2003 Press Releases

St. John's University and Institute for International Relations (IIR) Hold International Peace and Development Conference

January 13, 2003

St. John's University and the Institute for International Relations are holding a "Conference on International Peace and Development" January 13-17, 2003 in Hanoi at the Institute for International Relations. The Paul Newman-Newman's Own Foundation is sponsoring the conference.

The conference is being coordinated by the St. John's University Office of Study Abroad Programs, under the direction of Ruth DePaula, Ed.D, and being hosted by the Institute for International Relations, under the direction of Trinh Quang Thanh, Ph.D in Vietnam.

Thirty years after the war this historic conference will bring together ten American and ten Vietnamese college students to research and discuss practical uses of peace and development today. The ten St. John's University students participating in this conference represent a very diverse group of young Americans as well as one Canadian.

The students will participate in daily workshops that will be led by international historians and educators, including a United States Embassy representative. Themes and topics to be discussed include: "Educational Exchanges," "Healthcare and Social Justice," "Intellectual Property and Economic Trade and Development," "Environmental Protection and Development," "Economic Renovation and Poverty Reduction," and "Towards a Peaceful World." The program is designed to encourage the participants to share experiences, exchange ideas and discuss concerns about peace and development. Finally, the group will collaborate on research for methods of peace and development and make a public presentation at the conclusion of the conference.

NOTE: For more information on the conference, please contact Mr. Duong Van Doan, Dean, Mid-Career Training Faculty at tel. (+84-4) 835-7440.