AGS School News |
5th Annual International Graduate Student Conference
March 9, 2010
The School of International Relations at AGS will hold its 5th Annual International Graduate Student Conference on June 1 and 2, 2010, at AGS in Paris. The theme this year is: Evolving Borders: Identity and Affiliation in a Volatile International Landscape.
This conference is organized every year by AGS graduate students (AGS Graduate Student Conference Committee) and features papers by students and faculty coming from around the world.
This year's conference will discuss how the centrality of the state in world affairs has been put into question and will focus on the relationship between the state and the individual, between hegemonic and peripheral states, and between blocs of states linked together in political superstructures.
Barack Obama at Arcadia University to Speak on Health Insurance Reform
March 7, 2010
On Monday, March 8, 2010 President Barack Obama will visit the Philadelphia area and deliver remarks on health insurance reform at Arcadia University, in Glenside. Arcadia University is one of the main partners of the American Graduate School in Paris. The MBA and the M.A. in International Relations at AGS are both affiliated programs of Arcadia.
Guest Speakers in I.O. Class in October and November
November 26, 2009
Guest speakers from three Intergovernmental Organizations came to AGS over the course of October and November to share their experience with International Relations students in Clinton Robinson's International Organizations class.
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IEA (International Energy Agency):
Mrs Becky Black, Senior Adviser on Strategic Marketing and Development (October 9) -
OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development):
Ms. Sue Kendall-Bilicki, Acting Head of Public Affairs and OECD Forum Manager (October 23) -
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation):
Jean-Yves Le Saux, Director, Division of Programme Planning Bureau of Strategic Planning and UNESCO Representative to the U.N. High-Level Committee on Programmes (November 26)
On this image: Jean-Yves Le Saux of UNESCO (2nd from the left) with AGS Professor Clinton Robinson (5th from the left) and AGS students (left to right) Amy Jones, Alma Ajazi, Nicolette Bundy and Joseph Mangarella.
Establishment of the American Graduate School in Paris
November 10, 2009
The American Graduate School in Paris was formed out of the partnership of two institutions: the American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy, founded in 1994, and the business school of the European Center for Advanced International Studies, founded in 1999. AGS therefore benefits from the combined experience of both institutions. The school of International relations and the School of Business and Economics remain two branches of the overall AGS structure, that was launched on October 1st.
Alexis Delabre, chairman of the Board of the American Graduate School in Paris, comments:
“We endeavour to provide a global education, by giving future actors in international business a good understanding of the cultural, social and political context of the countries with which they will interact, as well as giving future diplomats and practitioners of international relations a good knowledge of the business component of the international arena.”
Read the news releaseAGS students attend Council on Foreign Relations Conference Series
November 9, 2009
Students are participating in the Council on Foreign Relations academic conference call series conducted over the Fall 2009 semester. AGSIRD students in Paris together with students from other academic institutions around the world listen to a speaker presenting from New York City and have a chance to ask questions following the presentation.
The subjects of the conference calls for this semester's series are:
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U.S. nuclear weapons policy and strengthening the non-proliferation regime (October 1)
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The rise of the new Muslim middle class and what it will mean for our world (October 15)
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Enhancing preventative action (November 19)
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Climate change and Copenhagen (December 3)
Lebanese Woman Ambassador addresses summer program students
June 19, 2009
On June 17th, H.E. Samira Hanna-El Daher, Representative of Lebanon to the Executive Board of UNESCO, participated in an in-class Q and A session with the summer program students. Ambassador El Daher is a career diplomat who was the first woman in Lebanon to be named Ambassador, and the first woman worldwide to be an Ambassador in Japan. She also served as Lebanese Ambassador to the USA, China, Australia, Great Britain, the Philippines, Switzerland, and Cyprus.
Graduation Ceremony in the French Senate
June 9, 2009
The yearly graduation ceremony of AGSIRD took place on June 4th in the French Senate. Seventeen students were awarded a Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. Those who had opted for a double-degree program also obtained a European Master in Diplomacy and Strategic Negotiation from Université Paris-Sud XI. Graduating students were from the US, Canada, Haiti and Liberia.
Arcadia University President Dr. Jerry Greiner came to Paris for the occasion. After he and AGSIRD president Dr. Eileen Servidio each addressed the graduating students, the commencement speech was delivered by H.E. Samira Hanna-El Daher, Ambassador, Representative of Lebanon to the Executive Board of UNESCO. Ambassador El Daher is a career diplomat who was the first woman in Lebanon to be named Ambassador, and the first woman worldwide to be an Ambassador in Japan. She also served as Lebanese Ambassador to the USA, China, Australia, Great Britain, the Philippines, Switzerland, and Cyprus.
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Study abroad in Paris: summer program
May 29, 2009
Thirteen study abroad students joined AGSIRD for a six-week long summer program in Paris, May 28th to July 10th. This program is organized in partnership with Arcadia University's College for Global Studies and focuses on the politics, history and diplomacy of France and the European Union. As part of the program, AGSIRD organizes various field trips and guest lectures.
Inaugural Spring Study Abroad Program
May 18, 2009
Undergraduate students who wish to spend a semester studying in Paris and transfer the credits earned to their home university can now choose to come to AGSIRD either in the summer, in the fall or in the spring.
The inaugural spring session just ended and students who took part in it received their certificate of study.
The program is ran in partnership with Arcadia University's Center for Education Abroad and consists of courses in the French language and courses in international relations, focusing on the politics, history and culture of Europe. The coursework was complemented by several field trips and visits. The next sessions will be in the summer, starting May 28, and in the Fall, starting August 27. More information here.
One of the highlights of the program this year was a trip to Brussels where students were given a private tour of the European Parliament with AGSIRD professor Dr. Steve McGiffen, a former environmental advisor to several members of the EU parliament.
Kristina Thomsen, one of the participants, says: "Support from the staff was great. I felt there was always someone there if we had a problem." Another student in the program, Jennifer Simmons comments: "I learned a lot. I don't feel afraid of grad school any more".
AGS student presents a paper at ISA conference in NYC
March 10, 2009
At the International Studies Association conference held in New York City on 15-18 February 2009, Laura-Lee Smith (class of 2009) presented her thesis entitled "Why have U.S. economic sanctions been largely ineffective in deterring Iranian nuclear ambitions?"
The fifteen-minute presentation was a precursor to her academic defense in the upcoming months.
"ISA was an incredible experience for me. I was able to present my thesis to experts with a panel of Ph.D. students for feedback and criticism. Inclusion in one of the largest and well-respected conferences in political science was an opportunity to represent AGSIRD to the fullest. The presence of my academic advisor Dr. Ruchi Anand and fellow student Jenica Jones gave me confidence during the most nerve-racking moments. Overall, the conference was a success - I received encouraging remarks and suggestions for how to sharpen my topic which I will include in my final thesis presentation."
Guest speakers in I.O. class
December 8, 2008
The following guest speakers have recently participated in Dr. Anand's International Organizations class :
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On December 5th, Francis Perrin, member of the board and ex-president Amnesty International France which was established in 1971, 10 years after Amnesty International was founded in London.
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On November 28th, Jean-Marie Fardeau, director of the Paris office of Human Rights Watch.
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October 24th, Clinton Robinson from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), where he co-chairs the UNESCO-NGO Collective Consultation on Literacy and Education for All.
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On October 17th, Rebecca Gaghan from the International Energy Agency (IEA), where she is Special Advisor to the Executive Director.
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On October 10th, John West, Head of Public Affairs Division at OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) and OECD Forum Director, also a professor at AGS.
'Forum for New Diplomacy' with Kofi Annan
November 28, 2008
On November 17th, AGS students attended a discussion with former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on the theme 'Africa, the New Frontier'. This was part of a series called 'Forum for New Diplomacy' organized by the Académie Diplomatique Internationale in partnership with the International Herald Tribune. The purpose of these discussions is to explore the emerging dynamics shaping our world today with leading figures in international affairs as well as senior editors and columnists from the IHT and The New York Times.
Read the IHT article on the 17th on November debate with Kofi Annan
Conference with Human Rights Watch
October 15, 2008
On November 5th, Human Rights Watch, the American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy, and the Center for Economic Penal Law are co-holding a conference on the theme: 'Implementation of Universal Human Rights Standards through Incentive Measures and Financial, Commercial and Penal Sanctions; Impact on Companies'.
All proceeds of the conference go to Human Rights Watch, an independent, nongovernmental organization, dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.
The Center for Economic Penal Law (Centre de Droit Pénal Economique) at the University of Cergy-Pontoise (a partner of AGS) brings together academics and professionals on common research projects in the field of economic and financial criminality.
Internship at the German Embassy in Paris
October 7, 2008
Christiane Peuker (M.A., 2008) is interning at the Political Service of the German Embassy in Paris where she writes reports and participates in official meetings. "This gives me a chance to see what a diplomat's life is like. It is very interesting. I was at the National Assembly when the vote on the prolongation of French troops in Afghanistan took place. " says Christiane.
Author and Journalist Alan Riding teaches a Writing Workshop at AGS
September 10, 2008
Alan Riding will run a writing workshop at AGS on September 22nd, 2008. A writer and journalist, Alan Riding wrote for 30 years for the New York Times, where he was most recently a European cultural correspondant based in Paris. He now free-lances at the NYT and writes full-time. Alan Riding also sits on the advisory board of the American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy.
More information on Alan Riding here.
Student internships at UNESCO
September 2, 2008
Two AGSers have been interning at UNESCO in Paris in the summer and the fall of 2008.
Regina Coar (M.A., 2008) is working in the Executive Office of the Culture Sector. Her day to day tasks include editing English speeches, brochures & other documents for publication. She also has long-term projects, including drafting a foreword from the Director General of UNESCO for a book about the Alps.
Zhanna Radkovska joined the Education and Literacy department where she has been participating in the organization of the "International Literacy Day". This event takes place every year at UNESCO to encourage initiatives in Literacy with a focus on a different theme each time. The theme for this year (September 8th, 2008) is "Literacy and Health", with a roundtable followed by an award ceremony whereby non-governmental organizations from various countries (Brazil, South Africa, Ethiopia and Zambia) will be granted awards for their programs in that domain.
Arcadia Celebrates 60 Years of Study Abroad and New Summer Program with AGS in Paris
July 16, 2008
AGS's partner Arcadia University celebrated the 60th anniversary of its study abroad programs with a week-long trip to Paris and the launch of a new summer program with AGS on July 7th.
Arcadia University has a strong tradition for international education. Study abroad experiences start as soon as the freshman year for Arcadia students. Additionally, every year, over 3,000 students from all over the United States go to Arcadia's Center for Education Abroad to study in one of its 100 programs abroad.
From July 1st to July 7th, a group of Arcadia students, alumni, faculty, and staff took a series of bicycle tours in and around Paris, museum visits and cultural exploration, recreating the spirit of the first Arcadia study abroad adventure in the summer of 1948 - a bicycle trip across post-war Europe.
The week ended with a reception celebrating the launch of Arcadia's new summer program with AGSIRD and their partner institution Alliance Française. James Bullock, Minister Counselor for Public Affairs (Information and Cultural Affairs) at the Embassy of the United States of America in Paris and Co-President of the Fulbright Commission in France, served as the event's keynote speaker.
June 2008 Graduation Ceremony
June 24, 2008
The yearly graduation ceremony took place on June 5th at the French Senate. In his commencement address, European Deputy and former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard emphasized the relevance of what is taught at AGSIRD to respond to the problems of the world today and find peaceful solutions to the new post 9/11 security issues.
UNESCO Seminar on Holocaust Remembrance
June 10, 2008
Dr. David W. Pike, director of research at AGSIRD, and five AGSIRD students participated in the UNESCO seminar on Holocaust remembrance on June 3rd, 2008. The seminar, entitled "Applying the Lessons of the Holocaust to Combat Contemporary Expressions of Hatred" was presided by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, the Director-General of UNESCO, and organized by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, the Russian Holocaust Foundation and the French Association Verbe et Lumière-Vigilance.
Being the Paris hosts of five Russian students who had won the Russian Holocaust Foundation prize for their essay on the Holocaust, AGSIRD students had many opportunities for interesting exchanges during and outside of the seminar.
Says Patrick Clairzier, class of 2009: "This experience was very interesting. The fact that we were made aware of the growing anti-Jewish sentiment in Russia via an individual exchange rather than the established international media shows the importance of civil society in international relations." Through this participation, AGSIRD students express their interest and concern for the collective duty of remembrance.
AGSIRD students visit the OECD
June 3, 2008
John West received a group of students from both his and Sir Christopher MacRae's classes at the OECD in Paris on April 16th. They had discussions with John, some other permanent staff and national delegation members and got firsthand knowledge of the inner workings of this IGO.
In addition, for the second year, a group of AGSIRD students participated in the OECD Forum. Forum 2008, "Climate Change, Growth, Stability", which took place in June, brought together some 1700 participants from around the world to discuss the hottest issues on the international agenda. Discussions were animated by leaders from government, business, labour and civil society, such as: OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria; Prince Albert II of Monaco; Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC; Xiqing Gao, President, China Investment Corporation; Anne-Marie Idrac, State Secretary, Foreign Trade, France; James Leape, Director General, WWF International; Doris Leuthard, Minister of Economic Affairs, Switzerland; José Lopez, Executive Vice President, Nestlé; John Sweeney, US trade union leader; and Jean-Claude Trichet, President, European Central Bank.
UK Ambassador Guest Speaker at AGS
March 21, 2008
UK Ambassador to France Sir Peter Westmacott was a guest speaker in Christopher MacRae's class on Foreign Policy Formulation and Diplomacy on February 28th.
Sir Peter Westmacott joined the UK Diplomatic Service in 1972. Following a year in the Middle-East Department, he was posted in Iran, then loaned to the European Commission in Brussels and assigned to Paris. He was Chief of Staff to successive Ministers of State in London, then posted in Turkey. After a few years as Deputy Private Secretary to The Prince of Wales, he went to Washington as Counsellor for Political and Public Affairs, then joined the board of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before returning to Turkey as Ambassador.
AGS students visit the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
March 21, 2008
On February 27th, AGSIRD students took a field trip to the Quai d'Orsay, which is the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They met with some of the actors of French foreign policy and had the opportunity to see where officials from around the world come to discuss world issues with their French counterparts.
This yearly visit is a part of Professor MacRae's required course on foreign policy formulation and diplomacy.
Graduation 2008
January 29, 2008
On June 5th, 2008, the annual AGSIRD graduation ceremony will take place in Paris in the French Senate. The commencement speaker this year will be European Deputy and former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard. In the past years, the commencement address has been delivered by the Arab League Ambassador to UNESCO, H.E. Nassif Hitti; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and editorial page editor for the International Herald Tribune, Serge Schmemann; and former French Prime Minister, Alain Juppé, to name just a few.
Like every year, this year's graduating class is very international, with graduates from the United States, Brazil, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Morocco, and India.
Student trip to Berlin
December 13, 2007
Thirteen AGSIRD students travelled to Berlin on November 24th-26th and visited the Reichstag building, the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and remaining parts of the Berlin wall.
This trip was organized by the AGSIRD Student Association under the guidance of Christiane Peuker (class of 2008), an AGSIRD student from Germany.
Regina Coar (class of 2008) comments: "It was a really great chance to spend some time together and get to know each other outside of an academic setting."
AGSIRD students intern at UNEP
December 12, 2007
Two AGSIRD students have been interning at UNEP during the Fall 2007 semester. Sarah Pedersen's internship (class of 2008) included the development of an online clearinghouse for national programs on SCP (sustainable consumption and production) and the creation of an online database searchable in several different languages and modalities.
During her current internship, Jennifer Grant is working on projects related to the "Marrakech Process". This program includes regular global and regional meetings, informal expert task forces and other activities to support the change in consumption and production patterns. It was launched in 2003 at the first international expert meeting co-organized by UNEP on the ten-year framework of programs called for by the Johannesburg Declaration.
Guest speaker from Friends of the Earth International
November 20, 2007
Sebastien Godinot from Friends of the Earth International was a guest speaker in Dr Ruchi Anand's International Organizations class on November 16th. He shared his experience as part of the Finance Reform Campaign with AGS students.
Guest speakers from the OECD and IEA
September 28, 2007
On September 28th, 2007, three guest speakers came to Dr. Ruchi Anand's class on International Organizations: Meggan Dissly of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Civil Society Coordinator), John West, also of the OECD (Head of Division, Public Affairs), and Rebecca Gaghen of the IEA (International Energy Agency) talked to AGSIRD students about The role of International Organizations in World Affairs.
Graduation ceremony 2007
June 15, 2007
H.E. Nassif HITTI, Arab League Ambassador to UNESCO, was the commencement speaker at AGSIRD's 2007 graduation ceremony which took place at the French Senate in June. In his commencement speech, H.E. Nassif Hitti offered encouragement to AGSIRD graduates about the future prospects of their choice, emphasizing how diplomatic skills serve many domains and many international careers far beyond that of professional diplomacy alone.
School trip to Alexandria
June 9, 2007
The AGSIRD students pursuing the dual Master's program with the University of Paris 11 went to Alexandria in Egypt for a week-long visit in June 2007. The focal point of the trip was two days of negotiations involving students from universities in Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco as well as a one-day conference with international peace studies specialists. Both the negotiation simulation and the conference focused on "Cultural Interactions and Conflict Resolution".
Guest speakers in the Foreign Policy Formulation Class
May 19, 2007
Sir Christopher MacRae's course on Foreign Policy Formulation and Diplomacy welcomed two guest speakers in May:
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Rob Young, former British High Commissioner to India, Ambassador to Syria, who spoke on crisis management and the impact of terrorism on diplomacy.
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John Beck, former European Union trade negotiator, who addressed AGSIRD students on negotiation.
The latter session was followed by a visit to the Quai d'Orsay where AGSIRD students were able to see the Hôtel du Ministre des Affaires Etrangères, which is the "grand" part of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs where dignitaries from around the world are received.
AGS Students Run the Paris Marathon
April 17, 2007
Abigail Pratt and Sumiko Tanaka, ran the Paris marathon on April 15th2007
Guest speakers in the Environment Class
March 22, 2007
Dr Ruchi Anand's International Environmental Politics class welcomed two guest speakers in the Spring 2007:
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Mrs Barbara K. Buchner of the International Energy Agency (Energy Efficiency & Environment division) gave a presentation on The Politics of the Kyoto Protocol
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Sustainable development specialist Mrs Evelyne Lyons from the Etude et Veille en Eau et Developpement Durable gave a presentation on Water Resource Conflict: A Case Study of the Nile Water Project.
A Dutch Member of the European Parliament visits AGS
March 21, 2007
On March 21st 2007 Ms Kartika Liotard, currently the rapporteur on sustainable resources at the European Parliament visited the students of Dr Steve McGiffen's class.
International Herald Tribune: backstage
March 16, 2007
On March 16th 2007 Brett Corbin, a copyeditor and journalist at the International Herald Tribune, showed AGS students around the IHT newsrooms.
 Christian Karastojanov Canada
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AGS's focus on both academics and real-world experience, its international faculty deeply engaged in current IR issues, and its connections to a variety of global governmental and non-governmental organizations all provided an invaluable preparation for a life in IR.