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A new collection of 20 essays by 31 scholars and practitioners in the journal Global Perspectives addressing the fate of multilaterism in today’s world will be the subject of a major forum Tuesday, April 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at George Mason University’s Van Metre Hall at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia.
The seminar, which is free and open to the public, includes several of the authors, including a former president of the United Nations General Assembly. Together they will explore “The Future of Multilateralism and Global Development,” drawing upon their collection in Global Perspectives. The project was funded by the World Bank and the government of New Zealand. The exclusive event April 11 is sponsored by the Schar School of Policy and Government at Mason.
“We need global solutions for global problems. We need global institutions,” said J.P. Singh, professor of Global Commerce and Policy at the Schar School. “The 20 essays in this special collection provide practical and feasible ways to move forward on the many challenges humanity faces from poverty to commerce to great power conflict.”
Among the contributing authors of the essays in attendance on Tuesday is María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, the former Ecuadorean foreign minister who, from 2018-19 became the fourth woman to lead the UN General Assembly.
“The authors in this special collection provide whetted, practical, and imaginative solutions,” said Singh, himself one of the contributors. “Maria Espinosa has led the UN General Assembly in these debates. Shantayanan Devarajan has been at the forefront of many World Bank strategies. Scholars such as David Adler and Alexander Kentikelenis call attention to the role of mass politics in making transparent and accountable global decisions that affect our daily lives.”
The forum is free and open to the public. A box lunch will be provided. Registration is required at this site. To watch the livestreamed conversation, register at the same link.