Kofi Annan's Historic Visit for Global Peace a Global Reach, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan Launches by NANCY MASTERSON-NEWKIRK

Summer 2001

University Magazine

Kofi Annan's Historic Visit for Global Peace A Global Reach, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan launches BY NANCY MASTERSON-NEWKIRK

"Alongside an infinite diversity of Annan's visit to Seton Hall is the Marian G. Glenn, Ph.D., the cultures, there does exist one, global result of the School of Diplomacy's School's associate dean for academic civilization based on shared values of significant role in the United Nations affairs, adds, "Members of our faculty tolerance and freedom ... defined by ... Year of Dialogue among Civilizations. are honored to have this opportunity to its celebration of cultural diversity ... The School of Diplomacy has been use their academic expertise to conduct and its belief in the right of people every- selected to serve as the coordinating research and help lay the groundwork where to have a say in how they are gov- Secretariat for the Dialogue, which for the Eminent Persons' meetings." erned... The diversity of human cultures emphasizes the benefits of cultural Week after week, faculty partici- is something to be celebrated, not feared." diversity and the role of the individual pate in these planning and drafting in global relations. An international sessions. Those involved are Associate — United Nations Group of Eminent Persons, appointed Professor Assefaw Bariagaber, Ph.D.; Secretary-General Kofi Annan, by Annan, are meeting throughout the Assistant Professors Courtney Smith, Seton Hall University, year to lay out a new model for global Ph.D., Margarita Balmaceda, Ph.D., February 5, 2001 relations. This model will be detailed and Philip Moremen, J.D.; and in a book to be produced later this Faculty Fellows Monsignor Robert J. espite a fierce year under the auspices of the School Wister, D. Eccl. Hist., Gisela Webb, snowstorm that of Diplomacy. Ph.D., and Juan Cobarrubias, D. Phil. paralyzed much of Constantinou and the School of In addition, the School has engaged the Northeast, United Diplomacy have been collaborating a professional staff that includes Nations Secretary- with the U.N. on the initiative since Catherine Tinker, J.S.D., Denise DGeneral Kofi Annan made an historic May 2000, working closely with the DelPriore, M.A. '01, and School of visit to Seton Hall on February 5 secretary-general's personal represen- Diplomacy graduate student Ben to launch and make his first public tative, Giandomenico Picco, and the Waruta (see page 19). address of the year on a U.N. initia- Group of Eminent Persons (see list on Annan views the Dialogue project, tive, the Year of Dialogue among page 20). A former assistant-secretary- which was unanimously adopted Civilizations. It focuses on increasing general, Picco is best known for his by the U.N. General Assembly in tolerance and understanding among role as chief U.N. hostage negotiator November 2000, as an absolute neces- the world's peoples and cultures. and for his contributions in helping the sity. "Without this dialogue taking Although the winter storm delayed Beirut hostages gain freedom in 1991. place every day among all nations — Annan's visit more than two hours, The School has dedicated substan- within and between civilizations, a standing-room only audience in tial resources to set up a functioning cultures and groups — no peace can Walsh Gymnasium greeted the Secretariat. "Our administrators and be lasting and no prosperity can be secretary-general with thunderous faculty have all been involved, invest- secure," he emphasized to the Seton applause and a standing ovation. ing enormous time and effort over Hall audience on February 5. Monsignor Robert Sheeran '67, Univer- the past 12 months, working intensely sity president, conferred an honorary with Mr. Picco," Constantinou says. The Dialogue Doctor of Humane Letters upon Picco comes to Seton Hall monthly among Civilizations Annan. Monsignor Sheeran, along with to meet with the faculty members Clay Constantinou, J.D. '81, LL.M., who have been directly involved The idea for a comprehensive inter- dean of the School of Diplomacy and in developing ideas for the initiative change between countries was first International Relations and former and writing chapters for the book. presented to the United Nations in U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg, also The book will be presented to Annan September 1998, when President presented Annan with the School's and later conveyed by him to the Mohammed Khatami of Iran put forth Global Citizen Award. The honor is U.N. General Assembly at a special an urgent call for a "dialogue among reserved for individuals who have session in December. Translated civilizations." A concerned Khatami made significant contributions to the into many languages, it will be insisted that a process be created to world community. disseminated worldwide.

SETON HALL UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE Seton HaU

Monsignor Robert Sheeran '67, University president (left) and ClayCoristanlinou, ; J.O. '81, LLM, dean of the School of ? ! Diplomacy and International Relations (right), , present U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan wit;h the School's Global Citizen Award 5 ': during his February visit -P'l^

SUMMER 2001: 17 Kofi Annan: Bio in Brief orn in Kumasi, Ghana, in 1938, Kofi BAnnan studied at the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi and in 1961 com- pleted his undergraduate work in economics at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1961-62, he undertook graduate studies in economics at the Institut universitaire des hautes etudes Internationales in Geneva. Annan received an M.S. in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was a 1971-72 Sloan Fellow. Since 1997, Annan has served as the Seton Hall bestowed on Kofi Annan an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during his visit. seventh United Nations secretary-general; he is the first to be chosen from the ranks of U.N. staff. He has worked for the international replace hostility and confrontation the framework for the Dialogue. organization since 1962 in a variety of posi- with more discourse and understand- Among its members are the Honor- tions, including assistant-secretary-general ing. He was not alone in his thinking: able Richard von Weizsacker, former for peacekeeping operations (March 1993- On November 13, 2000, the U.N. president of Germany; the Honorable February 1994) and twice as under-secretary- General Assembly unanimously Jacques Delors, former European general (February 1994-October 1995 and proclaimed 2001 as the United Commission president; the Honorable April 1996-December 1996). Annan's tenure Nations Year of Dialogue among Dick Spring, former foreign minister as under-secretary-general coincided with Civilizations. Pope John Paul II of Ireland; and Javad Zarif, deputy unprecedented growth in the size and scope praised the decision in his World foreign minister of Iran. Professors Tu of U.N. peacekeeping operations: At peak Peace Day message on January 1. Wei Ming and Song Jian (China), deployment in 1995, there were almost 70,000 military and civilian personnel from "This dialogue is the obligatory path Sergei Kapitza (Russia), Hans Kiing 77 countries. to the building of a reconciled world, (Switzerland), Lourdes Arizpe (Mex- As secretary-general, Annan's priorities a world able to look with serenity to ico) and Nobel Laureate Nadine have included a comprehensive U.N. reform its own future. This is a theme Gordimer (South Africa) also are part program focused on: which is crucial to the pursuit of of this select group. peace," he said. The group's first meeting took • strengthening the U.N's work in the place in Vienna in December 2000, areas of development and maintenance The Group of Eminent Persons, of international peace and security; which comprises former heads of state at the invitation of the Austrian gov- and government, Nobel laureates ernment. In May, Constantinou and • encouraging and advocating human and scholars, was created to develop other School of Diplomacy represen- rights; the rule of law; and the universal tatives participated in the second values of equality, tolerance and human meeting, hosted in Dublin by the dignity as found in the U.N. Charter; and Irish government. A third meeting is • restoring public confidence in the organ- scheduled for September in Qatar. ization by reaching out to new partners During Picco's February visit to and, in his words, by "bringing the Seton Hall, he explained how the United Nations closer to the people." Group of Eminent Persons are provid- Annan is credited with helping to resolve ing the Dialogue's conceptual under- several delicate political situations. These pinnings, concentrating on themes include staving off U.S. military intervention of inclusion and tolerance. "We are by securing Iraq's concession to weapons looking at the Dialogue as the seed inspection in 1998; a mission in 1998 to for a new paradigm of international help promote Nigeria's transition to civilian relations ... based on the reassess- rule; an agreement in 1999 to resolve a ment of the concept of enemy, on the stalemate between Libya and the Security responsibility of the individual as a Council over the 1988 Pan Am/Lockerbie key element in our global society and bomb; diplomacy in 1999 to forge an inter- Italy's Giandomenico Picco, Annan's personal a search for security through inclusion national response to violence in East Timor; representative, has been intensely involved efforts in 2000 to certify Israel's withdrawal with administrators and faculty from the rather than exclusion," he said. Picco from Lebanon; and working to halt the vio- School of Diplomacy and International urged that this new approach to global lence between Israel and the Palestinians. Relations. The School was selected to serve relations "can only become a reality if as the coordinating Secretariat for the United the mindset of perceiving diversity as Nations' Year of Dialogue among Civilizations initiative. a threat is changed." 18 SETON HALL UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE Graduate Student Facilitates Global Understanding BY DENNISSA BROWN '01 pioncern for human welfare, and than they are divided by their Wthe relief of global suffering, separate identities." Waruta have always been an impor- believes that with the work of tant part of Ben Waruta's the Secretariat, a construc- life. Waruta, along with tive, focused global dia- five other graduate stu- logue can be achieved. dents in the School of "Diversity should not be Diplomacy and Interna- a threat... it should be tional Relations, has embraced," Waruta says. been actively involved as "The Dialogue is not project assistant for the mere words alone, but a United Nations Year of basis for meaningful action," Dialogue among Civilizations, the graduate student continues. ever since the project's inception This is not the kind of work I can last year. leave at the office. These issues are The Dialogue involves discussion and important to me, especially when we talk The Dialogue is far from a theoreti- research into various international issues about Africa." Waruta speaks passionately cal exercise, according to Marilyn such as ethnicity, conflict, health care and about the many problems plaguing the DiGiacobbe, the School's associate poverty; it also promotes awareness of those African continent and feels a personal obliga- dean for external affairs. "It is a living issues (see main story). tion to his native Kenya. "I am saddened by the poverty," he explains. "There is the AIDS initiative that crosses the boundaries A native of Kenya, Waruta attended the University of Nairobi and later transferred epidemic, poor health care and corrupt gover- of continents and cultures and reaches to Hardin-Simmons University in Texas. nance. Some problems overshadow others, deep into the layers of society, consid- The second-born son of college professors such as genocide in Rwanda, which resulted ering the role of each member and (his father is a self-taught scholar), Waruta in almost a million lives lost, and we all facet of society in resolving conflict," speaks of his family with pride. "My parents watched it happen. But when I see the hope she emphasizes. taught me the powerful impact a people in the eyes of the people — that makes me It is this global focus that drew can have when they're committed to change," even more compelled to do something to Seton Hall to the initiative. "The Waruta says. "They gave me my first lessons make a difference, even in some small way. goals of the Dialogue are directly in global affairs." Both parents were active I guess that's why this Dialogue has so much linked to the mission of our School," in the Kenyan revolution for independence. significance for me." says DiGiacobbe, who learned of the Waruta adds, "I often think of all they have Waruta believes that the Dialogue project fought for and realize that I have much to will increase the world's awareness of the initiative during a visit to the United be thankful for... I must continue to advo- School. "The School's leaders are active in Nations last spring. DiGiacobbe, who cate for change." getting out the message," he says. "This brought the idea back to Seton Hall, Waruta credits Robert Manley, J.D., program has quality students, quality instruc- says the School's involvement is a Ph.D., former director of graduate programs tion and projects, and provides students with classic example of recognizing and in the School of Diplomacy (now professor quality experience." seizing an opportunity. It also is emeritus) for his decision to enroll at the After he graduates next May, Waruta closely linked to the School's part- University in Fall 1999. "The Seton Hall hopes to work in the field of international nership with the United Nations program in international relations combines business affairs, fostering mutually beneficial Association of the United States of education with practical experience," Waruta business collaborations between big coun- America (UNA-USA). This nonprofit explains. "I admired Dr. Manley's spirit. After tries and less developed ones. He strongly organization is dedicated to further- my initial visit with him, I felt that this would believes that in today's international society, ing the United Nations' mission and be a place where great minds are valued." corporations should make global responsibil- As project assistant, Waruta brainstorms ity a top priority. "It is important to know how U.N. participation through education, about critical global issues and arguments to manage across cultures. Businesses need research and dialogue. on diversity, the global economy and the to be more socially responsible; they should As Constantinou explains, "This is increasingly divisive relationship between big, have the courage to make fair and inclusive one of the many instances where the influential countries and smaller ones. He then decisions, and they should be held account- School is the beneficiary of our great presents the information to the project organ- able for actions that could have negative relationship with the UNA. We collab- izers, and the project's Group of Eminent impact on the citizens of the world," he says. orate very closely with its chairman, Persons, who debate and further augment As Waruta makes plans to continue to Ambassador Bill Luers, and our key position papers for the Dialogue. promote dialogue, respect and participation liaison, Suzanne DiMaggio." U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in in a global community, he looks forward Inspired by the Dialogue, students his address to the Seton Hall community on to working with his Seton Hall colleagues. are fostering a dialogue of their own. February 5, said, "The United Nations itself "I have a strong feeling that we will be work- was created in the belief that dialogue can ing together on future issues that mean so They have spearheaded a parallel triumph over discord, that diversity is a uni- much to us," he says. "Seton Hall has already project aimed at highlighting and versal virtue and that the peoples of the world helped us to foster a better world." celebrating the rich diversity at Seton are far more united by their common fate

SUMMER 2001 19 United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations

Group of Eminent Persons His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin The Honorable Richard von Weizsacker Talal (Jordan) (Germany) Giandomenico Picco (Italy), Professor Sergei Kapitza (Russia) Professor Javad Zarif (Iran) Personal Representative of Professor Hayao Kawai (Japan) the U.N. Secretary-General Ambassador Tommy Koh (Singapore) Secretariat A. Kamal Aboulmagd (Egypt) Professor Hans Kiing (Switzerland) Lourdes Arizpe (Mexico) Graga Machel (Mozambique) Ambassador Clay Constantinou, Dean Marilyn DiGiacobbe, Associate Dean Hanan Ashrawi (Palestine) Professor Amartya Sen (India) Ruth Cardoso (Brazil) Professor Song Jian (China) Marian G. Glenn, Associate Dean The Honorable Jacques Delors (France) The Honorable Dick Spring (Ireland) Leslie Gelb (United States of America) Professor Tu Wei Ming (China) Nadine Gordimer (South Africa)

Hall. Through weekly seminars and The Global Compact Fred Hassan, chairman and CEO activities, students have engaged in of Pharmacia Corporation in Peapack Following Annan's address, the School diversity training; explored the com- (and recipient of the School's 2000 of Diplomacy hosted area corporate plexities behind conflicts in the Mid- Global Citizen Award), addressed the leaders at a private dinner honoring dle East, Northern Ireland and Africa; secretary-general on behalf of the the secretary-general. "The worlds and shared potluck dinners featuring business community. "We all have of business and diplomacy are natural foods from around the world. a stake in answering the pleas of our allies," Constantinou says. "There is The School's involvement already less fortunate neighbors," Hassan a great deal of synergy here, in the has increased its global reach. said. "Many of us in the business sense that businesses are now recog- DiGiacobbe points out, "In May, community share your vision that, nized actors on the world stage, in we received phone calls and e-mails working together, there is little that from prospective students in Kenya, we cannot accomplish." Australia and Luxembourg who "Without this dialogue Constantinou notes that Hassan learned about the Dialogue from taking place every day has been a great benefactor to the our Web site and want to know more School of Diplomacy and has a wealth about our School." among all nations — of experience in fostering dialogue and Constantinou adds, "It is a great collaboration between governments, accomplishment for Seton Hall and within and between academia and the private sector. "Fred the School of Diplomacy to be part of civilizations, cultures is truly a man of global vision and this extraordinary endeavor. I expect an outstanding role model for our that the work produced by the Group and groups — no peace students," the dean observes. of Eminent Persons will have tremen- can be lasting and rjo Annan's visit was an important dous impact for years to come." eventin the history of Seton Hall, During Annan's remarks at Seton prosperity can be secure." demonstrating the University's ability Hall in February, the secretary-general to affect global change. As the lauded the School of Diplomacy's — Kofi Annan secretary-general emphasized in "visionary decision to accept the role concluding his remarks on that snowy a similar way to riongovernnl^fi'tal of coordinating Secretariat of the Year February evening, "the Dialogue organizations. They often help facil- of Dialogue among Civilizations." among Civilizations should be held itate dialogue and forge consensus Annan also singled out "the impor- at Seton Hall, and it should be held between nations where governments tant contribution that the School, at the United Nations, and wherever are unsuccessful." under the leadership of Ambassador people of good will seek to bridge In his address at the dinner, Annan Constantinou, has made. Diversity is differences and advance peace, urged the corporate community to sign both the basis for the Dialogue among drawing on the best of humanity's on to the Global Compact, an agree- Civilizations, and also the reality that rich and diverse past to improve our ment that encourages the world's makes dialogue necessary," Annan told common future." business leaders to exhibit greater sen- the University community. "It is this For more information, visit sitivity in dealing with human rights, global civilization that we are called on diplomacy,shu.edu/dialogue or labor and environmental issues. The to defend and promote as we embark www.un.org/dia/ogue on the Web. plea echoed a speech Annan gave in on a new century." January at the World Economic Forum Conference in Davos, Switzerland.

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