The Office of Global Learning provides many important opportunities for students, from United Nations ambassador lectures and video conferences to U.N. trips and briefings. In order to truly get the most out of your education, it is in the student’s best interest to take advantage of these free trips and educational experiences. I have noticed that many students simply do not participate in these great programs, so I decided to go to the source on our campus to find out more.

I interviewed Dr. Jo Anne Murphy, United Nations Program Coordinator for all of our campuses, who is passionate about encouraging the student body to realize that Global Learning is essential to a well-rounded education and to life after college. Whether it is U.N. activities, or activities involved with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Office of Global Learning encourages students to take advantage of all it has to offer as a complement to classroom education.

The United Nations and global issues are not pertinent only to Social Sciences majors. Dr. Murphy, who spent 16 years working in Africa with USAID, the United Nations and international NGOs, believes that “whether a student is in nursing, engineering, majoring in mathematics, biology, physics, or English literature…whatever the field of work, the United Nations’ mission encompasses a complete span of the issues of concern to humans. The last U.S. presidential election proved that it is everyone’s duty to be well informed. This is an excellent way for students to prepare themselves to choose their national and state leaders wisely and to ensure that their government representatives reflect the choices that are best for all of us. Student apathy is no longer an option.”

By using personal networking and attending briefings to become aware of global issues, Dr. Murphy explains that this can lead to student internship opportunities with NGOs.
“You enhance your competitive edge by doing internships, by having exposure to global issues through being active in U.N. briefings and participating in other activities where you learn more about the world’s issues,” she said. “However, we can only create internship opportunities if we have a seriously committed pool of students from which to select excellent candidates.”

Indeed, FDU is in a prime geographic location for U.N. activities. With both campuses in close proximity to the U.N. headquarters in New York, students from all majors and interests should take advantage of such unique learning opportunities.

Dr. Murphy concluded our interview by expressing deep concern. “The opportunities we provide here should not be taken lightly. It is of utmost importance that students take the lead in managing their education and their future by becoming proactively engaged in these activities. They could create multiple, diverse programs on campus to heighten awareness of issues related to global peace, human rights and the pervasive devastation of poverty. Life at FDU uniquely enables our students to effectively design both their career paths, and the quality of leaders they will become in their communities and beyond. We are fully committed to assisting our students in that process. Dynamic and creatively active students inspire us to develop new programs and activities in response to their interests.”
Can we students afford to be apathetic when so much is offered to us?

JACKIE HUMEN
The Office of Global Learning

Many students are unaware of the opportunity that a Fulbright scholarship can offer. Offered by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright scholarship gives grants to students to study abroad anywhere - from graduating seniors with an undergraduate degree to people pursuing their doctoral degree.

Students spend one academic year in their host country (9-12 months), and pursue their research through a relationship that they make with a university in their host country.

Students can pursue their research in a participating nation in any region of the world. 

Rama Musa, a student from the FDU-Teaneck campus, is currently a finalist in the competition for a Fulbright scholarship. She has developed a proposal for research in Israel, seeking to study successful women in the Ethiopian Jewish community of Beta Israel, and how they are integrating into Israeli culture.

Dr. Robert Houle, a history professor who has participated in the Fulbright scholarship himself, notes that the application process for the grant can be quite involved.  Students usually begin to plan for the research work in their sophomore year, and typically work with a committee at FDU who helps the student plan their research and apply to the program. 

The application process for these grants can be highly competitive among those who apply; however, there are not always a large number of applicants.  The number of grants available and participating countries can fluctuate depending on the regulations of the State Department.

On March 25, an information session will be held for students interested in Fulbright scholarships. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Wroxton room of the Student Center. 

For more information, contact Diana Cvitan at dcvitan@fdu.edu, or call her at 201-692-7161.

JACKIE HUMEN
Office of Global Learning

At a time when tensions in the Middle East have never been higher, the Office of Global Learning is pleased to announce that Ambassador Khalid Abdalrazzak Al-Nafisee, from the permanent mission of Saudi Arabia, will be speaking in its first U.N. Pathways lecture series of the semester on March 4. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m, preceded by a light reception at 6 p.m.  He will be lecturing on Saudi Arabia’s influence in the Middle East and in the rest of the world, as well as taking audience questions afterward. 

Ambassador Al-Nafisee comes to speak to FDU students and faculty at a time when Saudi Arabia is under intense scrutiny by the international community, particularly for its alleged human rights violations.  Reuters India reports that a wide spectrum of crimes in the country accounts for the extremely high death penalty convictions, where the guilty are publicly beheaded for violations from murder to desecrating the Koran.

There are many laws in the country aimed specifically at women.  Women are prohibited from working, traveling, and doing other activities without a male guardian.  Because of the limited rights of women, domestic abuse is prevalent among many families.  The United Nations Human Rights Council is insisting that Saudi Arabia cease its corporal punishment, public floggings and discrimination against women. 

The National, a news organization based in the United Arab Emirates, reports that Zaid al-Hussein, Saudi Arabia’s Human Rights Commission vice president, attempted to refute claims to mistreatment, torture and abuse by asserting that, “We do not claim to be perfect.”

Although much of its legislation is based on Islamic customs and traditions, it is not the Koran that is to blame.  Different interpretations of the Islamic holy book, as well as different Islamic sects, have different beliefs.  Ultimately, it is up to the individual to interpret the Koran for him/herself.  But should the government turn a blind eye to these individual customs?  Isn’t ignoring human rights violations the same as silently supporting them?  Attend the lecture on March 4 and learn more about Saudi Arabia and its place in the Middle East, as well as the rest of the world.

JACKIE HUMEN
OFFICE OF GLOBAL LEARNING

The U.N. Pathways lecture series, sponsored by the FDU Department of Global Learning, recently concluded for the semester with the last lecture on Venezuela and the prior one being on the European Union.  For about the past six years, FDU has sought to encourage its students to think globally by providing ambassadors to speak to the students at these lectures.

Dr. Marilyn Rye, Associate Provost at the College at Florham, states that learning does not simply happen in the classroom, but outside of it as well. 

“A great deal of students’ education in college comes from outside the classroom, in addition to their course work. It is important for a college campus to have an environment where there are many opportunities for students to gain a general awareness of the world they live in.” 

Laymah Cisco, a freshman who has lived in the U.S. for ten years after moving here from her native Liberia, can’t emphasize enough the learning that occurs at the lectures.

“I truly did learn so much about the EU and its intentions . . .  I really feel that these lectures serve to educate students who have never left the U.S. on global affairs because there is so much we don’t know. I only wish students were required to attend, so that a lot of us can see what information is right under our noses.”

However, it is not only the lecture, but the dinner afterwards that educates the students.  It is a much more intimate setting than the lecture.  Because it is open to those with reservations only, there are fewer people, and students can get the chance to talk to the ambassador one-on-one. 
Mark Sapara, Assistant Dean and Director of the FIS program, believes that the students that attend the dinner as well as the lecture tend to get the most out of the experience. 

“Those moments seem to be the ones where students recognize the magnitude of the experience.”
Some students, however, feel that improvements can be made to the program.  Rob Rosano, a sophomore Biochemistry major, feels that the dinner should be open to more students. 

“There are so many students who are eager to attend the dinner, whether they have been told by admissions about it and given the impression that it is more open, or because they are truly interested in interacting with the people there.  But so few students are allowed to attend that it makes me wonder:  Is this for the faculty or those here for an education?” 

Mark Sapara suggests that “perhaps there should be a ‘cocktail hour’ before the lecture where students are invited to attend.”

Overall, the U.N. pathways lectures have definitely made a lasting impact on the student body. 
“I think that . . . the U.N. connection has attracted students here and that the lectures have increased students’ interest in global issues,” said Rye. “As you can tell from going to the lectures, today we always have a large number of students in the audience and they ask thoughtful and interesting questions.” 

Cisco enjoys taking part in the lecture series, and feels that it is very educational. “Those few hours have really gotten my attention as to question what goes on around the globe, and I am so grateful for the chance to attend.” 

JACKIE HUMEN
The Office of Global Learning

At 6 p.m. on Nov. 11, FDU will welcome a significant figure to its campus, an ambassador representing the permanent mission of Venezuela to the United Nations, which as we know has been in some very controversial news recently. Ambassador Jorge Valero is the current Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister for North America and Multilateral Affairs, and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Ambassador Valero will speak in Lenfell Hall, with a dinner following for invited guests. Opportunities will be available for students and faculty to ask questions to Ambassador Valero and the night is expected to be one of thought-provoking and tough questions.

This lecture comes at a time when many of Venezuela’s actions have become controversial. For example, incumbent socialist president Hugo Chavez has met with Russian prime minister and former president Vladimir Putin to discuss the implementation of nuclear programs for Venezuela. Russia has extended a credit line of about $500 million to Venezuela for arms purchases, in addition to the $4.4 billion that has already been spent on submarines, weapons, and aircrafts. In addition to arms, Russia has pledged to provide Venezuela with nuclear technology. The London Telegraph released a quote from Chavez in regards to adding Venezuela as another country with nuclear capacity in the South American region.

“Brazil has various nuclear reactors, as does Argentina. We will have ours and Vladimir [Putin, the Russian prime minister] said Russia is ready to help Venezuela develop nuclear energy.”

As recently as Sept. 29, it was announced that Russian and Venezuelan forces would be practicing joint military exercises. In what Chavez refers to as a “profound friendship” with Mr. Putin, nuclear power and increased military spending may contribute to a lack of power in the Venezuela/Columbian border region. These ties with Russia are also supplemented with ties to Iran, where Chavez has turned the administration of Iranian President Ahmadinejad into a strategic partner. The London Telegraph identifies that “Mr. Chavez has supported Iran’s nuclear project and turned the Middle Eastern nation into a strategic partner, combining efforts to restrict oil production to keep prices high and engaging in joint economic ventures.”

Because of the necessity of oil profits for the country, the current drop in prices is presenting problems for Chavez’s administration. Oil accounts for 95 percent of export resources, and the funds pay for half of state expenditures. The Venezuelan economy implements many large and expensive social programs, and the administration has said that the decline in oil revenues will not lead to cuts in necessary expenditures, such as food, health, and education. However, Chavez’s political success is dependent on the high oil prices, and some believe that their decline and the resulting decline in revenue will weaken his administration. The Financial Times of the United Kingdom quotes that “analysts say Venezuela is among the most vulnerable OPEC countries, requiring one of the highest threshold oil prices to avoid slipping into a current account deficit.” If oil prices keep falling, Venezuela will certainly be in for hard times.

Keeping in mind Venezuela’s current controversies in economic and foreign affairs, one can certainly see why Ambassador Valero will be such an interesting figure to listen and question this November. This lecture is part of the U.N. Pathways Series hosted by the Office of Global Learning.

JACKIE HUMEN
Office of Global Learning