Global Town Hall: Hope in a Time of Uncertainty

OCTOBER 8, 2020

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy at Washington University in St. Louis held its first virtual international symposium on October 8, 2020, postponing in-person proceedings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the pandemic’s challenges faculty and students remain dedicated to addressing these issues.

The burden of the global pandemic on health systems, economies, and societies was the most disruptive force in 2020.  It brought into sharper focus other problems such as racial disparities and gaps in global governance, and it dampened the spirits of people around the world. In the face of mounting global pressures—from the economic outlook to the climate crisis—many of us felt anxious and disheartened about the future. At the same time, faculty and students have a strong desire and capability to address these challenges.

Symposium Highlights

Global Town Hall

The McDonnell International Symposium included a GLOBAL TOWN HALL featuring experts across disciplines and countries as they shared which societal problem has them most concerned and what gives them hope for the future.

Virtual Workshops

Given the scope and impact of our global challenges, collaborative work involving faculty across countries is key, as is the work of faculty from many different disciplines. 

In addition to the Global Town Hall, throughout the fall the McDonnell Academy hosted various virtual workshops and panel discussions with colleagues from our partner universities. Key takeaways and highlights from the workshops are available in the Symposium executive summary.

VIEW KEY TAKEAWAYS & HIGHLIGHTS

Photo Contest

During the lead up to the event, the McDonnell Academy continued engaging our community with initiatives including the opportunity to contribute a video message answering the question: What gives you hope for the future? submission of questions to our distinguished panelists in advance of the event, and entry to the photo contest, Hope and Resilience Around the World. Visit McDonnell Symposium SNAPSHOT to view some of the outcomes from these initiatives.

THE WINNER

The Next Generation
Colleen Smith
Washington University

“This photo was taken in June 2020 in St. Louis City, Missouri. The photo is dad and daughter. Dad works on a project called Dream Builders 4 Equity in St. Louis, which envisions a community where all people
thrive. Dad is looking down at daughter, the next generation, and she is staring at the camera fiercely, giving hope and showing resilience in this moment.” –Colleen Smyth

THE RUNNER UP

Smile in Spite of
Everything
Huseyin Seyyid Kaplan
Boğaziçi University, Istanbul

“I took this photo in Istanbul. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this photo gives me hope. When I saw this guy sitting in his garage, I asked him, “Can I take your photo?” He answered “yes” and said to me “let me take off my mask”. He said this because he wanted to show his smile under his mask. Nothing covers anyone’s smiling. It is very powerful.” –Huseyin Seyyid Kaplan

VIEW 2020 SYMPOSIUM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Program

SPEAKERS

Welcome remarks
Andrew D. Martin, Chancellor, Washington University in St. Louis

Moderator
Kurt Dirks, Director, McDonnell International Scholars Academy; Vice Chancellor for International Affairs; Bank of America Professor of Leadership, Washington University in St. Louis

Distinguished Speakers

  • Nadine Baudot-Trajtenberg, Assistant Professor, Tiomkin School of Economics, IDC Herzliya; Deputy Governor, Bank of Israel (2014-2019)
  • Shalini Bharat, Director/Vice Chancellor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India
  • Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda; Registered Architect; Member, Uganda National Council of Science and Technology
  • Alejandro Poiré, Dean, School of Social Sciences and Government, Tecnológico de Monterrey; Secretary of the Interior of Mexico (2011-2012)
  • William Powderly, Dr. J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine; Larry J. Shapiro Director, Institute for Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis
  • Leila Sadat, James Carr Professor of International Criminal Law; Director of the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute and Special Adviser on Crimes Against Humanity to the ICC Prosecutor, Washington University in St. Louis
  • Rocky Tuan, Vice Chancellor and President, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Lee Quo Wei and Lee Yick Hoi Lun Professor of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
PROGRAM

  • 8:20 Session opens
  • 8:30 Welcome Remarks
    Professor Kurt Dirks, Washington University in St. Louis
  • 8:35 Opening Remarks (live)
    Chancellor Andrew D. Martin, Washington University in St. Louis
  • 8:40 – 9:20 | Introduction of Panel / Session
    • Moderator: Professor Kurt Dirks, Washington University in St. Louis
      • What global problem presents the greatest concern for you today, and how does your field of study address this problem?
      • What gives you hope for the future?
    • Professor Nadine Baudot-Trajtenberg, Faculty Member, Tiomkin School of Economics, IDC Herzliya; Deputy Governor, Bank of Israel (2014-2019) (5 minutes)
    • Professor Shalini Bharat, Director/Vice Chancellor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India (5 minutes)
    • Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda; Registered Architect; Member, Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (5 minutes)
    • Alejandro Poiré, Dean, School of Social Sciences and Government, Tecnológico de Monterrey; Secretary of the Interior of Mexico (2011-2012) (5 minutes)
    • William Powderly, Dr. J. William Campbell Professor of Medicine; Larry J. Shapiro Director, Institute for Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis (5 minutes)
    • Leila Sadat, James Carr Professor of International Criminal Law; Director of the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute and Special Adviser on Crimes Against Humanity to the ICC Prosecutor (5 minutes)
    • Professor Rocky Tuan, Vice Chancellor and President, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Lee Quo Wei and Lee Yick Hoi Lun Professor of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (5 minutes)
  • 9:20 – 9:25
    • Video remarks from partner presidents and representatives
      Introduced by Professor Kurt Dirks, Washington University in St. Louis
  • 9:25 – 9:50
    • Discussion & Q&A
    • Moderator: Professor Kurt Dirks, Washington University in St. Louis
      • Share selection of previously submitted and live questions
  • 9:50 – 9:55
    • Photo Contest Winners Announcement
      Professor Kurt Dirks, Washington University in St. Louis
  • 9:55 – 10:00
    • Closing Remarks
      Professor Kurt Dirks, Washington University in St. Louis