Home Official News Releases Nelson Institute global affairs conference set for April 5-8

Nelson Institute global affairs conference set for April 5-8

DES MOINES, IA – Two U.S. ambassadors will headline a free conference on global affairs at Drake University next month. Stephen Rapp, former U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues in the Office of Global Criminal Justice, and Darci Vetter, chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative, will speak during the 4th Annual Nelson Institute Conference on Global Affairs, scheduled for April 5-8 on Drake’s campus. The conference offers a chance for undergraduate students from Drake and other institutions to share their work and learn from leaders in global affairs; all activities are free and open to the public.

The Nelson Institute was founded in 2012 to provide students with experiential learning opportunities in global affairs. This four-day event will include prominent keynote speakers as well as panel presentations for students to showcase their research. More details are online at www.drake.edu/nelsoninstitute.

The summary of activities is as follows:

Wednesday, April 5:  Keynote address by Ambassador Stephen Rapp
Topic: Bringing War Crimes Perpetrators to Justice
Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Location:  Sussman Theater, Olmsted Center, 2875 University Avenue, Des Moines

Thursday, April 6: Fulbright Scholars celebration
2 to 3:30 p.m.: Welcome by Associate Professor Karen Leroux, Fulbright advisor, and presentations on a Fulbright experience and Drake alumni Fulbright grantees
3:30 to 4 p.m.: Recognition of Associate Professor Eleanor Zeff, former Fulbright advisor
4 to 5 p.m.: Reception
Location:  Cowles Library Reading Room, 2725 University Avenue, Des Moines

Friday, April 7: Global Data Hub launch party
5:15 to 5:45 p.m.: Welcome Reception
5:45 to 6 p.m.: Global Data Hub Presentation
6 to 6:45 p.m.: Ambassador Darci Vetter’s talk, “From Iowa to the World – Economic Nationalism and Global Trade,” followed by discussion and networking
Location:  Shivers Hospitality Suite, Knapp Center, 2525 Forest Avenue, Des Moines

Saturday, April 8: Student research panels and other presentations
9 to 11:30 a.m.:  Student research panels and other presentations
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Closing remarks by Kosovo Consul General Xhavit Gashi
Location:  Cowles Library Reading Room, 2725 University Avenue, Des Moines