LIZ WHITENER
The Office of Global Learning

Every Fairleigh Dickinson student knows that we are the “leader in global education,” but what does that actually mean to the average FDU student? Founder Peter Sammartino “wanted to create an institution that would be ‘of and for the world.’ By ‘of the world’ he meant worldly or cosmopolitan.  By ‘for the world’ he meant taking our responsibility to our fellow humans seriously,” said Jason Scorza, the associate provost for Global Learning.

Before international studies were viewed as valuable or important, Sammartino was requiring entire departments to study abroad.

He was known for using the school’s own financial accounts to supply students with an international experience.

Sammartino’s dedication to a global perspective gave way to the programs FDU now provides.
Students have many opportunities at hand. They can study abroad almost anywhere, or at FDU’s own Wroxton campus. Students can take a class or a whole semester in their location of choice.

FDU also holds a rare and valuable tool, special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

“This relationship creates numerous opportunities for students and faculty to become involved in the major challenges facing the world today,” said Scorza.

Students can attend a briefing at the U.N. or attend a U.N. Pathways lecture on campus. Other programs include Global Virtual Faculty, NGO Pathways, and FDU’s Global Learning technology initiative.
Taking advantage of these programs will change an average educational experience into a life-changing one.

Global learning “helps prepare students for personal success in an increasingly competitive global marketplace and to be responsible members of an increasingly interdependent global community,” said Scorza.

Jo Anne Murphy, director of United Nations programs for the Office of Global Learning, emphasized that their programs give students the ability to shape their educational experience so that it will be relevant in a global society.

“Whether a student major in nursing, engineering, or social sciences, global learning experiences are feasible for all of our students not only on our campuses, but also just a few miles away at the United Nations,” said Murphy.

An opportunity for every student to learn about and experience a global perspective can be found in the upcoming U.N. Pathways Lecture, “Korea and its Role in its Region and in the World,” featuring Ambassador Park In-Kook.

He will be speaking about the permanent mission of the Republic of Korea. The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 7 with a reception at 6 p.m. in Hartman Lounge and a forum to follow in Lenfell Hall at 6:45 p.m.

Visit or contact The Office of Global Learning located in the Mansion on the other side of Hartman Lounge or at ext. 8876.

You can email Student Assistant Liz Whitener at lizwhitener@yahoo.com with inquiries about how to get involved.

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