THE INTERNATIONAL ISSUES DISCUSSION SERIES WINTER 2023 PROGRAM

January 01, 2023

Guest speaker and IID committee at a previous event: Dr. Sanjay Rupelia, Aviva Gomes-Bhatt, Benn Bland, Dr. Arne Kislenko, and Vamika Jain.

History’s Dr. Arne Kislenko and his student organizational committee for the International Issues Discussion series look forward to welcoming students, faculty, and the interested public to another successful series of IID talks on critical issues in international relations.

For the Winter 2023 term, some of the fascinating presentations scheduled are:

· January 25: former Ambassador Jon Allen, on Canadian values and perspectives in international affairs;

· February 8: former head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Ward Elcock, on major intelligence issues in the world today;

· March 1 (tentatively; date to be confirmed): Dr. Bates Gill, executive director of the Asia Society Policy Institute, on U.S.-China relations; and,

· March 15 (tentatively; date to be confirmed): Toronto Star journalist Martin Regg Cohn, on media and democracy.

Presentations occur from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Room ENG 103 of the Vari Engineering Building, 245 Church Street (at Gould).

Everyone is welcomed. Other talks will be added soon!

The IID also will host its third annual student conference in late March, featuring presentations on topics in international affairs by top students from Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto.

Founded in 2005 by Professors Arne Kislenko and Dale Carl, and by students Gunjan Sondhi and Leila Hoda, the IID organizes discussions on critical topics by leading experts. Since 2007, it has been led by Dr. Kislenko and students with a keen interest in international relations, many of whom are History majors or specialists. Now in its 16th year, the IID has brought many speakers to campus, including prominent diplomats, journalists, military and intelligence officials, NGO leaders, and academics. Importantly, the IID offers History and other students exceptional opportunities to participate in a grass-roots organization, including deciding who to invite, hosting speakers and events, and representing the university in an engaging and popular public forum. Many IID student leaders have pursued graduate studies after completing their undergraduate degrees, or have gone into professional programs (such as law), or have followed successful careers in the international sphere.

For more information, see www.IID.kislenko.com (external link) or contact Dr. Kislenko at akislenk@torontomu.ca