On Shifting Ground

Join the World Affairs Council for an afternoon discussion on the economy with the Honorable Jacob J. Lew, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.

For more information about this event please visit: http://www.worldaffairs.org/event-calendar/event/1249

Direct download: 2_19_14_Treasury_Secretary.mp3
Category:News & Politics -- posted at: 6:06pm PDT

The world's poorest communities face many obstacles on the road out of poverty: insufficient food and clean water, limited access to healthcare, education and employment, among many others. These shortcomings are often addressed through international aid or development projects and while some progress has been made, a major obstacle remains—everyday violence. According to Gary Haugen, aid and development efforts cannot succeed in the face of corrupt police forces, organized criminals and failed justice systems. As long as the global poor must fight against common violence in addition to the other challenges they face, their circumstances will not improve. Haugen argues lasting results can be achieved through grassroots efforts to reform justice systems and stem corruption. He will discuss the connection between poverty and violence and share stories from his work in the field.

Gary Haugen is the President and CEO of International Justice Mission, and Lecturer at University of Chicago Law School.

For more information about this event please visit: http://www.worldaffairs.org/events/event/1214

Direct download: 2_18_14_Violence_Poverty.mp3
Category:News & Politics -- posted at: 8:51am PDT

Three years ago, the Arab Spring started with a single protest in Tunisia and quickly spread across the rest of the region, bringing with it promise of a brighter future. Protesting everything from unemployment to government corruption, high food prices to unfair arrests, the Arab Spring has brought about much change in the Middle East, but has this change been for the better? As part of the national Engage America Series, internationally renowned blogger and professor, Marc Lynch will discuss the current state of affairs in the Middle East, what's gone wrong across the region and what it means for the United States.

Speaker Marc Lynch is the Director of the Institute for Middle East Studies at George Washington University.

For more information about this event please visit: http://www.worldaffairs.org/events/event/1232

Direct download: 2_6_14_Arab_Spring.mp3
Category:News & Politics -- posted at: 8:30pm PDT

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