Feb. 14, 2012 — Recent decades have been marked by a continual process of globalization—greatly increasing economic and political connections between nations. Living standards in both poor and rich countries are changing, as well as political power and institutions within nations. Other changes around the globe—including climate change, population pressures and food price shocks—are challenging capacity to deal with complex and intertwined issues.
From February 22 to 24, researchers and practitioners from around the world will gather at the University of Utah to address these issues at a conference on “Global Justice: Economic Globalization, Crisis, and the Common Good.” This event is the sixth annual Conference on Human Rights, Conflict Resolution, Nonviolence, and Peace presented by the Barbara L. and Norman C. Tanner Center for Nonviolent Human Rights Advocacy at the University of Utah.
Deen Chatterjee, chair of the Conference Organizing Committee, notes the urgency of the conference theme in view of current events. “As globalization has deepened worldwide economic integration, pressing questions about justice have become increasingly common. The conference addresses the latest ideas on this important topic by some of the leading figures in this debate.”
“Our conference panelists will be examining challenging and complicated issues that can have an impact on all of our lives—in terms of how we choose to spend our money, for whom we choose to vote, and to what causes we devote our time,” says Thomas Maloney, professor of economics at the U and director of the Tanner Human Rights Center. “We really hope that this conference, like all of our events, will help build constructive and lasting connections between the university and the broader community.”
All events are free and open to the public. More information, and a detailed schedule, is available at http://www.humanrights.utah.edu/forum/Forum2012/index.html.
HIGHLIGHTS OF EVENTS
Wednesday, February 22, 6:30 p.m.
Salt Lake City Main Library Auditorium
“Can We Fix the Global Crisis? Obstacles and Opportunities.”
Keynote address by Richard Falk, Milbank professor emeritus of International Law at Princeton University and distinguished visiting professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Falk will examine potential responses to current crises in the global economy, political relations, the environment and values.
Thursday, February 23, 12:15 p.m.
S.J. Quinney College of Law, The University of Utah
“Globalization, Justice, and the Global Power Shift”
Richard Miller, the Hutchinson professor of philosophy and director of the Program on Ethics and Public Life at Cornell University. Miller will discuss the interplay of economic, political and human rights concerns in US-China relations as well as broader changes in global power relationships.
Friday, February 24, 2:00 p.m.
Officers’ Club, Fort Douglas, The University of Utah
Roundtable discussion led by Joel Rosenthal, president of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs.
In addition, several panel discussions will take place throughout the day on Thursday, February 23, and Friday, February 24, examining the impacts of economic globalization and on the global capacity to deal with issues ranging from environmental degradation, population growth, and threats to the status of women, minorities and indigenous peoples.
ABOUT THE TANNER CENTER
The Tanner Center is dedicated to providing University of Utah students, faculty and the broader community with the inspiration and education needed to become advocates for peace, nonviolence and human rights. The center seeks to provide avenues for the open discussion of important issues dividing the community, the nation and the world.