the ongoing Covid-19 situation and adapting as necessary, we have made the decision to host all of our events during the fall semester online only. 

This allows us to move forward with our planning in a time of uncertainty, whilst also ensuring the safety of our wider community. We will share the information for the virtual events as we finalize the logistics. The details and login information will be available on our website and on our social media accounts.  Continue reading

Welcome to Campus!

The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace is delighted to welcome all new and returning students to campus. We have a very exciting year planned and invite you to stop by our office to learn more about us and our program’s focus on advancing interdisciplinary discourse on global peace. Continue reading

Book Review: The Restless Wave: Good Times, Just Causes, Great Fights, and Other Appreciations

In the summer of 2018, while battling brain cancer, Arizona Senator John McCain released a book in the midst of a particularly chaotic and toxic political atmosphere. The book, The Restless Wave, serves as a powerful meditation on the future of America as an identity and an ideal; the critical need for compromise and civil discourse; and the need for the propagation of spiritual values such as humility, grace, courage, and justice both among our political leaders and the American people.

McCain’s parting advice cautions against the excesses of partisan entrenchment, righteous and arrogant discourse, and a xenophobic and exclusive definition of America. His principled guidance should be carefully considered by all Americans concerned about the unprecedented and unsettling denigration of truth, unity, civility, and community in our country. Continue reading

Welcome Back to Campus!

The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace is excited to welcome all of you back to campus for the start of the spring semester! We hope everyone is settling in and enjoying the first day of classes.

We look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming spring lecture series. All the lectures are open to the campus community and the public and are free to attend. These events bring leading thinkers to campus to examine obstacles to global peace, and solutions for overcoming those obstacles.

Continue reading

Reflection: International Day of Peace 2017

“We are a world in pieces. We need to be a world at peace.”

Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary General

 

Today is the International Day of Peace, a day designated by the United Nations General Assembly as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” The day is focused on the TOGETHER campaign launched by the United Nations in September 2016 to promote respect, safety and dignity for refugees and migrants and to counter the rise in xenophobia and discrimination. Continue reading

About ‘In-Depth’

“The faculty to think objectively is reason; the emotional attitude behind reason is that of humility. To be objective, to use one’s reason, is possible only if one has achieved an attitude of humility, if one has emerged from the dreams of omniscience and omnipotence which one has as a child. Love, being dependent on the relative absence of narcissism, requires the development of humility, objectivity and reason.” – Erich Fromm, The Art of Loving

The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland is an endowed academic program that advances interdisciplinary examination and discourse on global peace. Viewing humanity as a collective and organic whole, the Chair’s incumbent, Professor Hoda Mahmoudi, explores the role that social actors and structures play in removing obstacles and creating paths to peace. The Chair’s explanation focuses on a number of thematic issues including, structural racism, climate change, human nature, women’s inequality, and leadership and global governance. Continue reading

About ‘Book reviews’

“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.” ~ Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood

The book reviews on the blog will feature important books related to the Chair’s research themes, both academic and non-academic texts. The reviews will focus on what the reader found inspiring, what questions the book raised and how it has influenced their approach. Continue reading

About ‘Reflections’

“Learning without reflection is a waste. Reflection without learning is dangerous.” ~ Confucius

The reflections on the blog will be in a number of formats. Reflections by Professor Mahmoudi will include the Chair’s thoughts and approaches to current events. Students will write reflective pieces on events they have attended, those organized by the Chair and other events across campus. Every event arranged by the Chair will be reflected upon in the blog, these reflections will highlight what the author found interesting and any questions the event made them think about. We will also feature reflections by guest authors related to the research themes of the Chair. Continue reading

About ‘Interviews’

“Everybody talks, nobody listens. Good listeners are as rare as white crows.” ~ Helen Keller, “The Beauty of Silence,” in The Home Magazine (1935)

As part of the conversations series the blog will also feature interviews with upcoming guest speakers and other notable figures. These interviews will be carried out by students who will select the interviewee, do the background research and then conduct the interview. Continue reading

About ‘Conversations’

“If one talks to more than four people, it is an audience; and one cannot really think or exchange thoughts with an audience.” ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh, North to the Orient (1935)

The conversations series will feature audio recordings of discussions between the Chair and a small group of students. These conversations will focus on topics of importance and relevance and are designed to spark new ideas and approaches to challenges to world peace. Continue reading